Burnham Overy Staithe (the Hard)
Burnham Overy Harbour is the tidal estuary of the River Burn, a network of creeks winding through saltmarsh on the North Norfolk coast. It lies within the North Norfolk Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest, with Scolt Head Island, a National Trust barrier island nature reserve, immediately seaward and reached by a seasonal ferry from the quay at Burnham Overy Staithe.
The water usable from the Hard is Burnham Creek, connecting to Norton Creek and the channels of Overy Marsh. The entrance to the open sea, between Scolt Head Island and Gun Hill, carries fierce currents and broken water, and the Boathouse confines its hire craft to these inner creeks rather than taking them out to sea. At low water the marsh drains to sand and mud that must be walked or dragged across.
The surrounding saltmarsh and creeks are additionally protected as a Special Protection Area and Ramsar wetland of international importance, within the wider Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with habitat of reed bed, saltmarsh, lagoon and shingle supporting breeding and migrating birds including avocets, marsh harriers and terns.
Nearby
A seasonal, bicycle-based coffee stand at the staithe serving coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cakes, mid-March to early September. East Harbour Way, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JF.
WebsiteCafe in Burnham Market, about 1.5 miles from the Hard.
Open to the public year-round; takes tents, campervans and motorhomes, with static caravans on site but no touring caravans.
WebsiteConditions to check
The creek floods for three to four hours and ebbs for eight to nine hours each tidal cycle; the ebb can run very hard.
SourceA sandbar outside the harbour entrance holds up the incoming tide; on big spring tides, currents can reach six knots or more.
SourceThe harbour entrance between Scolt Head Island and Gun Hill has fierce currents and broken water; the Boathouse confines its hire craft to Burnham Creek, Norton Creek and the Overy Marsh channels rather than taking them to sea.
SourceAt low water the harbour drains to sand and mud, and is largely inaccessible by boat for more than about two hours either side of high water.
SourceQuestions
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