Whatever the weather, a boat trip to see the hundreds of seals lolling around on Blakeney Point is a must. Sailings leave from Morston Quay and head to Blakeney Point, the four-mile spit of sand and shingle dunes which stretches from Cley and protects North Norfolk's cosy harbours.
The Point is home to the UK’s largest colony of grey and common seals, the greys outnumbering the common seal by three to one.
There were 3,100 pups born this winter. The seals thrive in Blakeney because they are top of the food chain and have no predators in this wonderfully isolated spot.
Blakeney Point is a national nature reserve of global importance and the first coastal nature reserve in Britain. It was established in 1912 and is part of the North Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Biosphere Reserve.
The Point is also a nationally recognised breeding ground for Sandwich and Little Terns which nest on the shingle beach. It is home to waders and other seabird species.
A National Trust warden and staff stay out on Blakeney Point for much of the year protecting the wildlife and fragile habitat.
The salt marshes and tidal mudflats provide bed and breakfast for migrating and resident birds as it oozes with molluscs, crustaceans and ragworms to attract knott, dunlin, redshank and oystercatcher in their thousands. The flora includes rare sea lavenders, the evergreen shrubby sea-blite, the yellow horned poppy as well as the succulent European glasswort which is sold locally in the summer - and now in upmarket London restaurants - as samphire.
Pick up tickets for a seal trip at Blakeney Quay where boards give details of the times boats sail from Morston Quay.
Boat trips last an hour and usually include a chat about the history and geography of the area, including the old lifeboat station which is now a visitor centre - accessed by walking from Cley along the four mile spit.
Morston Quay is a two mile walk along the coast path from Blakeney or 1.6 mile drive to the National Trust car park at Morston Quay. There is tea and cake available at the black and white National Trust lookout overlooking the sea as you reach Morston's little harbour.
The lookout has a blackboard listing wildlife spotted each day and has a spectacular view overlooking Blakeney Point.