We pulled off the A47 at a layby near Acle in Norfolk one evening, around nine miles from Great Yarmouth. It’s a straightforward roadside stop on a long east to west route, and at first glance it feels much like any other rural layby.
The parking area sits slightly back from the carriageway, screened by trees and low scrub. During the day you’re aware of the traffic, but once the light drops and the road quietens, it feels more settled. The ground is level, there’s space to manoeuvre, and the surrounding fields give a sense of openness rather than enclosure.
As evening set in, it became clear this layby is used for more than just resting drivers. This is a known gay dogging spot, and there was a steady pattern of cars arriving, parking briefly, and moving on again. No one approached us directly, and there was no confrontation or disturbance, but the activity was noticeable and ongoing through the early part of the night.
That context matters. If you’re arriving late and just need somewhere to sleep, it’s workable. But it’s not a place where you disappear quietly into the background. You’re visible, and so is everyone else using the space for their own reasons. Once traffic and arrivals slowed later on, things became calmer.
Beyond the layby itself, the location is practical rather than scenic. You’re well placed for the Norfolk Broads, with rivers, flat landscapes, and wide skies close by. It’s an area better explored in daylight, whether on foot, by bike, or simply driving out to quieter lanes and villages.
Great Yarmouth is also close enough if you need supplies or want to spend time by the coast. It’s a typical seaside town with all that entails, busy in places, quieter in others, and easy to dip in and out of.
This layby isn’t somewhere you’d choose for atmosphere or peace, and it doesn’t feel like a beauty spot despite the surrounding countryside. It works as a functional overnight stop if you know what to expect and are comfortable with the setting. For us, it was a reminder that not all roadside places are neutral spaces, and that understanding how a place is used can matter just as much as whether it looks like a beauty spot on arrival.
Information
Address: A47 layby near Acle, Norwich Road, Acle, Norfolk, NR13 (approximate roadside location close to given coordinates)
Latitude: 52.635472
Longitude: 1.517944
Directions: From Acle town centre head east on the A47 (Norwich Road) toward Great Yarmouth, the layby is on the north side of the carriageway roughly 9 miles east of the town centre.
Note: Level tarmac layby off main road with roadside noise typical for the A47 trunk road.