We depart from Cambridge at 8am by luxury mini-coach for the 2-hour drive to North Norfolk. All Roots' tours are for small groups of no more than 16 passengers so tours are informal with a great chance to meet your fellow travellers.
The North Norfolk coastline is the closest coast to Cambridge, and is one of the prettiest coastlines in Britain. Dotted with quaint villages, the coast road flanks enormous stretches of sandy beach and wetland, one of the most important landscapes in Europe for migrating seabirds as they head to and from their summer breeding grounds further north.
First, our journey takes us east from the flatlands around Cambridge, past the horse racing town of Newmarket, through Britain's largest lowland forest at Thetford, around the US military base at RAF Lakenheath, and on towards the coast.
Our first stop is at Holt, an elegant Georgian town a few miles inland from the sea. Time to stretch your legs, browse the quaint shops or perk yourself up with coffee before we head down to the coast. We take the coast road through a succession of pretty villages before arriving at Morston Quay for our seal-watching trip.
Grey seals and common seals have made Norfolk their home due to the shallow waters and plentiful supplies of fish that inhabit the North Sea. The boat will cruise up to the beaches for closer inspection of the seals that lounge on the headland, while inquisitive younger seals swim about the boat inspecting the human cargo inside! The trip takes about an hour in total and does not head out into open sea. Sea-sickness is never a problem.
Afterwards, we head to Wells-next-the-Sea for lunch. Wells is a small, popular seaside town that has avoided the development brought about by mass tourism. It is a more sophisticated place with boats moored at the harbour, the tinkling noises of sailing ropes tapping their masts, and seagulls wheeling in the skies above. Beware the same gulls swooping down for your lunch if you choose to take away fish'n chips!
After lunch we burn off those calories by heading west to the fabulous beach at Holkham. We take a 90-minute circular walk down on to the enormous beach, through the sand dunes to the seashore, along the shoreline and back through the pine forest to the bus. If you prefer to just sit and watch the world go by, that's absolutely fine! The walk is on firm sand so no special shoes required, just flat soles will do. Bring your swimming costume if you're brave!
We then head for a short refreshment stop in the pretty village of Burnham Market before making the journey through the King's estate at Sandringham, across the flatlands of The Fens, past the cathedral city of Ely and back to Cambridge. We aim to be back by 7pm.
Please note: seal-watching boats can only sail at high tide so the itinerary may be reversed. Please contact us in advance if you need to know which itinerary we will be following on the tour date of your choice.
