The Northfolk ProjectGeology Walk and Beery Walks in north Norfolk 2018
North Norfolk has a fascinating landscape and the Northfolk Project has established a strong public following over more than 25 years. Join one of Martin Warren's renowned Geology Walks and let your imagination rip as we journey back in time.
Again this year there are not just Geology Walks but also two Beery Walks that include tastings of beer from Poppyland Microbrewery. Whatever the weather we shall find lots to interest us and due to the local microclimate - or is it the tides? - we are often miraculously blessed with fine weather on our geology walks.
There will be as little jargon as possible, so the walks are suitable for everyone over 8 years old. There is a mix of distances and challenges too but none are really taxing for reasonably fit people. We cover an enormous span of time and we will transport you to lost worlds that have been rediscovered through the wonders of geological science. Find out about our world of contrasts - variously, a greenhouse world and an ice house world, with rising and falling sea-levels, waxing and waning forests and ice-sheets. See the river deposits that tell us about the time when Norfolk was 'big game' country. See the glacial deposits from when Norfolk resembled the Arctic. Stand on an ancient sea bed. Find out how the lumps and bumps in the landscape came to be that way they are. It is essential that you book in advance, especially for the Beery Walks, as this is a legal requirement if I am providing beer.
Children over 8 are welcome but don't let that put adults off; there are seldom a lot of children and they are always well behaved.
Geology and Beery Walks in 2018 (click on links for details)
| March 30 | Good Fri | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| April 2 | Easter Mon | Overstrand-Sidestrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | More challenging | Email to book |
| April 15 | Sun | West Runton west to Beeston Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach+steps+hill climb walk | Email to book |
| April 29 | Sun | Happisburgh hominins | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| May 7 | Bank Hol Mon | Cromer Ridge from Roman Camp | 1.30pm-5.00 | Ridge walk with hills and beer | Email to book |
| May 16 | Wed | Sheringham westwards | 1.30pm-4.15 | Stony beach + hill climb | Email to book |
| May 28 | Bank Hol Mon | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| July 14 | Sat | Overstrand - Sidestrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | More challenging | Email to book |
| July 27 | Fri | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| August 12 | Sun | Hunstanton | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| August 27 | Bank Hol Mon | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| September 2 | Sun | Cromer-Felbrigg | 1.30pm-5.15 | Long circular walk with beer | Email to book |
| September 12 | Wed | Happisburgh hominins | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| October 24 | Wed | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| October 28 | Sun | Overstrand - Sidestrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | More challenging | Email to book |
These dates are provisional and should be confirmed when you make a booking. This listing is the definitive. Listings by third parties may contain errors and omissions, so please beware. Cancellations and alterations will be announced here first.
Follow me on Twitter
Keep up to date with news from the coast and announcements about Geology Walks on Twitter. Search for @cliff_bunny and follow me. I have another account @poppylandbeer for my beery exploits.
Booking is important
Tickets are paid for on the day:
Geology Walks £6.00 adults, £3.00 children and includes a b/w handout (which you can download in colour from this site).
Beery Walks are £15 for those having beer, £6 for abstainers; over 18s only please.
Booking is essential for licensing reasons, to help me gauge the size of audience, number of handouts, whether a helper is needed for safety and so on.
You cannot have any beer unless you are booked online in advance.
Please book online to book your place (using the links above), or for last minute Geology Walk bookings you may call
01263 513992 (or mobile 07887 389804)
and tell us your name, the date of the walk, how many walkers and your mobile number and email address. Your mobile number is only used to contact you in case of a last minute problem.
Clothing
Please come adequately dressed. It's really important that you are well prepared for whatever the weather may bring. Bring extra clothing, just in case.
The beach is rocky and wet in places, so please:
- Wear boots or at least very stout shoes. Wellies are excellent, so you can walk anywhere with impunity.
- Wear clothing suitable for any weather (be that rain, wind or shine), waterproofs, a hat is always a good idea and an umbrella is really cool if rain is forecast (you stay dry while all around are getting damp).
- Do bring some refreshment: sweets and/or a bottle of water as the walks last two and a half hours or more.
Do wrap up well; some people come without adequate coats and hats. It can be cooler on the beach than you think, even in summer and we want you to enjoy yourself, not shiver.
Inclement weather
While the walks have a really remarkable record of getting fine weather, there is always the chance of a really bad day. I work on the principal that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing. We can still have fun, even in the rain. But if it really is that bad we can take a vote on what to do. In the event of bad weather the leader will always turn up at the starting point.
Dogs
I love dogs but in my experience dogs don't understand the geology. They get bored and there are often other dogs on the beach to get them excited. Then they bark and I can't compete, so I recommend you don't bring them on Geology Walks. I think dogs will be less of a problem on Beery Walks, so I will permit them.
Group bookings
Geological societies, special interest groups, schools and colleges: do you need a leader for a field trip? Contact me to discuss your requirements. I can design itineraries, help find accommodation and organise transport.
Handouts in colour
Click on the images to download colour versions of the handouts provided on the walks. These are in printable PDF format (for non-commercial use only).
Follow up or preview
Visit the Field Guide to North Norfolk Geology to make a virtual visit to either preview a walk or to recap when you get home.
Free downloads
Simple A4 handouts by Martin Warren
Chalk Around Cromer (pdf - 166kB)
Cromer Forest Bed (pdf - 196kB)
Flint around Cromer (pdf - 170kB)
Tide times at Cromer
The Geological Walks programme is timed to coincide with the most favourable tides, that is on or just after a full moon or new moon. At these times tidal range is at its maximum (some are bigger than others) and high water will be around 8 o'clock in the morning. Therefore low tide will occur in the afternoons, ideal for our walks. You can check the tide times at Cromer for today and the next few days at this link
Norfolk Fossil Finds
To help people identify their fossil finds from Norfolk beaches and elsewhere there is a public Facebook group 'Norfolk fossil finds', where you can join up (for free) and post images of your specimens and other members of the group will offer opinions on their identity.
See: Norfolk fossil finds Facebook page
Geological Society of Norfolk
Monthly meetings - field trips in the summer, indoor meetings in the winter. For amateurs and professionals alike. If you enjoy geology, join the Geological Society of Norfolk. Website: www.norfolkgeology.co.uk
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Tim Holt-Wilson has produced some very accessible guides to the Geological Landscapes of the Norfolk Coast
See also: UK Fossils website.