10 Best Norfolk Seaside Towns to Live or Visit
Are you thinking about living in or visiting one of the best Norfolk seaside towns?
If you are considering a move to the East Anglian coast, you are in for a treat. Norfolk offers residents some exceptional rural locations that perfectly balance country charm with coastal beauty.
As with all the best coastal counties, Norfolk is home to some top-tier locations.
Its seaside towns possess a riveting history, spectacular countryside, and gorgeous properties ranging from flint cottages to Victorian villas.
If you have chosen to move to one of the best Norfolk seaside towns, you will undoubtedly be aware of the numerous attractions they offer—from the famous Broads to the sweeping beaches of the North Norfolk coast.
Now that you have decided to move, the question remains: which one?
In this article, we explore the top Norfolk seaside towns in detail to help you decide.
Here are our 10 best Norfolk coastal towns to live or visit in 2025.
Table of Contents
Hunstanton
A classic Victorian seaside destination, Hunstanton is famous for its unique position as one of the few places on the east coast of the UK where you can watch the sun set over the sea.
Initially known as New Hunstanton to distinguish it from the adjacent village of Old Hunstanton, the town retains a distinctive character with its famous striped cliffs.
While the town has evolved since its Victorian heyday, it remains a beloved destination for families and retirees alike.
The surrounding area is beautiful, with long sandy beaches backed by white chalky cliffs that form part of the Norfolk Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Visitors make the most of the local fairground, seal sanctuary, and the promenade’s amusements.
Unless you are a tennis enthusiast, you might be forgiven for not knowing that Hunstanton hosts the ITA Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament, the biggest in England after Wimbledon.
2025 Property Insight: Hunstanton remains relatively affordable compared to some of its neighbours.
According to recent data, the average house price here sits around £347,500, offering excellent value for a coastal town with such rich amenities.
Thornham
Sited roughly halfway between Hunstanton and the picturesque Burnhams, Thornham is widely considered one of Norfolk’s best villages.
Home to sweeping beaches, windswept marshes, and plenty of local wildlife, Thornham is both a favourite holiday location and a special place to live.
Part of its attraction is that it feels remote, quiet, and off the beaten track—perfect for those seeking tranquillity.
Thornham is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering an enviable lifestyle split between country and coast.
It doubles as an idyllic work-from-home location, though larger towns like King’s Lynn (19 miles) and Norwich (43 miles) are accessible for commuting.
There is plenty to do nearby, too. RSPB Titchwell Marsh is home to migrating waders and marsh harriers, while the village itself has become a foodie hotspot with destinations like Drove Orchards.
2025 Property Insight: This exclusivity comes at a price.
Thornham is a premium location, with average sold prices over the last year hovering around £729,000.
Burnham-Overy-Staithe
Burnham Overy Staithe is a tiny village located in a beautiful harbourside setting.
The name means ‘homestead by a stream’, and it sits about a mile from the larger Burnham Market.
Once a bustling harbour town in the Middle Ages, heavy silting eventually moved commercial traffic downstream.
Today, it is a haven for hikers and sailors. There are fantastic coastal walks, and birdwatchers arrive in search of elusive wild birds nesting on the local marshes.
Fundamentally a summer destination, a lovely walk of about one and a half miles leads from the village to the beach.
Once there, you are greeted by miles of golden sand and clean water, which, even in the hottest months, has plenty of space for all.
2025 Property Insight: Properties here are rare and highly sought after, often commanding prices in excess of £600,000, with premium coastal homes selling for significantly more.
Wells-next-the-Sea
A new addition to our list for 2025, Wells-next-the-Sea is an absolute must for anyone considering the Norfolk coast.
Famous for its colourful beach huts raised on stilts and its stunning pine woods, it is one of the most photogenic spots in the county.
The town features a bustling harbour where children (and adults!) enjoy crabbing on the quay.
The narrow-gauge railway that runs from the town to the beach adds to its traditional charm.
It is a working town with a strong community spirit, offering a great mix of independent shops, delis, and the popular Wells Maltings arts centre.
2025 Property Insight: Wells is highly desirable.
The average property price currently stands at approximately £503,000, reflecting its popularity with both families and second-home owners.
Happisburgh
Hugging the far side of the North Norfolk coast, the village of Happisburgh (pronounced “Haze-bruh”) is overlooked by its extraordinary red and white lighthouse—the oldest independently operated lighthouse in Great Britain.
As you would expect, it offers panoramic views of the North Sea from a long stretch of sandy beach.
For centuries, fishing came second only to agriculture as the main occupation here.
These days, many residents travel to larger towns like North Walsham (6 miles) or Norwich (19 miles) for work.
It is important to note that coastal erosion is a significant issue at Happisburgh. However, away from the cliff edge, the village retains a wonderful sense of history and community.
2025 Property Insight: Due to the well-publicised erosion risks in certain zones, average property prices in the wider village are lower than the Norfolk coastal average, sitting around £276,000, offering an affordable entry point to coastal living for those who choose their location carefully.
Holkham
The coast of Norfolk has some extraordinarily picturesque places, and Holkham is arguably the jewel in the crown.
Located on the coast road between Wells-next-the-Sea and Burnham Overy Staithe, Holkham is best known for Holkham Hall, the magnificent 18th-century home of the Earl of Leicester.
The estate is surrounded by a massive deer park, a lake, and woodland that is open to the public.
Holkham Beach is world-famous (featured in Shakespeare in Love) for its vast expanse of golden sand and pine forests.
The local marshes are hugely important during winter for pink-footed geese, making it a prime spot for nature lovers.
2025 Property Insight: Most of the village is owned by the Holkham Estate, meaning properties to buy rarely come to market.
Living here is often a case of renting an estate cottage or waiting for a very rare freehold opportunity.
Sheringham
Another essential addition to our 2025 guide is Sheringham. Often seen as a slightly quieter, more traditional alternative to its neighbour, Cromer, Sheringham is a delightful place to live.
The town is the home of the North Norfolk Railway (The Poppy Line), where steam trains run through the countryside to Holt.
The high street is thriving with independent shops, and the stony beach reveals sand at low tide.
Sheringham has a distinct community vibe, hosting a popular 1940s weekend and a Viking Festival that lights up the winter months.
It is particularly popular with families due to its safety and good schools.
2025 Property Insight: Sheringham offers a middle ground in terms of pricing.
While large detached homes can command over £550,000, there is a good supply of family terraces and semis averaging between £300,000 and £400,000.
Brancaster
The civil parish of Brancaster is split into three: Brancaster itself, Brancaster Staithe, and Burnham Deepdale.
Once the site of the Roman fort of Branodunum, today it is a hotspot for sailing and luxury coastal living.
Village life centres around the harbour and its thriving fishing and sailing community.
Many local families still make their living by fishing from the staithe, famous for its high-quality mussels and shellfish.
Managed by the National Trust, Brancaster beach is perfect for summer sandcastles or winter walks.
The Royal West Norfolk Golf Club is another major draw, sitting on a strip of land between the marsh and the sea.
2025 Property Insight: Brancaster is one of Norfolk’s premium locations.
The average house price is around £634,000, with harbour-view properties commanding significantly more.
Blakeney
It is hard to compete with the charming village of Blakeney. Not only does it sit in an enviable position on the coast, but it also lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Once a commercial seaport and a haven for smugglers, its harbour is now home to small boats and a colony of seals that bask on the sand at Blakeney Point.
Like many Norfolk villages, Blakeney has its fair share of pretty flint cottages.
There are plenty of places to eat, as well as pubs, gift shops, and art galleries.
2025 Property Insight: All this beauty comes at a price. Blakeney is one of the most expensive villages on the coast, with an overall average house price of approximately £712,000 over the last year.
Cromer
The Victorian town of Cromer is ideally situated close to the Broads and Norwich. Famous for the delicious Cromer Crab, the nutrient-rich waters here produce seafood caught and sold to top-class restaurants across the UK.
Cromer is still a traditional seaside resort with great sandy beaches, surfing, museums, and a historic pier with a working theatre.
The town celebrates its heritage with the famous annual Cromer Carnival and the Crab & Lobster Festival.
Although a popular day-trip destination, Cromer is also a wonderful place to live. It is home to retirees, families, and increasingly younger people looking for a relaxed way of life close to the ocean.
The town has excellent schools and great connectivity—trains run directly from Cromer to Norwich in just over 40 minutes.
2025 Property Insight: Cromer offers some of the best value for money on the North Norfolk coast. The average property price is currently £313,885, making it an accessible and vibrant place to call home.
Ready to move to one of the best Norfolk seaside towns?
Are you considering moving to one of the best Norfolk seaside towns?
The region offers locals truly outstanding locations, from the high-end luxury of Burnham Market to the family-friendly value of Cromer.
Now that you know where the top spots are, it is time to begin planning your dream move.
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We cover all areas of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex, and our friendly estimators can call round at a time convenient to you to plan your move to perfection.
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