Overstrand Cliffs

The cliffs here tower above the beach in proper Norfolk fashion - russet and ochre layers of clay and flint that have been steadily surrendering to the North Sea for millennia. You can walk right along the clifftop path from Cromer, and it's one of those stretches where you genuinely understand why people live on this coast despite what the weather throws at them.

What strikes you most is how accessible the whole thing is. There's no ticket booth, no visitor centre nonsense. You simply turn up, park near Cromer, and walk the clifftop promenade. The path itself is straightforward - well-maintained tarmac for most of it - and takes maybe an hour to explore properly. On a clear day you can see for miles along the coast. On a grey one, which is most of the time frankly, the drama of the eroding cliffs becomes even more obvious.

Families with older children will get the most from this. Toddlers might find it a bit samey after twenty minutes, and you do need to watch them on the clifftop - the edge is fenced but requires supervision. Walkers and geology types will spend longer here, particularly if there's been recent slippage to examine.

Timing-wise, go when the weather's not actively foul. Spring and early autumn are best. If you're staying at Forest Park Caravan Site or The Grove Glamping - both practically on your doorstep - this becomes an effortless morning outing before lunch in Cromer proper. Combine it with a visit to Cromer Pier or the beach below if the tide permits.