Norfolk Broads, Coast and Seals!, New Year Walking and Social Break

Overview: This year the New Year’s break with Steve and Arlene Dell is in Norfolk and discovers the Norfolk Broads and Coast with one of the days walking visiting the seals from Winterton on Sea. We did this a few years ago and it was spectacular sight. December and January see hundreds of seals come ashore to give birth and you would be surprised to see the number of seals and how up close and personal you can get to them. 

There is also plenty to do for non walkers or if you want to mix & match walking with social / tourist stuff. The Broads are worth a visit, with lots of small villages to discover. Even if you aren’t walking, a visit to see the seals is a must. Great Yarmouth has a number of attractions, such as a sea life centre, a time and tide museum to name a few. 

The walking programme: The walking programme will be finalised over the next few weeks using some of the walks below. The walks, given we are in Norfolk will be fairly flat, as it’s a county of lowlands and big skies. 

Rockland St Mary and Claxton. This 5 mile and includes some waterside walking using the Wherryman’s Way and the River Yare. The return sees us walking through the village, a pretty church and some farmland. 

Seals walk: We drive to Winterton on Sea to see the seals (now is a great time of year as they come ashore to give birth to their pups). It’s a figure of eight so either 5 or 9 miles. The morning walk starts along the coast path and Winterton Dunes to Winterton. The return uses bridleways as we make our way to East Somerton and then back to Winterton. For the afternoon walk we use the lane to make our way to Hemsby. We return on then coastal path and dunes.  

Acle: Another Broads Walk which initially follows the River Bure as we head to Upton Marshes and then Upton village. The return passes through Fishley as we make our way back to Acle. This walk can be between 5 and 9 miles depending on how we get there and which day we walk it. 

Reedham: A classic Broads Walk from the pretty village of Reedham around Limpenhoe Marshes. It’s a 7 mile, varied walk which includes riverside paths, the pretty village of Reedham with its lovely pub, quiet lanes and Broads land with its big skies.

Evenings and Après Walking: Each evening we will have dinner at the hotel. On the first night Steve will go through the plans for the next few days, and we can get to know our fellow Spicers. Steve will run a quiz on one of the nights, which always proves popular. There is the option to walk to a local pub on one of the nights to have a break from the hotel. 

New Year’s Eve Party: This year, we have a private party at the hotel. It will be a smart casual affair, rather than a Ball and will run until 1am. See the Food and Meals section for details of the menu. 

Extra night: If you don’t need to rush off on New Year’s Day, you can stay an extra night to make New Years Day more relaxed. After our walk, we will look at the possibility of a film afternoon with sweets and popcorn, a great way to chill out.

Here is a link to the extra night