Dick Buck's Burrows, Open Access

The woods east of Cromer have a proper wild feel to them, and Dick Buck's Burrows is where you get that sense strongest. It's open access land - no gates, no visitors' centre, just forest that you can wander through freely. The burrows themselves are sandy hollows and ridges, relics of ancient dunes that the woodland has gradually claimed over centuries. Walking through here feels genuinely different from the manicured country estates you find elsewhere in Norfolk.

What you're doing here is more about atmosphere than spectacle. Bring decent boots if it's been wet - the ground gets boggy in places. The trees crowd in close, and on a grey day it's moody rather than cheerful. In summer the canopy thickens and you lose the sky entirely. It's the sort of place that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick circuit.

Walkers get the most from this. Families with young kids might find it a bit samey after twenty minutes unless they're into proper exploring. History buffs will appreciate the landscape archaeology, though there's nothing obvious to point at. There's no admission fee and no time limit - you're free to spend an hour or half a day here.

It works well as a break from beach time if you're staying at Woodland Holiday Park nearby. Cromer itself is only a few miles away, so you could easily combine a morning in the forest with afternoon fish and chips on the seafront. The contrast between the wooded interior and the coastal town is part of Norfolk's appeal.