Blakeney Point

Shingle, dunes and tidal landscapes

Blakeney Point is one of the most distinctive coastal landscapes within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape. The long shingle spit extends westwards from the coast near Cley-next-the-Sea, separating saltmarsh and tidal creeks from the open North Sea. Shingle ridges, sand dunes, tidal habitats and open shoreline create a landscape continually shaped by wind, waves and tides.

The Point is particularly known for its wildlife, including its colonies of grey and common seals, while its shingle, dunes, saltmarsh and tidal habitats support a wide variety of coastal and migratory birds. The combination of open sea, sheltered marshes and shifting coastal habitats gives the reserve a distinctly wild character.

The Norfolk Coast Path passes through the wider coastal landscape around Blakeney and Cley, providing walking connections between Blakeney, Cley-next-the-Sea and other settlements along the north Norfolk coast. Blakeney Point itself extends away from the main trail into the coastal landscape, providing an opportunity to explore the wider coastal environment from the route.

Blakeney Point forms part of a wider network of protected habitats along the Norfolk Coast, with saltmarshes and tidal creeks extending around Blakeney Harbour and towards Cley. Together with nearby Cley Marshes Nature Reserve, the area forms an extensive sequence of shingle, marsh, dunes and tidal landscapes.

Overview

Type: National Nature Reserve
County: Norfolk
Region: East of England
National Landscape: Norfolk Coast National Landscape
Landscape: Shingle spit, dunes, saltmarsh, tidal creeks and open coast
Key Trail: Norfolk Coast Path
Best For: Coastal landscapes, wildlife, seals, birdwatching and walking