Norfolk is not as flat as some people think! North Norfolk has some great beaches and attractions close to Cranmer Country Cottages. Some of our most popular local places provide access to all whether you have small children using wheelchairs, people in your party with limited mobility, or those who are part-time or full-time wheelchair users.
LOCAL PLACES WITH GREAT ACCESSIBILITY:
SCULTHORPE MOOR NATURE RESERVE
Getting out into nature is essential to our sense of well-being. Run by the Hawk and Owl Trust, our local community nature reserve Sculthorpe Moor is one of the most accessible nature reserves in the country. Just 5 miles from Cranmer you’ll find, a wide range of wildlife in a variety of habitats – woodland, fen, and reedbeds – there are boardwalks for easy access. All the bird hides are fully accessible to wheelchairs and there are plenty of nest boxes and bird feeders, viewing platforms and rest stops too.
https://sculthorpe.hawkandowltrust.org/index.php/information/visit-us
PENSTHORPE NATURAL PARK
Pensthorpe Natural Park has wheelchair-friendly access and accessible walkways consisting of a mixture of loose gravel, tarmac, grass, and boards. They offer wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Hire, the electric scooters can be booked through their ticketing system in advance of your visit. There are a number of disabled parking spaces reserved for blue badge holders approximately 100m from the park entrance.
They offer a guide that shows the wheelchair-accessible pathways.
https://pensthorpe.com/plan-your-day/accessibility/
HOLKHAM HALL ESTATE
The Holkham Estate is just 10 miles from Cranmer. Holkham really has gone a long way to making the estate and its attractions as accessible as possible. Magnificent Holkham Beach can be reached along a buggy and wheelchair-friendly boardwalk. The first floor of the hall is accessible via a stairlift, designed to accommodate a manual wheelchair, the rest of the Hall and grounds are accessible to all including the walled garden… You’ll find further information and a link to download their access guide here: https://www.holkham.co.uk/visit/things-to-do/plan-your-visit/accessibility/
SANDRINGHAM HOUSE
Sandringham House also has great accessibility. The house, museum and café are all accessible, and transport is provided for those less able to walk between the ticket office and the main house. Find out more here: https://www.sandringhamestate.co.uk/plan-your-visit/accessibility
EATING & DRINKING
THE DUCK INN AT STANHOE
An award-winning restaurant with fab food and great access for all. The restaurant has level access and plenty of room around the tables. Good access to the toilets and plenty of room to maneuver in the space.
https://www.theduckstanhoe.com/
THE WHITE HORSE BRANCASTER
A great seafood restaurant with fabulous views over the marshes. There is an accessible terrace with a sweeping view of the North Sea an excellent spot for a sundowner. There are disabled toilet facilities.
https://www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk/
THE BRISLEY BELL
Set in the village of Brisley on a beautiful common, the multi award winning Bell has exceptional views of unadulterated Norfolk countryside with its big skies. There is a small ramp at entrance of the pub. The pub, patio and bedrooms are all on ground level. There is a disabled access toilet which has step-free access, grab rails and easy turn taps and handles. Access to the pub, car park and to the bedrooms is via a gravel driveway. The pub has wide corridors and doorways that are easy to navigate and staff are always on hand to offer assistance. https://thebrisleybell.co.uk/
GETTING AROUND BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Most bus routes in Norfolk are wheelchair accessible. The Lynx buses are all DDA compliant. The Coastliner 36 route runs from King’s Lynn to Hunstanton Wells-next-the-Sea and Fakenham. This service is a great way to explore the North Norfolk coast.
https://www.lynxbus.co.uk/bus-routes/coastliner-36/
https://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/exploring/public-transport-on-the-norfolk-coast/
WHERE TO PARK
https://www.visitwestnorfolk.com/travel/parking-in-west-norfolk/
https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/tasks/your-community/view-car-parking-locations/
FURTHER INFORMATION
INFORMATION ABOUT ACCESS-TESTED WALKS https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolk-trails/access-tested-walks
Our local routes are listed under the Norfolk Coast Path at Wells Quayside and at Blakeney Freshers.
ACCESSIBLE BEACHES IN NORFOLK:
Wells-next-the-Sea has an accessible promenade to the beach with level access and there is a permanent ramp. There is step-free access to the dog-free part of the beach. There is also access to the beach café. from the promenade adjacent to the car park and close to the beach access via the pinewoods. Access to the dog-friendly part of the beach is by a wooded area with uneven ground or 50+ steps.
https://www.visitnorthnorfolk.com/beaches/accessible-beaches
BEACH WHEELCHAIRS
Beach wheelchairs can be hired at Cromer and Sheringham. These sturdy wheelchairs are built to allow people with limited mobility to move across the beach with ease. The chairs are even buoyant, allowing users to enter into the water with the assistance of a carer, and can support a weight of up to 19 stone or 120 kilograms.
https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/tasks/your-community/book-a-beach-wheelchair/
NORTH NORFOLK ACCESS GUIDE
https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/media/6882/access-guide-2021.pdf
MOBILITY EQUIPMENT HIRE
Mobility equipment can be hired from Kings Lynn Mobility centre by calling 01553 768751.
https://www.kingslynnmobilitycentre-norfolk.co.uk/
Norfolk Mobility Hire Telephone 07789 386924
