At the turn of the 20th century seaside holidays were all the rage. The railway boom made Norfolk easily accessible from the Midlands and South East, putting sleepy villages like Heacham on the map. In fact, Heacham has been a settlement for well over 800 years. Celebrated for its connection with Pocahontas, it’s still a much loved holiday destination. It’s also a place to relish the chillier months, charming and restful for a cosy winter break.
Over a century ago, Heacham River made access to the beach tricky, a sweeping curve running between the village and shore. In 1887 Britain was busy marking Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee – 50 years on the throne. So Jubilee Road and the Jubilee Bridge were constructed, connecting the busy railway station to the shoreline. The bridge has since been replaced, its original installation commemorated by two plaques. Today Jubilee Road is sprinkled with chalets and glamping sites while the railway station has become a delightfully nostalgic holiday let.
During World War 2, this stretch of coastline was heavily defended against the threat of invasion. Deep ditches, concrete pillboxes and anti-tank defences can still be seen around Heacham. The short, accessible Heacham Circular Walk begins at the seafront on the southern tip of Hunstanton. There are sparkling views across The Wash, with Lincolnshire visible on a clear day. It’s an exhilarating winter walk, on and off the sands, with plenty of heritage to explore and seriously good fish and chips in Heacham village!
