Walk 37 Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth

Walk 37    Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth (Suffolk/Norfolk)

(First leg of English coastal walk – Broadstairs in Kent to Berwick at the border with Scotland).

Map: L/R 134

Distance: about 17km or 10 miles

Difficulty: mostly flat, some fairly easy low cliff walking

Terrain: paths, pavement, beach

Access: Parking at both ends

Public transport: Trains at Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. Regular bus service 1/1A seven days a week between the two towns.

This is a frustrating walk because dangerous cliff erosion means diversions on to roads and sometimes on to the beach.

Thanks for the comments regarding this walk.

Starting at the Euroscope in Lowestoft the walk continues north following the cycle path alongside the beach and sea. The area has become a centre for the development of renewable energy. Lowestoft was a producer of porcelain in the 18^th century and there are examples in the town’s museum.

The area around Lowestoft is one of the driest places in the UK which is good if you are planning to do things outdoors! The path turns inland and from here to Corton it is a walk along the road. To the south of the village is a large theme/holiday park called Pleasurewood Hills. Part of the beach at Corton was an officially designated nudist area but I understand that the council put a stop to this.

To the north of the village is a path following along the top of Corton Cliffs – be aware that there may well be diversions to this path because of erosion. Hopton-on-Sea is another area with holiday villages and access to the sea. The resort is well known for hosting the World Indoor Bowls Championships. The comedians Joe Pasquale and Eddie Large are two past residents of the area. The county border with Norfolk is just to the south of Hopton.

The walk continues alongside a golf course until it reaches Gorleston Cliffs and Gorleston-on-Sea. The town was once a centre for the herring fishing industry. There is a pleasant beach and the buildings reflect more thriving times during the Edwardian era. The closure of the town’s three railway stations, the last in 1970, probably reflected a decline in popularity while at the same time contributing to it (in my view). The southern part of Great Yarmouth is visible across the water.

The walk continues along roads near to the long channel of water that leads into Great Yarmouth. The next walk starts at the South Beach through the interesting and lively town of Great Yarmouth.

Snaps show: thatched cottage on seafront at Lowestoft; RNLI sculpture near the lifting bridge, Lowestoft; the bridge lifted; fountains near the central seafront, Lowestoft..