Weybourne and Kelling Heath

Joe Jackson

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

This is a lovely walk of many contrasts which starts at the Norfolk coastal village of Weybourne. It starts by following the Norfolk Coastal Long Distance Route to the west along an undulating shingle path. The views down the coast east and west are lovely, but the view inland is somewhat unusual as you pass the Muckleburgh Collection with its tanks and army vehicles driving around the private track! After passing an MoD site the route heads alongside a beautiful small lake with its surrounding lush green fields and wildflowers. This area is buzzing with wildlife during the spring and summer months!

The route then follows a track south to Kelling Heath. The heathland is an SSSI and protected because of its rare wildlife and plant species. During spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom, the colour contrast here is amazing with the rich purple heather and bright yellow flowers of the gorse. After passing through most of the heath the route follows the edge of the North Norfolk Steam Railway, which is an amazing site if you can catch it at the right time and get a good view of the trains! Once you are at this point you may not have realized it, but you have managed to gain about 70m of height – that’s about 230ft! From this height there are some spectacular views north to Weybourne and its well-looked-after mill! These are rare views for Norfolk!

Once you have admired some of the best views North Norfolk has to offer the route changes again and follows woodland trails east. The woodland floor is blanketed with wildflowers at certain times of the year and there is even a little pond and bench to enjoy some lunch if you brought it with you! Once at the road the route follows a roadside path back into Weybourne and past the ruins of Weybourne Priory.

The Augustinian priory was founded around 1200AD on the site of a more basic Saxon church and is free to have a look around. A fair amount of the priory still stands to a considerable height, including sections of the church tower.

England - East England - Norfolk - Coast

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport, Sea, Tea Shop, Wildlife, Woodland

11/5/2020 - Paul Oakes

Fabulous walk from start to finish. A variety of terrain with the views from the North Norfolk Railway onto the North Sea and Weybourne amazing. Only downside was the gloom of lockdown 2 with businesses closed for another month. The cafe/local shop in Weybourne was serving takeaway food and drinks so we done our bit in supporting local business. The beef and veg pasty was beautiful.

9/16/2019 - Bertie The Dog

Really enjoyed this varied terrain walk today. The directions were easy to follow....thank you. We had a break on the platform benches at Kelling Heath Station.....lovely views, and we even had a steam train go past. Perfect timing !! Very enjoyable walk in autumn sunshine....followed by lunch at The a Ship inn, just along the Beach Road.

2/13/2019 - Alan Price

This is one of the best walks we have done in Norfolk with the contrast between the coast and the heath with some lovely views when at way points 9 and 10. We would thoroughly recommend the route which is very easy to follow - thanks Joe. In addition there are two cafes on route - one at Weybourne and the other at Kelling (just walk to the right a little at point 4. If you would rather not pay for car parking there is lots of parking in Weybourne.