For most people, the best cup of coffee in is whatever’s currently in their hand. Two sugars, no sugars, splash of milk, oat milk only, it doesn’t matter -- the point is coffee (especially ​ ​ this early in the year). That said, there are some people who view coffee as less of an alarm clock and more of a poetic experience, where the beans are more important than the timing.

Luckily, the coast is full of Grade A coffee shops, staffed by people (read: coffee geeks) that take an insane amount of care in every step of the process -- and that’s exactly what you want on your mini-break. You want coffee, good coffee, great coffee, the best coffee. You ​ ​ want coffee that will give you some get-up and go after a late night at a cosy pub-pub, coffee ​ ​ that will refuel you after a long coastal walk, coffee that’s worth waking bae up for during your ​ ​ romantic getaway. ​

And in that spirit, here’s a list of our favourite coffee shops (and people watching spots) on the North Norfolk coast:

1. Bang // Wells-Next-The-Sea ​ ​

It doesn’t matter whether you want to greet the day with “oh yes!” cuppa coffee or relax after a long walk with a pop of colour and friendly vibe, Bang everything for everyone. Smack BANG in the middle of this old fishing port, Bang was born out of a simple desire: to create a bright, light, warm and welcoming place for locals and visitors to pop in and enjoy sensibly price cup of coffee whatever the time of year. Plonk yourself beside the wood burning stove and slurp away on those cold winter days or head to the courtyard and soak up the sun during those long summer days.

Where to stay: Spicer’s On The Buttlands is sat on the leafy Georgian green and sleeps 8. ​ ​ ​

2. Black Apollo // Holt

Black Apollo doesn’t just sell great coffee. Black Apollo roasts their own coffee, right here in Holt, where the streets are cobbled, the shops are quaint and the mood is lifted by all those that drink this locally-made elixir. Since opening its doors back in 2014 -- and letting the smell of coffee beans roasted at 200° waft through the air -- this little coffee shop has built a strong reputation for its brew, which is what helped make it such a popular place to watch the world go by. And the best bit: their coffee is available to enjoy right there and then, in a takeaway cup or as freshly ground beans to take back home with you.

Where to stay: River Cottage is a stunning bolthole in Letheringsett that sleeps 6. ​ ​ ​

3. Artemis Coffee Shop // Cley-Next-The-Sea ​ ​

This is another one for the coffee purists out there, the only difference is you get to slurp on the good stuff while gazing out across the salt marshes of Cley. But enough about the gorgeous scenery because we’re here for the coffee, and what awesome coffee it is. Locally sourced, freshly ground and delicious -- not to mention they have a mouthwatering range of teas too. They have everything from English Breakfast to Russian Caravan, Egyptian Camomile to Clanwilliam Rooibos. So what are you waiting for? Enjoy a long walk along this dramatic stretch of coastal wilderness and finish up here for a well-earned mug of the belly-warming good stuff.

Where to stay: Swanton Cottage is set within 5 acres of wow and sleeps upto 12 people. ​ ​

4. Stiffkey Stores // Stiffkey ​ ​

This is no ordinary village store. This is the most gorgeous secret on the whole coastal road. A jaw-hits-floor kind of place. A forget-me-not general store that you could lose yourself in for hours as you wander around the plants and flowers, fall in love with Andy and Alice’s eye for interior design, pick up cute little bits and bobs for your kids and grandkids, and then pause for a quiet moment with nothing more than a cup of fresh coffee in their quaint coffee shop corner (probably while scrolling through their Instagram feed -- yeah, it’s that stunning). Oh and, just a ​ ​ quick insider’s tip, but make sure you ask Andy for one of his coastal-famous flapjacks.

Where to stay: Horse Yard Barn is an outstanding barn conversion that sleeps up to 13 people. ​ ​

5. Tilly’s Cafe // ​ ​

You only need to spend 60 seconds on TripAdvisor to realise this teeny tiny coffee shop in the ​ ​ bustling heart of Burnham Market is an absolute gem. Quaint from the outside and utterly ​ ​ charming the moment you step inside, Tilly’s has a reputation for being one of the coasts greatest escape, and that’s because it doesn’t try to be anything fancy -- it’s just darn happy with who it is, and we love that about it. This is for anyone that’s looking for a dog-friendly, no-fuss, chirpier than a robin coffee shop that lets you stare out the window as the world totters by. Bliss.

Where to stay: 1 Moodie Cottage is a breathtaking retreat in Burnham that sleeps 6. ​ ​ ​

6. // North Creake ​ ​

Sommeliers of the coffee world, welcome to North Norfolk’s 200° Mecca; a place where you explore ancient ruins in North Creake and enjoy some retail therapy, stop for some foodie treats ​ ​ or take a family walk through the local wildlife -- and best of all, the coffee here is excellent. What more is there to say?

Where to stay: Cherry Hill is a quintessential village cottage in North Creake that sleeps 5. ​ ​ ​

7. Courtyard Cafe // Hall ​ ​

This is it. The one. That picture-perfect spot to enjoy a steaming hot coffee as you watch the sun rise from behind an old Palladian style country estate. There really is nowhere quite like it, which is because nowhere else offers Holkham’s signature coffee surrounded by 25,000 acres of unspoiled countryside, lakes, woodlands, deer parks and beaches. Trust us: spend your first morning here and you’ll have a habit for the rest of your holiday, one that involves freshly baked scones and a sunshine-soaked courtyard.

Where to stay: Seaward is a coastal retreat with all that wow-factor, sleeping up to 12. ​ ​ ​

Thanks for reading. To fall even more in love with the North Norfolk coast, do follow us on ​ Instagram and Facebook. ​ ​ ​