Your Stay in Holt: 3 nights, 4 days

Day One: Sheringham and Holt 

This morning starts with a trip to the coast. Park at Holt Station, and step aboard a historic steam train to Sheringham (£). Settle in for a nostalgic journey across the Norfolk countryside to reach the sea..

In Sheringham, it’s a ten-minute walk down the high street to the promenade. Grab an ice cream on the way for the proper seaside experience and enjoy it with a sea view.

Spend an easy half an hour walking along the promenade, letting the sea air do its thing. If the weather is on your side, find a quieter stretch of beach to watch the waves for a while.

For a longer leg stretch, pick up the signposted Norfolk Coast Path along the clifftops towards Cromer. Just over four miles one way, this walk is best timed with low tide, when you can swap the clifftops for the beach. Hunt for fossils and explore the chalk reef as you make your way across the sand, or opt for the cliff path to enjoy expansive views of the coast.

When you reach Cromer, pick up some well-earned fish and chips. Head down the promenade to Cromer Pier to enjoy them with a view.

Make your way back to Sheringham when you’re ready. If you don’t fancy the return leg, catch the Coasthopper bus for an easy trip back.

Need to plan your journey? Ask us at reception, or take a look at the Poppy Line timetable for the train, and the Coasthopper timetable for bus journeys between Cromer and Sheringham.

Return to Sheringham and have a quick browse on your way back up the high street. There’s plenty of independent shops to nose into.

Catch the steam train back to Holt and walk back into town. If you’ve got the energy, spend an easy hour following the Holt Owl Trail. If not, a short wander along the high street rounds off the day nicely. Pick up a locally crafted gift from Make Holt, visit Bakers & Larners, or see how many hidden yards you can discover.

The rest of the day is for settling in properly

Day Two: Norwich

Make your way to Norwich this morning. A forty-five minute drive will bring you to the bustling city centre. We’d suggest parking in Castle Quarter car park (NR13JQ), or Chantry Place car park (NR21RS) for a central starting point.

Steeped in history and with plenty to see, we’d start by browsing the independents that characterise the Norwich Lanes.

If you’re in the mood for history, visit Norwich Castle (£) for its museum and art gallery, or make your way over to Norwich Cathedral to enjoy the stunning Romanesque architecture.

When you start to get peckish, you’ll find a host of independent cafes and restaurants on St. Benedicts Street. Have a wander and see what you happen across. For a quick bite, you’ll find some seriously good street food at Norwich Market.

After you’ve enjoyed some food, there’s time for more browsing, or a walk if you fancy a change of pace. Head to the riverside and follow the path that runs alongside the River Wensum.

For a bit more history, Strangers’ Hall on Charing Cross is a beautiful Tudor time capsule, offering a glimpse into Norwich’s rich past.

Once you’ve seen enough of the city, make your way back to Holt and ease into your evening.

Day Three: Salthouse, Cley, Blakeney

Today is all about enjoying some of our favourite coastal villages, without miles of walking. Set off towards Weybourne, and pick up the A149 towards Salthouse. The best part about this stretch of coast is there’s plenty of opportunities to stop along the way, so take the day at your own pace.

Stop in Salthouse. The village itself is beautiful, but our top recommendation is to make your way onto Salthouse Heath for a gentle wander. The views across the salt marshes to the sea are more than worth the walk.

Just a couple of minutes further along the coast road, you'll arrive in Cley. Take some time to explore and don’t miss Cley Windmill, it’s a classic Norfolk landmark.

If you’re feeling peckish, we suggest calling into Picnic Fayre for some delicatessen treats to enjoy. There’s plenty of spots on the surrounding footpaths to tuck into some food with a view.

Continue on the coast road to Blakeney to round off the afternoon. Have a potter along the quayside, or wander up the narrow streets that are crammed full of character. Take a seat on a quayside bench and watch the world go by for a while.

If you’re in the mood for a short stroll, follow the well-worn path along the coastline towards Morston. It’s just over a mile one way, but there’s no need to do the whole walk if you’re not in the mood. The views are the whole point, so turn back whenever you like.

Return to Holt inland via Wiveton and Glanford to add a few more villages to this coastal tour.

Day Four: Baconsthorpe Castle

Before you begin your journey home, we’d recommend rounding off your Norfolk escape with one final stop.

Only five minutes down the road and tucked away in the countryside, Baconsthorpe Castle is perfect for an easy dose of local history. Spend half an hour exploring these atmospheric fifteenth-century ruins, or find a spot on the grass to enjoy the view. If you’re particularly prepared and it's a good weather day, a picnic always goes down well here.