Though most of the walking along the Norfolk Coast Path is along the flat, notably beside salt marshes, the easternmost stretch described below is the most varied and involves a bit more up and down.
From Clay-next-the-Sea Catch the Coasthopper bus to Cromer from outside the Picnic Fayre delicatessen or along the road to the east outside the visitor centre. The bus drops you off in Cadogan Road.
[1] Head down towards the seafront and pier and you’ll find a signpost for the Norfolk Coast Path and Weavers Way overlooking the pier. Follow the signs which lead you west for a short distance, then left across the main road (A149) up Beach Road to the A148. Go right, then right again along Sandy Lane (signed ‘Sheringham 5 miles’). You’re soon away from the urban area on a track which leads gently uphill, passing under a railway line and onwards. The signposting is excellent, so detailed route instructions along this lane are hardly necessary.
(A) Situated amongst woodland, the National Trust-owned Roman Camp site contains the highest point in Norfolk (336ft). But despite the name, there is no evidence of any Roman occupation here; there are, though, some fine sea views.
[2] The Coast Path signs lead you back down towards the coast, re-crossing the A149 to join the cliffs just east of Sheringham.
[3] Head on west through Sheringham along the promenade, passing the museum which houses the Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm Visitor Centre (on a clear day you may be able to spot the Offshore Wind Farm). Once clear of the town a lovely stretch of gentle, grassy cliff-top walking begins. An old coastguard lookout – now manned by volunteers – is situated on the highest point.
[4] You will eventually reach a parking area at Weybourne Hope. From here, continue on in your previous direction.
(B) Just west of Weybourne, sited on a former military camp, is the Muckleburgh Collection, the country’s largest privately-owned military museum.
The last few miles to Cley are along a shingle ridge, which acts as a flood barrier. If the tide is out it’s easier to walk along the exposed sand, or you can find firmer ground on the landward side of the shingle bank. On approaching the beach road to Cley-Next-The-Sea, the path heads inland to the right of the Beach Road to reach Cley-next-the-Sea.
(C) Cley next the Sea is commonly referred to as Cley, but pronounced ‘Cly’, and is no longer actually next to the sea but separated by marshes. It’s also one of the most picturesque villages on the North Norfolk coast, and an ideal base for a visit to the area. As well as its famous 18th-century windmill and an impressive church, it is home to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes Nature Reserve – one of the finest bird-watching sites in Britain. A visitor centre overlooks the reserve.