07/07/2021
One of Norfolks best kept secrets: Snettisham beach is famed for sunset walks and “Snettisham Spectaculars”
The beach is a good walk or bike ride from our mill.
In common with the other beaches along this stretch of coast – Heacham and Hunstanton – Snettisham Beach faces west, with views across The Wash towards Lincolnshire.
Protected from the North Sea winds by Norfolk itself, the west-facing beaches experience calmer and more agreeable weather than the more exposed beaches on the north and eastern coasts, and with their westerly aspects, provide ideal vantage points to enjoy long, glorious sunsets.
There are no major developments at Snettisham Beach – it’s mostly wild and natural, and thus a haven for birds. Those seeking social interaction may wish to visit other beaches – at Snettisham you can find yourself, even on a summer’s day, the only living soul within view.
Snettisham Beach has a distinct claim to fame – known in bird watching circles as the Snettisham Spectacular. The shallow beach gives way to wide expanses of mudflats at low tide, where tens of thousands of wading birds gather to roost overnight.
From late summer to early winter, incoming tides slowly push the birds off the mudflats towards the beach, and vast flocks of knot, dunlin and oystercatchers take to the air in whirling, mesmerising murmurations.
And if all of that doesn’t tempt you maybe the fish and chip shop will - Just off the beach is Snettisham Beach Chip Shop which serves the tastiest fish and chips for miles around!!
