Thornham Marsh

The marshland stretches out flat and endless between Hunstanton and Thornham - proper Norfolk coast stuff, all salt-laden air and the constant shift of light across water. Thornham Marsh itself is less a structured attraction and more a landscape you walk into, following the path that winds between reed beds and shallow channels where wading birds do their thing year-round.

What you get here depends entirely on what you bring to it. Birdwatchers will spend hours with binoculars picking out redshank, avocet, and if you're lucky, spoonbill. Walkers enjoy the gentle terrain and the sense of proper remoteness, even though you're never far from Hunstanton's promenade. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're already keen on nature - there's no visitor centre, no facilities, just the marsh and whatever you notice in it.

Go early morning or late afternoon when the light's better and the birds are active. Bring decent binoculars and a tide table if you're exploring the channels. It's free, obviously - it's just a marsh. Allow a couple of hours if you're serious about it, or 45 minutes if you're just stretching your legs.

Staying at Wild Luxury or Deepdale, both within a few miles, gives you easy access for a morning visit without it feeling like a pilgrimage. Pair it with a proper walk along the Norfolk coast path or a visit to Hunstanton itself for a fuller day.