One of the best ways to see North Norfolk’s stunning coastal scenery, and some of its pretty villages, is to hop on a bus. Not just any bus, but the Coasthopper which runs all the year round between Cromer and Wells. It takes a stunning scenic route giving passengers an elevated view over the hedgerows to the marshes and sea. The hour-long journey takes in the cliffs at West Runton, fabled for its mammoth fossil, beautiful beaches, the communities of Sheringham, Cley, Blakeney, Morston - where the seal boats leave for Blakeney Point - and the narrow winding road through Stiffkey, before arriving at the bustling port town of Wells-next-the-Sea with its miles of open beaches.
The bus service runs seven days a week in both directions – east and west, along the north Norfolk coast. It is one of county's best offerings for holidaymakers as well as proving an invaluable service for its residents.
The service was set up by Norfolk County Council in 1996 to help limit the high volume of traffic on the coast road. Public transport certainly helps to keep Norfolk’s small, quaint coastal villages relatively traffic free. The service runs every hour from Monday to Saturday during the winter and half-hourly in the summer. Services on Sundays and public holidays are less frequent so check the timetable which changes between a summer service and the winter schedule.
The views over the tidal marshes are stunning. The salt marshes around Blakeney, Cley and through to Morston are a crucial site for migrating birds in autumn. Blakeney Point is home to the biggest grey seal colony in England.
This bus journey is a perfect way to join the 47-mile long North Norfolk Coast Path at any point. Hop on and hop off catching the bus home from your destination. The Coast Path – an easy and level walk – runs from Hunstanton to Cromer and beyond.
By using the bus to break your walk into sections you will be doing your bit for the environment by not using a car. You will also escape the worry of where to park and avoid the parking fees.
This is the smart way to discover Norfolk’s beauty. Life in the slow lane gives you time to explore, stretch your legs, get a snack and even a beer or glass of wine before catching another bus to wend your way on your journey.
The Cromer to Wells service is run by Sanders Coaches with a fleet of six ultra low-emission luxury buses called Norfolk Adventurer - Norfolk Wanderer - Norfolk Pathfinder - Norfolk Explorer - Norfolk Rambler and Norfolk Discoverer.
And birdwatchers and sightseers wanting to spread their wings beyond Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Cley can travel by bus further west from Wells to King’s Lynn and Hunstanton taking in major RSPB reserves at Titchwell and Snettisham.
This is the Coastliner service which runs West from Wells-next-the-Sea.
The Coasthopper service from Cromer to Wells and the Lynx Coastliner service from Wells to Kings Lynn take a total journey time of almost two hours. But what a wonderful trip and you can hop on and off at will.
The western Coastliner leg from Wells takes in the holiday hot spots of Holkham Hall, Burnham Overy Staithe (where Admiral Horatio Nelson learned to sail), Burnham Market, Brancaster and Hunstanton, as well as stops at the major birdwatching reserves of Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham.
Sanders Coaches, based in Holt, was named Top Independent Bus Operator at the 2023 UK Bus Awards. The family firm, formed in 1975, also picked up a bronze award for the overall UK Bus Operator of the Year. It has a fleet of 90 coaches and employs 120 people in North Walsham and Holt. Including cleaners, drivers, engineers, administration staff and management.
See timetable and ticket costs for Coasthopper and Coastliner 2024.
Single Adult trip from £2. Adult Day Coast Pass £10.00. Adult 3 Day Coast Pass- £21.00 Adult 7 Day Coast Pass £36 allows unlimited travel on all bus services.
Under 5s travel for free on all bus services across Norfolk, and concessionary bus pass holders can travel for free on all off-peak services. Coastliner is operated by Lynx and Coasthopper by Sanderson coaches.
Comments