Walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney: Day 2 NCP

This walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney, along the coast path, is less beach and more marsh. Although it’s a fairly long walk (nearly 15 miles), it’s quite easy in that it’s completely flat.

A small boat sitting on the low river next to the sandy bank, part way through the walk between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney. The boat is black underneath, and has an orange top.

Looking across the beige coloured marshes on the walk between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney. There is a boat moored in the distance.

A small row boat sitting on the rocky bank next to the river, on the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

Although some parts of the walk were quite busy (I did the walk in the gap between xmas and new year), once I reached the marshes, they pretty much disappeared. If you like solitude, then this is a pretty good walk for it.

What to expect on the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney

You do have beach, in fact, there is a very long stretch of big wide sandy beach near the start. The map tells me this is a naturist beach. I didn’t see any naked people. There were too many regular clothed people for that. If the tide is out, you can walk along this beach for quite some time.

Looking across the wide flat sandy beach towards the sea, near the start of the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

To follow the official coast path, you actually come off the beach and walk through woods which are quite mystical in parts.

A walking trail through tall trees with wavy branches.

Once you do reach the marshes, you will remain in them for the rest off the walk to Blakeney. If you are into your birds, this seems like a good spot for it.

Looking across the bleak light brown coloured marshes.

A few boats sitting on the river bed, with marshland on the other side, when walking from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney. There is a mix of row boats and sailing boats.

An information board showing the different bird species in the Stiffly Marshes.

Looking over the tall hay, to a lake with birds sitting on top.

A narrow muddy trail through wavy mystical trees, on the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

If you would like to see the previous section of the coast, you can read about it here.

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Logistics

Start: Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk. Post code: PE31 8FF.
Finish: Blakeney, Norfolk. Post code: NR25 7ND.

Distance: 14.7 miles.
Options to shorten the walk: Yes. Wells is the halfway point, which has a bus, so you can start or finish there.
Time: 4h 45min.

Difficulty: Easy (or moderate due to length).
Terrain: Dirt, mud, sand, minimal road.
Elevation: Flat.

Dog friendly: Yes (although under control in some areas).

A sign on a pole saying dog walkers are welcome.

Amenities

There isn’t a lot in Burnham Overy Staithe. There is the Hero restaurant and Pub and that’s pretty much it. There is a coffee shop and ice cream place, but they seemed to be permanently closed (don’t quote me on this).

Part way into the walk between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney, you will reach Wells-Next-the-Sea. This is a port town which will have more options. Pubs, cafes, bakeries, ice cream, etc. There are also public toilets, and a refreshments area at Wells-Next-the-Beach.

Towards the end, you walk through Morston Quay. It was empty when I was there, but I have read that there is a snack bar. Could be seasonal? Apparently there are public toilets there too. Otherwise, there isn’t anything else until you reach Blakeney, which has lots more options as it’s a touristy place.

Public transport

The 36 coastliner goes from Kings Lynn via Hunstanton to Burnham Overy Staithe and Wells-Next-the-Sea. It doesn’t go to Blakeney though. The CH1 Coasthopper goes from Cromer to Blakeney and Wells-Next-the-Sea.

As the two buses meet at Wells, you can swap over there if you need to.

I had a car, so I parked at Wells-Next-the-Sea, then got the 36 Coastliner bus to Burnham Overy Staithe (10minute journey), then once I finished the walk in Blakeney, I got the CH1 Coasthopper back to Wells to get my car.

Kings Lynn and Cromer are both on train lines.

Parking

There is a pay and display car park in Wells-Next-the-Sea, but I parked on the street for free. There are two car parks in Blakeney. Once you pay for, one is free. The free one is conveniently right next to the bus stop, next to the Blakeney Parish Council (post code: NR25 7PG). There are also public toilets there. In Burnham Overy Staithe you can probably park on a side street for free (I don’t know for sure, as I didn’t park there, but I imagine you can).

Accommodation

You have self catering cottages and bed and breakfast style accommodation options in Burnham Overy Staithe, Wells-next-the-Sea, and Blakeney. They are not the cheapest places to stay, which is why I stayed in Hunstanton. During low season you are looking at over £150 per night. During high season over £250. In Hunstanton I found something for £60.

If you would like to stay on the trail though, here are my suggestions:

Burnham Overy Staithe: The Hero. This place looks really nice in the pictures, and if I wasn’t being cheap, I would stay here. It’s a dog friendly (for an extra fee) bed and breakfast pub. You can get lunch and dinner here too. It comes highly rated.

Wells-next-the-Sea: Globe Inn. Everything in Wells seems to be whole cottages, except the Globe Inn. It does look lovely though and is rated highly. It is a bed and breakfast style pub, with all the usuals you would expect. It is also dog friendly for an extra fee.

Blakeney: The White Horse. This is a very charming but luxurious looking bed and breakfast, with restaurant pub. This one is not dog friendly, but does have some great reviews. Particularly for the food.

Map for the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney

Route description for the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney

The start of the trail is just off the main road in Burnham Overy Staithe. If you stand by the bench/bus stop at the Hero pub (facing the road), cross over the road and turn left. Then take the road on the right with the red telephone box. There should be a trail sign here.

A bench and sign for the Hero Pub on the pavement, with the road on the right. There are houses on the left side of the road, and cars parked on the right side.

A wooden trail signpost on the right, and red telephone box on the left, both in front of a green hedge.

Follow this road around to reach the River Burn and harbour. Then keep going to reach the dirt trail and ridge, then walk along it.

A road with two sailboats on the green bank on the left side. There is a brick building on the right behind some bushes, and the river visible ahead to the left.

I was surprised by how many people there were walking ahead of me on the ridge. Not what I would usually expect from a weekday hike.

A ridge walking trail with lots of people walking along it ahead in Burnham Overy Staith. There is green grass down the sides of the ridge, and the river to the left with a few boats moored.

Three small boats in the river, at the start of the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney. The river is low and there are marshes on the other side.

Keep going along the ridge, as it makes a few curves, and you will soon get a view to some sand dunes ahead. Then continue though the sand dunes, to reach the beach, and turn right.

People walking along the dirt trail ridge, towards sand dunes ahead. There is green grass down the left side of the ridge, with marshes to the left.

A danger warning sign in blue in front of the tall grass on the sand dune.

A wooden trail sign on the sand dune, on the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney. The sign point right and back.

Walk along Holkham Beach

You now have a wonderful long stretch along this beach. When the tide is out, you can walk along it all the way to Wells-Next-the-Beach.

A big wide long stretch of sand of Holkham Beach, on the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

The official trail actually runs to the right of the beach, in the grassy section. I started out on the beach, then switched over. I was a bit paranoid I was going to miss an important turn and have a similar situation to yesterday’s walk. If you choose to walk along the beach, just make sure you stick close to the grassy bit, as further on there is a bit of bog.

Tall grass, with a sandy trail running through it, with Holkham Beach to the left.

Looking across the boggy ground to sand dunes covered in grass on the other side. There are two people standing on top of the sand dune.

As you make your walk along the beach, you will soon reach some trees on the other side, with a walkway leading up to them.

Looking across the boggy sand to a walkway leading up off the beach to the woods. There are people walking along the beach and up the walkway.

If the tide is out, you can stay following the beach around. The tide was out for me, but I decided to head up the walkway. This is the official trail. Because I missed a lot of the official trail yesterday, I wanted to try to be more official today.

A wooden trail signpost pointing left for the Norfolk Coast Path and Wells-Next-the-Sea.

A back dog standing on a walkway which leads up towards some woods. the walkway is lined with wooden fence.

Walk through the woods

Up the walkway, the official trail becomes less clear. I could see a number of trails on my map, but there wasn’t a sign telling me which one was correct. So I decided to take a left off the walkway (see photo below).

A wooden walkway turning right on the sand, with woodland trees ahead. — I took a left here, off the walkway

A sandy trail leading though tall patches of grass towards the woods with green leafed trees, when walking from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

After this, I didn’t see any coast path signs for a long time, so this probably wasn’t the correct one. But I enjoyed it anyway.

It starts off sandy, then the trail becomes a mix of narrow and wide dirt through the woodland trees. Further on, the trees become mystical looking. It reminded me of some fairytale story book.

A wide trail through the woods with tall green leafy trees. There are a few people walking on the trail ahead.

A muddy trail leading through the woods.

The trail does undulate a bit through here, so if you would prefer level walking, then stick to the beach.

Occasional there is a trail junction, they all lead pretty much the same way, so you can take your pick. Just make sure you are still walking with the coastline to your left. I always picked the left trail to keep it simple.

A split in the dirt trail through the woods. — I took a left here

Wells-Next-the-Beach

For a long time you can’t see the beach, however, as you approach Wells-Next-the-Beach, there are some openings if you want to head back onto it. I noticed some beaches huts, so had a peak. They didn’t entice me enough to walk back on the beach though. There were too many people for my liking.

A row of pastel coloured beach huts on the sandy Holkham beach, partway through the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

If you stuck to the left trails, you will reach a walking path, which will lead you out of the woods and to a very large car park and refreshment area.

A path with people walking along it ahead. The path is lined with a wooden fence on both sides, and leads through the woods. There is a toilet hut ahead.

Looking across the river to holiday park homes on the other side.

A wooden trail signpost pointing in all directions, with the full car park behind.

Keep going past the car park, and then food place, to reach a ridge on the other side.

Lots of people walking along the road through the car park, with refreshment huts ahead.

A ridge walkway with a walking path below to the left and road below to the right. There are lots of people walking about.

Wells-Next-the-Sea: Halfway on the walk between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney

On the ridge, turn right, and this will lead you to Wells Next the Sea.

Two small boats sitting on the low river, and one small row boat on the river bed, halfway through the walk between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney.

A river and pier lined with boats in all sizes, and the buildings of Wells-next-the-Sea ahead on the other side.

I didn’t explore the town*, as it was even busier here than the beach, so skirted around it sticking to the river side.

A walkway on the right and river on the left. There is a tall brick building ahead on the right side.

*Later on, after I finished the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney, I got the bus back to Wells and walked through. It’s very lovely, with lots of little shops and cafes. If you have the time, I would recommend having a wonder.

To get back onto the trail, just follow the river. I didn’t see any coast path signs for a bit, so figured that following the river was the best idea.

A big white coloured building which says 'Chandlery' in black, on the side of the road.

A radio leading through some buildings, with the river to the left. the river is low, with a few boats moored to the side.

Eventually there is a sign, after passing a few turnings where a sign would have been useful. It will lead you back onto a dirt trail along a ridge.

A wooden walking trail sign pointing left and right, next to a metal fenced off area filled with junk.

The road leading through and area filed with fishes baskets, and brick walled buildings to the left.

A dirt walking trail leading through a wooden fence, and lined with green grass and bushes.

The Warham Salt Marshes

Follow the ridge path, and it will lead you through a little bush area where you might have to duck, and then onto a trail through the marshes. You will remain in the marshes now for the rest off the walk to Blakeney.

A wooden trail walking sign pointing left and back with a white acorn sign, on the walk between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney.

A long straight ridge path, with green grass sides and marshes to the left, and field to the right.

A small wooden stump sign with an acorn, pointing left on a dirt trial through the bushes.

A grassy dirt trail leading through the marshland.

Looking across the bleak marshes when walking from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

A small wooden bench on the side of the trail, nestled within some green bushes.

A bit later on there are a few junctions, but there are little acorn signs telling you which way to go.

A muddy dirt trail curving to the left though the grass, with a small trail offshoot to the right. — Except here. There isn’t an acorn, but just stay on the main path

A wooden stump signpost with white acorn and yellow arrow, pointing ahead onto the path.

A muddy dirt trail split, leading through some straggly bushes.

It can get a little muddy further along, and at one point I popped up onto a trail through the woods to avoid a particularly muddy bit, before heading back down alongside the marshes.

A muddy dirt trail, with a grass bank leading up the right side, and marshes to the left and ahead.

A narrow trail leading through the trees which are covered in green leaves.

Looking through some tree branches down to the marshes.

It is very lovely along here, but I did zone out a bit, then listened to a podcast, then when that was finished zoned out some more.

There weren’t too many people about, unlike the beach earlier. Just the occasional birdwatchers.

The Stiffkey Salt Marshes

The next marshes I found to be muddier, and at one point thought I was going to have to walk through a massive chunk of water, before noticing the trail that leads around it.

A muddy dirt trial leading through the marshland.

A grass ridge trail, with some people walking along it ahead, near the end of the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

A grass trail leading around the right side of the curved river, near the end of the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney.

A very wet muddy trail leading through the marshes.

A large patch of water in the middle of the trail in the marshland.

A grass trail split, with two people waling on the right trail. — Follow these people at this junction

After a bit, you will be lead onto a ridge again, with a view to lots of boats in the distance.

A dirt ridge walking trail, with grass sides. There is marshland to the left and boats in the distance to the left.

Looking across the marshes to lots of boats on the other side.

Head towards the boats, and then onto a road through them to reach the National Trust building with picnic tables.

I had a sit down here for a snack. My plan for today wasn’t actually to walk from Burnham Overy Staith to Blakeney. I was really planning to walk to Cley. But the sun was now starting to set, so I made an executive decision to finish the walk at the next village, which was Blakeney.

The final stretch of the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney

Past the National Trust building, the trail takes you onto a ridge again, with a view to Blakeney in the distance. Now head towards it.

The National trust building on the left, and grassy area ahead on the right.

A wooden trail sign point on the ridge path. There is green grass down the side of the ridge.

A long straight ridge walkway, with grass down the sides, leading towards Blakeney, near the end of the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe. There is a mass of marshland on the left.

A ridge walking trail curving left, with the houses of Blakeney visible ahead, near the end of the walk from Burnham Overy Staithe.

For some time now, my big toe had been hurting. Hurting so much that I was limping. So it was just as well I would be finishing the walk soon.

Thinking ahead to tomorrow, and how I would deal with this, I wondered if taping it would help. I had some tape with me incase my other injury returned (which was feeling absolutely fine so far). I have never taped a big toe before, I wondered if it was the same principle as thumb taping. That I could do.

I decided that when I got back to my accommodation, I would do what any good trusted healthcare professional does and Google it. But first I would take my turmeric and slather it in volterol gel.

Anyway, once you reach Blakeney, you should see a big wooden signpost directing you to the bus stop (if you want to get the bus that is).

A gravel path leading through a gate and bushes to the stone walled buildings of Blakaney ahead.

A wooden trail signpost pointing towards to bus stop and Norfolk coast path.

Read next: Day 3 Blakeney to Cromer

What happened yesterday: Day 1 Hunstanton to Burnham