Burnham Market, Norfolk: Nelson Country, Shops & Things to Do

Burnham Market is a village near the north Norfolk coast, a mile or two inland from the salt marshes at Burnham Overy Staithe. Its long green is lined with elegant Georgian houses and flint cottages, and with some of the best independent shops in East Anglia.

Why Burnham Market Is Special

Burnham Market has a sophistication unusual for a country village, with boutiques, galleries, delicatessens and interiors shops, which has earned it the affectionate nickname of Chelsea-on-Sea.

Yet the wild coast is only minutes away: the marshes, creeks and vast beaches of Holkham and Brancaster are on its doorstep.

The History of Burnham Market

Burnham Market's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is one of the group of villages known as the Norfolk Burnhams, and it was formed when three neighbouring settlements, Burnham Sutton, Burnham Ulph and Burnham Westgate, merged into one.

This is Nelson country. Horatio Nelson was born in 1758 at nearby Burnham Thorpe, where his father was the rector of All Saints church, and he grew up exploring these lanes and creeks before going to sea at the age of twelve.

Things to Do in Burnham Market

Stroll the green and browse the shops, among them Ffarr for interiors, then walk or cycle down to Burnham Overy Staithe and follow the coast path along the sea wall to Gun Hill and Holkham beach.

Visit All Saints at Burnham Thorpe, where Nelson's father preached and where the village remembers its most famous son.

Gardens, Countryside & Antiques near Burnham Market

The whole coast is the Norfolk Coast National Landscape; see our guide to the Norfolk Coast. Birdwatchers head west to RSPB Titchwell Marsh, and walkers can follow the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path.

For interiors and antiques, try Nomad and the Bowerbird at Wells-next-the-Sea, Stiffkey Stores, and Holt Antiques & Interiors Centre. Blakeney is a short drive east; see our guide to Blakeney.

Burnham Market Through the Seasons

Spring brings migrating birds to the marshes. Summer is the season for beach days at Holkham. Autumn sees vast skeins of pink-footed geese flying in from Iceland to winter on the coast, one of the great wildlife sights of Britain, and winter walks end beside a pub fire.

Getting to Burnham Market

The nearest railway station is King's Lynn, about 20 miles away, with the Coasthopper bus running along the coast road. There is parking on the green.

Burnham Market: Questions & Answers

Where was Nelson born?

At Burnham Thorpe, about a mile and a half from Burnham Market, in 1758. His father was the rector of All Saints church.

Why is Burnham Market called Chelsea-on-Sea?

Because of its smart independent shops, galleries and delicatessens, popular with visitors from London.

Our Advice

Our advice: Browse the green in the morning, then walk from Burnham Overy Staithe to Holkham for a picnic on one of the most beautiful beaches in England.