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YHA Sheringham, Beeston Bump, Beeston Priory and Beeston Common.

Difficulty Easy

Walking time 1 hour 30 minutes

Length 4.5km / 2.8mi

Route developer: Keith Rose

Route checker: Mike Whittaker

Start location Sheringham YHA
Route Summary A short circular walk from Sheringham YHA following the coast East over Beeston Bump, then returning inland, passing the ruined Beeston Priory and cutting across Beeston Common.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

Sheringham is on the North Norfolk coast, 4 miles West of Cromer to which it is connected by the A149 road.

Sheringham is the terminus for a train service from Norwich via Cromer.

Buses run by http://www.sanderscoaches.com and http://www.norfolkgreen.co.uk stop at Sheringham.

Description
[1] From  Sheringham YHA, 1 Cremer's Drift, turn  right, North, down Cremer’s Drift. Turn left along Cromer Road, the A149. Turn right at the roundabout along Station Road towards the Town Centre and the Sea Front. Pass a car park/market place on the left, cross a level crossing, and continue straight ahead past many small shops into the High Street which leads towards the Sea Front.

[2]  At the corner of High Street and Gun Street.  (Photo 3.) Turn right into Gun Street, the last turn before the promenadeLook out for the old cannon standing upright at the corner by “The Lobster” public house. Pass to the left of Oddfellows Hall with its imposing architecture, and head East along the coast. Oddfellows Hall is a former lifeboat stationBefore you pass a row of beach huts, ascend the steps by a small tall building with a balcony, (photo 4.) Follow the coast path East for 800m, climbing Beeston Hill on the way.

[A] Beeston Bump. This hill on the coast and its twin, which has been eroded by the advancing sea, are glacial deposition features dating back to the last ice age.  Its importance today is in the variety  and number of its flora and fauna.  Beeston Bump and the adjacent cliffs are a geological SSSI. http://www.experiencesheringham.com/poi.php?page_id=34

[3] Turning on Coast Path,  turn right, South, before the static caravan site, still following the coast path. Carefully cross the railway track and turn right once through the second gate, (photo 5.) Turn left, South, into the first road you meet, Church Lane. At the end of Church Lane, turn left, East, along Brook Road. At the end where there are signs for “Priory Pond, Private”, turn right along a grassy footpath, (photo 6.) Pass the ruins of Beeston Priory, on your left, then walk to meet the A149 Cromer Road.

[B] Beeston Priory - Priory of St Mary in the Meadow. This was founded in 1216 by Margery de Cressy and was dissolved in 1538 by Herny VIII.  Some ruins remain which are open to the  public.  ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priory_of_St_Mary_in_the_Meadow,_Beeston_Regis

[4]    A149,  Cromer Road Turn right towards Sheringham. 70 m later, then left into a lay-by, (photo 7) Half way along the lay-by, turn left onto a footpath which crosses Beeston Regis Common. Taking the main path which runs slightly to your right, walk across the Common in a South-West direction towards some distant houses in Havelock Road. (Photo 8.)Pass either side of a pond, there are many paths.

[C Beeston Common - The Commons of Beeston Regis and Sheringham consist of 24.7 hectares/61 acres of grassland, heath, marsh, fen and secondary woodland.  The varied habitats hold a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Over 400 flowering plants have been recorded including no less than 14 British orchids and varieties. With such a variety of flowers the site is attractive to butterflies and 26 species have been regularly recorded including green hairstreak, brown argus and Essex skipper.  They have SSSI/SAC status.

http://www.beestoncommon.org.uk

Bear right and walk East with a fence on your right. This is along the bottom of the gardens of those houses in Havelock Road. Leave the common, cross over Common Lane, (photo 9), and walk along a gravelled road opposite. Walk along this, than take a footpath at the end, just by a street lamp, which continues ahead, (photo 10.)

At the end, turn right into another unmade road, Knowle Road. Turn left along The Rise. Turn right into Cremer’s Drift and return to the hostel.

POI information

Sheringham is one of Norfolks's most pretty and charming coastal towns.  Fishing used to be important but has declined in importance since its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  The town is served by two railways, the second being the North Norfolk Railway, a preserved steam railway which runs inland to Holt.  There is a Saturday market, golf clubs, a museum, a lifeboat and a lifeboat museum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheringham

http://www.experiencesheringham.com

 

 

 

 

Notes

Two other walks which also start from Sheringham YHA have been developed.  Combining sections from different walks could provide a variety of routes and distances.

Acknowledgements

This walk was developed in response to a joint venture between the Ramblers and the YHA.

  • Photo 1.  Leave the Youth hostel, turning right, and walk down Cremer
    Photo 1. Leave the Youth hostel, turning right, and walk down Cremer's Drift. At the end turn left along the A149, Cromer Road.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 2.  Turn right at the roundabout, cross a level crossing, and walk down Station Road, which becomes High Street and leads to the Promenade.  Turn left and walk West along the promenade.
    Photo 2. Turn right at the roundabout, cross a level crossing, and walk down Station Road, which becomes High Street and leads to the Promenade. Turn left and walk West along the promenade.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 3.  Just when you get into sight of the promenade, turn right along Gun Street.  Notice the old cannon standing upright by the corner of the building. Then bear left passing the Oldfellows Hall and walk along the promenade.
    Photo 3. Just when you get into sight of the promenade, turn right along Gun Street. Notice the old cannon standing upright by the corner of the building. Then bear left passing the Oldfellows Hall and walk along the promenade.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 4.  Leave the promenade and ascend these steps.  Follow the coast path East, walking over Beeston Bump and down towards a large static caravan site.  Turn right before this and follow the coast path inland.
    Photo 4. Leave the promenade and ascend these steps. Follow the coast path East, walking over Beeston Bump and down towards a large static caravan site. Turn right before this and follow the coast path inland.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 5.  Carefully cross the railway at a level crossing, going through both gates, then turn right and walk along a footpath  back towards Sheringham. The end of the path turns left into Church Lane. Walk to the end and turn left into Brook Road.
    Photo 5. Carefully cross the railway at a level crossing, going through both gates, then turn right and walk along a footpath back towards Sheringham. The end of the path turns left into Church Lane. Walk to the end and turn left into Brook Road.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 6.  At the end of Brook Road, turn right along this grassy footpath which passes the ruins of Beeston Priory.  The path will take you to the A149 road where you turn right.
    Photo 6. At the end of Brook Road, turn right along this grassy footpath which passes the ruins of Beeston Priory. The path will take you to the A149 road where you turn right.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 7.  After 70m, turn left off the A149 into a layby where you turn left again onto a footpath which crosses Beeston Common.
    Photo 7. After 70m, turn left off the A149 into a layby where you turn left again onto a footpath which crosses Beeston Common.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 8.  Walk across the common on one of the many tracks. Bear right, aiming to the left of this house at the end of Havelock Road.  Keeping their back garden fences on your right, walk to Common Lane.
    Photo 8. Walk across the common on one of the many tracks. Bear right, aiming to the left of this house at the end of Havelock Road. Keeping their back garden fences on your right, walk to Common Lane.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 9.  Cross over Common Lane to the gravelled drive just to your right.
    Photo 9. Cross over Common Lane to the gravelled drive just to your right.
    By - Keith Rose
  • Photo 10.  At the end of the drive, walk along this footpath.  Turn right at the end into Knowle Road.  Turn left along The Rise and turn right into Cremer
    Photo 10. At the end of the drive, walk along this footpath. Turn right at the end into Knowle Road. Turn left along The Rise and turn right into Cremer's Drift.
    By - Keith Rose
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