Norfolk’s Coast

Norfolk’s long and varied coastline stretches from the border with Lincolnshire in the Wash in the north-west to the boundary with Suffolk in the south-east.

From the historic port towns of King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth to small coastal settlements, the ever-changing coastline has evolved over millennia and has an eventful history. Popular destinations along the way include Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Holkham, Blakeney, Cley, Sheringham, Cromer and Gorleston but less well-known places include the village of Heacham, where Pocahontas lived for a short while, Nelson’s birthplace in Burnham Thorpe and Stiffkey with its controversial vicar. Brancaster beach saw rehearsals for the D-Day landings and the East Coast Floods of January 1953 resulted in the loss of many lives. Today, places like Happisburgh are under serious threat through coastal erosion. Street artist Banksy visited the Norfolk coast during his ‘Spraycation’ in 2021, leaving priceless artwork.

This journey round Norfolk’s coast brings in historical characters, remarkable historical events, stories and legends and noteworthy buildings including churches, historic houses, lighthouses, castles and Norfolk’s trademark windmills.

Norfolk’s Coast provides a fascinating picture of the history of the Norfolk coast over the centuries will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting this attractive county in the east of England.

THE AUTHOR

John Ling lives in Norwich and has spent several years extensively researching the local history of East Anglia. A long-time windmill enthusiast, a particular focus has been the windmills of his home county. His previous publications include Illustrated Tales of Norfolk, Windmills and Watermills of Suffolk, Windmills of Norfolk, Illustrated Tales of Suffolk and Norfolk Places Behind the Faces.