Happisburgh footprints

Happisburgh footprints are fossilized impressions left by people walking on the seafloor at this Norfolk location. The beach section displays dozens of traces in varying sizes, made by both older and younger individuals.

These footprints formed 800,000 years ago during a warm period that allowed people to live in this region. They were exposed in 2013 when coastal erosion washed away the overlying sediment layers.

These footprints represent the earliest known human presence in northern Europe, showing that people walked this land long before any other recorded settlements in the region. They tell a story of our ancestors living in a completely different world.

The site is only accessible at low tide, so checking tide times before your visit is essential. Wear sturdy shoes and walk carefully on the damp ground, as erosion constantly reshapes the area.

When these footprints were made, Britain was connected to the continent by a continuous landmass beneath what is now the English Channel. This geological shift shows how dramatically the landscape transformed over millions of years.

Inception: 800,000 years BCE

GPS coordinates: 52.82528,1.53500

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:04