Surrounding area
Heacham sits on the eastern shore of The Wash in West Norfolk. Because the coast here faces west, it is one of the few places on England’s east coast where you can watch the sun set over the sea. Here is what is on your doorstep.
Heacham village and beaches
Heacham has a good range of everyday shops, cafés, pubs and takeaways, all within walking distance of both parks. The North Beach at the end of Jubilee Road is a long, quiet stretch of sand and shingle, popular with walkers, paddleboarders, kitesurfers and anyone with a dog. At low tide the sand stretches a long way out.
Norfolk Lavender at Caley Mill, on the edge of the village, has lavender fields that flower through July and August, plus gardens, a café and gift shops.
Hunstanton
Two miles north, Hunstanton is a traditional seaside town with a promenade, amusements, a sea life centre and the famous striped cliffs of red and white chalk. The Norfolk Coast Path starts here and runs east along the coast to Cromer.
Nature and wildlife
- RSPB Snettisham, just south of Heacham: on the biggest high tides tens of thousands of wading birds lift off the mudflats together, one of Britain’s great wildlife sights.
- Holme Dunes and RSPB Titchwell Marsh, a short drive east: reedbeds, salt marsh, marsh harriers and avocets.
- Seals can be seen from boat trips out of Hunstanton and from the beaches further along the coast.
Days out
- Sandringham Estate, the King’s Norfolk retreat, with house, gardens, woodland walks and a country park, around 15 minutes by car.
- Burnham Market, Brancaster and Holkham: Georgian village greens, harbours and one of England’s finest beaches.
- King’s Lynn, a historic port town with a market, riverside and plenty of shops, around 25 minutes away.
- Golf at Hunstanton and Heacham, and fishing along the coast and on local lakes.
