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Blakeney National Nature Reserve
Spectacular wildlife and uninterrupted views of beautiful coastline
Blakeney Office, Friary Farm, Cley Road, Norfolk, NR25 7NW (No Public Access)
Important notice
The best way to view Blakeney Point’s seal colony at this time of year is by joining one of the seal boat trips from Morston Quay.
Opening times for 31 August 2024
Asset Opening time Nature reserve Dawn - Dusk Lifeboat House (Blakeney Point) 10:00 - 16:00 MTWTFSS293031123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311OpenPartially openClosedCar park
Car park at Blakeney Quay. Parking free for National Trust members, £6 all day for non-National Trust members. Members please scan you membership card to get your free ticket. Quayside car parks liable to flooding - please take note of the signs.
Toilet
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.
Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome, but some restrictions apply. There are clearly marked restricted areas, beyond which you cannot take dogs on Blakeney Point during ground nesting bird season (1 April to 15 August) and seal pupping season (late October to mid-January).
A disabled public toilet opposite Blakeney car park. Blakeney Point is isolated. Mobile reception is reasonable. Dog restrictions in place.
Accessible route and/or map
There is a wheelchair-accessible 3 mile coastal walk through Blakeney village and around Blakeney Freshes which is fantastic for spotting wildlife.
Accessible toilet
There is one accessible toilet on Blakeney Point which is open to the public between March and October.
By road
Blakeney, Morston Quay and Cley are all on the A149 Cromer to Hunstanton road
Parking: Pay and display (members free) at Blakeney Quay (administered by Blakeney Parish Council) and Morston Quay. Cley beach (managed by Norfolk Wildlife Trust - parking charges apply for non NWT members). Quayside car parks liable to flooding - please take note of the signs.
Sat Nav: Blakeney Quay car park: NR25 7ND Cley car park (Norfolk Wildlife Trust managed): NR25 7RY Stiffkey salt marshes free car park: NR23 1QE
On foot
The Norfolk Coast path goes through Blakeney Quay. Access to Blakeney Point is from Cley beach car park
By train
Sheringham 8 miles to Blakeney Quay
By bus
Coasthopper bus service is available between King’s Lynn and Mundesley. Stops at Blakeney village.
By ferry
Seal trips are available from Morston Quay to view the colony on Blakeney Point. No landing available.
Blakeney Office, Friary Farm, Cley Road, Norfolk, NR25 7NW (No Public Access)
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Blakeney Point and Cley Beach with your dog
Planning to bring your dog to Blakeney? Here's what you need to know, including how to protect the wildlife that call this special place home. Blakeney is a one pawprint rated place.
Highlights
Blakeney Point
A four-mile shingle ridge and dune, backed by salt marsh and mudflats. Noted for seals in winter and terns in summer.
Blakeney Freshes
Approximately 160 hectares of freshwater grazing marsh. An important area for breeding birds and over-wintering wildfowl.
Seals
Blakeney Point is home to England’s largest grey seal colony with over 4,000 pups born each winter.
Breeding birds
Blakeney National Nature Reserve is noted for its spectacular displays of the summer-breeding tern colony.
Stay
Stay within easy reach of Blakeney National Nature Reserve at Blakeney Lodge, a compact and cosy, dog-friendly holiday cottage sitting in the shadows of an old windmill.
Things to see and do
Article
Seal watching at Blakeney Point
All you need to know about England's largest grey seal colony and how you can enjoy this remarkable wildlife spectacle on Blakeney Point.
Article
Wildlife walks at Friary Hills and Blakeney Freshes
Friary Hills and Blakeney Freshes are home to important habitats and diverse wildlife that changes with the seasons.
Top trails
Trail
Blakeney Freshes and Friary Hills circular walk
This short, family-friendly circular walk takes in three different habitats and gives elevated views of Blakeney National Nature Reserve in Norfolk.
Trail
Blakeney Freshes coastal wildlife walk
This family-friendly circular walk through Blakeney village and around Blakeney Freshes offers impressive coastal views and is ideal for spotting birds and wildlife.
Trail
Gramborough Hill and Salthouse circular walk
Follow this circular route from the village of Salthouse, along a stretch of coastal shingle bank by the beach, and via saltmarsh and heathland bird habitats.
Trail
Blakeney to Stiffkey coastal walk
Enjoy views across Norfolk's open landscape on this coastal walk, starting at Blakeney Nature Reserve and taking in Morston and Stiffkey salt marshes.
Trail
Blakeney Point coastal walk
This walk follows Blakeney Point’s 4 mile-long (6.4km) shingle spit to the sand dunes, near the Lifeboat House.
Places to stay
Blakeney Lodge
A simple lodge by the salt marshes and on the edge of Blakeney National Nature Reserve.
Upcoming events
Event
An Autumn Spectacular
Join us for a guided walk around Blakeney Freshes and discover the special birds that over-winter on this part of the coast.
About Blakeney National Nature Reserve
At the heart of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney National Nature Reserve boasts wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the beautiful North Norfolk coastline. The four mile long shingle spit of Blakeney Point offers protection for Blakeney Harbour and the surrounding saltmarshes, providing a perfect habitat for the vast array of residential and migratory wildlife.
Internationally important, the reserve is noted for its spectacular displays of the summer breeding tern colony and winter breeding grey seals ensuring delight for visitors all year round. Great for walkers, sightseers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Blakeney National Nature Reserve guarantees an inspiring and memorable visit no matter the season.
The best way to see the wildlife on Blakeney Point is to enjoy a ferry trip, departing from Morston Quay.
Please note: nearest toilets are at Morston Quay and Blakeney Quay (not National Trust).
History
Article
The Second World War at Blakeney Point
Discover how the wreckage of a Second World War German plane was unearthed at Blakeney Point.
Our work
Article
Our work at Blakeney National Nature Reserve
Learn about the work the team at Blakeney National Nature Reserve carries out to preserve this special place for both wildlife and visitors, from counting seals to fence repairs.
Article
Caring for grey seals on Blakeney Point
Find out about England’s largest grey seal colony, how we’ve changed the annual count due to ever-increasing numbers and why the seals call Blakeney Point home.
Listen to a new podcast about life on Blakeney Point: Seasons by the sea
Experience life on Blakeney Point in Norfolk as it transforms throughout the year. From the mass arrival of seal pups in winter to the noisy feathered-frenzy of summer, discover how a remote stretch of shingle coastline is home to some of the UK's most unique wildlife.
Latest news
News
Seal pupping season underway on Blakeney Point
One of England’s most spectacular winter wildlife events is underway with the births of the first grey seal pups at Blakeney National Nature Reserve.
News
Volunteers help Blakeney Point wildlife with beach clean
Local volunteers have carried out a day-long beach clean along Blakeney Point, removing plastic waste and other debris that could be hazardous to grey seals and their pups during the upcoming pupping season.
News
Replacing Stiffkey Bridge
The bridge at Stiffkey had to be removed in spring 2022, as it was no longer structurally safe. This was not something we had planned for and we’ve since been carrying out work to determine our next steps in this ever-changing coastal environment.
News
Our position on Centre Port's plan for The Wash
The Wash is one of the most important estuaries in the UK. Therefore, news of a potential new container terminal and tidal scheme in an area designated for its importance to wildlife, is deeply concerning. Some bold claims are being made about ecology and we are keen to seek further information on the detailed plans and data to back these up.