When is the Best Time for a Walking Holiday in Norfolk?

If you asked me to choose one season for a walking holiday in Norfolk, I'd probably say late spring or early autumn.

May, June and September can be particularly good walking months. You have plenty of daylight, generally comfortable walking temperatures and all the colour and interest of the Norfolk countryside and coast without necessarily being here at the busiest point of summer.

But there really isn't one perfect month.

Spring, summer and early autumn can all be lovely times to walk in Norfolk, and each has something slightly different to offer.

Norfolk walking through the year

Of course, Norfolk weather doesn't always read the table above!

I've known beautiful days when the forecast looked dreadful and wet days when everything suggested otherwise. Whatever month you choose, it's worth arriving prepared for changeable weather.  And I think we can probably all agree that looking at the weather forecast on your phone is not the most ideal and accurate way to decide what the weather will do for the day!

Walking in April

April can be a lovely month to start the walking season.

The days are getting noticeably longer, the countryside is coming back to life and the popular parts of the Norfolk coast are generally much quieter than they'll be later in the year. 

You do need to be prepared for mixed weather though.

An April walking day can feel beautifully spring-like, but it can also be cool and wet. Layers and decent waterproofs matter more than trying to predict exactly what the weather will do.

If you value quieter paths and don't mind carrying an extra layer, April is well worth considering.

May - one of my favourite months

May is particularly good for walking in Norfolk.

The days are long, the countryside is green and the temperatures are often much more comfortable for walking than during a hot spell in midsummer.

It's also a wonderful time to be outside. Hedgerows, woodland and verges have plenty going on and there's lots of birdlife around the coast and countryside.  The Peddars Way is particularly beautiful at this time of year as you have the wonderful hawthorn blossom and primroses on the verges.

The late May bank holiday can make some of the better-known coastal places busier, so that's worth remembering if you're looking for a particularly quiet holiday.  This also means you should probably try and book early for any bank holidays.

But overall, May would be high on my list for a Norfolk walking holiday.

June - long days and plenty of time

June has one enormous advantage for walkers: daylight.

Around midsummer you have wonderfully long days, which takes away any sense that you need to rush.

That doesn't mean you'll want to walk from dawn until dusk!

It simply gives you more flexibility. You can take longer over lunch, stop somewhere that catches your interest or set off a little later without worrying about running out of daylight.

Temperatures are generally good for walking too, although there's always the possibility of warmer weather.

For a longer Norfolk walking holiday, June is an excellent month to consider.

What about July and August?

There's absolutely nothing wrong with walking in Norfolk during July and August, but there are a couple of things I'd take into account.

Firstly, it can be warmer.  Much of the Norfolk Coast Path is exposed and there isn't always a great deal of shade, so a hot summer day can feel quite different from walking the same section in May or September.

Secondly, this is when Norfolk – and particularly the coast – is at its busiest with the school holidays.

Places such as Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, Sheringham and Cromer naturally attract lots of summer visitors.

Once you're out walking you'll still find quieter stretches, but accommodation, pubs and popular villages will generally be busier.

On the other hand, if you enjoy the atmosphere of the Norfolk coast in summer and don't mind sharing it with other visitors, July and August give you wonderfully long days and plenty going on.

September - another month I'd seriously consider

September is probably the other month I'd put alongside May when someone asks me when to come.  This is one of the most popular months for walking.

The school summer holidays have finished, so the coast begins to quieten down, but there's still plenty of daylight for walking.

Temperatures can also be very pleasant.

There is something particularly enjoyable about walking the Norfolk coast once the main summer rush has passed. The towns and villages haven't closed down for winter, but everything feels a little less hectic.

For someone who wants good walking conditions but would rather avoid peak summer, September is an excellent choice.

Is October too late?

No, not necessarily, and particularly now with the changing weather patterns.

Early October can produce some beautiful walking days, and the Norfolk countryside starts taking on its autumn colours.

The trails are much quieter too.

The trade-off is daylight and weather. Days are getting shorter and conditions can be less predictable, so I'd be more conscious of the day's mileage and setting-off time.  If you walk before 21st October, then you won’t have to worry so much about daylight.  Once 21st October arrives, the clocks in the UK go back and it gets considerably darker quite quickly!

If you enjoy autumn walking and are comfortable with changeable conditions, it can be a lovely time to visit.

When is the Norfolk coast busiest?

If avoiding crowds is important to you, I'd be most wary of the main school summer holiday period, particularly around the popular North Norfolk towns and villages.

That doesn't mean the entire Coast Path will be crowded.

One of the nice things about walking is how quickly you can leave a busy place behind. Wells may be bustling and then, not very much later, you can find yourself in a completely different landscape.

But accommodation availability can also become tighter during busy periods, which is another reason to book ahead if your dates fall in July or August.

Norfolk also has carnivals in the town and these can carry over for a week, so it’s worth checking when these are.  The towns are Hunstanton, Wells and Cromer.

Does the best month change depending on the trail?

A little, although I think May, June and September are lovely months for walking whichever Norfolk trail you choose.

On the Norfolk Coast Path, these months are particularly enjoyable, with generally comfortable walking temperatures and plenty of daylight.

For Peddars Way and Weavers Way, spring is a lovely time to be out in the countryside, while September can be equally enjoyable as the summer crowds begin to disappear.

The Walsingham Way is another walk I'd happily recommend in spring or early autumn, particularly if you prefer quieter paths and villages.

Of course, Norfolk's weather is never entirely predictable, whatever time of year you choose!

Which Norfolk Walking Holiday Should I Choose?

What about the weather?

Whichever month you choose, I wouldn't try to book your Norfolk walking holiday around a perfect weather forecast.

British weather doesn't work like that, as many of you know, and Norfolk certainly doesn't issue guarantees!  Although Norfolk is supposed to be the sunniest county in the UK!

Bring waterproofs. Bring something warm. In warmer months, think about sun protection and water.

Then if you get five days of glorious sunshine, consider it a bonus.

What Should I Pack for a Walking Holiday in Norfolk?

So when would I choose?

If you have complete freedom over your dates, my first choices would probably be:

May – for spring, long days and generally comfortable walking.

June – for the longest days and plenty of time to enjoy the route.

September – for good walking conditions with the summer crowds beginning to disappear.

But don't rule out April, July, August or early October if that's when you can travel.

The best time for your Norfolk walking holiday is ultimately the time that suits you. Being properly prepared for the conditions matters far more than trying to find the mythical week when Norfolk promises perfect walking weather.

You can compare our Norfolk walking holidays or head back to Advice & Planning for more help choosing your route and itinerary.

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