Norfolk

Blakeney Freshes and Friary Hills circular walk

Take a leisurely stroll on this short, family-friendly walk through three different areas of Blakeney National Nature Reserve including Blakeney Freshes and Friary Hills. Enjoy elevated views over the surrounding Norfolk landscape and discover plenty of wildlife along the way.

Near to

Blakeney National Nature Reserve

Start point

Blakeney Quay Carnser car park, grid ref: TG028442 The Quay, Blakeney NR25 7ND

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration 40 mins to 1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly

*This is a largely flat walk with some steps up to the elevated position on Friary Hills. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Hills and uneven steps. For further details, please see Access section.

Address
Blakeney Quay Carnser car park, Norfolk, NR25 7ND
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Sheringham 8 miles (12km) east of Cley, then take Coasthopper bus to Blakeney.
On foot
Norfolk Coast Path runs 45 miles from Hunstanton to Cromer, passing Blakeney.
By bus
Norfolk Coasthopper, operated by Sanders Coaches. Cromer to Wells-Next-The-Sea, for Blakeney.
Cycling
Norfolk Coast Cycleway (National Cycle Network 30) runs along quiet lanes from King’s Lynn to Cromer. It's an easy 1 mile (1.6km) detour to Blakeney.
By road
A149 Sheringham to King’s Lynn coast road. Follow the signs to the quay when in Blakeney village.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Blakeney Quay Carnser car park, grid ref: TG028442 The Quay, Blakeney NR25 7ND
Stage 1
From the car park make your way to the sea wall and turn left to walk along the path. From this elevated position you can see the salt marshes, with Blakeney Harbour on your left and freshwater marshes on your right. Continue for half a mile until the path bends round to the right.
Stage 2
As the path bends to the right, there is a gate to your right. Step down from the sea wall and enter through the gate. You are now in Blakeney Freshes. Follow the path back towards Blakeney village.
Stage 3
Half way back to the village you will come across a section where a stream flows under the track.
Blakeney Freshes
This is where all of the water exits the Blakeney Freshes and flows out into the sea. This water comes from the River Glaven and is diverted through the Fresh Marsh at Cley. If you're lucky you may spot a water vole or otter. Blakeney Freshes is an important breeding area for ground nesting birds in the summer and roosting area in the winter. The cows grazing the site help with the area's conservation, as they keep the grass short making it perfect for breeding birds.
A sluice on Blakeney Freshes, Norfolk, often frequented by otters. | © National Trust Images/Ian Ward
Stage 4
At the end of the track, you will reach the road. Turn left and head through the gate onto Friary Hills. Follow the track along the bottom of Friary Hills until you come to an open gateway. Do not pass through the gateway and follow the path to the right.
Stage 5
Climb the steps and follow the path as is bends round to the right. Please be careful as the steps are uneven and can be slippery when wet.
Stage 6
Turn back to the path and turn right to follow the path back down the hill.
Stage 7
At the bottom of the hill turn left and follow the track out of Friary Hills. Follow the path on the right-hand side of the road back towards Blakeney Quay car park.
Stage 8
As you follow the path back to the car park, there is a duck pond on your right. Continue past the duck pond and the car park will be on your right.
Blakeney Conservation Area duck pond
This pond was set up by the Blakeney Wildfowlers Association in 1977 to commemorate the silver anniversary of the Queen's coronation. The duck pond is now looked after by volunteers. The pond was destroyed and many ducks and geese lost in the storm surge of December 2013. Following the repair of the sea wall that protects the duck pond, it was restored and restocked in 2015. Since then, with donations from supporters and local businesses, there have been more species of ducks and geese added. It is now home to more than 40 pairs of ducks and geese. The duck pond is not owned or managed by National Trust.
End point
Blakeney Quay Carnser car park, grid ref: TG028442
Trail map
Blakeney Freshes and Friary Hills circular walk trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The view of Blakeney Freshes from Friary Hills at Blakeney National Nature Reserve, Norfolk

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