Following a 3-mile route, this walk is ideal for spotting wildlife (including the seals) and birdwatching.
At the heart of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney National Nature Reserve boasts wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the beautiful North Norfolk coastline. The four-mile-long shingle spit off Blakeney Point offers protection for Blakeney Harbour and the surrounding saltmarshes, providing a perfect habitat for the vast array of residential and migratory wildlife, including England’s largest colony of grey seals.
Between Christmas and New Year, we enjoyed the family friendly ‘Blakeney Freshes coastal walk’, a popular walking route in winter. An ‘out and back’ rather than a circular walk, it follows the shoreline and in guaranteed to blow away to cobwebs – it’s not called ‘Blakeney FRESHes’ for nothing!
Parking at Cley Beach, Norfolk Wildlife Trust car park (small charge), which was filling up when we arrive at late morning and can get busy as the day goes on, this walk is easy to navigate – you head towards the single ridge and beach and turn left.
The sea will be on your right as you stride out and if the tide is out, you can walk along the beach, which is a slightly easier surface to walk upon than the shingle. Depending on the time of year you’ll quickly start to encounter seals and seal pups seemingly strewn randomly across the shore. We would NEVER condone or encourage approaching the seals for a photo or getting so close that it distresses them. It’s also why you’ll rarely see shots of the wonderful Norfolk seal colony on our socials. Please enjoy our wildlife respectfully and responsibly.
Half way along the ridge you will come across the Watch House (you can actually stay here and live out your David Copperfield Peggoty-esque remote beach house fantasies).
During seal pupping season, up until mid-January, you can walk up to the perimeter of the seal colony, but not beyond. This was the case when we did this walk and the remainder of the walk was roped off. There are seals literally everywhere though so you will get a good look at these gorgeous creatures.
We’d suggest that, though dogs are normally welcome on short leads, this walk is not suitable for dogs at this time of year (Winter and over pupping season) – there were seals everywhere when we did this walk so it’s best avoided for their safety and that of the seals.
Outside this time of year you can continue on before turning back and retracing your steps (with the sea on your left this time) back to the car park. The full route is 3-4 miles, and moderately challenging if you end up having to walk mostly on the shingle. It is also COLD in Winter – especially at the start of the walk – so do wrap up.
To see more of the grey seal colony at Blakeney Point, a boat trip from Morston Quay is recommended. Save 10% off your boat trip with John Bean Boat Trips with your Enjoying Norfolk Card (it’s recommended you book ahead to ensure your place on the boats).
We found this a lovely walk that doesn’t involve much though (no map reading or navigation needed!) and, during December-January, you get to see loads of grey seals in their natural environment, including many pups (warning: cuteness overload). It’s a brisk and natural coastal winter walk, accompanied by fresh sea air – lovely to lift the spirits before Spring.
View the full details of this norfolk coastal walk, including the route.
