Brancaster Beach

Brancaster beach with it's wide expanse of golden sands is perfect for summer sandcastles or winter wanders. To keep visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities safe, we've made some changes, so your visit will be a bit different to what you're used to. We are currently experiencing very high visitor numbers to Brancaster Beach with the car park (not National Trust) reaching capacity most days. Please take a few minutes to plan your visit and find out what the changes are here.

When you arrive

Car Park

Car park charges applicable, including for National Trust members. Please note that Brancaster Beach car park is neither owned nor managed by National Trust. Pre-booking not applicable. We're currently experiencing high visitor numbers, so if the car park is full or you find yourself in a queue then please turn around safely and leave. Do not fly-park in the village. There is limited parking at Brancaster Staithe which can be found off Harbour Way.

Toilets

The toilets at Brancaster Beach are currently open 6am to 6pm and are found next to the car park. There is an accessible toilet that can be accessed by a Radar key. Please note that the toilets are closed periodically during the day for cleaning. Please respect the cleaner and allow them to do their clean. There is also a toilet at Brancaster Staithe harbour.

Artisan ice cream and hot snacks from the Treaterie at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Refreshments kiosk

The kiosk opposite the car park has all your seaside essentials including ice cream, teas, coffees, buckets and spades. Please note that this business is not owned or managed by National Trust.

a mainly black collie dog playing with a stick in the shallows of the sea. Small wavelets can be seen behind. the dog is wet so has probably been swimming

Dogs welcome!

Dogs and responsible owners are very much welcome on Brancaster Beach. There is a small dog-free zone May to September to the left of the entrance once you walk onto the beach but the rest is there for you and your four-legged friends to enjoy. Please keep dogs under close control at all times and clear up after them. Dog bins are available next to the toilets.

Kite Sports on Brancaster Beach

Kite surfing is a popular pastime on Brancaster Beach. The use of kites and buggies and the launching of is restricted to certain zones to ensure visitor safety and enjoyment. Please follow our advice in this handy guide.

three black dots of a ship wreck can be seen in the middle of the photo behind golden sand and beneath a blue sky

SS Vina shipwreck

At Brancaster Beach the shipwreck of the SS Vina can be viewed from the coast. Built in 1894 she spent her working life travelling the Baltic Trade routes before she was requisitioned for the war effort in 1940.

Beach safety

Know the risks

Don’t walk out to the shipwreck of the SS Vina at Brancaster Beach. The fast-flowing channel of tidal water and the quickly changing tides, will put your life in danger. Each year multiple people require rescuing as they get cut off from the land.

Two children playing on Brancaster Beach

Follow the signs

When you arrive at the beach, the first thing to look for are the signs, giving you all the information about the beach you’re visiting. It’s worth noting that we don’t have RNLI lifeguards on duty at these beaches, but we'd still recommend following their advice.

Understand the sea

A beach can seem like a vast playground, but the tide can come in surprisingly quickly at Brancaster. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them.

How can I stay safe on the beach?

Keep a watchful eye on your family
Stay together and don't use inflatables in the sea
In an emergency dial 999 for the Coastguard

Help look after this special place

Walker on track through hedges of white hawthorn blossom

Follow the Countryside Code

With more people than ever enjoying our coast and countryside places, we’re asking for your help in looking after them during your visit. Please help us protect wildlife and landscapes by following the Countryside Code, which includes taking any litter home with you and not lighting a barbecue or campfire.

Look after the coast

Litter has always been a big problem on beaches and in the countryside and is hugely damaging to the wildlife and environment. As one of the largest conservation charities in Europe the National Trust relies on public support to help care for special places. We ask that you take your litter home with you.

Other useful information...

The use of drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) on the Norfolk Coast and Broads

The unauthorised use of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) or drones as they are more commonly known, is not permitted on or over National Trust land as part of our byelaws without the necessary required qualifications and a licence granted by us. Find out more here.

Metal detecting on our land

Read our metal detecting policy and the conditions under which we might grant an Archaeological Research Agreement.

Photographer takes aim to capture the landscape at Lyme, Cheshire

Photography and Filming on the Norfolk Coast

Here on the Norfolk Coast we love that our visitors can take home and share special moments from their day with us, but for those who are looking to use National Trust locations for anything other than personal use, here's a handy guide for filming and photography on the Norfolk Coast.

Horses on Brancaster Beach

We do not recommend Brancaster Beach for horse riding or exercising of horses. The entrance to the beach is extremely narrow with many people choosing to sit there. This poses a risk to the safety of all beach users in this area, especially with the unprecedented number of visitors Brancaster Beach is experiencing at this time.

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