Norfolk Coast Path 3: Burnham Overy Staithe to Stiffkey
11 January 2014
A beautiful January day took George and me to Stiffkey from where we
got a bus to Wells and then another to Burnham Overy Staithe to start
our walk.
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-102827.jpg)
The eponymous staithe
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-104211.jpg)
Across the sands and marshes around Overy Creek, the sea can be glimpsed
about 2 km away
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-105629.jpg)
The walk along the flood wall is easy going, and heads for the dunes
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-110104.jpg)
Looking back as we prepare to crest the dunes, Burnham Overy Staithe can
be seen in the distance
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-110334.jpg)
On top of the dunes, where the route of the Norfolk Coast Path takes to
the beach
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-110702.jpg)
The sand is delightful to walk on, and with the exception of the two
people in front of me we have the beach to ourselves
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-110853.jpg)
The wind is blowing the sand around - this still picture doesn't really
capture it properly
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-110958.jpg)
Man and his best friend
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-111336.jpg)
All that space, and all those ripples in the sand, plus the blowing
light sand over the surface
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-111411.jpg)
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-112538.jpg)
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-114456.jpg)
We're approaching Holkham Meals and Holkham Gap. The official route
stays rather closer to the dunes, but we kept along this fine route
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-114528.jpg)
Officially we should probably be on the other side of that water
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-115055.jpg)
Here the creek poses a minor barrier - it would be easy to cross, but
not dry-shod. So we turned inland back to the official route.
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-115447.jpg)
But the going is getting damper, and the wisdom of sticking to the
official route is growing on me
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-115645.jpg)
Again, nothing difficult, but a bit damp and squelchy in places -
perhaps better with Wellingtons
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-120320.jpg)
Safely on the shore proper, it doesn't look significantly challenging,
but it was a puzzle to reach firm ground with dry feet, a slightly
frustrating end to what had been a glorious walk along the beach
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-120421.jpg)
A board walk takes us to the Holkham Gap car park
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-120642.jpg)
From there, a path runs initially along the back of the narrow woodland
strip, perhaps planted to reduce dune erosion.
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-123758.jpg)
Eventually the path enters the pleasant woods and we stop for lunch
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-124117.jpg)
Passing a camping and holiday home site shows that we have almost
reached the Wells Bank
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-124835.jpg)
On The Bank, where the Norfolk Coast Path turns south to the town. Some
dredging is going on to keep the passage open for boats.
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-124842.jpg)
Looking south along The Bank to the town
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-130703.jpg)
Approaching Wells-next-the-Sea
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-130813.jpg)
A miniature railway runs the length of The Bank: here is its southern
terminus
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-130952.jpg)
The harbour at Wells
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-131144.jpg)
From the harbour looking back along The Bank and The Pool to the sea.
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-132214.jpg)
The remainder of the walk is almost entirely east, initially along the
sea wall with a good surface, later to become extremely muddy and
difficult to walk on.
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-134605.jpg)
The salt marshes of Wells, Warham and Stiffkey are my companions for the
remainder of the walk
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-135704.jpg)
The path is now grassy as it sticks to the back of the salt marshes
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-142217.jpg)
Some of the many birds on the salt marshes
![](../../images/2014/2014-01/2014-01-11-142654.jpg)
A last look at the marshes before turning inland for the 800 metres
across fields to the village of Stiffkey, after a really lovely walk.
Total walk was 18.5 km in 4 hours 29 mins (making 17.2 km of
progress along the Norfolk Coast Path)
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