The Northfolk ProjectGeology and Beery Walks in north Norfolk 2016
North Norfolk has a fascinating landscape and the Northfolk Project has established a strong public following over more than 20 years. Join one of Martin Warren's renowned Geology Walks and let your imagination rip as we journey back in time.
This year there are more walks than ever; not just Geology Walks but also 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 2016 (click on links for details)
| March 28 | Easter Mon | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| April 7 | Thu | Overstrand-Sidestrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | More challenging | Email to book |
| April 23 | Sat | West Runton west to Beeston Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Beach+steps+hill climb | Email to book |
| May 2 | Mon | West Runton-Roman Camp | 1.30pm-4.30 | Beery+Hill climb (over 18s only) | Email to book |
| May 15 | Sun | Cromer-Felbrigg | 1.30pm-5.00 | Beery+Longer walk (over 18s only) | Email to book |
| May 30 | Mon | Cromer-Overstrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | Beach walk and hill walk | Email to book |
| June 4 | Sat | Hunstanton | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| June 21 | Tue | Overstrand-Sidestrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | More challenging | Email to book |
| July 3 | Sun | Happisburgh | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach and village walk | Email to book |
| July 22 | Fri | West Runton west to Beeston Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Beach+steps+hill climb | Email to book |
| August 2 | Tue | Hunstanton | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| August 13 | Sat | West Runton-Roman Camp | 1.30pm-4.30 | Beery+Hill climb (over 18s only) | Email to book |
| August 18 | Thu | Happisburgh | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach and village walk | Email to book |
| August 31 | Wed | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.15 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| September 16 | Fri | Overstrand-Sidestrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | More challenging | Email to book |
| October 18 | Tue | West Runton east to Wood Hill | 1.30pm-4.00 | Easy beach walk | Email to book |
| October 25 | Tue | Cromer-Felbrigg | 1.30pm-5.00 | Beery+Longer walk (over 18s only) | Email to book |
| October 29 | Sat | Overstrand-Sidestrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | More challenging | Email to book |
| November 30 | Wed | Cromer-Overstrand | 1.30pm-4.15 | Beach walk+Hill climb | 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 £5.00 adults, £3.00 children and includes a b/w handout (which you can download in colour from this site).
Beery Walks are £10 for those having beer, £5 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)
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.