East Runton, north Norfolk
Our visitors find East Runton full of surprises. First, unlike much of Norfolk, it is far from flat – with beautiful, well-wooded hills, small, enclosed fields, high banks and sunken lanes.
Second, although close to Cromer in the east and Sheringham in the west, the village is almost entirely self-contained. In other words, it is possible to enjoy a perfect seaside holiday here without leaving the village – although, in reality, almost everyone loves to explore the surrounding beaches, countryside, towns and villages.
Beautiful beach
East Runton’s long, sandy beach is loved by all – particularly at low tide – and especially by children, who spend long, happy hours searching the rock-pools, finding fossils and simply splashing in the sea.
Just 15 minutes walk from Manor Farm, East Runton beach is popular for surfing, picnics and walks along the shore to Cromer, Sheringham and beyond.
Walks for all
Imagine being able to walk for miles without seeing a solitary car. It’s possible! There are plenty of footpaths on your doorstep.
Most walks from Manor Farm are along public footpaths or bridleways that rarely cross a road. Some are suitable for quick strolls round the village (one circular route takes about 30 minutes) to 5-10-mile hikes for the adventurous.
A walk we especially recommend will take you down to the beach at East Runton, along it to West Runton, and once you’ve enjoyed a leisurely pint at the Village Inn, back home via Incleborough Hill. The hill, owned by the National Trust offers magnificent views of the coast between Sheringham and Cromer – and on a clear day, even beyond.
Other pretty cross-country walks will take you to Felbrigg Hall, a magnificent National Trust property set in some 1,750 acres, or take the footpath through the farm to Cromer for cafes, restaurants and shops.
More local walks available here.
Fossil hunting
In 1990, just along the beach at West Runton, the fossilised remains of a 600,000 year-old woolly mammoth were discovered in the cliff face, and it caused a sensation. However, East Runton beach remains the best place for mammal fossils from the Pastonian age. And, today, it is where people searching through chalk deposits find belemnites – extinct sea creatures very like a squid.
See the animals, feed the ducks, enjoy the play area
Manor Farm’s friendly donkeys and goats love to meet visitors. East Runton’s, fairly well-behaved ducks, who parade around the pond on our grassy common, simply love to eat bread.
Meanwhile, the common’s haughty geese enjoy nothing more than a little honking and hissing as you pass on the way to the children’s play area.
Be sure to look out for Manor Farm’s delightful lambs, born between mid-February and mid-March, and our calves, born from April to mid-June.
Pubs and eating out
East Runton is lucky enough to have a pub (The Fishing Boat, which has a large pub garden and is dog friendly), a restaurant (The White Horse) and a sports bar (Harry’s Bar). Always popular is the village fish and chip shop, Will’s Plaice.
Great bird watching
Wherever you go in East Runton you’ll see lots of birds –and sometimes quite rare ones. In the past a citrine wagtail – originally from Asia – was among our celebrated visitors. Others seen in north Norfolk include the woodlark, bearded tit, marsh harrier, buzzard, honey buzzard, nightjar, bittern, Montagu’s harrier, avocet, stone curlew and bittern. Keep those binoculars handy!
Around Manor Farm watch out for swallows that nest under the eaves of the farm buildings, blue tits and pied wagtails. Also be sure to listen out for the beautiful songs of skylarks, blackbirds, robins and thrushes, and the contrasting, sudden shriek of high-flying buzzards.
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