Bacton & Walcott Coast Walk

Address: Coast Road, Bacton, NR12 0EW

Distance: approx 5.5km round trip

Difficulty: Amber – Cliff top route can be overgrown and muddy depending on the time of year with a couple of small obstacles to climb over. Watch the lower promenade when wet as it can be slippy

Parking: 40 Spaces 8am to 6pm – £1 for first 30 minutes. £2.10 per hour.

This has to be one of my personal favourites when it comes to walks on the East Coast. Starting from the public car park on the edge of the village on the Mundesly Road, head towards the cliff top and turn right to head south towards Walcott (away from the gas terminal).

Bacton is well kept secret, this area of the Norfolk coastline is known for its very quiet sandy beaches. They offer many miles of walking opportunities along both the beach and cliffs.

There are public toilets available at both ends of the walk. In Bacton near car park where you start and on Walcott Sea Front just by the cafe and shop.

The directions for this walk are very simple, in so much as you just keep going following the coast line, either on the beach or on the path at the top of the cliff / sea wall. You know when you are reach Walcott seafront when you get to the Poachers Pocket inn. Shortly after this you will be on the promenade at Walcott. I usually turn around and head back the way I came at the end of the prom.

Food and drink

There are lots of options for getting something to eat or drink at the mid way point in Walcott. Byy the time you reach the sea front here you will already have passed the Poachers Pocket which is popular all year round with campers and walkers. However if you wish to follow the road inland from the far end of the prom for approx 1/2 mile you will come to the Lighthouse Inn. The Lighthouse serves local cask ales and has a reputation for good home cooked food.

There are other options to stop for a bite to eat in Walcott asides from the two pubs. Towards the far (south) end of the prom is both the Kingfisher cafe and also the Kingfisher fish & chip shop. Both of these have seating inside and out for customers to use and enjoy.

If you just want a quick snack then there is the Walcott Village Shop just past Kingfisher. This has a good range of food and snacks available at sensible prices to take away and enjoy. Included in this is a good selection of locally made pies / pasties / sandwiches etc.

Dogs welcome

Dogs are welcome for the entire route on the path at the top of the sea wall, with regular bins for dog waste along the route. However some of the stretches of the beach are restricted in tourist high season. There are notices at the top of each set of steps down to the beach to make this clear for all.