Happisburgh Beach
Happisburgh Beach
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
195 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
62
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
3
dbverycherry
London, UK351 contributions
Better be quick as land at Happisburgh cliff edges is disappearing into the sea at an alarming rate.
Oct 2022 • Couples
We last visited Happisburgh this July and right in the middle of the hottest week and this years heat wave.
The coastal erosion on this bit of the Norfolk coast is especially shocking to see.
Since July over a meter or more a month has eroded away and fallen into the sea.
My photo shows where a local has put the meters lost on the 'ROAD CLOSED' sign.
Soon the car park, near the lighthouse, and that leads to the ramp to the beach, won't safe to access by car. The Beach Road, going by today's inspection 21st October 2022 and in our opinion, could sadly be even nearer the last row of still occupied houses there. Not long till the road ends near these houses. A few months or a year or two at the most going by the look of it and the present rate of erosion.
Even the old church and lighthouse are under threat according to surveys and research.
More inland is the local village shop that sells wonderful speciality breads. The Fair Maiden shellfish sea food shop, just along and down from the church, sells wonderfully fresh local crab. Get there early so as not to miss either of these food treats. We would recommend to phone them or check online to make sure they are open and have supplies in.
St Mary the Virgin Church and theold part of the churchyard are well worth a visit. A much enjoyed dry but windy autumn 🍂 days two hour visit to Happisburgh this morning.
The coastal erosion on this bit of the Norfolk coast is especially shocking to see.
Since July over a meter or more a month has eroded away and fallen into the sea.
My photo shows where a local has put the meters lost on the 'ROAD CLOSED' sign.
Soon the car park, near the lighthouse, and that leads to the ramp to the beach, won't safe to access by car. The Beach Road, going by today's inspection 21st October 2022 and in our opinion, could sadly be even nearer the last row of still occupied houses there. Not long till the road ends near these houses. A few months or a year or two at the most going by the look of it and the present rate of erosion.
Even the old church and lighthouse are under threat according to surveys and research.
More inland is the local village shop that sells wonderful speciality breads. The Fair Maiden shellfish sea food shop, just along and down from the church, sells wonderfully fresh local crab. Get there early so as not to miss either of these food treats. We would recommend to phone them or check online to make sure they are open and have supplies in.
St Mary the Virgin Church and theold part of the churchyard are well worth a visit. A much enjoyed dry but windy autumn 🍂 days two hour visit to Happisburgh this morning.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
karen s
Leeds, UK161 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Happisburgh Beach/ Lighthouse is absolutely stunning, sadly the cliff erosion seems to be happening rapidly and the pathway that leads to the Beach is currently under reconstruction so no access from the Lighthouse Car park. You can get access from Cart Gap Beach Car Park a little further south from Happisburgh. Car parking is around £1.50 per hour and £7 for the full day, I know this sounds a little expensive but it does go to the upkeep of public toilets and the stunning environment.
We love this area beaches are long & sandy are very clean.
We love this area beaches are long & sandy are very clean.
Written May 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Moolet H
Loughborough, UK70 contributions
Jul 2021
We were trying to find a dog friendly beach and wow! Gart Gap was ideal. We just don’t understand how quiet it was even in late July! We made the mistake the first visit of it being high tide…..so not much sand to access but checking tide times sorted this issue out. Great beach, very quiet and nice to swim too. Parking was never full and we even had a few hours watching the lifeboats just off shore.
Clean and tidy facilities and a cafe just a bit further up the road.
Sheer doggy heaven!
Very clean and tidy. Spotted several seals swimming past.
Clean and tidy facilities and a cafe just a bit further up the road.
Sheer doggy heaven!
Very clean and tidy. Spotted several seals swimming past.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Seacreamer
London, UK28 contributions
Jul 2022
Lovely beach, spoilt by too many out of control dogs. Running off leads and being a nuisance when you are trying to have your beach picnic and the owners don’t even care. Dog mess not cleaned up. Why do people have to put up with dogs and their owners, which there are far too many of now, mostly a least 2 dogs per owner. There should be a dog licence to pay for all the clearing up of dog mess and emptying dog bins. Why do people who don’t own dogs have to pay for other peoples dogs? Dogs are allowed in nearly every restaurant along the North Norfolk coast now. Totally ruin any other non dog owner’s enjoyment. Smelly dogs which have been in the sea and marches messing up the restaurant floor, etc. Disgusting. I hardly every visit the coast now because of the overrun of dogs. HELP!! Dog owners have no shame I am afraid.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sarah J
Deal, UK25 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
Expensive to park, have to pay at all times. Dogs enjoyed themselves on a lovely quiet and clean beach, humans enjoyed their walk and then ruined on return to vehicle. Visited later in the day (6pm) as it had been too warm for the dogs during the day, when we returned to the van the community parking warden person (or whatever their title is) was waiting for us and gave us a telling off (quite rude really) as the gates shut at dusk (not a fixed time, sunset this day was 710pm and we were back at the van at 720pm) if i was aware of this from a notice on the gate (like in other areas where gates are shut overnight) i would have driven around the carpark and straight out again taking the dogs elsewhere for their walk - ruined what was a pleasant teatime walk.
Notice on gates as you enter about closing times and having a set time rather than just 'dusk' would be clearer and better.
Notice on gates as you enter about closing times and having a set time rather than just 'dusk' would be clearer and better.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim S
22 contributions
Sep 2020
A lovely stretch of beach but as every one will know by now this area of the Norfolk coast suffers badly from coastal erosion. Hang on to your kids and make them aware of the dangers by the cliff edge both at the top and the bottom, also keep them away from the edge as you walk down to the beach from the car park at the top. Being able to walk right up to the iconic Happisburgh light house is a real treat.
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
holidaymanWashington
Washington, UK2,006 contributions
May 2021
There is a lovely pale golden sandy beach here. The cliffs have collapsed in places, as is the norm along much of the East Coast. A new gravel ramp has been made, to provide access to the beach. This is protected by a barrier of large boulders. The slope is about 45 degrees. It is a great place for a walk and has a car park with toilets at the top of the cliff. Charges are £1.50 per hour. If you only want to stay for a short time; make sure you pay in cash, as using a card comes with a sting in the tail. It will cost you double!
Written June 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kiddy34
London, UK222 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
A lovely hidden beach to explore with the dog fabulous views and beautiful sandy beach lovely walk for a dog. So sad that it slowly disappearing to the sea other bad thing is £3.50 for parking a bit expensive. Still worth a visit
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rob Pritchard
St. Albans, UK74 contributions
Aug 2020
Having visited Happisburgh as part of a cricket club tour in 2018, I returned with my fiancee and small dog in August 2020. We parked outside the cricket pavilion and walked up a gravel track to the top of the cliffs. There are paths both ways along the cliff top - there is no fence so be careful with dogs and children. We turned left towards Cromer and, about 100 metres along, found some makeshift steps down to the beach below. On walking down, we found ourselves on a beautiful and near-deserted sandy beach. It was blissfully quiet, save for the sound of the waves. While the walk down to the beach would not be for everyone, I would recommend this beach as the perfect place to get away from it all during the COVID pandemic.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tal S
Seattle, WA70 contributions
Aug 2022
Careful for aggressive dog owners. A couple let their dog off the lead, and it came over to us. I was attacked by a dog several years ago and do not like dogs to get close to me...certainly NOT when off lead. The woman was nice and friendly. I simply walked past the man, not smiling, not saying anything, no gestures--but he aggressively challenged "we SAID we were sorry, didn't we!" smiling but also threatening. I smiled, bowed, and thanked him (we have to treat these people gently, don't we?) and walked on. There needs to be some patrol on these beaches, and dogs MUST be kept on leads when away from home...full stop. The utter sense of smug entitlement and menace from a man larger than I was not the hallmark of an enlightened, decent society. And this is NOT the first such encounter with an arrogant dog owner.
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi! Is there a fresh water shower on or near the beach? Looking to rinse off after a surf sesh! Many thanks.
karen b
Ashby de la Zouch, UK29 contributions
very good toilet block but I don't think there is a shower attached on the outside. Def not inside.
I am bringing a coach party off school children on Tuesday, is there somewhere I can park my coach for the day please????
Mad-on-Maldives
East Yorkshire462 contributions
Hi there, I'm not 100% sure on that. It was quite a narrow road to get to car park. I'm sure there must be parking in the village. Have a great day sorry I can't be of more help.
Happisburgh Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Happisburgh Beach
- Hotels near Happisburgh Beach:
- (0.15 mi) 2 bedroom accommodation in Happisburgh, near Cromer
- (0.22 mi) 2 bedroom accommodation in Happisburgh
- (0.31 mi) 2 bedroom accommodation in Happisburgh
- (0.44 mi) The Hill House Inn B&B
- (0.47 mi) Albion Cottage
- Restaurants near Happisburgh Beach:
- (0.43 mi) The Hill House Inn
- (0.86 mi) Smallsticks Café
- (2.25 mi) The Kingfisher Cafe
- (2.92 mi) The Ingham Swan
- (3.60 mi) Cafe Charlotte