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Sheringham Park

The Best View In Norfolk

Sheringham Park, North Norfolk is one of the most beautiful parks in Norfolk and one that you’ll really be glad you visited.   The views are breath-taking, and the colours in the park during the different seasons are spectacular.  It is just outside the town of Sheringham and very close to Cromer.

Sheringham Park

Purchased in 1986 by the National Trust, this park is the work of the landscape designer Humphry Repton who started the commissioned project in 1812 but never lived to see it to completion.

All year round there’s something wonderful to see and lots of things to do.  But between May and June it’s ablaze with colour, it’s a real sight to see.  The colours are from the 80 or so species of rhododendrons and azaleas that are in full bloom at this time of year, and is one of the main attractions to the park.

There are lots of things to do in Sheringham Park:

  • numerous colour coded walks
  • paths and wooded tunnels for children to run around in,
  • little glades to sit and have picnics,
  • benches along the paths where you can just take in the tranquil surroundings,
  • paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs
  • National Trust events
Sheringham Park awash with colour any time of year
Magnificent rhododendrens at Sheringham Park
Rhododendrens

Walks In Sheringham Park

This is a fantastic place to come for road-free walks, with dogs or without, with wheelchairs or pushchairs, or even disability buggies which are available at the visitor reception.  There is one main hard stoned path which goes right through the centre of the park (excellent for pushchairs etc), and then you have various other colour coded walks away from this main path, giving you a varied choice, and each walk differs in length.  (You can pick up a map form the visitor information board or shop).

For wheelchairs and pushchairs, the easiest walk is the blue walk, which takes you through the wonderful wooded main path to the parkland, with beautiful colours at any time of year, and brings you out to an incredible vista overlooking the sea towards Weybourne.

Other coastal walks take in more amazing views of the North Norfolk coast.

Sheringham Park vista

If, however, you like going more off the beaten track, then you can just take one of the many paths off this main drive and you’ll find yourself in wide open spaces, with the peace and quiet of the surrounding area.  It really is incredibly beautiful, and you can walk for miles if you so choose.

And for anyone that thinks Norfolk is flat, you’ll discover that isn’t the case here!

You can even take a 5 mile circular walk, stopping at Weybourne train station, and if you’re lucky with your timings, you may get to see one of the steam locomotives travelling from Holt to Sheringham on the North Norfolk Railway.    You should definitely be able to hear them, even if you don’t see them. 

Sheringham Park Gazebo Is A Must Visit

If you’re fairly fit, then don’t miss out on visiting the Gazebo which is the viewing platform hidden away in the middle of a wood.  The views from the top are absolutely worth the effort.  You are flying with the birds, literally!  You’re at tree top level looking out over fields towards the North Norfolk sandy coastline.  It is breath-taking. 

View from the top of the Gazebo, Sheringham Park

There are quite a few wooden steps to reach the actual platform, so it is a little bit tiring, but they have considerately put some benches along the way, should you need an occasional stop!  I promise you, you’ll be glad you made the effort once you’re up there.

Steps to the gazebo at Sheringham Park
Viewing platform in Sheringham Park

The Temple

Having walked to the gazebo, you can then stroll back along the gentle path to the temple which stands resplendent above Sheringham Hall. 

Again, you get the most amazing view across towards the coast.  This is a lovely dog walk too, although you do need to keep them on leads if there is livestock around. 

The view from the temple at Sheringham Park
The Temple at Sheringham Park

History of Sheringham Park

The history of Sheringham Park is fascinating, and if you have a few minutes to spare when you visit, it’s well worth nipping into the exhibition barn and sitting in front of the audio visual.  Listen to the story of how the landscape designer Humphry Repton was commissioned to change the Sheringham countryside, and how the park came to be.

History abounds in Norfolk with the many castle ruins and stately homes that are well worth visiting as well, such as Binham Priory which is close by.

Sheringham Hall
Audio visual about history of Sheringham Park

You can easily spend a whole day here if you wanted.  There is a small shop, the exhibition, WC facilities and a coffee shop. The only charge is the car park.

You could spend half a day here, and then spend the other half visiting the local National Trust stately home of Felbrigg Hall which is about 5-10 minutes away, or Blickling Hall which is about 30 minutes away. 

Or maybe you might enjoy some of the local beaches close by, such as Sheringham, West Runton or Cromer beaches.    But whatever you choose to do when you are in the area, Sheringham Park is a definite “must do” on you list.

If you're looking to make a weekend of it in Sheringham, take a look at some local accommodation here.