A Slow Travel Guide: 3 Days in Norfolk
Norfolk is one of the parts of the UK I’ve not discovered much of but of the parts I have seen, it’s a place that feels instantly calming with its big skies and quiet roads so it’s ideal for a slower-paced UK trip. Whether you're looking to stay near the coast, spend time outdoors, or explore seaside towns, this is my recommended 3-day itinerary for a bit of everything.
Day 1 - Arrive in Cromer, Norfolk
Norfolk is a large county and there’s plenty to explore so deciding where to stay will help you plan the rest of your trip. Assuming you choose to stay in or near Cromer as I did, I recommend aiming to arrive by early afternoon so that you can get settled into your accommodation and make the most of your day. We stayed at a peaceful cottage surrounded by the countryside. If you are travelling by train, you can take the train directly to lot of stations in the Norfolk region, including Cromer and Sheringham. Once you’ve dropped your bags and had a moment to unwind, head towards the coast to spend the rest of the day in Cromer, just a short drive away.
Cromer is a classic seaside town with a lovely sandy beach, a pier, and plenty of fish and chips options. You can stroll along the pier, explore some independent shops or go for a swim. We chose No. 1 Cromer for takeaway and then wandered down to the beach for a slow and relaxing evening. If you're there in summer and the weather permits, I highly recommend staying for sunset!
Where to stay in Norfolk
If you want a mixture of seaside towns, sandy beaches, and peaceful countryside, I recommend staying near Cromer or Sheringham. Both areas are well-connected (especially if you want to travel by train) and close to the coast. On my recent trip, I stayed at Suffield Lodge in Gunton (just 10 mins from Cromer) and thought it was a great location. It felt so secluded and was surrounded by nature, but was still only a short drive from supermarkets, pubs and the coast - the best of both!
You can explore options of where to stay in Norfolk on the map below.
Suffield Lodge, Gunton
Day 2 - Holkham Estate and Wells-next-the-Sea
On the second day, I recommend travelling a little further afield to Holkham Estate and Wells-next-the-Sea, two really beautiful spots on the North Norfolk coast. Holkham is best known for its HUGE sandy beach where you can walk for miles with views of the sea around you. It’s the perfect place for a peaceful stroll or a cold swim if you’re feeling it!
You could also visit the huge stately home, onsite cafe or rent bikes to explore the grounds at your own pace. It’s worth keeping an eye out on various events that run throughout the year too, such as Feast in the Park, which runs in July and August or the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival at the end of August.
From Holkham, you can also take a lovely walk along the coast path to Wells-next-the-Sea, a charming harbour town famous for its colourful beach huts and traditional seaside feel. The walk is about a mile and gives you the chance to enjoy even more sea views. Once there, you’ll find fish and chip shops, independent boutiques, and plenty of spots to sit by the harbour with an ice cream and watch the boats go by.
Day 3 - Sheringham and Holt
On your final day, you can explore a couple of inland and coastal spots not too far from Cromer (assuming you are staying here). Start your morning in Sheringham, another seaside town with a huge selection of charity shops, coffee shops and a long pebbly beach. There’s also a steam railway (North Norfolk Railway) if you're into nostalgic train rides through the countryside. Alternatively, Sheringham is also the starting point of some lovely coastal hikes along the Norfolk Coast Path.
After exploring Sheringham, I highly recommend spending your afternoon in Holt, a pretty Georgian market town about 20 minutes away. It’s a small town but it’s filled with independent shops, delis, art galleries, and cafes. It’s one of my favourite little towns and is ideal for a slow lunch and mooching.
Some favourite stops include:
Make Holt - a beautifully curated home and lifestyle store, perfect for gifts.
Norfolk Natural Living - a lifestyle and wellness shop inspired by Norfolk’s slow living ethos. You’ll find everything from natural cleaning products to beautiful scents and bath soaks, all inspired by the coast and countryside.
Two Magpies Bakery - incredible pastries, sourdough or a lunchtime sandwich. The coffee is also great so it’s the perfect afternoon pitstop!
Krusty Loaf - a traditional, family-run bakery with delicious bakes
Byfords - a great all-rounder kinda place. It’s good for a hearty breakfast, lunch or simply to stock up on some sweet treats from the deli.
To summarise, my recommended itinerary for 3 days in Norfolk is as follows:
Day 1 - Explore Cromer and sunset on the beach
Day 2 - Holkham Estate and Wells-next-the-Sea
Day 3 - Sheringham and Holt
Three days in Norfolk gives you a wonderful mix of seaside charm, countryside views and plenty of good food!
Things to know for your trip to Norfolk
Getting around - whilst public transport links exist (such as trains to Cromer, Sheringham, and Norwich), having a car makes exploring much easier, especially if you want to visit Holkham Estate or smaller villages. It also gives you a lot more flexibility with timings. You could rent a car from Norwich.
When to visit Norfolk - I’ve only ever visited in the summer but the weather can be unpredictable at any time of the year. I imagine Spring and Autumn are quieter but still beautiful. I love a wintery beach walk!
Packing tips - As with most of my UK travel guides, remember to pack for all types of weather so layers, waterproofs, and comfortable walking shoes if you plan to explore the countryside.
Markets and local produce - Look out for cute farm shops and independent delis — Norfolk is full of small producers offering everything from local cheese to fresh crab.
If you are looking for UK weekend trip inspiration, head to Norfolk! The best part is its slow pace. Factor in time for leisurely walks, browsing shops in Holt, or sitting with a coffee by the harbour in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Find lots more travel inspiration on my Instagram and TikTok.
Thanks for reading,
T.
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