Happisburgh Time and Tide Bell

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Happisburgh Time and Tide Bell A permanent sound sculpture on Happisburgh beach The rise of the water at high tide moves the clapper to strike the bell.

Happisburgh will become one of the sites for the installation of 15 bells around the British coastline rung by the sea at high tide. This community arts project, which is the brain child of Marcus Vergette, is to make a permanent installation of the Time and Tide Bell at the high tide mark at a number of diverse sites around the country, from urban centres to open stretches of coastline. Played by the movement of the waves, the bell creates a varying, gentle, musical pattern. Haisboro Sands lays off the coast of the villages of Happisburgh, Bacton and Sea Palling. The beauty of this stretch of coastline is only matched by its long history of human habitation and, sometimes, embattlement. The oldest human footprints ever found outside of Afric were discovered here on Happisburgh beach. Dating from 900,000 years ago when the North sea was a land mass connecting Britan to main land europe a gentle tide of settlers passed this spot. Below the waves now there is also the signs of later travellers who came to grief on this treacherous stretch of coast. Today the area attracts vistors from all over the world. The installation of a Time and Tide Bell will mark an appropriate point for reflection and inspiration.

22/10/2026

Just off our local beach is the Happisburgh Wave Rider. It is an offshore directional wave-monitoring buoy maintained as part of the Channel Coastal Observatory and the Anglian Coastal Monitoring Programme.
The buoy is located offshore from Happisburgh, Norfolk (Latitude 52° 49' 34" N, Longitude 001° 32' 59" E / WMO ID: 6201051) at a water depth of approximately 10 metres and was initially deployed in September 2012.

The buoy measures and records real-time marine and meteorological conditions off the Norfolk coast, including significant wave height, the dominant wave frequency, wave direction (measured clockwise from magnetic north using nautical conventions) and also sea surface temperatures.

Further information and data can be found here
https://wavenet.cefas.co.uk/details/365/EXT
The photograph is an example of a wave rider.

Remember that the Happisburgh Coast Watch Cabin is currently manned daily from 09.30 to 17.00, helping keep you safe on our beaches and in the sea.

15/10/2026

The cliffs at Happisburgh are beautiful but can sadly pose a safety risk due to coastal erosion, unstable geology, and sudden cliff collapses.
This should always be born in mind when visiting any area of coastline. This issue is not unique to Happisburgh and we want to share some guidance on keeping you safe when visiting any coastal area.

Here the soft cliffs—made of alternating layers of sand, clay, and gravel—are prone to unexpected movements and falls, especially after heavy rainfall or storms.

High winds, saturated ground from wet weather, and erosion at the base of cliffs can weaken the top edges, creating a risk of the ground giving way beneath people.
Cliff falls and debris could block the shoreline, leaving beach users trapped against the tide with no way to pass or climb the crumbling slopes.

We would recommend you keep a safe distance from the top of any cliffs and avoid being directly beneath them on the beach. Avoid accessing or leaving any beach via unmaintained or damaged cliff paths. Always use designated and approved ramps. Locally this means the nearby Cart Gap ramp, or the ramp at Happisburgh.
In any coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Please remember that the Happisburgh Coast Watch Cabin is manned daily, from 09.30 to 17.00 hours at the moment, and we are always happy to welcome visitors and offer assistance if we can. We are here to help keep you safe on the beach.
Photo Credit : Sally Fox

13/10/2026
07/10/2026

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Happisburgh
NR120PN

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+441692652983

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