Naturist / Nudist Beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Winterton Dunes - Horsey

Norfolk

Sandy beach / Sand dunes nature reserve, north of Great Yarmouth

Winterton Dunes "are definitely the best naturist beach in East Anglia - something of an undiscovered treasure". They are a few miles miles north of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and cover a wide area between the Norfolk Broads and the coast. The dunes are a nature reserve. North of the dunes, naturists are also said to use a section of the beach adjacent to Horsey.

Getting There

Satnav: NR29 4AJ

From Great Yarmouth travel north on the A149 past Caister-on-Sea (ignore the turning for the A1064 at West Caister). About 1 mile further on, where the road turns sharply left, leave the A149 and continue north on the B1159 towards Winterton-on-Sea. This is two and half miles further on, after passing Newport and Hemsby.

At Winterton continue northward until the road turns inland at the church (worth a visit if you are interested in local history). At this point turn toward the sea (right), along the road beyond where it narrows and past a Spar shop. Eventually you will reach the car park. [£3 for the day].

Leaving the car walk east to the seashore and turn northwards [left]. Either cut down to the sea and walk along, or walk behind the dunes, for approximately 20-30 mins. The area to look for is north of Somerton Holmes Gap, called Winterton Ness on OS 1:25 and 1:50 maps. From where the Somerton track comes through the dunes follow the concrete sea wall north to its end. Beyond this point the dunes come right down onto the bach - this is the naturists' area.

Alternatively, continuing north on the B1159 will bring you to the village of Horsey. From the car park at Horsey Nature Reserve, you can gain access to the beach and walk south along the disused railway line until it turns inland, at which point you should be close to the unofficial naturist beach.

Description

A large area of dunes and clean, sandy beach with ample space for all and lots of scope for walking, plus rows of large rocks recently added as coastal defences to use as ready-made windbreaks. Suitable for couples and singles and possibly families with children. As with most beaches along the East Coast, an onshore wind from the North Sea can be a problem, so windbreaks are recommended. The Norfolk Broads provide an alternative attraction if the wind is too strong.

"[in] perfect weather - there were just a handful of naturists plus the occasional clothed dog walker

Please remember that this beach is unofficial. Behave with discretion or you may offend people. It is also a major RSPB nature reserve and the beach is where the terns breed - so don't leave litter and take great care where you walk.

Facilities : None on the beach itself, but there is a small shop in Winterton village - see above - which should be able to fill last-minute needs. At the car park (see above) there are toilets and a cafe.

Updated

June 2017 - thanks to PD

Map

Comments

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Naturist beaches

12-Aug-20

@Robert, Actually, that's good they just roped off a section. Nature England have closed entire beaches for the summer due to ground nesting birds.
Robert W

10-Aug-20

Went here yesterday 10/08/22 cant get access to the beach across the dunes they have been roped off as there are some birds nesting on the dunes a bit suspicious as there is miles of dunes and that’s the only spot. You can access the area by walking along the beach
UK Naturist Beaches

23-Sep-20

A seal colony has taken over this beach, and has become something of a tourist attractions.
Russell Ward

Jul-20

went today had it all to my self
Eric Lund

Jul-20

I walk right from just North of the car park where the tern nesting starts all the way to Horsey and back naked regularly. P
Trevor Denny

Aug-20

trying to track winterton dunes I will find it soon.
Lee

Aug-20

Went twice this weekend. Very warm, if a little overcast. Chatted to the one other naturist there. Apart from that (and the odd beach walker) had the beach to myself for about 6 hours Excellent. I'd recommend this to anyone able to make it there.
Lee

May-20

Went today - third time this year. Didn't see many other people, which is the main attraction for me. Managed to walk for quite a way on the beach without meeting anyone. Such a glorious place. Can't wait to go back.
Lee

Sep-20

Been a couple of times this year - usually have the place entirely to myself. Have met a few other naturists tho. Some single and some couples too. Hoping to catch some late summer sun in September before it gets too cold.
Tony

Aug-20

Went to Horsey on 25/07/2010. Nobody around but some nice hot sun (well for a short while anyway!). Was able to sunbathe nude in the dunes with the whole beach to myself. Lovely.
sailho

Jul-20

you will probably find most naturists further north - past the gap at Bramble Hill ...during school hols cover up as you pass this point , just past here to the 3 rd rock groin is where most naturists congregate to sunbathe...
Steve

Jun-20

Made my first visit today and am raving about it. Peaceful, glorious sunshine and brilliant views. Car park now £3 for the day. Hate to say it but better than Holkham..... that's if you like a beach to yourself. Don't all rush...i like it just for me.
Anonymous

Apr-20

typing this naked in the dunes on my mobile. Hoping for more sun next week.perhaps a few brave souls will join us. Great to be out here for the first time.
Anonymous

Apr-20

My partner and I have been naturists for a few years and enjoy the opportunity to spend time together in the sun naked. The usual bobbing heads appeared but if you stay on the beach or near to the dunes there is a limit what they can do apart from oggle.
Anonymous

Apr-20

We use the horsey gap site regularly and always found the other users very friendly though mostly males... Be warned...the seals can sometimes [be] aggressive so keep your distance, they will bite...on warmer days there are adders in the dunes so keep your shoes on and make a noise and they will hide from you.
Anonymous

Aug-20

went to Winterton last weekend, no other nudists but LOTS of seals, worth a visit for that alone...
Anonymous

May-20

...my girlfriend and I had our first nude experience, we actually walked naked from about 1/2 mile at the car park to the beach, we did not go to the dunes, but lay on the beach... there was a mixture of ages... a fantastic experience, you must try it, we will be back again and again....
Anonymous

Apr-20

...rock groins near horsey..make good wind break, better to stick closer to horsey gap than winterton especially in July [and] August.
Anonymous

Sep-20

I walked for about 20mins from car park and found a quiet spot in the dunes. One or two people walked by on the beach below - not a problem. A couple with dogs came by me and a young lad out walking, neither were bothered, said hello and carried on. I was there for four hours it was great, walking in the dunes with not a soul in sight, catching the last of the summer sunshine. I will be going again next year.
Anonymous

Jun-20

I normally locate myself in the hollow between the two sets of dunes, beach side. This has some advantages. 1) should someone wander along the beach you're not on view when they are not expecting it, 2) you are out of the wind, 3) you are out of the wind !!! ...other naturists park themselves on the top of the dunes - facing inland - for the afternoon sun and put windbreaks around themselves for protection from the wind and as some warning to the locals ...Just use your common sense and you will be fine.
Anonymous

May-20

I have been going to this area for several years now and always sunbathe nude since, once you walk a quarter of a mile or so North of Winterton there are very few people around, even on hot and sunny days. I am not a swimmer although I usually splash around in the water to cool down - again achieved whilst naked.
Anonymous

May-20

Nuddying is done in the dunes at the top of the beach... folk put on swimwear to have a paddle. There is plenty of space and to find a secluded spot.

Photos

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The dunes and beach, Winterton

via Geograph