Skip to content
Distant view of Burnham Overy Tower Mill near Brancaster, Norfolk
Burnham Overy Tower Mill, Norfolk | © National Trust/Justin Minns
Norfolk

Burnham Overy Staithe walk

Wander through Burnham Overy Staithe near Brancaster, and enjoy beautiful sights of the North Norfolk coast and its wildlife. This circular route follows part of the Norfolk Coast Path and passes through Holkham National Nature Reserve. There's the opportunity to visit Burnham Overy Town, St. Clement church with its Norman tower, and catch sight of the Tower Windmill along the way.

Visit Scolt Head Island

From the harbour at Burnham Overy Staithe, you can go on a boat trip to Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

The Hero Bar and Restaurant, Burnham Overy Staithe

Step 1

From the Hero, turn right, then immediately left down East Harbour Way until you reach Overy Creek. Turn right next to a house painted black. Go through the gate and then bear left along the waterfront. The raised bank you are now on is part of the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail.

View of Burnham Overy Staithe harbour near Brancaster in Norfolk, full of boats in summer
Burnham Overy Staithe harbour, Norfolk | © Scenic Norfolk

Step 2

Where the path along the embankment turns 90 degrees left, turn right through a gate into a marshy meadow. This area is a Natural England reserve (part of Holkham National Nature Reserve). Go through a second gate, cross a stile and then continue along a track until reaching the A149. Cross to the lane opposite, and follow this until you’ve passed two fields on the right.

Step 3

Go through a gap at the entrance to the third field, which is marked as a footpath. Keep to the right of the hedge until reaching a way-marker pointing left, across the middle of the field. Keep going in a straight line, through gaps in the hedges following circular markers with yellow arrows until reaching a dirt lane. Cross the lane, and continue down the track opposite with hedges on either side, towards the Norman tower of Burnham Overy’s Church of St. Clement.

View of church interior and passage joining both parts of St. Clement at Burnham Overy near Brancaster in Norfolk
Passage joining both parts of St. Clement at Burnham Overy, Norfolk | © National Trust/Michael Graham

Step 4

Turn left at the end of the track onto Mill Road, and take a grass track to the right called Marsh Lane. Go through the gate and into a field keeping the River Burn to the left, with the round Saxon tower of Burnham Norton in the distance also to the left. Burnham Overy Tower Mill is straight ahead.

Step 5

Cross the A149 with a pond on your left, and take the public footpath into the next field. Cross a stile and keep the hedge to your right.

Step 6

In the distance you will see the sails of Burnham Overy Windmill. Cross another stile and turn right onto the Norfolk Coast Path until reaching the A149.

Step 7

The Burnham Overy Tower Windmill is now in front of you. The mill is looked after by the National Trust but is not open to the public.

Step 8

Turn left at the A149 and follow the path beside the road to East Harbour Way on the left until reaching The Hero public house and the end of your walk.

End point

The Hero Bar and Restaurant, Burnham Overy Staithe

Trail map

Trail map for Burnham Overy Staithe walk near Brancaster, Norfolk
Burnham Overy Staithe trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

Aerial view of Brancaster Staithe Harbour at low tide, Brancaster Estate, Norfolk
Trail
Trail

Brancaster Staithe wildlife walk 

Wander through Brancaster Staithe and enjoy the sights of the coast and its wildlife. There are views from Barrow Common and the chance to visit the site of Branodunum Roman Fort along the way.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.8 (km: 6.08)
Aerial photograph of Blakeney National Nature Reserve, Norfolk Coast
Trail
Trail

Blakeney Point coastal walk 

This walk follows Blakeney Point’s 4 mile-long (6.4km) shingle spit to the sand dunes, near the Lifeboat House.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 7 (km: 11.2) to miles: 0 (km: 0)
Purple sea lavender surrounding a pool of water in a marsh landscape with purple-grey moody, cloudy sky above, which is reflected in the pool
Trail
Trail

Blakeney to Stiffkey coastal walk 

Enjoy views across Norfolk's open landscape on this coastal walk, starting at Blakeney Nature Reserve and taking in Morston and Stiffkey salt marshes.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)
The view of Blakeney Freshes from Friary Hills at Blakeney National Nature Reserve, Norfolk
Trail
Trail

Blakeney Freshes coastal wildlife walk 

This family-friendly circular walk through Blakeney village and around Blakeney Freshes offers impressive coastal views and is ideal for spotting birds and wildlife.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Get in touch

Brancaster Beach, Beach Road, Brancaster, Norfolk, PE31 8BW

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

The beach at Brancaster Estate, Norfolk
Article
Article

Discover Brancaster Estate 

Brancaster Estate, with its wide expanse of golden sands, is perfect for summer sunbathing or winter wanders. Here’s everything you need to know when planning your visit.

A group of children having completed their sand sculpture of a dinosaur on the beach at Brancaster
Article
Article

Family days out at Brancaster beach 

Plan a fun-filled day out at Brancaster beach. With its wide expanse of golden sands, it is perfect for sandcastles, wanders, picnics and paddling.

Visitors walking their dog on Brancaster beach, Norfolk
Article
Article

Bringing your dog to Brancaster Estate 

Brancaster Beach is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs and responsible owners are very much welcome here. We know your pets will enjoy it as much as you.

A kitesurfer at Brancaster Estate, Norfolk
Activity
Activity

Kite sports at Brancaster Beach 

Find out where the safe zones are for kitesurfing and other kite sports, plus tips and advice to keep everyone safe when you visit.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Two walkers and one person using an all-terrain mobility vehicle look out from a grassy hill, across the sea and to a coastal town
Article
Article

Top tips for coastal walks 

Get safety tips for walking by the coast, including the essential clothing and equipment to take with you and what to do before you set out.