TheA149is commonly known as "The Coast Road" to local residents and tourists, as this road runs along theNorth Norfolkcoast fromKing's LynntoGreat Yarmouth,via coastal villages.
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 Click map to enlarge | |
| Route information | |
| Length | 85.2 mi (137.1 km) |
| Major junctions | |
| West end | King's Lynn |
 A10 A47 A148 A140 A1151 A1062 A1064 | |
| East end | Great Yarmouth |
| Location | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Primary destinations | King's Lynn,Hunstanton,Wells next the Sea,Sheringham,Cromer,North Walsham,Caister-on-SeaandGreat Yarmouth |
| Road network | |
Route
editKing's Lynn to Hunstanton
editThe road begins in King's Lynn on a roundabout with theA148London Road and Nar Ouse Way and begins southbound out of King's Lynn. It runs over a railway bridge then past aTescoSupermarket. It then reaches a major junction with theA47and theA10at a roundabout. It becomes a primary route heading north on Queen Elizabeth Way. This serves as an eastern bypass for King's Lynn. The road reaches a roundabout with the A1076 and the B1145 towardsGayton.The road continues as a primary route until Grimston Road Roundabout where the road becomes a secondary route. If you were to travel west along the A148, you would reach the centre of King's Lynn. Travelling east along the A148 would get you toFakenhamandHoltbefore reachingCromer.When going from Lynn to Cromer, it is advisable to use the A148 to provide a faster straighter route.
Continuing north along the A149 will take you towards the North Norfolk Coast and is usually signposted forHeachamorHunstanton.The road passes the historicCastle Risingcastle and pastSandringham Houseand estate, shortly followed byDersingham. Snettishamis about 3 miles along the road. Snettisham has anRSPBWildlife Reserve that throughout the year is a habitat for birds, often migrating from the north over theNorth Sea.The RSPB have compiled a list of "star species", that include theavocet.[1]
The road continues onto Heacham and has a roadside petrol station, owned byBP.There is also a newly builtlidlhere and they are situated almost next to each other. The road passes a junction with a road toBircham,and a road into the centre of the town, with links to the beach. This road, as it has done since pre-Georgian era,[2]has been a connection for Heacham, Snettisham, Sandringham. The A149 in Heacham is now a bypass. There have been some record of this road being aRoman Road.
The road continues to Hunstanton past Norfolk Lavender. Hunstanton is a seaside resort with a beach which is popular forFossil huntingin and around the cliffs. Also, the town is quite large with many local shops, including Britain's Largest Joke Shop and a Tesco Supermarket.
Hunstanton to Brancaster
editAfter Hunstanton isOld Hunstanton.The road continues around the coast, following the same sand covered beach as the one in Heacham. From Hunstanton to Brancaster is 13 miles long. The road narrows slightly, it is still a single carriageway road. The road this time does not bypass the villages, but goes through them, providing access to the village. The villages here often contain independent restaurants, shops and grocery stores. Pubs are a common feature here too. The village following Old Hunstanton isHolme-Next-The-Sea,a coastal village situated onmarshesandCreakeswhere boats are often sailed. Beyond the marsh is a large sand dune, known as "Holme Dunes". Part of this is protected by theNWT(Norfolk Wildlife Trust) as a protection for species that nest here. Being situated next to the North Sea, many birds come and migrate for the summer or winter here. At Holme Dunes, there have been sightings of thewryneckand even the extremely rareRuppell's warbler.Also protected arenatterjack toads,edible crabsandwaders.[3]Holme is also the end ofPeddars Wayand is the junction with theNorfolk Coast Path.Following this ancient Roman Road southbound will bring you toThetfordpassing through theBrecklands.Peddars Way may have run toBranodunum,a Roman fort along this road. Following Holme's Main Road is the village ofThornham.The name of the road here isHigh Street,as it is the main road through the village. Separating Holme and Thornham are the marshes. There is a smallstaithehere, as there is throughout the north-westNorfolkarea. Thornham village has access to the staithe via Staithe Road, which connects to the A149. Crabs nest in the muddy banks in the creeks, and when there is High Tide, the marsh often floods and the banks of these rivers overflow. The village and road is protected by farmland either side. The village of Thornham is approximately 1 mile long and hosts an independentdelicatessenandcafealong with a pick your own fruit farm cum orchard. About 2 miles on isTitchwell.There is anRSPBreserve here that has been featured in theBBCsSpringwatch.The Norfolk Coastal path runs through this village further towards the beach, and has been transformed into an embankment as coastal defence. This continues through North Norfolk to beyond Cromer. This acts as protection to the rising tides, and flooding. On the beach,prehistoricforests can be seen at low tide, and archaeological digs have foundmesolithicflint submerged. InTitchwell Marshand on the beach,medieval potteryhas also been found. Sightings at Titchwell Marsh have beenmarsh harriersandbitterns[4]Like in Snettisham, a list of "star species" has been compiled.
Not far along the A149 is the village ofBrancaster,a Roman town with the name Branodunum, meaning "Fortress of Bran". This was a place of Roman importance, and may have been where footpath, Peddars Way led. Now, the village marshes are owned by theNational Trustand are kept as conservation areas. There is a long beach, and access to Titchwell beach is restricted due to a large creek. The sand beach is one that again, spans the length of the coast. Tides are strong and there is a memorial to the death of Jake Parker, 5, who drowned near the village. Brancastercurrently hosts a pub, church and hotel.
Brancaster to Wells (The Burnhams and Holkham)
editThe road continues following the coast. The road widens slightly between Brancaster andDeepdale.The road runs around a mile inland from the Norfolk Coast Path at this point. The marshes continue, as do the little Staithes. The next village after Brancaster, isBrancaster Staithe.This is a larger staithe, and runs to the west ofScolt Head Island.Sailingis often enjoyed here. In Brancaster Staithe, there are small shops and stalls connected to houses. There is also a small church. Access to the beach beyond the staithe can be restricted due to there being no road direct to the beach, though access can be made by walking along Brancaster Beach. Burnham Deepdale follows Brancaster Staithe if travelling eastbound. Deepdale is the nextPetrol Stationafter Heacham for 12 miles. TheMurcopetrol station has shops next to it. These include the "Deepdale Cafe",Fat Faceand aTourist Information Centre.North of this road are the Salt Marshes and Mow Creek, the creek that connects Brancaster Staithe to this village. Sailing is also available here. At the west end of Deepdale is a minor road leading to theB1155inBurnham Market,a town made up of 3 of the older Burnhams: Ulph, Sutton and Westgate. The road narrows and heads southbound for about a mile as the road bypassesBurnham Norton.TheB1355southbound brings you to Fakenham via Burnham Market and provides lorry access to Cromer as the road beyond here is inaccessible to lorries. Following the Salt Marshes and Saithes, the road heads north again and bears east as it entersBurnham Overy Staithe,passing the River Burn, of which the Burnhams are named. The road narrows and has a width restriction of 2 meters. The road then comes out passing a green and village; Burnham Overy Staithe. This village is a popular sailing village with a boathouse shop and pub. It is said thatLord Nelsonlearned to sail here,[5]hence the name of the pub, "The Hero", situated on the A149 itself. There is a walk to the beach along the Norfolk Coast Path, that is about a mile long. Also, a ferry is available to Scolt Head Island.
Continuing on the A149, the road runs south of salt marshes, but no Staithe. The land to the north is owned byViscount Cokeas part of theHolkham Estate,situated on the next village. IfHGVaccess is required to King's Lynn, the B1155 to Burnham Market will take you there. The road passes more Salt Marshes to the north, and pine forests to the south. A wall separates the estate from the road. Holkhamestate was purchased by SirEdward Cokein 1909, andHolkham Hallwas completed in 1764.[6]The A149 has a further crossroads, allowing access to the house southbound, and access to the beach northbound. The beach is owned by Holkham Estates Limited. Holkham has museums, shops, cafes and a pub as a result of the manor. The village is small. Following the road around, you arrive inWells-Next-The-Sea,a town in North Norfolk. The road is built on a small raised bed to prevent flooding as it runs through marshes. This marsh is flat and runs from the dunes in Holkham to the woodland on the estate the other side of Wells. The A149 does not enter Wells, but the B1105 does. It is often signposted as the A149 in the centre of the town. Wells has many shops and is popular forfish and chips.Wells has a harbour andgillyingis an activity undertaken commonly. The A149 bypasses Wells on its south side. There is a T junction, eastbound continues on the A149, signposted "Stiffkey" and the right of way is southbound becomes the B1105 and northbound becomes the A149.
Wells next the Sea to Cromer
editJust out of Wells, the road passes on the right, theWells and Walsingham Light Railway.From here the road runs south ofStiffkeysalt marshes.This stretch of the road runs parallel with the "Peddars Way" section of theNorth Norfolk Coastal Path,which is about1⁄4mile (0.40 km) north and runs along the fringe of the marshes. In Stiffkey, the road narrows to a single lane causing approaching traffic to give way. Beyond the village the road crosses theRiver Stiffkey.The next village on the road isMorston(38 miles (61 km) from the start), The road skirts around the south of the village.
After Blakeney, the road descends into theGlaven Valley,and into view comes the landmark ofCley next the SeaWindmill.Again the road becomes a bottle neck in the summer months as it pass through the village of Cley next the Sea. The next stretch of the road between Cley andSheringhamis a very scenic part of the A149. After negotiating the narrow streets of Cley the road runs along the coast south of Cley andSalthousesalt marshes, the sea is hidden by a long bank ofshinglethat runs along theshorelinehere. The marshes are aNature Reserveand all along this stretch of the road there are lay-bys and car parks which are used as viewing points.
The road now rises away from themarshesand twists and turns into the next village ofKelling.The road now passes through the gentle and heaths ofKelling HeathandWeybourne.Just before entering the village of Weybourne, the road passesWeybourne Campon the left. The road now passes through the village of Weybourne (45.5 miles (73.2 km)) and up a hill past the villageWindmill.
As the road stretches off to Sheringham it passes under a railway bridge carrying theNorth Norfolk Railway.The road now passes through a stretch of land that is owned byThe National Trust.As then runs right alongside the A149, squeezed between the road and the Sheringham Golf Club which is set on the cliffs in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mini roundabout at Sheringham it is 48.2 miles (77.6 km) from the start of the A149 atKing's Lynn.
Sheringham is a seaside resort. The route now passes the terminus for the North Norfolk Railway on the left. The A149 runs south of the heart of the town, passing the prominent hill on the left known locally as "Beeston Bump".The road now also has a railway line running parallel on the seaward side. At 49 miles (79 km) the road reaches the village ofBeeston Regisfollowed byWest Runton.The last village before Cromer isEast Runtonwere the landscape of the coast is peppered with staticcaravansormobile homes.The A149 now reaches the fadingVictoriansplendour of Cromer (52.3 miles (84.2 km)). The road drops down into the town, with a splendid view of the town'spier,where it dog-legs through the town's one way system. This part of the road becomes congested in the summer months and long queues form in the one-way system. Cromer marks the end of the roads route along the coast, as it turns south-east to cut across Norfolk towards its end atGreat Yarmouth.
Cromer to Stalham
editThe road climbs a hill southwards, out of Cromer, pastCromer Academytowards the next village ofNorthreppsand past the turning on the right of theA140which is the main road toNorwich.Passing through well ordered arable farmland the road then reaches a cross roads, with theB1436just before the village ofThorpe Market.The B1436 links the Cromer-Holt road toMundesleyon the coast. Out of the village the road runs along the boundary of Gunton Park, with some 800 acres (3.2 km2) ofdeer park,on the right. Further on is the village ofAntinghambefore reachingNorth Walsham,(61 miles (98 km) from King's Lynn). At North Walsham there is a junction controlled with traffic lights. Here the road turn right and takes a new route around the western side of the Town, past theBacton Gas terminal'slink to the rail network. The old route would have taken you through the busy town centre. This new route runs part of the way along what was the disused track bed of theMidland and Great Northern Joint Railway (M&GN)railway betweenStalhamand North Walsham. Heading towards theNorfolk Broads(part of theNorfolk and Suffolk Broads Authority[7],the road passes the villages ofWorsteadandDilhamand then passes through Smallburgh were the road clips The Broads. Just past Smallburgh the road turns left at a T junction. The road to the right is theA1151,fromWroxhamand Norwich, which terminates at this junction. The road now takes a large north easterly arch aroundBarton Broad,crossing theRiver AntatWayford Bridge.The road now curves back towards Stalham passing several boat hire yards. Stalham is 69 miles (111 km) from the start of the A149, and from here the road cuts across the flatlands of Norfolk skirting the Broads as it goes.
Stalham, across the broads to Great Yarmouth
edit
Long straights characterise this 5-mile (8.0 km) stretch from Stalham toPotter Heigham.The straights pass through the villages ofSuttonandCatfield.This part of the A149 has a bad reputation for fatalities and care should be taken at all the junctions that dissect this 5-mile (8.0 km) stretch. Most of this section is not the original route of the road. The original road runs parallel on the right, the new route effectively by-passing out the villages, and atPotter Heigham Bridge(74 miles (119 km)) the two roads converge. After Potter Heigham the next village isRepps with Bastwickfollowed byRollesby(77 miles (124 km)). At Rollesby the road crossesOrmesby Broadwere there is parking if you wish to visit this Broad. Past the large water works on the left and the road now passes throughOrmesby St. Michaeland thenOrmesby St. Margaret.Before coming to another roundabout junction. This is the terminus of theA1064which has come across the Broads fromAclea distance of 7.2 miles (11.6 km) in all. Looking straight across the roundabout is the site ofCaister Castle.The A149 is now aDual Carriagewayand, at another junction, bypassesCaister-on-Sea.After the bypass, the road narrows back to aSingle Carriagewayas it entersGreat Yarmouth.The road now heads south, pastYarmouth Stadiumgreyhound racingtrack and stadium, and the Heliport atNorth Denes Airfield,on the right. At the next set of traffic lights is Jellicoe Road, leading toGreat Yarmouth Horse Racecourse.The road follows the east bank of theRiver Bure.At the large roundabout the A149 comes to an end, and joins theA47 roadat the northern side of theBreydon Bridge,close toGreat Yarmouth railway station.The total distance from Hardwick flyover to this roundabout in Great Yarmouth is 85.237 miles (137.176 km) (Goggle Pedometer).
Tourist destinations en route
edit- King's Lynn
- Castle Rising
- Sandringham House
- SnettishamFarm Park
- RSPBreserveSnettisham
- Norfolk LavenderHeacham
- Hunstanton(Leisure Park and Beach – Sea Life Centre, Swimming Pool andAmusements'
- RSPBreserveTitchwell
- Brancaster(Beach and Education Centre byNational Trust) –BranodunumSite of Roman Fort
- Burnham DeepdaleCamping and Staithe
- Burnham Overy StaitheBeach andScolt Head IslandNature Reserve
- Holkham Halland Beach
- Wells-next-the-SeaHoliday Park and Town
- StiffkeyMarshes
- MorstonandBlakeneySeal Trips and Staithe
- CleyWindmill and Beach
- Muckleburgh CollectionTank museum Weybourne
- Weybourne Windmill
- SheringhamTown and Leisure Park – Also theNorth Norfolk RailwaytoHolt
- Hillside Animal SanctuaryWest Runton
- CromerTown, Beach andCromer Pier,also theBittern LinewithNational RailServices toNorwich
- Norfolk Broads
- Great Yarmouth Stadiumgreyhound racingtrack and stadium
- Great Yarmouth Horse Racecourse
- Great YarmouthTown andAmusements'
References
edit- ^http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/snettisham/star_species.aspxThe avocet is an example from this guide to the top species in Snettisham Reserve
- ^http://www.historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk/Here is where the Historic Norfolk interactive map is on the North Norfolk County Council Website. Data from Tithe map and Boundary map. Flash is needed to view this application.
- ^"Holme Dunes"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 10 November 2013.Retrieved15 August2012.Please see this brochure for more information about species protected and sightings in the dunes from NWT
- ^http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/t/titchwellmarsh/star_species.aspxStar species of Titchwell can be viewed here
- ^"Brancaster Staithe".Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2011.Retrieved3 August2012.Lord Nelson learned to sail in the Staithe, This is a reference to Brancaster Staithe. This is connected with Burnham Overy
- ^Holkham Hall#Architects and patronHolkham Hall Dates information
- ^"Home".broads-authority.gov.uk.
External links
editSABRE Roads by 10 – A149Archived7 December 2007 at theWayback Machine