Enjoy a sandy Norfolk beach with a quiet, off-the-beaten-track feel, dog-friendly facilities, and a charming café in a converted flint barn.

Cart Gap Beach is an unspoilt sandy beach located along Norfolk's coast between Happisburgh and Sea Palling. Set at the end of a narrow single-track lane, it offers a peaceful retreat from busier seaside destinations. The beach features wooden groynes and a seawall, with excellent opportunities for extended walks along the continuous stretch of sand that runs much of the way around the Norfolk coast. Families visiting Cart Gap will find a welcoming environment with several family-friendly amenities. Dogs are permitted on the beach, making it ideal for families with pets. Smallsticks Café, housed in a charming old flint barn a short walk from the car park, serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, and meals, with a dog-friendly garden area. The beach also benefits from a pay-and-display car park right next to the lifeboat station, toilet facilities, and a slipway. While Cart Gap has no lifeguard service on duty, it remains suitable for visitors of all ages who take appropriate water safety precautions. The beach's relatively quiet and unspoilt nature makes it particularly appealing for families seeking a more relaxed seaside experience away from crowded tourist beaches, though visitors should be aware of occasional jet skiing activity and the coastal erosion issues that characterize this stretch of the Norfolk coast.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

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sl

a month ago

Amazing beach to visit, check the tide times for the beach entrance though as the ramp has is slightly covered at high tide. The is another entrance over the dunes and down the steps onto the beach, so you are not necessarily cut off at any time. The beach is quite flat so children are able to play even with the tide coming in.

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Stephen Madden

3 months ago

Lovely beach, water great to swim in. Nice and peaceful as not overcrowded.

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Sam Moz

3 months ago

Parking was so easy and fairly priced. The dogs absolutely loved it. It was my puppies first time and it was ideal. We arrived at 8:30am and it was quiet and the tide had started to move out so we had plenty of beach to play on .

T

Tim Jennings

11 months ago

Love this beach, every tide makes it different. Easy access and good facilities. Not too busy but getting busier. Good for spotting seals and safely walking the dog. Lovely and peaceful (until the jet skiers arrive and then it becomes noisy and they leave the access ramp slippery so be careful).

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Andrew Gloag

2 years ago

A beautiful beach with stunning views across the Norfolk coastline. Was lucky to visit on a clear blue day - very windy though. Easy to pay and display at the car park which takes card - be wary of the single track road though. Nice cafe nearby too.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026