Burnham Overy parish includes the larger village of Burnham Overy Town and the smaller coastal village of Burnham Overy Staithe.  Both places are approached along the coastal A149 road through fields of corn and extensive views out to the marshes and mudflats and dunes.

Burnham Overy Staithe is a small coastal village with salt marshes and channels out to the ocean, which are only navigable to small vessels.  

In the past the staithe used be a small seaport frequented by fishermen. Now it is frequented by walkers, sailors and twitches alike and is a popular place in the summer month.  

The region around here is designated as a place of outstanding natural beauty. You can catch the ferry (tide permitting) out to the nature reserve of Scolt Head Island, a bird and seal sanctuary.
 
The place has a very different feel during each of the seasons of the year. In summer it’s a hive of activity with people wading through the surf at low tied and prairie fields of pale blue sea lavender in the month of August.

In the cooler months, determined by the falling of the barometer, the area becomes almost deserted with only the cries of the gulls and the tingling of the halyards on the small boats for company. It’s a lovely place in any season. On the outskirts of the town are a fine group of 18th century mill buildings next to the river Burn, here the large black Burnham Overy windmill dominates the skyline for miles around.  

The area round here is known as the ‘Cambridge-next-the-sea’. For holiday accommodation / places to stay in Burnham Overy or close by, visit our extensive accommodation pages where we list - self catering - bed and breakfast - hotels - guest houses - camping and caravanning - and village inns.

For a range of shops Burnham Market lies one mile inland and for a taste of hustle and bustle try Wells-next-the-Sea for a visit which is just four miles further down the coast road.