Norfolk is scattered in History, it was once connected to the Netherlands and the biggest mammoth skeleton ever was discovered right here too.

Yes, North Norfolk is steeped in pre-historic discoveries – especially at Hunstanton where it’s not uncommon to come across a fossil while beachcombing or poking around in the rock pools there. To the extent there are more than 20,000 fossil finds every year.

And that’s not all. A dog walker found a 500,000-year-old axe head around the year 2000, while another walker discovered a 250,000-year old flint hand axe. Both are currently sitting in the Cromer Museum.

North Norfolk and its Deep History trail

The 36km of coastline from Weybourne to Cart Gap, in fact, is known as The Deep History Coast Discovery Trail. The term Deep History is used because it shows historians so much more than was ever though previously. In fact, the excavation of various sites along this lovely clifftop coastline has prompted archaeologists to reassess their findings and record that humans lived here 350,000 years before what was previously thought. So, instead of 5000,000 years ago, we now believe it was 850,000 years ago, folk like us were splashing about in the sea and building sand castles (or maybe running away from big hairy mammals).

And, actually, they may not strictly have been like us. Evidence has, again, been uncovered that there were actually four different human species – Homo antecessor, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo heidelbergensis and, finally, Homo sapiens (ie, us).

Giant mammoths, fossilised wolf and rhino teeth

Stunning sunset over a fishing boat at Burnham Overy Staithe on the Norfolk Coast

But what about that giant mammoth we mentioned in the introduction to this article, we hear you ask. Well, yes, the Steppe mammoth was a fossilised skeleton at West Runton. Its pelvic bone was discovered first back in 1992 then archaeologists gradually dug away to reveal the rest – around 85 per cent of the animal – during a three month dig in 1995. It was 4 metres tall, weighed 10 tonnes. Other finds nearby include fossilised wolf, rhino, bears and hyaena bones.

The now long-gone Doggerland

We also mentioned how Norfolk was joined to the Netherlands. The strip of ground that connected the two during the last Ice Age was known as Doggerland. This was after the type of Danish boats that would sail around the area. As well as your typical caveman and woman, you could also find sabre-toothed cats and cave lions there. The reason it doesn’t exist today is thought to have been due to a large tsunami around 7,000 years ago. It was so strong it actually broke up the coast line.

Go to Doggerland today

Yes, you read that correctly. Although Doggerland no longer technically exists, it does in augmented reality. The Deep History Coast app allows you to tread in the steps of your ancestors around the North Norfolk Coast – making sure you manage to avoid certain giant mammoths and cat-like creatures with sharp teeth.

Looking for somewhere to stay during your visit to Norfolk? Why not stay at No. 10 The Abbey in Wymondham, you can view our apartments here!

Fancy exploring more of the Norfolk Coast? Check out our list of 5 Secret Beaches In Norfolk