Blakeney
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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
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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[dead link] the Blakeney Marsh MCZ plan was dropped.
Get in
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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 
Get around
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The village is small enough to walk around.
See
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- 1 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.
Do
[edit]- 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:
- 1 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.
- 2 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.
- 3 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.
Hiking and walking
[edit]- 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.
- Local Circular Walks. Many walks of varying length.
Buy
[edit]- 1 The Anchor Shop, 35 High St, NR25 7NA, ☏ +44 1263 740360. Gifts, cards and beautiful things for the coastal home
- 2 Spar (food shop & convenience store), 7-9 Westgate St, NR25 7NQ, ☏ +44 1263 740339. Daily 7AM-10PM. ATM, Post Office (different hours).
- 3 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.
- 4 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
Eat
[edit]- 1 The Moorings (Bistro), High Street, NR25 7NA, ☏ +44 1263 740054, reservations@blakeney-moorings.co.uk. Modern British cuisine.
- 2 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).
Drink
[edit]- 1 Kings Arms (Traditional Inn), Westgate Street, NR25 7NQ, ☏ +44 1263 740341. Food, accommodation, drinks.
- 2 The White Horse, 4 High Street, NR25 7AL, ☏ +44 1263 740574, thewhitehorse@adnams.co.uk. Food, accommodation, drinks.
- 3 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.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 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.
- Quayside Hotel. with views across the estuary and salt marshes to Blakeney Point.
- 2 Blakeney House (Boutique B&B), High St, NR25 7NX, ☏ +44 1263 740561, admin@blakeneyhouse.com.
- 3 Blakeney Manor Hotel, The Quay, NR25 7ND, ☏ +44 1263 740376, reception@blakeneymanor.co.uk.
Stay healthy
[edit]- 1 Nearest Accident & Emergency: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (Casualty or the Emergency Room), Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY (30 miles S of village). 24/7.
- 2 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.
- 3 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.
Connect
[edit]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.