Hunstanton

The red and white striped cliffs say everything you need to know about Hunstanton. This is Norfolk's only west-facing resort, where geology puts on a proper show and sunsets actually matter. The town sprawls between the old village up on the clifftops and the newer seaside development below, linked by steep lanes that'll test your calf muscles.

Down on the seafront, the vast sandy beach stretches for miles at low tide. Families cluster around the traditional seaside attractions while dog walkers have the run of the northern stretches. The Princess Theatre keeps things lively with year-round shows, though don't expect West End glamour.

Old Hunstanton, perched above the modern resort, feels like a different world entirely. Here you'll find the village sign and a proper sense of Norfolk countryside. The nearby Sandringham Estate means royal connections run deep - you might even spot a minor royal if you're lucky.

Walking inland, the landscape opens into classic Norfolk farmland dotted with small woodlands like Oak Grove and Larch Plantation. It's properly flat country, perfect for cycling if you can handle the wind off the Wash.

King's Lynn sits 15 miles south for bigger shopping and transport links, while the Norfolk Coast Path heads east towards Wells-next-the-Sea. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks puts you right in the thick of things - you can walk to the beach for breakfast and be exploring the royal countryside by lunch.