Walk from Cromer to Mundesley: Day 4 NCP

This walk takes you along the coast path from the very British seaside town of Cromer, to the Victorian village of Mundesley.

Looking down to the beach below as it meets the sea, along the walk from Cromer to Mundesley. There are two people barely visible walking along the beach.

What I’m going to do in this guide, is first give you a little overview of the walk from Cromer to Mundesley. This is followed by logistics, including public transport, parking, accommodation information, and a walking route map. I will then go on to describe the route step by step with lots of photos.

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What to expect on the walk from Comer to Mundesley

It’s a fairly easy walk, and is mostly flat. However, there are a couple of hills to get onto the cliffs, which is unexpected from the very flat Norfolk. You do get some nice cliff views, but there is a little more road walking than is desirable.

Looking along and down the rugged cliffside, to the sea below, when walking between Cromer and Mundesley.

Looking over the tall hay grass and along the rugged cliffside ahead, dropping down into the light blue sea below, on the walk from Cromer to Mundesley. There is a village on top of the cliff.

I have been making my way along the Norfolk Coast, and so far, this section of the walk from Cromer to Mundesley has the most road (if you exclude the un official road walking I did on day 1). For a good chunk, you aren’t actually on the coast.

A narrow trail with a brown crop field to the right, and the road to the left. There is a house on the left side of the road ahead.

There is a little bit of beach walking, involving uncomfortable rocks. Some fun colourful beach huts. And some cliff edges which are crumbly (just don’t go too close).

Looking along a beach covered in grey small rocks, with patches of sand, and cliffs on the left, on the walk between Cromer and Mundesley.

My plan today was actually to walk all the way to Sea Palling, 17 miles down the coast. This didn’t happen. Due to injury, I was forced to stop the walk at Mundesley, which conveniently has a bus route back to Cromer. I will explain more soon….

Logistics for the walk from Cromer to Mundesley

Start: Cromer, Norfolk. Post code:NR27 9AT.
Finish: Mundesley, Norfolk. Post code:NR11 8BG.

Distance: 8 miles
Time: It took me 3h, but I was limping for a lot of it. So you could probably do it quicker.
Difficulty: Easy

Terrain: Concrete, rocks, road, grass.
Elevation: A couple of steep hills. But they are over quick. Then flat everywhere else.
Dog friendly: Yes (apart from the roads)

Time of year: I walked from Cromer to Mundesley in winter.

Public Transport

This section of the coastal walking trail between Cromer and Mundesley is very easy to complete using public transport. Cromer is on a trainline, which runs to North Walsham and Norfolk. In Mundesley, the CH2 coasthopper will take you to both Cromer and North Walsham. The bus runs daily, except public holidays. Check the bus times here though for up to date information. Bus 34 also goes from Mundesley to North Walsham, but it’s useless as doesn’t run very frequently and doesn’t run on weekends.

Amenities

Plenty of food options in Cromer, from pubs to cafes, fish and chips, and a big Morrisons. Public toilets. Mundesley has some pubs, cafes, a chippy, and Spar. Just north outside the main village centre is a Tesco Express.

Along the route, about 2 miles in, you walk by Overstrand Village. This route doesn’t take you into it, but you can pop up if you need public toilets or refreshments from the cafe or convenience store. There is a cafe at the Trimingham caravan park about 6 miles in. Open 8:30 to 2.

A wooden trail signposts with a cafe blackboard sign below it, sitting on the grass, with the road to the left. The arrows on the sign point left and right.

Along the walking route between Cromer and Mundesley, there are a few benches.

A small green bench on the grass clifftop, with a view to the sea below to the left. The bench is facing the sea.

Parking in Comer and Mundesley

In Cromer you have car parks or free street parking in places. The car parks are pay and display using cash, contactless, text message, or app. Meadow Road car park, NR27 9DX. Cadogan Road car park, NR27 9HU. The cost is incremental up to 6h then 24h. As an example, at the time of writing it’s £6.30 for 5h.

Mundesley has a car park (Beach car park), or free street parking. Beach Car park is pay and display using contactless or app. Don’t know the price. Sorry.

Accommodation

If you are walking the whole coast and need somewhere to stay, Cromer has more options than Mundesley. As they are a bus ride away from each other, you have the option to catch it back to Cromer if there isn’t anything available (or within budget) in Mundesley.

One of the more budget options in Cromer is the Knoll Guest House. It has an exceptional rating (9.6), and is right in the centre near the beach. It’s also pet friendly at no extra charge.

One of the few budget options in Mundesley is the Ship Inn. It is a bed and breakfast style pub, and is pet friendly for an extra fee.

Map for the walk from Cromer to Mundesley

To see the previous section of the coast path, you read about yesterday walk here.

Route Description: Walk from Cromer to Mundesley

When I woke up today, and started walking, my ankle still felt a little sore, which struck me as odd. Maybe it’s not boot rub?

When I then put my boots on, and tried to walk, I was incapacitated. The pain was prettier severe. There was no way I could walk like this. I tried padding it which made it worse. It was when the boot touched the side of my ankle that the pain was so bad that I couldn’t put weight through the foot, so I stuffed some socks in the heel to raise my heel up enough that it wasn’t touching the side.

I was now walking in a makeshift high heeled boot. But was pain free. I had 17 miles to walk today, then 20 miles tomorrow. This probably wasn’t sustainable, but that would be a problem for later….

Start the walk from Comer to Mundesley

If you head down to the coast, near the Cromer Pier, you should see a coast path sign at the top of the stairs. Follow it down, and turn right.

A metal sign with arrows pointing in all directions, at the start of the walk towards Mundesley from Cromer. The blue sea is visible ahead below.

Looking towards the Cromer pier jutting out into the sea, at the start of the walk towards Mundesley.

You will be on a concrete walkway, with the beach down to your left, and soon, some colourful beach huts to your right.

Looking down and along a black shingle beach in Cromer, as it meets the wavy sea on the left, at the start of the walk towards Mundesley. There are a few people on the beach.

A narrow concrete walkway in Cromer, with colourful beach huts on the right and a black shingle beach to the left, at the start of the walk to Mundesley.

This bit out of Cromer is nice and easy, and I secretly hoped it would stay like this for the whole walk to Mundesley. Easy is what I needed today.

Unfortunately for me, the path soon leads onto the rocky beach.

At this point I had a choice. Walk on the rocks, soft sand, or slippy wooden plank wall. The slippy wall seemed most sensible, so I went with that…until I was forced off it.

Looking along a long stretch of beach, with sand and black shingle on the left, and dirt and black rocks on the right, with a wooden wall in between. there are rugged cliffs looming above to the right.

It’s now a long stretch of rocks, with some sandy patches to give your feet a break.

Looking along a long stretch of beach covered in grey shingle with patches of sand, on the walk from Cromer to Mundesley. There are rugged cliffs over on the right.

Some way, way in the distance, you will reach a concrete walkway again, with more beach hut goodness.

A sandy beach with wooden planks on the right. There is a white dog walking on the beach, and lots of people walking ahead.

A grey concrete walkway, with an upper level on the right with a row of colourful beach huts, when walking from Cromer to Mundesley.

At this point, I was wondering if I was on the official coast path. I hadn’t seen any signs since the start of the walk at Cromer. For so much of the Norfolk Coast Path, the signs aren’t always obvious, and I have often found myself on the ‘unofficial path’. So I didn’t quite trust that this was correct….

Then right on que, some signage appeared.

A wooden trail signpost pointing left and right for the Norfolk Coast path when walking between Cromer and Mundesley.

Walk up the hill

You will reach a point, where there is a road up the hill. I couldn’t see any signs telling me to go up there, so I proceeded towards the beach. Only, I could see massive rocks ahead, blocking the way.

I looked back on the road. A little harder this time. And that’s when I saw it. The little coast path acorn, further up, very unobvious. It’s like they want you to miss it.

A road leading uphill on the right, and strip of grass lining it on the left. There is a big wooden pole with a yellow telephone on the left, as well as a smaller wooden post with a white acorn sign.

Now, proceed up the hill to reach the houses at the top, where you turn left.

A wooden trail sign post pointing left and back, standing in front of some short bushes and a light blue shed behind. There are two red crabs painted onto the shed.

A road curving ahead to the left, with a pavement lining the left side, and green on the other. There is a big white walled house with a red roof on the other side of the road, partially hidden by bushes.

After uphills, you expect a good view, as a reward….This view was ok. Nothing special.

Looking down the grass hill to the blue sea below.

The roads

Continue walking along the road, then at the end, turn left for more road walking.

A road junction, with a red telephone box on the other side. There is a wooden trail sign on the corner of the junction, pointing, left, right, and back. — Turn left here

There will be a left turn further along, onto Tower Lane. After the turn, keep going past a few houses, and what feels like you are walking in private area, to reach the dirt trail.

A road leading ahead and then curving right, with a side road to the left. — Turn left here

A small residential road leading straight ahead, with grass and a wooden fence eon the right side, and wooden fence and house on the left side.

A narrow dirt trail through the bushes, with a wooden stump sign on the right with a white acorn. There is a sign on the post saying 'no cycling'.

This will lead you back towards the coast, this time along the top of the cliffs. It’s a bit of an uphill here, but this time you do get a fantastic view looking back.

A grass trail leading up the grass hill.

The cliffs

Now just simply follow the path along the cliff edge. The views along here are quite interesting. You can see along the top the way the cliffs go in and out. You mostly don’t see the cliffside though. Just a few times.

A narrow muddy dirt trail lined with short bushes. There is a wooden sign on the right with a white coast path acorn pointing along the trail

Looking along grassy clifftop, with the see just visible to the left, partway through the walk from Cromer to Mundesley.

Looking down the rugged cliffside, as it drops down to the beach and sea below on the right, on the walk from Cromer to Mundesley.

A wooden trail sign on the grass clifftop, with the blue sea ahead. The sign points ahead, back, and right.

You will then be lead through a small bit of woods, with acorns guiding you though, and then into the village of Trimingham.

A muddy dirt trail through thew woods. There is a wooden stump sign with white acorn in the middle of the trail.

A wooden trail signpost pointing ahead and back, surround by hay and grass.

A wooden stump signpost with a white acorn and arrow pointing left. There is a wire fence behind it, leading onto a grass field and houses on the other side.

More road, less coast

Follow the acorns to reach the main road with a church. Then turn left. There is a little bench here, which I decided to rest on and think.

A wooden trail signpost in front of the leafless bushes, pointing right and back for the Norfolk Coast Path when walking from Cromer to Mundesley.

Looking across the road, to a church and red telephone box on the other side, partway through the walk from Cromer to Mundesley.

My foot was really starting to hurt again. So much so that I was limping. I knew at this point I wasn’t going to make it. I had to stop the walk at Mundesley.

Not what I wanted. But it would have to do.

Continuing on the road, look out for the sign directing you onto the dirt trail between the road and crop field. It’s very ‘scenic’. Not quite what I had in mind for a coast path walk.

A wooden trail sign pointing ahead along the edge of a brown crop field. There is a road on the left side of the field.

At the road junction, continue on the dirt trail, which will lead you to a bit of woods, and alongside a wooden fence.

A road on the left, and grass walking strip on the right.

A dirt trail leading through some woods, towards a wooden fence.

A dirt trail with woodland trees on the left, and a wooden fence on the right.

At the next road, turn right. Then a short way along there will be a dirt trail and Coast Path sign on the left. Follow it.

A road leading ahead, lined with dirt backs and leafless trees.

A wooden trail sign pointing along a narrow dirt trail, with leafless bushes on the left side of the trail. — This is the left trail off the road

More fields, road, and holiday park(s)

This will lead you alongside another crop field, and then alongside the road again.

A grass trail leading towards a brown crop field on the right. — Take the right here alongside the crop field

A narrow grass trail running along the left side of a brown coloured crop field, along the walk between Cromer and Mundesley.

A narrow dirt trail leading through some straggly trees and bushes.

A grass trail leading straight ahead, with a brown crop field on the right and road on the left.

At the end, there will be a sign directing you across the road, towards a caravan park. At the entrance, keep to the road on the left, which will lead you back alongside the clifftop.

A wooden trail sign in front of a leafless bush.

A car parking area with a small single story budding ahead. There are two parked cars. There are two tall trees next to the building on the left. — Keep left here

A wide walking path, lined with a strip of grass on the left, and caravan holiday homes on the right.

Looking down the grassy cliffside to the beach and sea below on the left, part way through the walk from Cromer to Mundesley. There are holiday homes all along the clifftop ahead.

It’s actually quite well signposted along here. In fact, it’s been unusually well signposted for a while. So yeah, follow the signs which will lead you past the caravan park and back onto dirt (potentially muddy) trail.

A wooden pole fence curving along the grass bank on the side of the road. There is a wooden sign next to the fence with a white acorn and yellow arrow pointing ahead along the road.

A white arrow sign on a metal pole. The sign points left. There is a driveway behind the sign with the end of a white walled house on the right.

A wide dirt trail curving right, and small dirt trail leading straight ahead. — You want to take this little trail ahead

When you reach the green, keep left, then cross over the next road onto another dirt trail. Keep going all the way to reach the next holiday park.

A large green, with rooftops visible ahead on the right, and the sea on the left.

A gravel path leading onto a road, with a view to the grass clifftop and village ahead in the distance.

A dirt trail leading through the leafless bushes. There is a wooden trail sign on the left, with a white acorn and yellow arrow pointing ahead along the trail.

A thin trail leading along the grass clifftop when walking from Cromer to Mundesley. The sea below to the left and a large area of grass to the right.

When you reach the fence at the end, follow the acorn sign to the right through the gate, and walk all the way to reach the road. Keep going right to the end, then turn left.

A wooden stump sign with white acorn and arrow pointing right, near the end of the walk from Cromer to Mundesley. There is a rugged wooden fence behind the sign, with a grass area and row of holiday homes on the other side of the fence.

A big white sign saying 'private property' on a wooden fence and gate, with caravan park holiday homes on the other side. — Go through here

A gravel road ahead, with houses on the left and a hedge on the right. There is a wooden stump sign with a red arrow pointing along the road ahead.

A wooden trail signpost on a fence corning next to the road, with red bricked houses on the other side of the road. — Turn left here

Road again

It’s now more road.

A residential road leading ahead, lined with brick walled houses.

I was really struggling by now. As I walked past by a bus stop, which is the exact bus I would be catching from the centre of Mundesley, I was very tempted to call it a day. But I was so close. I just needed to walk a little more. So I kept going.

Now, someway further along there is a left turn you need to take. You wouldn’t have thought it, if there wasn’t a coast path sign. The sign is actually on the other side of the road, so keep an eye out for it.

Looking across the to the side of the road where there is a wooden fence and wooden trial signpost. — Turn left when you see this sign

A gravel driveway style road lined with a grass patch on the left and tall wooden fence on the right. There are tow people walking down the road. — To walk up here

After the turn, you will be lead onto Sea View road, where you turn right, to walk through a residential area.

A road sign saying 'Seaview road parish of Mundesley'. the sign is sitting low on the grass, with a red rope hanging behind it. There us a trail sign with white acorn, and red arrow pointing right. — Turn right here

A driveway road lined with houses on the left, and cars parked on the right and ahead on the left. There are telephone pylon wires above.

The end of the walk from Cromer into Mundesley

Keep going, then towards the end where the road curves, there is a path to the left. There is an acorn sign hidden in there bushes here.

A wooden stump trail sign with white acorn hidden within the light brown leafless bushes at the end of the walk from Cromer to Mundesley along the Norfolk Coast Path.

This will lead you past some ruins of the WWII emergency coastal battery. There are information boards here if you would like to know more about it. I was in too much pain to care, so just walked on by.

A road curving ahead, lined with leafless bushes, and a shelter on the right. The blue sea is visible in the distance ahead.

A grass area with the base of building ruins on the left.

The grass will lead to a dirt trail alongside a church and graveyard, to reach a gravel car park. Walk diagonally across it to reach the road, and turn left.

A thin dirt trail curving to the left through the bushes, with a graveyard and church on the right, at the end of the walk from Cromer to Mundesley.

A wooden stump trail sign with white acorn and yellow arrow pointing ahead across the large gravel car park. There are a few cars parked on the other side, with houses behind them.

This will lead you into the centre of Mundesley.

If you would like to catch the bus from here, then take a right onto High Street. Aptly named as it is very un-high street like. Keep going and you will reach the bus stop.

Some months later I made it back to finish what I started. You can read about day 5 Mundesley to Hemsby here.