Things to enjoy in North Norfolk when you stay at The Victoria in January

December 22, 2025 | The Victoria | 5 minute read

It is a closely guarded secret that January is, for many local residents, the best time of year here on the North Norfolk Coast. Not sure? Let Emma from our Marketing Team tell you a little more about her favourite things to do and see.

Nature’s bounty
With the Holkham National Nature Reserve on the doorstep, you are perfectly placed to get rugged up and out into the great outdoors with your binoculars. Venture into one of the reserve’s hides or walk along the beach and coast path to see what birdlife you can spot. The area is well known for the incredible spectacle – and sound – of hundreds of pinkfoot geese flying overhead at dusk, an experience not to be missed.

Pinkfoot geese on the Holkham National Nature Reserve c. Andrew Bloomfield

Empty beaches
Have you ever wished to have the beach almost to yourself? Well, in January it is not uncommon to be able to count the number of other people on the beach on one hand! All that incredible space, bracing air, golden sand and big skies and you don’t have to share them. I highly recommend the walk from Holkham to Wells-next-the-Sea and back again through the woods, stopping off at the Beach Café and the Lookout for a warming cuppa on the way. Don’t miss the hundreds of colourful beach huts at Wells-next-the-Sea – did you know you can hire one for the day? For those with push chairs or wheelchairs a boardwalk takes you to a raised viewing platform above Holkham Bay – the perfect spot to check out everything that’s going on.

Frost on Holkham Beach c. Jo Birch

The cosiest eateries
If summer is picnic season, January is most certainly cosy cafes, pubs and restaurants season. Fires are lit, the lights are dimmed and you can relax and snuggle in the warmth with delicious homemade food, warming coffees or a pint or two of the local ale. Dogs are welcomed widely too.

Cosy dining on the North Norfolk coast

Stunning sunsets and sunrises
Winter sunrises and sunsets are truly glorious, and with our huge skies you can’t miss them. An added bonus – in winter you don’t need to get up too early or stay up too late to enjoy them!

Winter sunrise on the Holkham National Nature Reserve c. Paul Eele

Embrace the darkness
As night descends. make sure you look up. With next to no light pollution here, on a clear night you will be perfectly placed to star gaze to your heart’s content. Listen out for wildlife too, in particular the weird and wonderful ‘barking’ of the deer in Holkham Park, and the distinctive calls of resident owls. And if you are really lucky, it is sometimes possible to see the Northern Lights – wow!

Northern Lights over The Victoria Hotel Holkham North Norfolk

Snowdrops appear
From early January, you’ll start to spot these joyful little flowers on your woodland walks. Come the end of January, they are in abundance and I’d suggest a visit to Walsingham Abbey to see them in all their glory.

Snowdrops at The Temple in Holkham Park

Independent shopping
Explore independent shops, galleries, and delis in Burnham Market, Wells-next-the-Sea and Holt to name just a few. You are bound to find just what you need (and probably quite a few other things you can’t live without!)

Window shopping in Wells next the Sea North Norfolk

Seafood aplenty
It’s mussel season. So many pubs and restaurants along the coast serve steaming bowls of North Norfolk mussels, it would be rude not too wouldn’t it? Fish and Chips are great in summer, but believe me when I say that they are tremendous in winter! Just think of all that warmth and deliciousness just waiting for you after your day on the coast. Try Plattens or Frenchs in Wells.

Fish and Chips from Plattens in Wells next the Sea North Norfolk

Hop on the coast bus
Explore further afield and get tremendous views from the top deck of the much-loved Coasthopper and Coastliner buses. Running from Kings Lynn to Sheringham, why not get a day ticket and stop off at various quaint villages along the way.

Coasthopper bus North Norfolk