The Northfolk Project
Geology Walks 2020
Happisburgh: Ice Ages, Erosion and Hominins
Happisburgh
The beleaguered village of Happisburgh has much to fascinate: its battle with the sea, the ice age geology, the lighthouse, shipwrecks, the church, pub and village architecture. But since the year 2000 it has also become the site of intense research into Britain's unrivalled Palaeolithic archaeology. It has yielded wonderful evidence for the earliest inhabitants of northern Europe, who lived on the banks of a great river, believed to be the proto-Thames. They also left behind sensational footprints in the mud over 800,000 years ago. They were briefly revealed in 2013 before being washed away by the tide: the oldest human footprints outside of Africa.
For meeting point SEE THE SECTION BELOW. There is a b/w handout to accompany this walk (download in colour available below). Here is a link to the field guide for the Happisburgh section if you want a preview of the geology. Note that advice in the field guide about parking may not be the meeting point for this Geology Walk.
Geology Walks 2020: Happisburgh
May 25 |
Bank Holiday Mon |
Happisburgh: Ice Ages, Erosion and Hominins Walk in the footsteps of the Earliest Humans in Britain. |
13.30 - 16.15 |
|
August 20 |
Thu |
Happisburgh: Ice Ages, Erosion and Hominins Walk in the footsteps of the Earliest Humans in Britain. |
13.30 - 16.15 |
These dates are provisional and should be confirmed when you make a booking. In the event of bad weather the leader will always turn up at the starting point.
Booking is important
Booking is essential to help me gauge the size of audience, number of handouts, whether a helper is needed for safety and so on.
Geology Walks £6.00 adults, £3.00 under 18 (over 8) and includes a b/w handout (which you can download in colour from this site). Tickets are paid for on the day.
Please email to book your place (using the links above for your chosen walk) and tell me:
- your name,
- how many walkers
- your mobile number.
Your mobile number is only used to contact you in case of a last minute problem or cancellation.
For last minute bookings, or if you don't have access to email, you may call
01263 513992 (or mobile 07887 389804)
See below for the meeting place.
Clothing
Please come adequately dressed. It's really important that you are well prepared.
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 walk lasts two and a half hours or more.
Do wrap up well; some people come without adequate coats and hats. It can be chilly on the beach, 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. In the event of bad weather the leader will always turn up at the starting point. 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.
Dogs
I love dogs but in my experience they don't understand geology. They can 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.
Cart Gap meeting place
Due to cliff instability the beach access at Happisburgh is unreliable. I am therefore starting the walk from Cart Gap, one kilometre to the south and we will walk back along the beach to see the sections at Happisburgh. Grid reference: TG 397299. Nearest postcode: NR12 0QL. what3words: correct.alley.critic.
From Happisburgh take the coast road southwards and pass through the hamlet of Whimpwell Green. A little further on turn off left, signposted to Cart Gap. Meet in the Pay and Display Car Park at the end of the road, by the ticket machine at 1.15 for a 1.30 start.
