# Blakeney (Norfolk)

Blakeney is a small village in Norfolk on the north Norfolk coast within the Norfolk Coast Area of Natural Beauty (ANOB) and the Norfolk Heritage Coast. It is 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.

## Understand

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$^{[deadlink]}$ the Blakeney Marsh MCZ plan was dropped.

## Get in

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 Path. A long-distance footpath running from Hunstanton to Sea Palling but also linking to the Peddlars Way long distance footpath (updated Jun 2017)

## Get around

The village is small enough to walk around.

## See

* 52.97720.97781 Blakeney Point (Blakeney National Nature Reserve). Spit of shingle and sand dunes, and Britain's biggest grey seal colony. Ferry from Morston or walk roughly two miles from Cley next the Sea. (updated Apr 2017)

## Do

* Birdwatching, 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:
* 52.95480.98711 Temples Seal Trips, The Street, Morston, NR25 7AA, ☏ +44 1263 740791. Operating from Morston. Blakeney Point, Seal trips and Tern Colonies. £12 adult, £6 child.
* 52.95790.98572 Beans Boat Trips, boats depart Mortston Quay, NR25 7BH (A149 Coast Road between Blakeney and Wells next sea), ☏ +44 1263 740505, +44 1263 740038. daily through summer. regularly through winter. Times vary with tides. Operating from Morston £12 adult, £6 child. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95581.01643 Bishops Boats, ☏ +44 1263 740753, toll-free: +44 800 0740 753, paul@bishopsboats.com. Operating from Blakeney. Booking in advance recommended. £12 adult, £6 child. (updated Apr 2017)

### Hiking and walking

* Norfolk Coast Path. Can be followed from Cley along to Holme Next The Sea where it joins the ancient Peddars Way National Trail. It is suitable for those who like something more challenging. (updated Apr 2017)
* Local Circular Walks. Many walks of varying length. (updated Apr 2017)

## Buy

* 52.95491.01861 The Anchor Shop, 35 High St, NR25 7NA, ☏ +44 1263 740360. Gifts, cards and beautiful things for the coastal home (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95441.01452 Spar (food shop & convenience store), 7-9 Westgate St, NR25 7NQ, ☏ +44 1263 740339. Daily 7AM-10PM. ATM, Post Office (different hours). (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95481.01433 Westons Fish Shop, 5a Westgate St, NR25 7NQ, ☏ +44 1263 741112. Summer: all day, every day. Winter: M-F 9AM-2PM, Sa all day, Su 9AM-4PM. Fish shop, including Cromer crabs and Norfolk lobster. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95161.01954 Blakeney Crab Shed, 63 New Road, NR25 7PA, ☏ +44 1263 740988. Apr-Oct: daily 9:30AM&ndash5:30PM. Local oysters and muscles. Fresh carb and lobster (from their boat). Home made crab cakes (updated Apr 2017)

## Eat

* 52.955361.017981 The Moorings (Bistro), High Street, NR25 7NA, ☏ +44 1263 740054, reservations@blakeney-moorings.co.uk. Modern British cuisine. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.954820.987132 Anchor Inn, The Street, Morston, NR25 7AA, ☏ +44 1263 741392, morstonanchor@gmail.com. Food: daily 9-11AM & noon–3PM & 6-9PM (close 8:30PM on Su). (updated Apr 2017)

## Drink

* 52.95481.01431 Kings Arms (Traditional Inn), Westgate Street, NR25 7NQ, ☏ +44 1263 740341. Food, accommodation, drinks. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95511.0182 The White Horse, 4 High Street, NR25 7AL, ☏ +44 1263 740574, thewhitehorse@adnams.co.uk. Food, accommodation, drinks. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95471.01453 Grey Seal Coffee, 5 Westgate St, NR25 7NQ. Daily 9AM-4PM. Espresso-based coffees using single origin beans and espresso blends. These change daily. Thrir whole milk is from Marybelle in Suffolk and pastries are fresh daily. (updated Apr 2017)

## Sleep

* 52.95581.01681 The Blakeney Hotel, The Quay, Blakeney NR25 7NE, ☏ +44 1263 740797, enquiries@blakeneyhotel.co.uk. Upscale quayside hotel looking onto the marshes, comfortable and slick. B&B double £250. (updated Jul 2020)
* Quayside Hotel. with views across the estuary and salt marshes to Blakeney Point.
* 52.952531.020972 Blakeney House (Boutique B&B), High St, NR25 7NX, ☏ +44 1263 740561, admin@blakeneyhouse.com. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95631.01923 Blakeney Manor Hotel, The Quay, NR25 7ND, ☏ +44 1263 740376, reception@blakeneymanor.co.uk. (updated Apr 2017)

## Stay healthy

* 52.61731.21981 Nearest Accident & Emergency: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (Casualty or the Emergency Room), Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY (30 miles S of village). 24/7. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.75690.44392 Alternative Accident & Emergency: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Casualty or the Emergency Room), Gayton Road, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET (35 miles W of village). 24/7. (updated Apr 2017)
* 52.95211.01093 Nearest General Practice (GP): Blakeney Surgery (Primary Healthcare), Langham Road, NR25 7PQ. M Tu 8:30AM-12:30PM & 2-5PM, W Th 8:30AM-12:30PM, F 8:30AM-12:30PM & 2-5PM. (updated Apr 2017)

## Connect

As of Sep 2022, Blakeney and its approach roads have 4G from EE and O2, a poor signal from Vodafone, and nothing from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

## Go next

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