This charming village in Norfolk is defined by its natural abundance, including precarious sand dunes, salt marshes, tidal creeks and an expansive fine sand beach
The Cotswolds is a renowned holiday hub for a reason, but it is not always a budget-friendly destination. If you are looking for a ‘destination dupe’ though, then you may want to consider a trip to Norfolk.
Located in the heart of East Anglia, Norfolk boasts 90 miles of pristine coastline and is also home to the impressive Broads National Park. One of the driest and sunniest counties in England, Norfolk presents a wealth of market towns and seaside resorts for travellers to choose from.
Among the many waterfront villages to attract Brits to the east of England is Burnham Overy Staithe. Burnham Overy itself is comprised of two distinct settlements, Burnham Overy Town – the original village next to the parish church – and Burnham Overy Staithe. The Staithe represents the larger settlement one mile away near the creekside harbour.
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According to the official Norfolk website, Burnham Overy next to the River Burn was historically part of the surrounding villages of Burnhams. However, the silting of the river pushed commercial traffic downstream to the Staithe.
Today, Burnham Overy Staithe is well-known for its proximity to the harbour and has become a major recreational sailing hub. The village’s sailing clubs and schools have made it a base for budding and leisure sailors and there are also boats available for visitors to hire and charter.
Still, Burnham Overy Staithe’s most famous sailor is Horatio Nelson – the naval hero reportedly learned to sail among the nearby local tidal creeks and salt marshes. The creeks are another distinct feature of the village, attracting avid hikers and wildlife enthusiasts annually.
The village is known for its tidal system – a network of creeks that lead out to the Norfolk Sea. The creeks themselves are part of a salt marsh system that visitors can enjoy through kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities.
The Norfolk Coast Path runs past the village, and the sand dunes and tidal flats create habitats for seasonal populations of wildfowl and waders. Visitors can enjoy a closer look at the wildlife by taking a ferry out to the nature reserve of Scolt Head Island.
At the nature reserve, visitors will be able to glimpse little terns, ringed and grey plovers, bar-tailed godwits, curlews and seals. The price for the ferry is typically £5 each way, and keep in mind it usually only runs between May and September.
No overview of Burnham Overy Staithe would be complete without mentioning the village’s namesake beach. The beach is considered one of Norfolk’s most secluded because it requires a bit of a walk through sand dunes to reach.
If you are looking for a more practical beach spot, the nearby Wells beach may be a better bet – located just a few minutes from a car park. However, if you can manage the 20-25 minute trek, you will not be disappointed.
Burnham Overy Staithe beach offers expansive views of both sea and sand. The sand is pale and fine and the water is crystal clear with wide, shallow pools ideal for paddling.
Keep in mind, high spring tides often flood the ‘hard’ – the large flat piece of land on the harbour – so take a look at the tide times before planning your visit. Reportedly, many parked cars have been submerged in this part of the area.