We spent the weekend back at one of our favourite coastal spots: Sandy Gulls Caravan Park in Mundesley, Norfolk. It’s a quiet, well-kept site right on the cliff, with uninterrupted sea views and direct beach access — perfect for a relaxing break and some long walks. We planned the trip to coincide with Keefy’s birthday weekend, and as usual, the Norfolk coast didn’t disappoint.
We arrived early on Friday afternoon to clear skies and blazing sunshine. After setting up the van, and eating lunch, we headed straight down to the beach, taking advantage of the sea breeze to keep cool. The beach here stretches for miles and is usually quiet, especially just outside the summer rush. We walked around three miles out and back, a gentle start to the weekend, with a drink stop at The Ship Inn along the way — a classic coastal pub with arguably the best beer garden view in Norfolk. It’s a great place to stop for a pint and just enjoy the open skies and sound of the waves.
Back at the van, we kept dinner easy but delicious. We had brought a homemade mac and cheese, which I made at home, and we reheated in our tabletop oven and topped with fresh Cromer crab we picked up on the way to the site. To start, we had a caprese salad, and we grilled a couple of halloumi skewers as a side. Simple, low effort, and really tasty.
The rest of the evening was spent reading outside the van, watching the light fade over the sea before falling into a heavy sleep— until about 1am, when we were woken up by a spectacular thunderstorm. The lightning was near constant and lit up the sky like daylight. There was no wind, but the thunder was loud and close. Safe to say we didn’t get much sleep for that hour, and no, I didn’t take any photos — I was hiding under the duvet.
Saturday started slowly with coffee and a quiet morning at the pitch.
Our plan was to walk the coastal path all the way to Cromer, but about two miles in, we got wonderfully sidetracked. Just before Trimingham, tucked away in someone’s back garden, we stumbled across the Cliffhanger Tiki Bar. It had only opened the day before and was a brilliant surprise — beachy decor, friendly owners, and cold drinks with uninterrupted views of the sea. We stayed for a couple of beers and a chat before attempting to continue our walk.
Unfortunately, the coastal path had been washed away further along the route, and with the heat building and Jazz the dog starting to feel it, we decided not to push on by road. Instead, we caught the Coasthopper bus into Cromer, which is a great option if you don’t want to walk Cromer and beyond. The service is regular and dog-friendly, and it meant we could still enjoy the rest of the day without overdoing it.
Cromer was busy but not overwhelming, and we found some shade at one of the beach bars to cool off with drinks and a portion of fish and chips.
It was still warm well into the evening, so we eventually made our way back to the van for a peaceful night sitting out with a sea breeze and the sound of waves in the background.
On Sunday morning, we had to leave the site but didn’t feel ready to head home. We parked up in Cromer and set off along the coast path to Sheringham. This route is around four and a half miles each way and follows the cliff for most of the journey, with open views the whole way. The weather was perfect — sunny but breezy — and the path was in good condition.
Sheringham was buzzing with Father’s Day visitors, and we stopped at The Two Lifeboats for a pint before retracing our steps back toward Cromer, finishing the last section along the beach. After clocking up nine miles, we wrapped up the weekend with our second helping of fish and chips before hitting the road home.
It was the kind of weekend that makes you want to stay just one more day — slow mornings, lovely walks, a few unexpected finds, and a campsite that really lets you soak up the best of the coast. Even with the overnight storm and washed-out path, we couldn’t have asked for much more. If you’re heading to Norfolk and want a quiet, sea-view pitch with walking routes in every direction, Sandy Gulls is well worth a visit.
