Blakeney

Blakeney, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is an ideal base to explore the north Norfolk Coast. At the heart is Blakeney National Nature Reserve with wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the coastline, ideal for walking and spotting local wildlife including seals and migratory birds. The village has pretty flint cottages, once home to local fisherman, and there are plenty of places to eat and stay as well as pubs, gift shops and art galleries to visit. 

Tucked away in an alley just off the quay is Blakeney Guildhall, where you will find the remains of the house of a prosperous Blakeney merchant, which has a fine 15th century brick-vaulted undercroft.

On the village outskirts, lies St Nicholas church, built between the 13th and 15th century, which unusually, has two towers. Blakeney has lots of quaint, pretty streets to wander around with spectacular views.

From Blakeney, you can take a boat trip to Blakeney Point (as well as Morston Quay) to visit the seal colonies in this National Trust Nature Reserve. Blakeney Point is a perfect breeding site for grey seals and their pups, born during November to early January, and is the largest seal colony in England with thousands of seal pups born annually. The Point is created by a longshore drift across the River Glaven and is constantly re-shaped by the tides and currents. These conditions provide an ideal spot for the local delicacy samphire to grow.

The Point can be accessed on foot from Cley-next-the-Sea, but visitors, particularly those with dogs, should check seasonal restrictions (in place to protect nesting birds and fragile habitats). There are restrictions (to avoid disturbance to terns) accessing the Point by foot in the summer; instead, you can see the seals by boat from Morston Quay. Please check here before you visit. The area is excellent for birdwatching and experiencing wild and natural north Norfolk. Look out for ringed plovers, oystercatchers, brent geese and common teal.

A couple of miles walk away is Cley-next-the-Sea offering great views across the marshes and it was this marshland that was used for horse races up to the early 19th century as well as being a regular haunt for smugglers!