Season: summer
The soft cliffs by the beach at Weybourne are modest in size, but they appear striking when set in this low lying environment, with a salt marsh behind the shingle beach. There’s a fine 360° vista from the top of the cliff, which forms part of the coast path here. On this occasion visitors were enjoying the bright sunshine and I met a couple of sea swimmers, one of whom I interviewed. All was well with the world on a tranquil day in the summertime.
A swim at Weybourne for Sue.
A full circular vista, as seen from the cliffs.
Season: summer
Weybourne is an old fishing village with a rich history and plenty to see and do. It’s a stopping point on the North Norfolk Railway, as well as hosting the well known Muckleburgh Collection. The beach is shingle on the upper reaches and sandy at low tide, with an easterly aspect at the start of the cliffs that run down to Happisburgh. Like Cley-Next-The-Sea and Salthouse to the west, the beach is popular with sea anglers. The village is picturesque, with a fine 15th century church and the ruins of an Augustinian priory. The windmill landmark guides you to the village and there is outstanding scenery and wildlife to enjoy at nearby Muckleburgh Hill and Kelling Heath.
Derek’s keenness for the beach.
A beautiful setting and backdrop at Weybourne beach.
Weybourne beach is a great favorite of many North Norfolk lovers, it offers a gentle cliff top walk towards Sheringham with the open sea vista on one side with small fishing boats laying their crab pots and on the other side you see what is for me the timeless and the quintessential English scene of open countryside rising to wooded heathland, dotted with the Weybourne windmill and the distant whistle and bluster of a steam locomotive making it’s way along the Poppy Line. The beach is a haven in the busy summer months and you can escape the crowds and the sea is always within easy reach for swimmers and often with a proper wave to spur you on.
Weybourne beach is a wonderful stone throwing beach. A place to sit, to contemplate while listening to the waves roll in and draw back the shingle. It is a working beach where the local fishman launch boats and bring in their catch. People fish directly off the shingle hoping for mackerel or seabass. Paragliders launch from the cliff edge catching an uplift. Divers park up to dive on the submerged wreck nearby. Dogs, walkers, runners enjoy the coastal path. People bring their coffee from the local shop. Families meet for BBQ’s while watching the sun melt into the horizon. Birds settle down to roost in the nearby reeds. Some people swim although it is very deep quickly – you will struggle to look like a ‘Bond Girl’ as you leave the water. The occasional seal bobs up to people watch.
Even on the windy grey days there is a charm to this beach. You return home from the loop feeling like you have battled the elements and somehow won.
Weybourne Beach is wonderful in its unspoilt simplicity .