Blakeney Point

Mission statement: Discover Norfolk’s hidden gem

Trail Introduction:

This trail takes you from the picture postcard charm of Blakeney Quay in Norfolk and then takes you out to Blakeney Point via one of the east coast’s finest and most diverse nature reserves. Surrounded by stunning white sands and low mudflats, you can expect to see seals plus a plethora of different breeds of seabird.

About the Area:
Blakeney is something of a hidden gem. Sitting at the northern tip of the Norfolk coast, this is a land of sleepy villages, great swathes of arable land, dykes and windmills. Blakeney used to be a very important port in Mediaeval times but the slow silting up of the harbour meant that its importance and usefulness as a port slowly diminished and commerce dried up to a trickle and left a landscape of low marshes, mudbanks and sandbanks. Yet, although the commercial vessels have disappeared, there is much else to recommend this quiet corner of Norfolk; the coast is dotted with pristine white beaches and is noted for it’s rich and diverse wildlife, most notably seals. Blakeney Point, at the mouth of the harbour is famed for its seal colony with both Common and Grey Seals living there all year round. The Grey Seals produce their pups from November to January and the Common Seals in July and August. Numbers fluctuate depending on the location of local fish stocks, but there can be anything up to around 600 seals. The seals are very used to the public and their natural inquisitiveness means that they often surface to stare at us from just a few metres away. A cruise around Blakeney harbour takes you back to nature and, aside from the occasional tripping boat, you often have the place to yourself and can enjoy the magnificent solitude of this sometimes overlooked gem.

Interesting fact:
Anne Boleyn, briefly wife of Henry VIII was born at nearby Blickling Hall and local myth has it that her ghost rides the land around Blickling every year on the anniversary of her death.

Round Trip Distance:
6 miles.

Approximate Time that the Trail will take:
Approximately 3 hours.

OS Map or Chart:
251

Trail Details:

• 1 Launch into Blakeney Cut and head north until you are in deeper water and spot the navigation marks.
• 2 Turn west and follow the navigation marks through towards Blakeney Point.
• 3 Once you have sailed past the seals it is best to turn round and head back. Be aware the harbour entrance can be rough and there are strong currents along this stretch.
• 4 If you have enough time head to Morston quay and enjoy an ice cream at the café or head back to Blakeney Cut.
• 5 Keep an eye on the tide to make sure you have enough water to get back to Blakeney Cut.
• 6 Follow the meandering Blakeney Cut back to your launch point.

You can launch from either Morston or Blakeney Quay. Both have good parking and public toilets. It is important to note that the harbour is tidal and generally navigable 2 hours either side of high water on the larger tides. Check here for more details blakeneysailing.co.uk/explore-further/events/. Spend too long ashore and you will have to wait for the tide to come in to finish the trail! Blakeney Harbour is a haven for wildlife – stick to the designated areas on the beach to see the seals and be particularly sensitive to pupping seals during Jun-Aug and Nov-Jan.

Trip Extensions:
Head to the Blickling Estate, a magnificent stately home.

Launch Point Lat and Long:
52.95800769283406
1.0170443642899378

Launch Point What3Words:
///plodding.underway.ejects

Launch Information:
Blakeney Quay Tide Times

Tidal Information:
The water here is navigable 2 hours either side of high tide. The water at Blakeney point can get quite choppy and the tidal stream can be quite quick. If you leave the boat do make sure you return in time to have enough water to get back to the start point.

Best Tides:
lunchtime high tide = 12,13,14,

Towing Vehicle Parking:
Parking is at the National Trust Car Park – Blakeney Carnser at the entrance to the beach where you launch from, it can get extremely busy on sunny days.

Towing vehicle Parking What3Words:
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Towing vehicle Parking Information:
Parking is free for National Trust members, £6 all day for non-members.

Trailer Parking:
Same as towing vehicle.

Trailer Parking What3Words:
Same as towing vehicle.

Trailer Parking Information:
Same as towing vehicle.

Toilets:
The toilets at Blakeney Quay are not operated by the National Trust. There is one accessible toilet on Blakeney Point which is open to the public between March and October. There is also a public toilet block on Back Lane opposite the car park entrance.

Toilets What3Words:
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Toilets Information:
Open 24 hours.

Page Month Published:
March 2025
Updated November 2025

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