If you've ever wanted to explore the Norfolk Coast's seaside scenery, pubs and delicious food – but without driving – the Norfolk Coasthopper Pub Crawl is the day trip for you. I can't believe that as a Norfolk local, I only tried it for the first time last year but you can bet I'm planning to do it again this summer.
It's the perfect way to combine Norfolk's finest scenery, beaches and of course, a great day out with friends or family, and yet it still remains somewhat of a hidden gem day out in Norfolk! If you're visiting Norfolk, or live across East Anglia, this is my hot tip as a King's Lynn local. I'm sharing all the insider tips in this guide, I'll walk you through the best route, pubs, restaurants, and dreamy coastal stops along the way.
The Norfolk Coasthopper is more than just a bus route, it’s a way to experience the Norfolk Coast at its best, from golden beaches and rustic seaside villages to relaxed pubs and craft ale stops with views that make every pint taste better. If you’re looking for one of the most surprisingly fun day trips in Norfolk, let me introduce you to the Norfolk Coasthopper pub crawl. It's a hop-on, hop-off adventure along the coastline, which makes it possible to explore the coast without a car.
Enjoy seaside walks, long lunches, and sunset drinks without worrying about driving. This is one of my favourite ways to experience the “real” Norfolk Coast. In this guide, I’m sharing exactly how to plan the perfect Coasthopper day out, including where to start, where to eat and drink, and how to turn it into an unforgettable mini adventure.
The Ultimate Norfolk Coasthopper Pub Crawl & Day Trip Guide:
- What is the Norfolk Coasthopper?
- Tips for your Norfolk Coasthopper day
- Why the Norfolk Coasthopper is one of East Anglia’s best day trips
- Norfolk Coasthopper routes, costs and timetables
- How to plan your day on the Norfolk Coasthopper
- Best stops on the Norfolk Coasthopper route
- Steal my Norfolk Coasthopper 1-day itinerary
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What is the Norfolk Coasthopper?
The Coastliner and Coasthopper are scenic bus services that run along the north Norfolk coast, running roughly between King’s Lynn / Hunstanton and Cromer, they pass through some of the region’s most beautiful spots, including Wells-next-the-Sea, Brancaster, and Sheringham. It’s perfect for a day of beach walks, coastal views and local boozers, without needing a car, which makes it ideal as a Norfolk Coasthopper pub crawl. The route itself is beautiful – you’ll ride along sea views, sand dunes, marshes, and traditional seaside towns – and since buses run regularly in summer, you can hop on and off as you please. In summer especially, it feels like part of the Norfolk holiday experience.
Tips for your Norfolk Coasthopper day:
- Check seasonal timetables and download them to your phone
- Pre-book popular restaurants in summer to avoid disappointment
- Bring light layers so you're prepared for the windy coast!
- Download maps offline – phone signal is terrible on the Norfolk Coast
- Don’t overpack stops, focus on quality over quantity
Don't forget if you're visiting Norfolk to check out my guide to planning Norfolk holidays, read my blog about 8 of the best Norfolk stately homes to explore and don't miss The 13 best Norfolk nature reserves & parks. Norfolk has so much to offer so you may even want to plan a return visit for Festival Too King’s Lynn 2026.
Why the Norfolk Coasthopper is one of East Anglia’s best day trips
There’s something genuinely special about travelling the Norfolk Coasthopper, whether you’re a local or a visitor. Can you believe I've grown up on the Norfolk Coast and yet I only rode the Coasthopper for the first time last year? I've always chosen to drive to the coast, but I realised this is such a great way to truly experience our beautiful coastline, especially if you want to also enjoy our beautiful Norfolk coastal pubs!
The Norfolk Coasthopper is also a far more sustainable way to travel to our beautiful coastline, and perfect for those who are visiting by train or prefer car-free travel. If there's a group of you planning a day out at the coast, this is the best way to access the Norfolk villages, while not having to worry about parking. It’s scenic, social, and perfectly pairs beach days with great food, great pubs and a slower way of exploring the coast. If you love relaxed adventures, sea air, and discovering real Norfolk, this pub crawl route should be near the top of your UK travel list. The Norfolk Coasthopper isn’t just transport, it’s part of the adventure.
Practical Information: Norfolk Coasthopper routes, costs & timetables
Before you set off, it helps to understand how the Norfolk coastal buses work, and thankfully, it’s very straightforward.
How the route works:
The coastal journey is made up of two main services – click the links below to access full details and timetables:
- Coastliner 36 (Lynx Bus): Runs from King’s Lynn to Wells-next-the-Sea
- Coasthopper (Sanderson Coaches): Runs from Wells-next-the-Sea to Cromer (view a PDF map)
They connect at Wells, making it easy to travel the entire coast without changing plans. If you’re arriving by train, King’s Lynn is the easiest place to join the route. Sanders Coches also offr this guidance for your Coasthopper Pub Crawl.
Journey times
Buses generally run hourly in both directions, seven days a week, especially during peak seasons. Travel times are surprisingly quick for such a scenic route. For example:
- Thornham → Wells Quay: just over 30 minutes
- Wells → Hunstanton: around 1 hour
- Burnham Market → Hunstanton: approx. 1.5 hours with stops
Ticket prices (always check the website for updated prices)
The Norfolk Coasthopper is a very budget-friendly way to explore, with free travel for under 5's and concessionary pass holders travel during off-peak hours. These passes work across most Norfolk bus services, which is great if you’re staying longer:
- Single adult journey: from £2
- Adult Day Coast Pass: £10
- Adult 3-Day Pass: £21
- Adult 7-Day Pass: £36 (unlimited travel)
How to plan your day on the Norfolk Coasthopper
My biggest tip for doing a Norfolk Coasthopper pub crawl is to travel to your furthest stop first, then work your way back towards King’s Lynn. This way you can relax and enjoy the day without feeling the pressure if you run out of time and you won't end up rushing the best stops. It's much better to choose fewer stops and focus on enjoying the food and drink stops in the sunshine.
For most people travelling from King’s Lynn, the most popular route is King’s Lynn → Wells → Burnham Market / Brancaster → back towards Hunstanton. But don't feel that you have to follow this route, there's lots of alternatives and you can easily tailor your day out around any walks or activities you want to tick off while visiting Norfolk. Keep reading and I'll share my best tips for the top destinations along the coast so you can plan your dream itinerary.
Best stops on the Norfolk Coasthopper route
One of the things I love most about doing the Norfolk Coasthopper is that every stop feels like its own little adventure. From salty harbour villages and wide sandy beaches to cosy pubs and seriously good seafood, this stretch of coast is packed with places that are well worth hopping on and off for.
I’ve tested this route properly – hopping off for coffee, lingering over long pub lunches, chasing sunsets, and occasionally missing a bus because I “just had one more drink” (no regrets). So this isn’t just a list of stops… it’s my tried-and-tested guide to the places that are actually worth your time.
Below, I’m sharing my favourite spots along the Norfolk Coasthopper route, with my personal recommendations for where to eat, where to drink, and what to do at each stop, so you can plan the perfect coastal day without the guesswork. If you want to explore any other pubs – you may find this North Norfolk Pub Map helpful.
Wells-next-the-Sea
Wells-next-the-Sea is one of the absolute highlights of the Norfolk coast. Make sure you don't leave without walking to the colourful beach huts, exploring the harbour and wandering through the pine-backed beach, then there's lots of independent shops to browse. You could easily spend a whole day here so don't be afraid to plan an entire day out instead of a pub crawl if you prefer. If you're looking for the best places to eat and drink in Wells-next-the-Sea, try these:
- The Globe Inn for reliable pub food, harbour views and real ales
- Wells Crab House for incredible seafood
- Flour Wells do delicious pizzas
- The Victoria Inn for a cosy pub and relaxed vibes
Holkham
Best known for its stunning beach and estate, don't leave Holkham without walking across one of Norfolk's best beaches, Holkham Beach. Explore Holkham Estate grounds and visit the visitor centre and café. You could also wander up to Holkham Hall and explore the grounds and this historic Norfolk stately home, they also often have events and even food festivals so check before you visit. This is a great stop for stretching your legs after a long bus ride and if you fancy a bite to eat, don't miss:
- The Victoria Inn (Holkham) for excellent gastropub food and cosy interiors
- Courtyard Café at Holkham Hall for lighter lunches and coffee
Burnham Overy Staithe
A peaceful, postcard-perfect harbour village – it's actually one of my favourites in Norfolk and has a stunning riverside walk that leads you through the marshes and to Holkham Beach. Take your time here and enjoy the salt marsh views as you watch the boats on the creek. This is a very peaceful stop so if you're looking for lively, this is not the place. ut you can head to The Hero Pub for delicious food and ales.
Burnham Market
Often called “Chelsea-on-Sea”, Burnham Market is the boujier market town stop you won't want to miss. This beautiful rural village is home to beautiful boutique shops set either side of the village green and there's lots of great places to eat and drink so this one is perfect for a lunch stop - or head to a sunny beer garden for a pint in the sunshine. Check out:
- The Hoste Arms for a gorgeous pub with delicious food and a lovely beer garden
- Socius for tapas-style plates using locally-sourced produce
- NoTwenty9 for a unique dining experience and seasonal flavours
Brancaster Staithe & Brancaster
Brancaster Beach is one of my absolute favourite places on the Norfolk Coast and I go there every chance I have to walk along the wide open beaches and spot seals bobbing in the waves. If you're visiting, don't miss the walk through the marshes to the beach and enjoy watching the sailing boats. You'll also find some great spots for enjoying a long, relaxed lunch with beer garden games and incredible sea views:
- The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe is one of the best gastropubs on the coast
- The Jolly Sailors at Brancaster is a traditional Norfolk pub with fun games
Titchwell & Thornham
Titchwell is a great stop for for nature lovers who are less interested in a pub crawl and want to connect with Norfolk's incredible wildlife. Visit RSPB Titchwell Marsh for birdwatching and coastal walks along the beach. Then head to the RSPB Café for light lunches and snacks – this stop is best combined with Thornham for more dining options. Thornham is one of my favourite villages on the route and home of one of my favourite Norfolk restaurants. It's a must-stop on any Coasthopper day. I recommend stopping by Thornham Deli and Drove Orchards for a browse around the local boutiques, antique shops and even a wine shop. There's some great stops to eat:
- The Orange Tree is the perfect date night spot with fantastic food and atmosphere
- The Lifeboat Inn for a classic coastal pub
- The Old Store Thornham is my favourite spot for brunch or a coffee date
- Thornham Deli for fresh cakes, bakes and delicious breakfasts
- Eric's Pizza & Eric's Fish & Chips is best for big groups and delicious food
Holme-next-the-Sea
The perfect stop for a peaceful pint and a true local haunt. There's not much in Holme-next-the-Sea but that is part of it's charm – head to the beach for a walk then make sure you head to The White Horse pub for a drink. I really recommend visiting The White Horse bakery – a new addition to the pub and one of my new favourite spots in Norfolk. The coffee and pastries are amazing. If you fancy a big walk – you can actually walk along the beach the entire way to Old and even New Hunstanton – it's one of the walks I do the most in Norfolk. Just be sure to check the tide is out.
Old & New Hunstanton
The final stops before heading back to King's Lynn are Old and New Hunstanton which are the perfect place to enjoy the sunset as your day winds down. Take a stroll along the promenade, visit the iconic striped cliffs and explore Old Hunstanton Beach. It's worth checking if anything is happening on New Hunstanton Green – they often have live music or even cinema screenings- when I did the Coasthopper pub crawl we finished the day with chips, a G&T and a screening of Elvis which was fabulous. Check out these spots:
- The Old Town Beach Cafe (Old Hunstanton) for cafe eats, coffees and ice cream on the beach (I used to work here when I was a teenager!)
- The Ancient Mariner Inn & the Terrace Bar – best for classic pub food and panoramic sea views
- The Lodge Hotel Bar for classic pub vibes and delish food
- The Golden Lion pub (a bit overpriced but lovely for a drink in the sunshine)
- Henry's or Fishers for the best fish & chips
Steal my Norfolk Coasthopper 1-day itinerary: Burnham Market → Hunstanton
If you only have one day, the Burnham Market to Hunstanton stretch is the one I recommend most – it gives you the best taste of what the Norfolk Cost has to offer and then delivers you back to King's Lynn where you can stay for the night, the weekend or you can catch the train home. It gives you lots of flexibility to enjoy the best food, scenery and still enjoy it without rushing. Because this day trip is all about taking your time to soak up the sunshine and enjoy each others' company.
- Catch the Coastliner (or taxi) From King's Lynn to Burnham Market
- Get a coffee & browse the boutiques
- The Hoste Arms for the first beer garden of the day
- Bus to Brancaster Staithe
- Double pub stop – The White Horse and The Jolly Sailor's
- Bus to Thornham
- Start with a pint at The Orange Tree and explore the village
- Walk to Drove Orchards and browse the shops
- Eat at Eric's Pizza
- Bus to Holme-next-the-Sea for a drink at The White Horse
- Either walk to Old & New Hunstanton, or catch the bus
- Sunset drinks at The Ancient Mariner & The Terrace Bar with sea views
- Head to New Hunstanton for fish & chips on the Green
- Catch the bus back to King's Lynn
You can squeeze all of this into one day if you start early – or adapt to a shorter day and cut out a few things if you want a slower pace. Remember to pack a warm layer, even on the sunniest days that sea breeze can be a bit chilly at times.
