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Wells-Next-the-Sea to Blakeney Walk

9.3 miles (15 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk takes you from the popular town of Wells-next-the-Sea to Blakeney where you can visit the lovely Blakeney Point Nature Reserve. The walk uses a section of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path to take you between the two locations. There's lovely views across Stiffkey Marshes, pretty beaches and lots of wildlife to look out for on the way. The route finishes at Blakeney Chapel but you can head west along the beach to further explore the reserve. There is a mixed colony of around 500 seals which can be seen on the beach or from boat trips departing from Morston Quay to Blakeney Point.
You can also continue east along the coast path to Cley Marshes Nature Reserve. This 430 acre reserve contains reed beds, freshwater marsh, pools and wet meadows.
To continue your walking in the area you could try the Wells to Holkham Walk and visit the wonderful 3000 acre estate at Holkham Park.

Wells-Next-the-Sea to Blakeney OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Wells-Next-the-Sea to Blakeney Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head to the 18th century Kings Arms in Blakeney for some post walk refreshments. The Georgian Inn has an interior with bags of character including cosy little alcoves and interesting pictures, photos and posters on the walls. Outside there's a nice garden area where you can enjoy your meal on a fine day. The pub is located in a wonderful spot just yards from Blakeney Quay. You can find the pub on Westgate Street at a postcode of NR25 7NQ for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

At Morston you can pick up the Cockthorpe Circular Walk which visits Stiffkey Marshes, the River Stiffkey and the green fields around Cockthorpe Common away from the coast. To the south of Cockthorpe there's also some interesting local history at Binham Priory. Here you can explore substantial monastic ruins dating back to the 11th century.
Head west from the town and you could visit the historically signficant villages of Burnham Market and Burnham Thorpe. The latter is notable as the the birthplace of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, victor at the Battle of Trafalgar. There is a bronze plaque on the wall here which is a nice piece of history to witness in the area. Nelson's father Edmund was also rector of Burnham Market's churches during the 1760s and 1770s. In the village you can enjoy a visit to The Nelson pub which dates all the way back to 1685.
Head south to Great Walsingham and you could pick up the Walsingham Way. This long distance trail runs from the mediaeval abbey at Great Walsingham to the city of Norwich, passing several fascinating historic sites on the way. The abbey in Walsingham is one of the highlights of the area and not too far from Wells. There's some lovely grounds with the snowdrop and bluebell walks particularly popular.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Norfolk Walks page.

Photos

Footbridges at Stiffkey Greens - geograph.org.uk - 409325

Footbridges at Stiffkey Greens

The Bangay Greenway at Stiffkey - geograph.org.uk - 409330

The Bangay Greenway at Stiffkey

Top footpath. - panoramio

Top footpath.

Freshes Creek, near Morston and Stiffkey Saltmarshes - geograph.org.uk - 270246

Freshes Creek, near Morston and Stiffkey Saltmarshes

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Wells-Next-the-Sea to Blakeney.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Wells-Next-the-Sea to Blakeney.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)