Bacton Beach
NEED TO KNOW
Type of beach
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on parts of the beach from the 1st May to the 30th September. They are welcome on the rest of the beach, but must be kept under effective control.
Lifeguard
There is no lifeguard cover at this beach.
Beach cleaning
Parking
Nearest town
Postcode
OS grid reference
What3words
ABOUT
Bacton beach stretches for 3 miles along the Norfolk coast between Mundesley and Walcott. It is mainly sand with some rocks and although there are several holiday parks beside the beach, it remains quiet even in the summer.
The beach is dominated by Bacton Gas Terminal, a complex of six terminals situated just metres from the beach on a site about 180 acres in size. The plant processes a third of the UK’s natural gas and also exports gas to Europe.
The area has suffered from significant coastal erosion and in 2019, two million cubic metres of sand were deposited on the beach to create an artificial dune in an attempt to slow down the damage and protect Bacton village and the gas terminal. There is also a concrete sea wall, rock armour, and wooden groynes to help keep the sand in place.
STAR SPECIES
At high tide, the beach is almost completely covered, but when the tide is out it’s a perfect spot for long walks along the coast. You’re welcome to bring your dog with you but look out for seasonal restrictions and areas where they must be kept on leads.
Alternatively, follow an old pilgrim route into Bacton village and discover more about the Pastons, one of Norfolk’s prominent families whose correspondence about life in Tudor England, known as The Paston Letters, is of important historical interest.
Walk about half a mile along the beach before crossing through Castaways Holiday Park and onto the coast road until you come to the gate of Bromholm Priory, also known as Bacton Abbey. The priory is on private land but it’s possible to get a good view of the ruins from here.
Continue along the coast road and on to Church Road. Inside the parish church of St Andrew’s, you can see a medieval font and intricate carvings, evidence of the wealth of Bacton in the time of the Pastons. From here, follow Paston Way back to the beach, passing by the gas terminal.
Crabs and starfish can often be found on the beach at low tide, and seals can sometimes be seen swimming in the sea. The area is abundant with birdlife with sand martins nesting in the sandy cliffs behind the beach and ringed plovers, oystercatchers, and terns breeding on the beach.
The remains of a WWI ship are occasionally exposed at low tide, and beachcombers will enjoy hunting for sea glass, driftwood, shells, and fossils.
Bacton is a popular location for sea fishing and produces a variety of species throughout the year including flounders, bass, codling, dogfish, dabs, and rock, as well as eels, sole, and turbot occasionally. Evening or night-time tends to be more productive with the best spots found around the pipes that go out to sea in front of the gas terminal.
Towards the Walcott end of the beach is The Poacher’s Pocket, a pub built in the 1880s as a private house that serves food all day. Dogs are welcome in the bar and the restaurant upstairs overlooks the sea.
There is a Chinese restaurant near the seafront and Bacton Fish Shop in the village serves traditional fish and chips as well pies, burgers, and gluten-free options.
A pay and display car park with 40 spaces is situated at the north-western end of the beach. From here there is an accessible ramp down onto the beach. There is also some roadside parking in the village. Public toilets can be found near the Chinese restaurant.
AMENITIES
