Looking for a peaceful springtime escape in the UK? Our first adventure of the year took us to Burnham Deepdale on the North Norfolk Coast, where we explored wild beaches, spotted wintering birds, and embraced the slow joy of cold-weather camping.
We stayed at Deepdale Camping Rooms, an award-winning, eco-friendly campsite situated in a brilliant spot for exploring the coast. We had a Wood View pitch which was spacious, quiet, and had lovely views across to the nearby woodland — perfect for a relaxing winter base.
The Norfolk Coastal Path runs right past the campsite. We’ve done longer hikes before, but this time we took it easy — a gentle stroll to The White Horse for a hot chocolate.
Even on a short walk, the wildlife didn’t disappoint. We spotted plenty of wading birds, including a curlew in someone’s garden!
After our walk, we returned to camp and lit a fire to keep warm. There’s something extra special about a chilly evening under the stars, listening to the crackle of the fire.
The next day was my birthday, so we headed to Wells-next-the-Sea — a charming coastal town and a personal favourite. We started the day with breakfast from Arthur Howell Bakery — a proper treat. There were so many delicious options, I could hardly choose! After a pastry and a good coffee (in my new yeti tumbler) we took a slow stroll through Wells high street.
There’s something really special about this town in the off-season. The quiet streets gave us space to explore the independent shops, and I couldn’t resist popping into a few favourites:
• Bringing the Outside In (BTOI) – Full of beautiful, nature-inspired homeware and books. A Wild Minder dream shop.
• Glitter and Mud – Bright, cheerful sweatshirts, homeware, and jewellery. It always lifts my mood.
• Mine – A treasure trove of locally made jewellery with so much character and care behind each piece.
After a spot of shopping, we walked the familiar 1km trail to the beach. This time of year brought a new surprise — flocks of Brent Geese gathered along the harbour. These small geese migrate all the way from the Arctic to winter on the Norfolk coast. Watching them along the harbour, chattering and shifting in groups, was a real highlight of the day.
We stopped for tea and sunshine at the beach café, and I took the opportunity to finally stitch my Wild Minder patch onto my barn owl denim jacket — something I’d been meaning to do for ages, and it felt just right to do it by the sea.
Personalise your own denim jacket and accesories with a Wild Minders iron-on or sew-on wool felt patch. Available in a variety of sizes and colours!
From Wells, we walked the 3km stretch to Holkham Visitor Centre, and then on to the famous Holkham Beach. Known for its endless sands and royal fans, it also featured in the film Shakespeare in Love.
We spotted oyster catchers, and I loved how their reflections danced on the shallow water.
After a walk back into Wells, we grabbed fish and chips from French’s — my all-time favourite chippy. Crispy, fresh, and absolutely birthday-worthy.
We took the local bus back to camp (The buses, coast liner 36 & coast hopper ch1 – are a great way to explore north Norfolk!) and planned another campfire… but the rain had other ideas.
No fire? No problem. We headed inside for birthday cake and played Patchwork, a two-player board game that’s cosy, calming, and surprisingly fun — even if you don’t sew!
Saturday brought sunshine, so we explored more of Burnham Deepdale and stopped by Dalegate Market — a charming little hub with independent shops, a café, and ever-changing pop-up stalls. A great spot to mooch and pick up something handmade or locally sourced.
We followed that with another stretch along the coastal path, spotting birds in the creeks and soaking up the stillness of early spring. I spotted Oyster Catchers, Avocets, Curlews & noisy Blackheaded Gulls.
After working up an appetite, we walked over to the Crab Hut. The seafood was super fresh, full of flavour, and hit the spot after a morning outdoors.
That evening we had a successful campfire — with delicious pizza from The Wood Fired Food Company and toasted marshmallows.
We kicked off our final day with cake for breakfast (it’s a rule on holiday, right?) and stopped briefly at Drove Orchard (a small complex of shops and eateries) before heading to Hunstanton for one last beach walk.
We parked at the coach park and walked to Old Hunstanton, home to the stunning striped cliffs — a must-see if you’re into geology, or even if you’re not. When the tide recedes, it’s an ideal spot for rock pooling, revealing a treasure trove of marine wonders.
While admiring the rocks, we spotted Northern Fulmars nesting in the cliff face — part of a local breeding colony that heads to the North Atlantic for winter.
To wrap up our mini-holiday, we grabbed some warm donuts, took in one last view of the sea, and made our way home — windswept, happy, and already dreaming of our next Wild Minder adventure.
Quick Travel Tips• Where to stay: Deepdale Camping Rooms
• Must-visit beaches: Wells-next-the-Sea, Holkham, Old Hunstanton
• Shops to browse: Dalegate Market, Bring the Outside In, Glitter & Mud, Mine
• Food highlights: French’s Fish & Chips, Crab Shack
• Spot the wildlife: Brent Geese, Curlews, Oyster Catchers, Avocets and Northern Fulmars (Time of year dependent)
• Things to pack: Binoculars, firewood, warm layers, and of course, cake!
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