12. Cromer to Wells-next-the-Sea

I must admit, looking back, I remember little about this walk. However, I do remember doing the walk with my friend Rob, who also completed the rest of the Norfolk Coastal Path with me  on our next visit. This visit was to be quite simple, we would drive to and park in Wells-next-the-Sea and catch the coast bus to Cromer and simply walk westwards back to Wells, trying to keep as close to the coast as possible.

After visiting the small but well-kept pier with its theatre and lifeboat station, we set off westwards out of Cromer. Our first point of interest was Beeston Hill which we climbed to be rewarded with a great view overlooking Sheringham and further west along the coast. We made a detour into Sheringham to visit the steam railway. The station was very busy and we were lucky to see a steam train pulling in, Engine No 61572, a popular attraction on The North Norfolk railway.

We continued westwards along the boulder clay cliff tops and past Weybourne Hope. We were soon on the Salthouse marshes which merged into the larger Cley Marshes Nature Reserve. After reaching Cley Eye we met the River Glaven which meant we had to track inland along its banks until we came to the first bridging point. We passed a very impressive windmill complete with sail and rotor tail. The mill has been used as a hotel for almost 100 years now and is Grade 2 listed.

We rounded the first bridging point and continued out again to the edge of the marsh. The whole area is a series of creeks within various marshes. We passed close by the old ruined chapel of Blakeney Chapel, although we could not see anything as there are no surface visible signs of the chapel today. We  continued along the edge of the marsh towards the village of Blakeney where we also had to detour slightly inland before continuing on along the flat path near to Morston and then onto Wells-Next-the-Sea. Although being some miles from the sea, it has a small quay where boats were tied up. It does however, still have  a small serviceable harbour and is quite a busy little town with shops and pubs.

Cromer Pier

Looking westwards over Sheringham from Beeston Hill

Sheringham railway station

Heading west at Sheringham

Looking west from Skelding Hill

Onto the shingle at Weybourne Hope

Picking a good route through the shingle near Salthouse Marsh

The windmill near Cley-next-the-Sea

Incredibly small, thin and narrow homes in Wells-next-the-Sea

The harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea

The harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea

Distance today = 24 miles
Total distance =   204 miles

 

3. Trefin to Goodwick

I’m pretty sure I caught a taxi from Fishguard to the small village of Trefin, where I would start my walk from. As this was a Saturday, no buses were running so thats why I caught a taxi.. I got dropped off in the centre of Trefin and walked a short distance west out of the village and down to where the PCP joined the road.

I joined the coastal pathand began walking eastwards back to Goodwick. The walking was quite easy and I soon arrived at the small coastal hamlet of Abercastle.  The coastline in this area showed some large landslips that had occurred recently, with the coastal path having to be diverted on numerous occasions. I remember nothing of passing by Aber Mawr beach, but recall looking northwards to towards Strumble Head and the craggy summit of Garn Fawr in the distance. Passing by Pwll Deri, the resistant dolerite stacks and skerries where an impressive sight. I managed to get a zoomed shot of the Irish Ferry sailing past Strumble Head lighthouse on its approach to Goodwick. I passed the Carreg Goffa memorial to the spot of the last invasion of Britain  in 1797. Somewhere around Carnfachach I managed to get my first glimpse of grey seals and was able to look down onto a secret stony beach where 3 seal pups were sleeping. The 18 miles began to take its toll as I neared the end of the walk.

Looking across Aber Draw to Llanlleifer

Landslips near Pwll Llong

Near Castell Coch

Abercastle

Looking northwards Strumble Head with Irish Ferry in the distance

Strumble Head

Looking down on young Grey Seal pups

Distance today = 18 miles
Total distance =   49 miles

 

2. Newport to Goodwick

I must admit that because of the paucity of notes and photos taken at the time of this walk my  memories are a little sketchy and sparse.

I certainly remember driving in a single day down to Newport and catching the coastline bus west to Goodwick, which is just located the other side of the town of Fishguard. I set off on the pavement alongside the A40 road which ran into Fishguard. Fishguard is quite a charming small town , with its multi-coloured town cottages and narrow streets. The path followed the cliff line and avoided the town, eventually emerging above a small bay linking to Lower Town (Cwm). Here I rejoined the main road and walked around the small bay and out towards the Castle Point and the ruined fort. The fort was built in 1781 to guard against privateers and has an impressive array of cannons.

I continued eastwards following the steep cliffline, passing through a caravan park and then onto the beach at Hescwm. For some reason, which I cannot remember  I did not walk out to and around Dinas Head, but followed the path directly to Cwm-y-Eglwys. A few miles later I arrived back at Parrog Sands. With the tide now out I was able to cut across the beach and head to the car park at Newport.

Looking down to Lower Town (CWM)

Looking across to Cwm

Lower Town (Cwm)

Cannons at Castle point fort

Looking across to Goodwick Ferry Terminal

Looking east towards the beach at Hescwm

Distance today = 13 miles
Total distance =   31 miles

 

1. Cardigan to Newport

I did not realise at the time that these were to be my first footsteps in walking the coast of  Great Britain. This was a new and different type of walk to me as I had previously climbed hills, mountains and walked inland long distance footpaths, but it was my intention at the time to simply walk the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path (PCP).

Cardigan Island, with The Mwnt in the far distance

Like so many of my future walks I intended to the coastal path in long ‘one-dayers’ from my home in Shropshire. This meant getting up early and driving to my destination then either immediately start walking or using public transport to get to point B. I parked in the free public car park in Newport and caught the excellent bus service that runs along this section of coast to Cardigan. The first 4 or 5 miles were along tarmac roads of the Teifi estuary, but gradually the estuary opened up and I gained height to good effect with       excellent views across to Cardigan Island. I was soon introduced to “switchback ” coastal walking with steep ascents and descents, in fact today’s section of the path would see me

My favourite warning sign

climb over 3000ft,  the equivalent of  climbing a Scottish Munro!

Unfortunately, the warm February haze did not offer extensive views

 

The Witches Cauldron

It was  not long before I came to Pwll y Wrach (The Wicthes Cauldron) and a fine example of a blow-hole with collapsed sea-cave. Numerous ups and downs came and went before I heard the shouting of children at play which meant that I was approaching Parrog Sands. A gentle walk over the links of Newport Golf Course took me to the road at Newport and the end of my first walk along the PCP.

 

The cliffs at Pen yr Afr

Distance today = 18 miles
Total distance =   18miles