Head to the sticks this summer

When I tell people I'm from The Fens I can generally guarantee that they'll have one of two reactions. There's the ‘Where the hell is that?' one or the classic 'Wow, right out in the sticks! Do you know anyone with webbed toes?' response. Unless the person in question is actually from East Anglia as well, in which case you bond over stuff like drainage systems and carrot farming.

Jokes aside, having grown up and lived here for most of my life does have its advantages - the area's proximity to such beautiful coastline for one. And what better way to spend the summer in good old England than on a classic beach holiday?

To me the Norfolk coast brings back fond memories of childhood day trips, sandwiches on the beach, 20-mile tailbacks on the A47 every Bank Holiday - and countless 'seemed like a good idea at the time' windswept New Year's Day walks which could only be described as 'bracing'. In recent years it's become one of the go-to destinations for both wealthy London-based second home owners and the sort of people who use the word 'staycation', enjoy shabby chic and own every single thing in the Cath Kidston catalogue.

But don’t let that put you off. The North Norfolk coast is an area of stunning beaches, picturesque towns, plenty to do and thanks to its renaissance as a ‘trendy’ holiday destination, not short of great pubs, hotels, galleries and shops. If you’re planning a day trip or a longer break I’ve put together a few ideas of places to go and things to see while you're there.

Want your seemingly endless stretches of golden sandy beach peaceful and free from the fairgrounds and amusement arcades of your typical English seaside resort? Look no further than Brancaster or Old Hunstanton. They’ll still be packed on a hot day and have the all-important ice cream vendor/pub combination, but provide a better atmosphere for chilling out than some of the busier resorts. Take a picnic and a couple of good books.

For a taste of the high life and potential celebrity spotting, hit Burnham Market and the surrounding area. Regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in England, this tiny place is a favourite of the second home set, known as ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’ and is consequently home to expensive boutiques, mouth-watering delicatessens and no less than four art galleries.

There’s a wealth of places to stay and eat but the best-known is probably the Hoste Arms, where Stephen Fry can sometimes be found enjoying a drink. Jamie Oliver has also been spotted and Naomi Watts’s mum, Miv, runs her interior design business from the village. Miv’s work can be seen in the Victoria Hotel at nearby Holkham.

Wildlife and walking more your scene? Take in the unique scenery and wealth of creatures via the Norfolk Coastal Path, which stretches 45 miles through a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and takes you through picturesque villages such as Wells-next-the-Sea and Blakeney, where you can book boat trips to see seals in their natural habitat.

There are plenty of places to stay to suit all tastes, but if you’re looking for somewhere quirky on a budget try Deepdale Farm, which is not only a backpackers’ hostel and campsite but a winner of countless awards for innovation and environmental friendliness. If you’re not down with roughing it in a tent, you can hire a tipi or a yurt and sleep in a real bed instead.

On the other hand, if it really is luxury you want, check out Byford’s in Holt, a café, deli, restaurant and B&B rolled into one which describes itself as a ‘higgledy-piggledy world of pleasure’, all housed in a centuries-old building.

As always, remember to pack hats, sunscreen and plenty of layers – you might be pleasantly surprised by the weather but don’t let it lull you into a false sense of security.

This post was originally featured on BitchBuzz. Image via Ned Trifle's Flickr.

High Days and Holidays

After a particularly bad week weather-wise we decided to make the most of the sunshine forecast for Saturday and head off to the coast. This was probably a bit of a gamble considering the rain we'd had all week and the fact that at the prospect of just a couple of hours of sun, half of East Anglia gets the same idea and clogs the A47 from Hunstanton to Peterborough with overstuffed cars and of course, the dreaded caravans. We'd decided to visit beautiful Burnham Market then motor on to Brancaster to spend the afternoon on the beach and incredibly there wasn't too much traffic so we arrived in good time.

Burnham Market was heaving (at weekends you can't move for people Up From London and yummy mummies) so we just stayed long enough to have a quick look in the shops. Last year we stayed there over Easter weekend - my attempt at a romantic mini-break which was all but ruined by the fact the heavens opened on the way down and the rain, sleet and gales didn't stop for three days. Obviously we tried to make the best of it but as our planned activities include walking, more walking and a boat trip we didn't get much done - and surprisingly there is a limit to how long you can sit in a pub before it gets tedious. In the sunshine, however, Burnham Market is glorious and bustling - if a bit touristy these days and full of people trying to spot Stephen Fry (and Naomi Watts, whose mum runs Miv Watts Design from the village). My parents stayed there at the Hoste Arms last summer and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

We drove to Brancaster (about 5km away) and spent the afternoon enjoying the sun, having the obligatory paddle (not swimming as many people were, even with the sun the water seemed pretty chilly), eating ice cream and going for walks. Predictably the beach was busy but it has such a relaxed vibe and people-watching is a favourite past-time of mine so I didn't mind at all. We pitched up next to a family with a spectacularly hyperactive dachshund puppy which had to be constantly restrained. Occasionally it broke free and charged off up the beach - four children running after it, arms outstretched. North Norfolk is such a beautiful part of the country and so peaceful; we're planning to return fairly soon to go camping at Deepdale Farm. For a lot of people the go-to place on a day out is Hunstanton but it's well worth driving a bit further along the coast to explore some of the tiny villages and pristine beaches there.

And as a great end to a lovely day, we even managed to avoid traffic jams on the way home!