Where to take your families to see the Norfolk seal colonies.
A trip to see the Seals in Norfolk is one of those ‘Wow’ moments. The largest grey seal colony in England is at Blakeney Point where you can take a boat trip to make the most of the view. Or you could walk the dunes at Horsey Gap. Wrap up warm, take your baby slings and enjoy a fantastic Norfolk winters’ day.
Horsey Beach
This is probably the best place to see grey seals as they come ashore to give birth from November to January.
You can see the seals from several viewing platforms, there are roped paths across the dunes and beach access near the seals is limited so as not to disturb their environment. (They are new parents after all!)
From Horsey Gap car park marked paths on the dunes lead to the best places to watch the seal rookery without disturbing the seals. Friends of Horsey Seals (FoHS) volunteers are on hand at weekends and daily throughout the Christmas/New Year holiday period to help.
Parking
Pay and display at Horsey Gap – no toilet facilities here but it is a shorter walk to the seals. Bear this in mind if you are not taking a buggy with you.
OR Pay and display at Horsey Mill, which is run by the National Trust, this site has public toilets, a shop and café, but only open on certain days, check NT website ahead of your visit. It’s about a 3 mile walk and the paths can be very muddy. Easy to walk for adults and older children. Toddlers may need a carry!
Buggy friendly? Take a baby sling! And wrap up very warm.
Winterton-on-Sea:
Winterton beach is next door to Horsey. Most of the grey seals are at Horsey but you can park here and then walk up the beach to see the seals, it’s roughly a 20 minute walk, depending on who you’re with!
There is a café and toilets at Winterton.
Blakeney point and Morston Quay:
The Seal Rookery at Blakeney Point; image from National Trust website.
You could take a boat trip to see the seals from Blakeney Point. The grey seal colony there is England’s largest colony. You can also book a seal trip from nearby Morston Quay. Book in advance as it can get very busy in winter. There are several boat companies to choose from.
Parking: The area is owned by the National Trust and there is a big pay and display NT car park next to Morston Quayside. (Free if you’re a member) Also baby changing toilet facilities and a kiosk with refreshments.
Hunstanton
There is a colony of common seals in ‘The Wash’ near Hunstanton Beach. This area is probably better in the summer months though, but there are boat trips during winter as well, if you are visiting West Norfolk.
Scroby Sands
Scroby Sands is a sandbank off the coast of Caister and Great Yarmouth, home to a colony of grey seals, which you can visit with Jet Adventures, a boat trip company based at Heritage Quay in Lowestoft, just a few miles south from our very own North Denes Park.
The boat trip heads North from Lowestoft’s South Pier past Ness Point, Gunton, Corton, Hopton and Gorleston and outward to Scroby Sands to see the seals in their natural habitat.
Waxham Beach
Just next door from Horsey, this lesser known beach is a lovely place to see seals. If you have binoculars do bring them as you can spot several playing and swimming in the sea. What a joy! And of course enjoy the beautiful views from atop the dunes which is designated as a Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Remember:
Trip to Horsey 2018
Let us know if we’ve missed anything HERE and we can add it on!
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