Blakeney (Norfolk)

The village is located on the north Norfolk coast within the Norfolk Coast Area of Natural Beauty (ANOB) and the Norfolk Heritage Coast. A lovely village but most travellers will be going there for the surrounding countryside, beaches and wildlife. Blakeney is close to several wildlife conservation areas and areas of the coast have legal protections in place.
The nearby Seal Colony on Blakeney Point attracts many visitors (see Do section). Both Grey seals and Harbour seals (also known as Common Seals) "haul out" and breed on the Point. Grey seal pups are born on land with their distinctive white coats between Nov and early Jan. They then feed on their mothers milk for around 3 weeks after which they shed their white fur and are left to fend for themselves. Females breed shortly after having their pups and dominant males fight for territory (making the colony a dangerous place for humans). Through protection and conservation the Grey Seal population at Blakeney Point has grown significantly and it is now the largest seal colony in the England. Harbour (or Common) seals have their young between June and Aug but unlike Grey Seal pups, they can swim almost immediately.
When the UK government initiated a plan for a number of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), independent bodies were handed the task of identifying areas to become MCZs and to consult with all interested parties, etc. In their final recommendations, parts of Blakeney Marshes were to become an MCZ. However politicians became "luke-warm" about the plans and cut them back significantly and, after local campaigns the Blakeney Marsh MCZ plan was dropped.

The village is served by several roads.
There are some local bus services. Sanders Coaches service 46 runs between Holt and Wells-next-the-Sea.
Regional Cycle Route 30 runs just ½ mile to the S of the village and there is a short local cycle network spur connecting it to the village.

Norfolk Coast PathA long distance footpath running from Hunstanton to Sea Palling but also linking to the Peddlars Way long distance footpath

The village is small enough to walk around.

• Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes

  address: NR25 7SA
  internationally reputed as a premier birdwatching site, popular with birds and visitors all year round. No dogs.

• Blakeney Pointspit of shingle and sand dunes

• Birdwatching

  address: Blakeney Point

Take a ferry to see the Common and Grey seals at Blakeney Point. Departure times and availability depend on the tides. The ferry stays within the harbor and doesn't venture to the open sea. Morston is the more interesting place to depart from. You can always pop over to the Anchor Pub to warm up afterwards. Trips are operated by the following companies:

• Temples Seal Trips

  phone: +44 1263 740791
  address: The Street, Morston, NR25 7AA
  Operating from Morston. Blakeney Point, Seal trips and Tern Colonies.

• Beans Boat Trips

  phone: +44 1263 740505 or +44 1263 740038
  address: boats depart Mortston Quay, NR25 7BH
  Operating from Morston

• Bishops Boats

  phone: +44 1263 740753
  Operating from Blakeney. Booking in advance recommended.

Hiking & Walking

• Norfolk Coast PathCan be followed from Cley along to Holme Next The Sea where it joins the ancient Peddars Way National Trail - ideal for those who like something more challenging.

• Local Circular WalksMany walks of varying length.

• The Anchor Shop

  phone: +44 1263 740360
  address: 35 High St, NR25 7NA
  Gifts, cards and beautiful things for the coastal home

• Spar

  phone: +44 1263 740339
  address: 7-9 Westgate St, NR25 7NQ
  ATM, Post Office (different hours).

• Westons Fish Shop

  phone: +44 1263 741112
  address: 5a Westgate St, NR25 7NQ
  Fish shop, including Cromer crabs and Norfolk lobster.

• Blakeney Crab Shed

  phone: +44 1263 740988
  address: 63 New Road, NR25 7PA
  Local oysters and muscles. Fresh carb and lobster (from their boat). Home made crab cakes

• The Moorings

  phone: +44 1263 740054
  address: High Street, NR25 7NA
  Modern british cuisine.

• Anchor Inn

  phone: +44 1263 741392
  address: The Street, Morston, NR25 7AA

• Wiveton Bell

  phone: +44 1263 740101
  address: Blakeney Road, Wiveton, NR25 7TL

• Kings Arms

  phone: +44 1263 740 341
  address: Westgate Street, NR25 7NQ
  Food, accommodation, drinks.

• The White Horse

  phone: +44 1263 740574
  address: 4 High Street, NR25 7AL
  Food, accommodation, drinks.

• Grey Seal Coffee

  address: 5 Westgate St, NR25 7NQ
  Espresso based coffees using our single origin beans and espresso blends.These change daily. Our whole milk is from Marybelle in Suffolk and pastries are fresh daily.

• The Blakeney Hotel

  phone: +44 1263 740797
  address: The Quay, NR25 7NE
  4

* (by AA)

• Quayside Hotelwith views across the estuary and salt marshes to Blakeney Point.

• Blakeney House

  phone: +44 1263 740561
  address: High St, NR25 7NX

• Blakeney Manor Hotel

  phone: +44 1263 740376
  address: The Quay, NR25 7ND

• Nearest Accident & Emergency: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

  address: Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY

• Alternative Accident & Emergency: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

  address: Gayton Road, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET

• Nearest General Practice (GP): Blakeney Surgery

  phone: +44
  address: Langham Road, NR25 7PQ

Telephone area code (0)1263

• Wells-next-the-Sea
• Holt
• Hunstanton
• Snettisham
• Cromer
• King's Lynn
• Norwich