The UK’s largest grey seal colony can be found in a quiet corner of Norfolk
As the summer holiday season approaches, many of us will be thinking of booking up a beach getaway not too far from home.
For those who love the coast and wildlife, there’s a stunning village in Norfolk that offers the best of both worlds. Tucked away within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney is a delightful village that has earned recognition as one of the UK’s most beautiful seaside towns, even receiving such an accolade from Conde Nast Traveller.
This picturesque coastal gem is filled with quaint Georgian cottages, delis, gastro pubs, restaurants and art galleries.
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The Norfolk Coastal Path, which spans 84 miles around the county’s edge, winds its way through the village, providing ample opportunities to soak up the scenery of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Blakeney Point Walk is a 3.5-mile linear walk that meanders along the coast, taking you past a local landmark, the Blue Lifeboat House. Amidst the unique landscape of waterways, marshes, and lagoons, lies a four-mile-long spit of shingle and sand dunes, which makes up the beach area at Blakeney Point.
Recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve managed by the National Trust, the area is famed for its diverse flora, as well as its seals and bird species such as avocets, ringed plovers, and little terns.
While the serene lowlands and the picturesque village are enough to make any visitor fall for Blakeney’s charm, there’s a unique reason to visit this peaceful corner of Norfolk.
Down at the Quay, families indulge in a bit of crabbing – known locally as ‘gillying’ after the Norfolk gillie crabs. After a leisurely morning stroll along the coastal path, it’s time to grab a bite at one of the village’s top-notch eateries like The Kings Arms or The White Horse.
While the tranquillity of the lowlands and the picture-perfect village would be enough to make any visitor fall in love with the charm of Blakeney, there is one very special reason to stop in this quiet corner of Norfolk.
Blakeney Point is home to England’s largest grey seal colony, with around 4,000 pups born each year. The best way to get up close and personal with the wildlife on Blakeney Point is to hop on one of the local ferry trips departing from Morston Quay.
Seal trips to Blakeney Point in North Norfolk offer an unforgettable experience suitable for all ages, including well-behaved dogs.
The nearby coastal areas also add to Blakeney’s appeal. Cley, Holt, Holkham and Sheringham are all just a 30-minute drive away, meaning there’s plenty to explore in this area of Norfolk.
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