Blakeney Point Coastal walk, Blakeney, Norfolk
Take a leisurely, but active stroll, along Blakeney Point’s 4 mile-long (6.4km) shingle spit to the sand dunes near the Lifeboat House, home to a variety of unusual plants and wildlife. No dogs allowed on Blakeney Point between 1 April and 15 August. Please note: It is not possible to see the seal colony on Blakeney Point on foot. If you wish to see the seals then please hop on a boat from Morston Quay. We reserve the right to close sections of this walk at anytime with no warning for safety reasons.
Wildlife and restrictions
Blakeney Point is an important area for breeding wildlife. Please obey all signs and do not cross any fence lines. Some the birds are protected and it is a prosecutable offence to disturb them. No dogs are allowed on Blakeney Point between 1 April and 15 August. At all other times we insist they are kept on short leads. It is not possible to see the seal colony on Blakeney Point on foot. If you wish to see the seals then please hop on a boat from Morston Quay.
Map
Start:
Cley beach, Norfolk Wildlife Trust car park, grid ref: TG048453
1
From the car park walk onto the shingle ridge towards the sea and turn left. If the tide is out, you can walk along the beach, which is a slightly easier surface to walk. The shingle ridge, which begins at Weybourne, is 8 miles (12km) long. and has grown westwards over time, forming Blakeney Point spit. Vegetated shingle is a rare habitat, home to scarce plants such as horned sea poppy, sea pea and shrubby sea blight. Half way along the ridge you will come across the Watch House From here, continue along the beach for another mile.
The Watch House
The Watch House, also known as Halfway House was built in the 19th century as a look-out for smugglers, then used by the coastguard and later the Girl Guides Association. It's now rented out as basic holiday accommodation.
2
At the start of the main dunes walk onto the top of the ridge and turn left, away from the sea, along a track towards the blue Lifeboat House, keeping the main dunes and fence line on your right. In this area there may be seals outside of the fence lines. Ensure you give them a wide berth as they can be particularly aggressive, especially if they have a pup. **Please note** depending on where pupping seals are located this maybe as far as you are able to safely walk. In this situation we will have closed the walk from section two for public safety. We apologise in advance for any disappointment caused.
Seal Colony Viewing Point
This is a good spot to see the seal colony and pups from the end of November onwards. Our team are often on hand to answer your questions. Do not cross the fence line as it is there for your safety as well as that of the seals.
3
Once you reach the crest of the boardwalk you have arrived at the end of the walk. From here you get fantastic elevated views of the seal pup colony and surrounding dunes. Please do not enter fenced areas as this is for your own safety as well as that of the seals. From here follow your route back to Cley Beach Car Park.
4
From here, turn right and walk along the beach, with the sea on your left, returning all the way to Cley beach car park.
Blakeney Grey Seals
Common and grey seals can be seen bobbing in the sea or hauled out on the sands at low tide. During the spring and summer seals can only be viewed on the sands at the western end of the Point at low tide. Grey seal numbers on the Point increase in late autumn, which is the start of their breeding season. Common seals have their pups in the summer, although few pups are born at Blakeney, large numbers of adults are usually present in the summer.
End:
Cley beach, Norfolk Wildlife Trust car park, grid ref: TG048453
