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Norfolk Coast Sociable Walking Weekend - Brancaster

Join Large Outdoors for a sociable three-night walking weekend along the beautiful Norfolk Coast National Landscape. Over the bank holiday weekend, come along with other walking enthusiasts to make new friends and explore the Norfolk coastline, including sections of both the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path. Evenings will be spent chilling with new friends. The weekend includes meals, accommodation, and guided walks.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 3 nights
Accommodation: Bunkhouse
Group Size: Maximum 20
Level: Leisurely
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Enjoy the sights, scents, and sounds of the stunning Norfolk Coast over three days of leisurely guided walking.

  • Stay in an historic, flint-built, National Trust-owned bunkhouse right by the sea.

  • Enjoy hearty, home-cooked meals with a lovely group of fellow outdoors-lovers.

  • Come away feeling utterly refreshed, with a camera full of photos and a head full of fantastic memories.

 

Book today…

Sand, sea, seals, and salt marshes on the Norfolk Coast

Discover the unique salt marshes, flint-built villages, and beautiful wildlife on this tranquil Norfolk Coast walking holiday. You’ll head out for three days of leisurely guided walks with a group of fellow outdoors-lovers, taking in some of the best the area has to offer. We’ll keep an eye out of the fascinating flora, wading birds, and seals local to the area, too!

This is a wonderful opportunity to get away from it all and leave your worries behind for a feel-fantastic weekend of fun. 

Staying in a charming National Trust-owned bunkhouse in the seafront village of Brancaster Staithe, you’ll have access to several lovely social areas with enviable sea views.

What’s more, you’ll be in the excellent hands of your Large Outdoors host for the weekend, who will introduce you to the accommodation, prepare hearty, home-cooked meals, and make sure everything about your weekend away is shipshape.

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • Welcome to Norfolk! By now you’ll have discovered our handsome Brancaster Staithe accommodation in its prime location, looking out over the North Sea and flanked by moored sailing boats. The Norfolk Coast Path runs right by our front door, too - perfect for a weekend of leisurely walking!

    You’re welcome to arrive at any time after 5pm, when you’ll be greeted by your Large Outdoors host.

    Once you arrive, drop your bags and grab a cup of tea or glass of wine. Your task for the rest of the evening is to relax in the lovely lounge area, or better yet grab a bench outside and enjoy the sea view. You’ll meet your fellow walkers for the weekend as they arrive.

    Dinner, prepared by your Large Outdoors host, will be served at around 8pm. We’ll discuss the weekend of walking over some lovely home-cooked food.

  • After breakfast and packing up our lunches for the day, we’ll head out for a day of walking - right from the front door.

    Today, we want to show you some of the best the local area has to offer. Our route skirts Brancaster Marsh, home to fascinating salt marsh flora and birdlife. We’ll get up close and personal with the marsh, taking to well-maintained boardwalks for a section.

    We’ll also head down to the sea, taking some time to gaze out over the dunes towards the North Sea. Heading back inland, we’ll pass the beautiful, flint-built villages of Titchwell and Brancaster, perhaps stopping at one of the lovely local pubs if the group fancies a bit of afternoon refreshment.

    Our route will also take us further inland and up onto the grassland of Barrow Common, a brilliant viewpoint over the remarkably flat Norfolk landscape.

    Arriving back at the accommodation, you’ll have plenty of time to rest up and enjoy another hearty dinner with your fellow walkers, toasting a good day’s walking done.

  • After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll head out for another day of walking around the beautiful Norfolk coast. Today, we could pick up a path around Holme Next The Sea and Thornham - a lovely route that takes in Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve and a short section of the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail. You’ll walk up a short, gradual incline (this is Norfolk, after all!) and enjoy views of the Wash from higher ground. If we have time, we might even stop at a local deli for a bite to eat.

    We’ll also have a host of other walking options to choose from.

    This evening we’ll enjoy some local fare at a pub near our accommodation (cost of meal/drinks not included), enjoying laughs over good food and, if you fancy it, a pint of real ale or a G&T.

  • Today we’ll enjoy another relaxed breakfast at our accommodation before packing up our belongs, checking out of the bunkhouse and heading out for a half-day of walking. Again, we’re spoilt for choice in this stunning lowland landscape, so we’ll select a route that takes in more of the stunning coastline and, for those that can stay a little longer, perhaps you could stop for lunch at a pub or tearoom together.

    And then it’s time to say our goodbyes and hit the road after a relaxing, loads-of-fun break on the Norfolk coast!

    Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    The Dial House
    Brancaster Staithe
    Norfolk
    PE31 8BW

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    Parking: Parking is available on Harbour Road outside the accommodation.

    Public Transport: The Dial House is located 23 miles from King’s Lynn Train Station, with services to/from Peterborough, Cambridge and London.
    Bus services are available to/from King’s Lynn and Brancaster Staithe (service 36 Coastliner, run by Lynx buses). Please check service/timetables before travelling.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

    Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

  • Our accommodation on this trip is a National Trust-owned bunkhouse - The Dial House, located in Brancaster Staithe. This is a lovely harbour-side retreat and one of the most recognisable building in the village. It boasts magnificent sea views and comfy accommodation for a weekend of walks.

    There’s a big kitchen (don’t worry - your host will do all the cooking!), a cosy lounge with a log-burning stove and a balcony overlooking the harbour, and a light and airy dining area. There’s also a garden with picnic tables that we’re sure will get plenty of use.

    No bedding or towels are provided. The beds will have a pillow only - please bring a pillowcase and bedding (sheet & duvet or sleeping bag) with you, as well as a towel and your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    The Dial House
    Brancaster Staithe
    Norfolk
    PE31 8BW

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room

    All rooms at this bunkhouse are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

  • Included:

    • 3 nights’ accommodation at The Dial House - we have taken over exclusive use of the bunkhouse, so it will just be Large Outdoors participants staying.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on three days (Days 2, 3 & 4) along the beautiful Norfolk coast..

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on two evenings (Days 1 & 2).

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2 & 3’s walks. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    • Dinner on the evening of Day 3 - we’ll book a table at a local pub to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.

    • No bedding or towels are provided. The beds will have a pillow only - please bring a pillowcase and bedding (sheet & duvet or sleeping bag) with you, as well as a towel and your own toiletries.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation. There are also a couple of pubs in the village for a post-walk pint or two!

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.

    • What level of fitness is needed?
      This trip is rated ‘Leisurely’. The longest walk will be around 15km at a sociable pace, and the landscape is very flat.

    • Can I attend on my own?
      Absolutely! In fact, the majority of our attendees are solo travellers.

    • When should I arrive?
      You are welcome to arrive from 5pm onwards on Friday evening. Dinner will be served at the accommodation at around 8pm. If you intend to arrive after 10pm, please let us know.

    • I’d prefer vegetarian or vegan meals - can this be arranged?
      Yes, absolutely! We will always supply a vegetarian or vegan meal, but please note this must be requested well ahead of the trip - the remote location of our accommodation means we can’t pop out to buy additional ingredients. Complete the dietary section during the booking process and if your dietary needs change ahead of the trip please email the office and we’ll update your booking.

    • I’d prefer gluten-free meals - can this be arranged?
      We will provide meals using gluten-free ingredients, but due to the shared nature of the kitchen we cannot provide strictly gluten-free meals. Please let us know you’d like gluten-free ingredients ahead of time by completing the dietary section during the booking process.

    • I am allergic to a specific ingredient - can you provide meals for me?
      Due to the shared nature of the kitchen we are unable to provide meals suitable for those suffering from many allergies. Please contact the office before booking to discuss your requirements.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
      We do not provide transportation during this trip.

    • Can I bring my dog?
      Dogs are not allowed on this trip, except for registered assistance dogs.

  • The Norfolk Coast is a walker’s paradise of a very different kind. While many of our getaways involve dramatic hills and deep valleys, Norfolk is generally low-lying with very in the way of undulation. It’s an incredibly beautiful part of the country, famous for its wide-open skies, marsh and heathlands, and fascinating history.

    We stay in Brancaster Staithe, on the county’s north coast, for this getaway. The village has a pretty harbour, a sailing club, and a couple of excellent pubs. Brancaster itself has Roman origins, its name meaning roughly ‘Roman site of Branodunum’.

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.