Nearby Locations: Sheringham
Sheringham lies in a gap in the cliffs between Beeston Hill to the east and Skelding Hill to the west. At one time it was a thriving fishing town, and a few boats still land crabs and lobsters on the beach, but today it relies mainly on tourism. The town centre has a wide variety of independent shops which still give personal attention, and eating places abound to suit all tastes. A popular market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The Seafront and Museum
The promenade runs for the best part of a mile in each direction, with steps down to a sandy beach and a colourful row of beach huts. If the weather is not suitable for the beach, browse Sheringham Museum at The Mo, which tells the story of the town’s fishing and lifeboat heritage and has a viewing tower with splendid views along the coast. Alternatively, take in the sea air as you walk westwards along the promenade to see the RNLI lifeboat house.
The North Norfolk Railway
The North Norfolk Railway, affectionately known as the Poppy Line, runs steam and heritage diesel trains from Sheringham to the Georgian town of Holt via Weybourne. The journey gives you wonderful views of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape that stretches all along this part of the coast. Dining trains and special events run throughout the year.
Walks and Countryside
Within two miles there are many signposted country walks, not least the cliff top path over Beeston Bump, which rewards a short climb with fine views over the town. For nature lovers, Beeston Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest with a rich variety of wildlife, from orchids to dragonflies.
Sheringham Park
Two miles southwest of the town, just off the A148, lies Sheringham Park, a thousand acre National Trust estate of rolling parkland, woodland and clifftop. The landscape was designed by Humphry Repton in 1812 and he described it as his favourite work. In late spring the park’s nationally important collection of rhododendrons and azaleas puts on a spectacular show of colour, best admired from the treetop gazebo, which gives wonderful views over the park and out to sea.
Waymarked trails of between one and five miles explore the estate, and one leads to Weybourne station on the North Norfolk Railway, so you can walk out and return by steam train. The park is open from dawn to dusk all year round, with a visitor centre and cafe by the car park. Parking is free for National Trust members and pay and display for everyone else.
Entertainment
Evening entertainment can be found all year round at the Little Theatre in the centre of the town, which hosts drama, films, music and a much loved Christmas panto. During the main summer season a professional repertory company stages a series of plays, one of the last traditional summer rep seasons in the country.
Golf and Swimming
Sheringham Golf Club, to the west of the town, is a spectacular clifftop course consistently ranked among the top 100 in England and a good test of golf. For swimmers, The Reef Leisure Centre on Weybourne Road has a 25m pool, a learner pool, a children’s splash pad, a gym and a cafe.
