On Easter Monday, we kind of gatecrashed my parent's week away and all drove up to Norfolk with the pup. We just went for a night but managed to fit all of our favourite spots into just two days. I'm sure long time readers of this blog will know just how much we adore this part of the country, and have visited a few times over the past few years. It's so laid back, has so much to do in a small-ish area, isn't too far from where we live compared to Devon/Cornwall and has the best mix of beaches, countryside and gorgeous towns along with really great local produce. It's also remarkably quiet even on a sunny hot Easter Monday compared to say, the beaches on the South Coast. It's still our absolute dream to buy a cottage to renovate in Norfolk one day, but until then we'll enjoy going back each year I hope. You can find my past guides on Norfolk online here and this full feature on Little Norfolk Cottage where we stayed for the first time last August online here. It's so perfectly located for all the best spots of North Norfolk, and is really beautifully done up {my Husband loves the old fashioned sweets it comes with too ha}. My Parents had booked it after seeing our stay last year, and Zara very kindly offered us a discounted stay for returning.  - There's 10% off stays at the cottage between the 3rd June-29th September 2019 with the code BEACHHUT.

We got up early and hit the road by 6.30am to make the most of the sunshine and beat any Bank Holiday traffic. We were in Norfolk by 9am and dropped off a car to join my parents in one car for the rest of the trip. Our first stop was The Crab Hut, a spot we discovered last Summer for the best seafood baguettes! 

And then to Wells, for our favourite walk through the town and along the harbour road to the beach.

Local asparagus. We picked up some strawberries from the greengrocer on the way through town to take to the beach with us for our picnic.

It had been so hot at home all weekend so we couldn't wait to get to the beach.

Beautiful Norfolk. How was this only April? 

Picnic carrier <3

Holkham/Wells Next the Sea beach is probably one of our top 3 beaches in the UK. With the pine trees behind, beach huts, sand dunes and miles of sand.

The beach was pretty packed near the harbour, but if you just walk for about 10 minutes to the left, even on the hottest of days you'll find a quiet spot! The only annoying thing is how far the sea is from here.

We made use of Mum as our chief photographer!

The pup wanted in.

Family picnic. Just missing my Brother!

Dad bought Riley a fish stick as a treat, so funny but also so gross.

Sandy pup.

Favourite beach hut. I took photos here back in November with my teeny bump, when I felt so sick! I hope we can come back here and take photos with our baby next time.

Dad using Riley as a pillow.

Happy beach days. And a bump that's getting big.

We walked back through the sand dunes, with an ice cream stop at the cafe by the beach before heading back through Wells.

We had a quick stop in Burnham Market on the way to the cottage, wisteria hysteria heaven!

You can find Little Norfolk Cottage's website online here, and there's 10% off stays between the 3rd June-29th September 2019 with the code BEACHHUT.

We'd booked dinner at the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe for our only evening together, it's a place Ben & I discovered last year and have been desperate to go back ever since. We took the dog with us, not wanting to leave him at the cottage, so we had to eat outside {luckily it was warm enough} or we could have sat in the bar. If you go, make sure you go for the restaurant menu {rather than the bar or terrace} as it really is the best food.

We'd first found it recommended in The Times good seafood guide but since then they keep winning awards for the best food and restaurant. 

Everything was so delicious. There's always that worry when you take people to a place you've loved before it will be as good. But we need not have worried, everyone loved it.

A baked rhubarb alaska! With mashmallowy ginger goodness mixed with rhubarb ice cream inside. The puddings were all incredible and we tried a bit of each!

We tried to eat dinner as quickly as we could to get to Old Hunstanton Beach for sunset {about a 15 minute drive down the coast}. It's the only place in North Norfolk that's positioned West enough to see the sun setting over the sea. 

Although the clouds rolled in just at the crucial time! 

Still so pretty though, and we never take being by the sea for granted when we're away as I always crave it so much back in Hertfordshire {we live almost at the furthest point from the sea!} 

Back at the cottage, Riley was exhausted after his day running along the beaches!

On Tuesday morning, we all got up and had breakfast together before fitting as much as we could into one last morning before we had to head back.

Stiffkey Stores is always worth a visit, we bought some lovely wooden blocks and toys for the baby. They have really gorgeous children's brands, books and interiors along with a little coffee shop.

My Mum had booked us lunch at Wiveton Fruit Farm so we drove there to do a walk beforehand around Blakeney and Cley.

The walk goes on top of the marshes and is a circular route from Wiveton out to Blakeney and then back towards the Cley Windmill. It's really lovely but was SO windy on the day that we went!

Always worth a stop at Picnic Fayre in Cley for groceries/the best homemade cakes if you're nearby. 

Wiveton Fruit Farm is a really popular spot and gets booked up so book in advance if you're going. They have local produce, salads, sandwiches and a few specials on the menu for lunch each day. We had a crab salad with sweet potato fries. Although for four of us for lunch it did feel a little pricey compared to what we had for that amount. 

A whistle stop trip but a really lovely one. Always love spending time with my parents. And of course, always love Norfolk.

Have you been?

You can find Little Norfolk Cottage's website online here, and there's 10% off stays between the 3rd June-29th September 2019 with the code BEACHHUT.

{I received a discounted stay at Little Norfolk Cottage but all opinions are my own}.