The Norfolk Coast Path stretches for 84 miles between Hunstanton in the west and Hopton-on-Sea in the east, threading through salt marsh, dunes, pine woods and flint-built villages. It is one of the friendliest long-distance routes in England for families, and with a little forward planning it becomes a wonderful place to introduce children to proper coastal walking.

Why This Coast Suits Young Walkers

Much of the path follows old sea walls and disused railway lines, so the ground is level and firm rather than steep or boggy. Villages sit close together, which means short hops between car parks, cafés and public toilets. Just as importantly, there is nearly always an escape route — a bus stop, a road back to where you parked, or simply turning round and retracing your steps without any drama.

The one thing to treat with real respect is the sea. Norfolk has an enormous tidal range — up to six or seven metres on a spring tide in some spots — and the water does not creep in gently. It moves across the flats at walking pace, sometimes faster.

Choose a Section with Firm Ground Underfoot

Not every mile of the path is equal. These stretches are reliably solid and well suited to children, pushchairs and grandparents alike:

• Hunstanton to Holme-next-the-Sea — around four miles on the old railway line. Flat, surfaced and straightforward, with toilets and cafés at the Hunstanton end.
• Brancaster Staithe to Burnham Overy Staithe — roughly three miles along the top of the sea wall on firm cinder and tarmac, with moored boats, wide skies and plenty of benches.
• Wells-next-the-Sea to Holkham — a mile or two through the pines and along the boardwalk. Treat the beach itself as a paddling stop rather than a walking surface, because the sand is soft.
• Mundesley to Bacton — a short, level promenade and clifftop stroll that works beautifully with toddlers.

Leave the stepped, hilly sections around Cromer, Sheringham and Weybourne until children are older and used to longer days out. Shingle banks such as those at Cley are hard work even for adults.

Check the Tide Tables Before You Zip Up a Single Boot

Tide planning is not optional here — it is the single most important thing you will do. Look up the times for the day, note how far apart high waters fall, and check whether high tide coincides with your walk. Spring tides push much further up the creeks than neap tides, and a route that was dry on the way out can be underwater on the way back.

• Never walk out across the marsh or mud towards the sea, however firm it looks underfoot.
• Do not attempt to cross the harbours at Brancaster, Wells or Blakeney, or to reach Scolt Head Island, without a local guide.
• Glance behind you as often as ahead — the flood tide frequently arrives from an unexpected direction.
• Tide times are posted on harbour notice boards and in visitor centres; photograph the board so you carry it with you.
• If you are unsure, ask at a harbour office or a nearby chandlery. Local knowledge beats guesswork every time.

Dress for Weather That Changes Its Mind

Coastal Norfolk is exposed and offers very little shade. A still, warm morning in the car park can turn into a cold, windy afternoon once you are out on the sea wall, and a sea fret can roll in within minutes and cut visibility right down. Pack for three seasons and you will rarely be caught out.

• Layers: a base layer, a fleece and a light waterproof shell that packs down small.
• Sun protection: hats, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, even under cloud.
• Footwear: trainers or walking shoes with proper grip for firm paths, plus wellies if your route crosses muddy marsh.
• Spares: socks and a full change of clothes left in the car, especially for sandy, wet feet.
• Fuel: water and snacks — the next café is usually further than it looks on the map.

Keeping Everyone Safe and Interested

Aim for two to three miles with younger children and build up gradually. A useful rule of thumb is one mile per hour once you allow for rock pooling, snack stops and beachcombing. Tell someone your route and expected return time, and keep a charged phone in a waterproof pocket.

Stay well back from the edge of the soft cliffs between Cromer and Happisburgh, which crumble without warning, and never let children dig deep holes at the base of a cliff. Keep dogs under close control where ground-nesting birds breed, and follow the seasonal dog restrictions on the busiest beaches. If you spot seals hauled out on the sand, watch from a distance and keep everyone — dogs included — out of the water nearby.

In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. Be ready to describe where you are using the nearest waymarker post or a grid reference from your phone.

A Simple First Outing

For a confident introduction, try Brancaster Staithe to Burnham Overy Staithe on a falling tide, starting mid-morning. Park at Brancaster Staithe, walk west along the sea wall, and turn back whenever the children have had enough — the path is easy to reverse. Finish with a drink at one of the villages and a look at the tide line you crossed an hour earlier, now well covered. That single afternoon teaches more about coastal safety than any number of warnings, and it usually leaves everyone asking when they can come back.