Sheringham Circular Walk

Welcome to the Sheringham Circular walk, one of my favourite walks in North Norfolk!

This wonderful route takes you from the seaside town of Sheringham through a diverse landscape of:

• coastal views
• ancient ruins
• woodlands and 
• rolling countryside.

What I love most about this particular walk is how it gives you a proper taste of everything Norfolk has to offer. 

Starting from Sheringham's promenade, you'll climb to breath-taking viewpoints, walk through peaceful commons and Pretty Corner Woods, and discover the delights of Sheringham Park before returning along the spectacular Norfolk coastline.

This walk offers something for everyone - whether you're passionate about history, wildlife, or simply just walking in Norfolk.

Bring your camera, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy Norfolk's most beautiful scenery!

Sheringham Circular Walk - Your Complete Guide

Starting Point:  Sheringham promenade (or from Pretty Corner Woods – start at No 24 if you plan to start your walk from here).

Car Parking:  Sheringham has various car parks; Station Yard, NR26 8RG, Chequers Car Park NR26 8BQ.  Pretty Corner Woods has a car park, postcode NR26 8TW. 

If you start from Pretty Corner Woods, start the walk from No 16.

Distance: 9 miles

Ease of Walk: A mixture of easy and moderate to challenging as there are a few inclines.  If you’re a regular walker this will be OK for you, but if you’re a little unfit, you may just like to go slowly up the hills around Pretty Corner Wood, Beeston Bump and the Coastal Watch Tower at Sheringham.

Time needed: Approximately 4-5 hours

Terrain: Woodland, grass, steps, coastal path tracks, tarmac tracks, lanes

Dog-friendly: Yes

Facilities: Lots of refreshment options in Sheringham and a café in Sheringham Park.  WCs in Sheringham at the promenade and at the Visitor Centre in Sheringham

Best time to visit: Any time of year.  In May or June you’ll see the most magnificent display of Azaleas and rhododendrons in Sheringham Park.

What You'll See:

• Beeston Bump - a perfect vantage point for stunning coastal views
• Beeston Regis Nature Trail - abundant wildlife and native plants
• Ancient ruins of Beeston Regis Priory - dating back to the 13th century
• Sheringham & Beeston Regis Commons - beautiful natural heathland
• Pretty Corner Woods - woodland with magnificent trees and quiet paths
• Upper Sheringham village – flintstone village with historic church
• Temple viewpoint in Sheringham Park – breathtaking vistas
• Ling Hut - ancient thatched shelter with spectacular views
• Gazebo - a perfect photo opportunity!
• Coastal Watch Tower - overlooking the magnificent North Sea
• Sheringham Golf Course - beautifully maintained coastal links course
• Miles of glorious Norfolk coastline - perfect for blowing away the cobwebs!

The Map

Route Directions

Promenade to Beeston Regis

1.  Start on the promenade

2.  From the far east promenade, take a right up the steps, then left at top of the track.

3.  Follow the path up to Beeston Bump (see photo and trig point) and down the other side (Beeston Bump was a WWII listening post).

4.  At bottom of steps, take a right fork. Continue straight past a wooden information board about Beeston Regis Nature Trail.  Then head slightly left to walk over the railway line (watch out though, they come past quite fast!).

5.  Turn sharp right after the crossing, walk alongside allotments and through a tree tunnel.

6.  At the end of the path, cross onto a residential road and turn left at the end, at a sign saying “Restricted Byway”.

Beeston Regis Area

7.  Turn right at the end of the track to pass Beeston Regis Priory ruins.  Take some time to admire the Priory ruins, then continue southward.

8.  Cross over the main road and walk along the left pavement.  Take the side road opposite the Priory Maze and Gardens.

9.  Halfway along the side road, look for the public footpath sign by a noticeboard (Sheringham Beeston Regis Commons).  Take the path bearing slightly right through common and continue in the same direction without veering off.

Through the Commons

10.  At a crossroads of paths with a pond on your right, continue straight ahead.  Shortly after passing the pond, bear left over a small boardwalk. The path emerges onto common land (on your left) - follow the path keeping the woods on right.  Continue through this area with abundant ferns, keeping right alongside the woodland edge.

11.  Follow the well-trodden path over ground branches (for when it’s wet), boardwalk and walking beneath low branches until reaching a residential road where you’ll see the circular walk sign.

Waterworks to Pretty Corner Woods

12.  Turn immediately left into a by-road leading to the Waterworks.  Continue past the Anglia Water depot to a gate marking Pretty Corner Woods

13.  At a concrete block marked “SGWC 1934” (ignore the purple right arrow), take the left path around two trees which nearly block your way, to join the main path.

14.  Turn left, then immediately right over a boardwalk.  Further along here the path forks (with a bench dividing the paths), take the right path ( which is actually going straight ahead).

Pretty Corner to Upper Sheringham

15.  This brings you up to walk along a narrow gully. Before reaching the main road (which you’ll hear), turn right along a well-trodden path, down into dip and back up.

16.  Exit through the forestry car park onto Pretty Corner Lane, turn right here and continue past Pretty Corner Woods Car Park to the main road.

17.  Cross main road, walk down Cranfield Lane into Upper Sheringham.  Walk all the way through Upper Sheringham until you reach the Well on a small triangle with the church on left.

Upper Sheringham to Sheringham Park

18.  After the Well, follow the road to the right (signed to Holt) and at the very obvious corner which is signed towards Weybourne/Kelling, you need to go straight ahead along Park Road (marked “dead end”) and into Sheringham Park.

19.  After the cattle grid, turn immediately left, follow the well-worn path up the hill with a fence on your left.  At the hill top, visit the temple on the right for views, then return to continue along the path.

20.  Walk through the gate at the field end, turn left at the steps. Take some time to rest at the bench to admire the sea view!  This path eventually brings you up to the tarmac path which runs through Sheringham Park.

Sheringham Park back to the Promenade

21.  Turn right to follow the tarmac path with blue/yellow signs past Ling Hut (a small thatched hut).

22.  Just before Sheringham Hall, turn left (look for the ground-level “Gazebo” sign). Walk through the gate, turn right following the “Coastal Path” sign.  If you've got the energy, you should climb up the steps to the Gazebo for some stunning views.

23.  Continue beside the fields heading towards the coast, crossing the main road and railway line to the Coastal Path.

24.  Turn right at the cliffs (otherwise you'll fall into the sea!) and continue along the path, up the incline to the Coastal Watch Tower, alongside the golf course, returning to Sheringham promenade.

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My Personal Highlights

I love this Sheringham circular walk as there is a bit of everything; woodland, history, parkland, the coastal path and the Victorian seaside town of Sheringham along with its boating lake which you’ll walk past, and watching the golfers being tested on the spectacular golf course. 

The views from the gazebo are also stunning.  And if you’re lucky to catch the walk at the right time of day, you may even see the steam train puffing by!

My Tip: Why not make a day of it, either take a picnic lunch or stop off at Sheringham Park Visitor Centre for a bite to eat and a drink.

More Norfolk Walking Adventures

Looking for more wonderful Norfolk walks? Why not try the Salthouse Circular Walk or the Castle Acre Circular Walk.  Norfolk has miles and miles of spectacular trails waiting for you to discover!

Remember, every walk on Explore Norfolk UK has been personally walked by me. I'd love to hear about your experience if you try this route!