TourNorfolk
Norfolk
Where to Go
What to See
What to Do
What's On

The Burnham's

A collection of fabulous villages around the River Burn on the North Norfolk Coast

An Introduction to the Burnhams

Burnham Market Shop
Burnham Church
Burnham Overy Staithe
Burnham Thorpe
Burnham Windmill

The Burnhams is the name given to the villages grouped around the River Burn on the North Norfolk Coast. There is Burnham Market, the main village and is known as "Chelsea-on-sea" as it is full of trendy shops, similar to the ones down the Kings Road! Burnham Overy Staithe is on the coast and provides moorings and launching for boats. Burnham Thorpe is where Nelson grew up, with his father Rector of the local church. Burnham Overy Town, Burnham Deepdale and Burnham Norton are all small residential villages. The countryside around the Burnhams is very attractive, making walking between the villages a great thing to do on a fine day.
Local Websites

Norfolk Cottages

The Burnhams Map

Burnham Map Brancaster North Norfolk Coast Path Holkham
 

The Burnhams Guided Picture Tour


We start our tour of the Burnhams in Burnham Market. This is the major village of the collection and is about 4 miles from the sea. The village is set out around the village green and famous for its growing collection of trendy shops, eating places and other businesses. Burnham Market has its fair share of elegant brick and flint cottages lining the main street, most of which are very expensive private homes. The village can certainly get busy in high season, but Burnham Market is certainly one of the highlights of the North Norfolk Coast.
Gurneys Fish Shop
Gurneys Fish Shop in Burnham Market
Joules Clothing
Joules Clothing Store
Norfolk Living
Norfolk Living Shop
All Natural Shop
All Natural and Marbles Paint Pot
Pentney House
Pentney House Hat Shop
Flint Cottages
Flint cottages in the centre of Burnham Market
Hoste Arms
The Hoste Arms, a famous 15th Century Coaching Inn
Burnham Property
Expensive property in Burnham Market
The Nelson
The Nelson Pub

At one end of the main street is the parish church of St. Mary's. This church has become the main parish church of the Burnhams, but actually started life in the village of Burnham Westgate. This former village was amalgamated during the 19th century when Burnham Market was given a railway station. The tower has an interesting parapet showing a potted version of the Bible, starting with the Creation and the Fall and working forward to the Nativity and the Crucifixion.
Burnham Market Church
The parish church of St. Mary's in Burnham Market
Church Inside
Inside the parish church of St. Mary's
Stained Glass Window
Stained glass window at Burnham Market

Nearby Burnham Overy Staithe is a popular launching site for boats. The village of Burnham Overy has moved over the years, as the channel gradually silted up sea going vessels had to moor further and further downstream, until over time the majority of the population had moved from Burnham Overy Town to Burnham Overy Staithe. Today it is a mecca for sailing enthusiasts, with plenty of paths for those who prefer to remain on land!
Burnham Overy Staithe
Burnham Overy Staithe
Boating
Boating at Burnham Overy
Footpaths
Paths and views around Burnham Overy Staithe

Moving inland, Burnham Thorpe is the birthplace of Horatio Nelson. His father, Edmund Nelson, moved to Burnham Thorpe in 1755, after his marriage. Horatio, the 6th of their 11 children was born on 29th September 1758 in a house called the Shooting Box! Horatio went away to study and after his early years in the Navy, he returned for 5 years to Burnham Thorpe with his new wife. Nelson was given his first role as Captain after this and the rest is history. The church where his father was Rector, is well worth a visit as it is full of Nelson family memorabilia, including a cross and lectern made from wood from HMS Victory. The pub in Burnham Thorpe was built in 1637 as the Plough, but fell into disrepair and in 1966 the new landlord restored it to its 1793 state, renaming it the Lord Nelson.
Lord Nelson Pub
The Lord Nelson Pub in Burnham Thorpe
Lord Nelson Pub
The Lord Nelson Pub Sign
Burnham Thorpe Church
The Church of All Saints in Burnham Thorpe, where Nelson's father was rector
Church Inside
Inside the church at Burnham Thorpe
Nelson Grave
The grave of Edmund Nelson, Horatio's Father

Horatio Nelson's older sister lived the other side of Norfolk at Barton Hall, adjacent to Barton Broad. When Nelson was a boy, he would travel to see his sister and it is during his time there that he learn't how to sail on Barton Broad.

Finally, the best of the rest, includes the lovely church of St. Mary's at Burnham Deepdale, which has a lovely Saxon round tower.
Burnham Deepdale Church
The church of St Mary's at Burnham Deepdale
Church Inside
Inside the church at Burnham Deepdale

The windmill that you see in Burnham, worked in conjunction with the watermill. Both were built by Edmund Savory from 1790 to 1816. The windmill is six storeys high and is now used as a private holiday home. The watermill had a wheel that drove 3 pairs of stones and was supplemented by a 16hp condensing steam beam engine powered by a Cornish boiler that drove a further 4 sets of stones. The water wheel and pit wheel were still intact until the 1960s. Both the windmill and watermill are not open to the public.
Burnham Windmill
Burnham Overy Windmill
Burnham Watermill
Burnham Overy Watermill

Destination
Check In Date
Check Out Date

10 Things to SEE & DO in and around the Burnhams

Browse the many shops and galleries in Burnham Market
Explore the beautiful parish church in Burnham Market
Enjoy a refreshment in the Hoste Arms or the Nelson pub in Burnham Market
Watch the boats being launched at Burnham Overy Staithe, or even better, launch your own!
Walk along a portion of the North Norfolk Coast Path from Burnham Overy Staithe
Discover the birthplace of Nelson in Burnham Thorpe
Enjoy a pint of Nelson's Blood in the Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe
Take a walk to find the Windmill and Watermill at Overy Mill
Find the round church at Burnham Deepdale and Deepdale Farm opposite
Take a rest and enjoy a hot or cold refreshment in the cafe

Our Verdict

The classy Burnham villages offer a variety of things to see and do - from stylish gift shops to a picturesque harbour. Don't miss a visit to the birthplace of Nelson at Burnham Thorpe.
Twitter

TOUR INDEX

NEARBY PICTURE TOURS

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

My Day Out

PLACES TO STAY

Hoste Arms
Burnham Short Break

NORFOLK HOLIDAYS

Pet Friendly
Relaxing Breaks
Short Breaks
Norfolk Cottages

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Clothing Store
Electronics Photo Store
Toys Games Store
Pet Store
Books Maps Store

MORE OF OUR WEBSITES

Aerial Norfolk
Tour Suffolk
Pocket Britain
Map Moose Offline Maps
Travel Tours from Home
 
Hotel B&B Search
Cottage Search
Pet Friendly Search
Spa & Relaxing Search
Beach Coast Search
TourNorfolk is an independent tourism website and therefore does not represent the views of any official body. All content is copyright TourNorfolk.co.uk unless stated otherwise. See our picture re-use policy for using our pictures on your own website. Privacy Policy. TourNorfolk Sitemap. Top of Page.
Hunstanton Holkham Brancaster