‘I tried the cliff-top walk a short drive from Cambs that features a steam train and has a delicious treat at the end’

As the weather warms, so does the lure of the great outdoors, calling us towards it. Cambridgeshire’s reed beds, open water and rolling meadows can deliver wonderful walks and sights for the weary urban dweller.

However, sometimes rolling fields and flowing rivers just don’t cut it. Only a couple of hours due east, the Norfolk coast awaits. From seal watching and ancient woodland to Roman roads – there’s a little something for every walker who takes to the county.

A walk is a marvellous thing, but I’m no hiker, and I rarely fancy taking on lengthy distances or rugged terrain on my day off. In my honest opinion, such back-breaking slogs should come with a health warning. Plus, in my book, if the walk’s too long it’s tedious, if it’s too short, the indulgence of guilt-free puddings disappears.

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Such was my delight when I went on a delightful walk that fit all the above criteria – a stroll I would happily do again. It starts in Sheringham, Norfolk, home to the North Norfolk Railway, and travels southwest inland into the Georgian town of Holt.

We started out in Sheringham, and took the steam train on a steady trundle inland to the tune of ‘chugga chugga choo choo’. Disembarking at the end of the (very) short railway line, at the charming train station at Holt, we had a wander around what is a very pleasant town, grabbed a pasty at a nearby café, and reembarked onward to Weybourne – where our walk began in earnest.

A short stroll downhill from the incredibly charming Weybourne railway station brought us to Weybourne beach, a shingly heaven of white pebbles.

From there we followed the Norfolk coastal path towards Sheringham. The path meanders along cliff tops for most of the journey, and offers first-tier views of the sand-chalk cliffs and open sea beyond. After an hour or so, and around three miles of fairly level ground, the route ends on a steep incline, bringing you back up through Sheringham Park, alongside the golf course.

Eventually, a red-dirt track becomes a stone promenade as the end of the walk brings you up alongside the town. As you stroll down in the direction of Beach street, colourful beach huts and traditional fishing boats await. Head in the direction of The Mo museum, and you will pass a slipway with beached fishing boats.

If you cut right onto the High Street when you get to the penultimate turning, it’s only a short walk down the road before you arrive at Ellie’s Ice Creams, or if you don’t fancy a treat, head down to the Mo museum to get an idea of the history of the town.

Overall, a highly enjoyable walk that offers a little of everything for walkers of all descriptions. I’d recommend heading down to Sheringham in the morning so you have time to wander around Holt. You don’t have to take to take the railway if you’re strapped for cash, but it’s worth it for the novelty value – and for the unique sound of that legendary steam engine, it would be a shame to miss it.

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