This Norfolk village is ideal for avid walkers and wildlife enthusiasts, with close proximity to the largest seal colony in England and a National Trust Nature Reserve
One north Norfolk village has been named among the best seaside spots in England in a guide created by travel experts. The guide was created by Condé Nast Traveller and is considered “the essential summer-holiday guide to England’s best seaside towns”.
It is no surprise that Blakeney made the list. The village is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and makes for an ideal base to explore the north Norfolk Coast. Though, according to Condé Nast Traveller, calling the area between Blakeney and its neighbour Cley ‘seaside’ is somewhat of a stretch.
That’s because, today, Blakeney and nearby Cley have marshland where the sea used to be. Still, the village is home to an impressive nature reserve filled with local wildlife and migratory birds as well as impressive views of uninterrupted coastline.
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A bustling commercial port for several centuries, Blakeney imported a wide range of goods, including timber and coal, and exported corn and wool. Today, the quay is mostly used for leisure activities, including walking, sailing, and birdwatching.
The Blakeney National Trust Nature Reserve at Blakeney Point is accessible by boat trip and is a great place for walking and spotting seals and diverse birdlife. Blakeney Point is a breeding site for seals and their pups, born during November to early January, It is also home to the largest seal colony in England with thousands of seal pups born annually.
The Point is the result of a longshore drift across the River Glaven and is continuously evolving with the tides. These conditions are evidently perfect for the growth of samphire – a sea vegetable with a salty flavour – that is a local delicacy.
If you want to avoid a boat trip, the Point can also be accessed on foot from Cley-next-the-Sea, but visitors are encouraged to check seasonal restrictions (in place to protect nesting birds and fragile habitats). There are typically restrictions on accessing the Point by foot in the summer.
As an alternative, travellers can watch the seals by boat from Morston Quay. Avid hikers and birdwatchers will find endless sources of intrigue and the secluded atmosphere creates an enhanced sense of escapism. Keep an eye out for ringed plovers, oystercatchers, brent geese and common teal.
That said, those keen on getting closer to the water shouldn’t be discouraged by the abundant marshland. To the west of the village in Holkham, travellers will find a “superb beach” and Wells-next-the-Sea has a “bucket-and-spade strip”.
For more adventurous beachseekers, Cley and Salthouse have pebbled shores that stretch for a few miles. Wells is home to a line of beach huts and also joins the expansive strand of Holkham to create one of the UK’s finest beaches. According to Condé Nast Traveller, the coast “fell asleep a couple of centuries ago and is just beginning to wake up” – which is the main reason for its appeal.
In the village, travellers will come across quaint flint cottages, traditionally the home of local fishermen. In addition to reflecting the area’s fishing heritage, they add a distinct charm to the community.
While Blakeney is less commercialised than other ‘seaside’ destinations, there are still plenty of places to eat and stay as well as pubs and art galleries to explore. The Blakeney Hotel has been a fixture of the village since opening in 1923 and Morston Hall, Cley Windmill and The Wiveton Bell are other great accommodation options.
On the outskirts of the village, travellers will find the historic St Nicolas Church – built sometime between the 13th and 15th century. The bus stop at St. Nicolas Church also happens to be the starting point of the Blakeney Freshes Coastal Walk.
