I should add that crowds on beaches isn't a problem up here, even though things are popular - just walk on a bit further. The beach at Wells/Holkham is a good 3 or 4 miles long so loads of space, Brancaster isn't much smaller, just walk a bit further from the car parks and you'll find acres of room

Well, was going to recommend Wells-next-the-Sea - but no need, Pintpot has given you such a good 'low down' on the area, there is really nothing that I can add.

Enjoy yourselves, it's lovely up there!

As usual, Pintpot gives excellent advice. I would just point out that there are hardly any shops in Brancaster itself, although there is a small shopping centre and a very popular cafe at Brancaster Staithe / Burnham Deepdale.

At both Brancaster and Wells you will have to pay £3.50 tp park your car by the beach. Holkham now uses machines with charges depending on how long you stay. If you are prepared for a walk, the raised walkway from the car park at Burnham Overy Staithe will take you to a splendidly isolated beach which never gets more than a few visitors. Car parking at the Staithe is free but don't park close to the water!

I would just mention a couple of other things. The Coasthopper bus service runs half hourly throughout the day in the summer months and connects Hunstanton with Cromer and all intervening places. Family tickets are available. And the Norfolk Coast Path is a splendid way of enjoying North Norfolk, and of couse it's free!

Visitors to the area might be interested in the reopening of the pub in Burnham Market which was called The Jockey, but now has reverted to its original name of The Nelson. It reopens tomorrow, 27 May, after several months of closure. It's very useful to have an alternative to the Hoste Arms, because the one bar there can get very crowded.

Hi

I live near Wells, Burnham and Brancaster and I would always go for Wells. Wells is slightly brash but not too bad. You can park at the beach carpark where there is a lovely cafe which has just been taken over by Holkham hall with lovely coffee and wonderful Holkham icecreams. there is a small train which ferries people from the beach to the town which the kids love. The beach is vast but as already said be very aware of the tides as they come in fast and you need to take care. I think that there is a horn or siren sounded to get people to move from the more effected areas when the tide is coming in. During the winter seals come onto the beach, not sure if the same happens in the summer.

The Crown at the Butlands in Wells serves fantastic food, but you will need to book. The Crabhouse is good and the fish and chip shops are good too. There is the Albatross, a permanently moored dutch sailing barge in the small harbour serves dutch pancakes and has music. You can go gillying (crabbing) off the quay. the waders and birds are plentiful and interesting. A very different, more gentle coastline then Cornwall, you will enjoy the difference.

I must say that The Nelson (formerly The Jockey) in Burnham Market (not to be confused with the dive in Burnham Thorpe) is fantastic.

We stopped in for lunch and a charming cleaner lady showed us the bedrooms. They are superb!! We will be staying in September (ater the school rush!). They are affordable and decorated to an incredible standard.

I hope the breakfast is as good as the lunch!

We live locally and have tried all of the different hostelries which all have something different to offer.

However, if I was visiting the area for the first time or, if I wanted the best that the area has to offer,I would always head for Burnham Market and specifically to The Hoste Arms.

The Hoste is unique in that it is both a "village pub" and a world class Hotel...nothing else in the area compares and Burnham Market remains the capital of all that is great in North Norfolk.

I agree with brenhop!

I also agree with Pintpot who has summed things up quite nicely - Burnham Market is not callled Chelsea on Sea for nothing!!!

Personally, as lovely as the more tranquil villages are, with two teenagers Wells has so much more activity to keep them occupied if neccesary on the doorstep. The beaches are wonderful but as previously said care must be taken with the tides. And there's nothing like a bag of chips on the harbour side on a sunny evening.....

By the way the North Norfolk coast (including Wells) was featured in the repeat of Coast this evening on BBC2

Wells is also convenienttly situated virtually in the middle of the NN coast so you can travel easily either East or West to other attractions.

If you stayed in Brancaster you would have more travelling to do if you decided you wanted to spend lots of time towards Sheringham etc.

I spent all my childhood holidays at Searles in Hunstanton & don't like to hear bad things said about the town but personally choose not to go there in the summer when there is so much more on offer further East!