Short answer: the North Norfolk coast campervan route follows the A149 from Hunstanton to Cromer through Brancaster, Burnham, Wells, Blakeney, Cley and Sheringham. It is short enough for a weekend and easy driving, but the road narrows through several villages and gets busy in summer. North Norfolk District Council does not allow overnight sleeping in its car parks, and wild camping in vehicles is banned, so book campsites.
At a glance
| Thing | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road | A149 coast road |
| Start and finish | Hunstanton to Cromer (or the reverse) |
| Length | Roughly 40 miles; it is a short drive, the time goes on stopping |
| Days | A weekend; three or four days if you want to walk and cycle |
| Best for | Beaches, salt marsh, birdwatching, easy flat driving |
| Van-size watch-outs | Narrow village sections, a single-lane stretch at Stiffkey, summer queues at Cley and Cromer. No sleeping in council car parks |
The mileage is our estimate from the map, not an official figure. Check it in your own planner.
The North Norfolk coast campervan route, stop by stop
We drive it west to east so the afternoon sun is behind us, but either way works. The A149 runs through the villages rather than bypassing them, which is the charm and also the catch.
- Hunstanton. Striped cliffs and a west-facing beach, unusual for the east coast, so it is a good place to start with a sunset. Old Hunstanton is just along the road.
- Holme-next-the-Sea and Thornham. Holme Dunes nature reserve sits by the road. Thornham is a small village with a harbour creek.
- Titchwell. Titchwell Marsh reserve, one of the well known birding stops on this coast.
- Brancaster and Brancaster Staithe. Big beach, sailing, and good walking out on the marsh.
- Burnham Deepdale and Burnham Market. Burnham Market is a short detour off the A149 on a minor road. Pretty, busy and with tight parking, so think about walking or cycling in.
- Burnham Overy Staithe and Holkham. The stretch into Burnham Overy Staithe is narrow; see the van-size section. Holkham estate and its huge beach follow.
- Wells-next-the-Sea. The A149 passes south of the town. Harbour, chips, and the walk to the beach huts.
- Stiffkey, Morston and Blakeney. Stiffkey is where the road narrows to a single lane. Morston and Blakeney are quiet harbour villages on the edge of the marsh.
- Cley next the Sea, Salthouse and Kelling. Cley is lovely and a bottleneck in summer. The Cley and Salthouse marshes are right next to the road.
- Weybourne and Sheringham. The coast starts to rise into low cliffs. Sheringham is a proper seaside town.
- The Runtons and Cromer. Beeston Regis, West Runton and East Runton, then Cromer at the end of the road.
Van-size warnings
- Narrow villages: from Hunstanton to Brancaster the road narrows slightly and runs through the villages.
- Burnham Overy Staithe: Wikipedia's A149 entry reports a 2-metre width restriction on the stretch into Burnham Overy Staithe. We have not seen this on an official highway source, so check the signs and your route before you go. Many van conversions are wider than 2 metres with mirrors out.
- Stiffkey: the road narrows to one lane and approaching traffic has to give way.
- Cley and Cromer: Cley is a summer bottleneck, and Cromer's one-way system can queue.
- Lorries: the road beyond Burnham Market is described as unsuitable for lorries, with the B1355 used as the lorry route. If you drive a large motorhome, treat that as a hint.
If your van is big, the simplest plan is to base yourself at one campsite and use local buses, bikes or the Norfolk Coast Path to reach the busiest villages. Check current bus timetables before you rely on them.
Where to sleep
This coast is strict, and it is worth knowing before you arrive. North Norfolk District Council says overnight sleeping is not allowed in any of its car parks, and that penalty notices can be issued for overnight camping in council-owned car parks. Its visitor guidance says wild camping, including in motorhomes, is banned on beaches, beach access points, woodland, heathland and public access sites across the area. Motorhomes can park in council car parks during the day; you just cannot sleep in them.
That fits the wider picture: in England, sleeping in your van on land you do not own needs the landowner's permission. Book a campsite, and do it early for summer weekends and school holidays. For the general rules, see overnight parking rules and motorhome aires in the UK. Rules change, so check the council's page before you go.
Fuel, water and waste
The route is short and runs past towns at both ends and in the middle, so fuel is not a worry. Fill up before Hunstanton or in a larger town and you will be fine. Visit North Norfolk keeps a page on motorhome parking and waste disposal; use it to find somewhere to empty and refill rather than guessing. Never empty a cassette or grey water anywhere other than a proper disposal point.
When to go
Spring and autumn are our pick. The roads are quieter, the campsites have space, and the bird reserves are at their busiest. Summer weekends are lovely but slow through the villages, and you will need to book. Winter has its own appeal, with big empty beaches, but check which campsites stay open.
Roam's ready-made routes are coming, NC500 first, and we would like this coast to be one of them, with the narrow bits flagged for your van's width. Join the waitlist to hear when routes launch.
More easy weekends are in our weekend campervan trips guide, and if you fancy a longer coastal drive try the Atlantic Highway.
Before you go
- Book a campsite. With no sleeping in council car parks and a wild camping ban, this is the one thing you cannot leave to chance.
- Measure your van. Width especially, with mirrors out, because of the narrow villages.
- Bring bikes or boots. The Norfolk Coast Path runs close to the road, and a lot of the best stops are a short walk from where you can park.
- Check tide times. This is a coast of creeks, marsh and wide sands where the tide comes in a long way. Check before walking out.
- Pick an end. If you are coming from the Midlands or London, Hunstanton is the natural start. From Norwich, start at Cromer.
Questions
Can you sleep in a campervan on the North Norfolk coast?
Only on a campsite or land where you have permission. North Norfolk District Council does not allow overnight sleeping in its car parks, and wild camping in motorhomes is banned in the area.
How long does the North Norfolk coast road take?
Without stops, a couple of hours depending on traffic. With beaches, walks and lunch, give it at least a weekend.
Is the A149 suitable for big motorhomes?
Mostly, with care. Watch for narrow village sections, the single-lane bit at Stiffkey and a reported width restriction near Burnham Overy Staithe. Check your width and route first.
Can I empty my toilet cassette on the North Norfolk coast?
Yes, at a proper disposal point or campsite. Visit North Norfolk lists motorhome parking and waste disposal options; never empty anything into drains or bins.