Bustling with the sailing fraternity, Brancaster Staithe is just a couple of minutes drive from Brancaster. Home to Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club, the harbour is an exciting place. Book a boat trip with Branta Cruises and enjoy a day out at National Trust owned Scolt Head Island. This island is one of Norfolk's best kept secrets - don't miss out. In high season, fresh seafood and coffee can be bought from the shed on the hard.
Visit the The Jolly Sailors where muddy boots are most welcome. For more formal dining book a table in advance at The White Horse which boasts spectacular view of the marshes from its conservatory and terrace. Enjoy local seafood whilst watching the tide come in over the creeks as the sky dramatically changes colour. If you're keen to rustle something up at home, The Fish Shed on the main road at Brancaster Staithe provides local fresh fish and produce. A trip would not be complete without tasting the famous Brancaster mussels, in season when there is an 'R' in the month, buy from the hard at Brancaster Staithe, or from Mervyn on the main road, who harvests them from the beds at the bottom of his garden. Fresh local crab is also on sale a few doors up. Kayaks and boats can be hired locally too - but make sure you know the tides. Wildlife along the coast is abundant and accessible. You will see marsh harriers wheel overhead along with avocets, oyster catchers and terns.
Brancaster Stores and Post Office houses a brilliant deli and coffee shop, as well as stocking plenty of every day goods. Brancaster Village Hall hosts Bar 71 where good times, drinks, friends and fun are served. It is the social heart of Brancaster village offering a licensed, family friendly bar with the cheapest drinks along the coast, and a calendar of monthly events including live music, discos, quiz nights, bingo, skittles and poker tournaments. Adjacent is 5 acres of playing fields, including two full size goals, a children’s playground along with equipment designed to help coordination and balance, and a family area with picnic tables. There are also new tennis courts. Brancaster offers something for everyone!
Neighbouring Burnham Deepdale hosts a parade of lifestyle shops and local craft shops, plus a cafe and petrol station. At nearby Titchwell only a five-minute drive, or longer walk away, is the RSPB Nature Reserve. A little further is Thornham, home to a fabulous beach, The Drove Orchards farm shop, and famous fish 'n' chip shop, Eric's. The Thornham Deli serves great breakfasts and meals throughout the day, and the lifestyle and homeware store is worth perusing.
Trendy Burnham Market is a beautiful and popular village with a colourful array of shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, including The Hoste pub/ restaurant/ hotel, No. Twenty9, and Socius. Visit nearby Burnham Thorpe, the birthplace of Lord Nelson, to learn more about his life and retrace the local maritime history. Beautiful Holkham beach with its endless white sands is a must, as is Wells-next-the-Sea with its colourful beach huts and quay, where the young at heart can enjoy crabbing from the harbour wall. Make time to visit HM The King's private residence of Sandringham, and the National Trust estates at Felbrigg and Blickling.