Blakeney is a small village on the north coast of Norfolk UK in an area of outstanding natural beauty and remains largely untouched by the pace and commercialism of modern life.

The village is recorded in King William's Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Esnuterle, later known as Snitterley. By 1240 the haven in the lee of the shingle ridge was known as Blakeney, and this became the name of the village.


Blakeney soon developed into an important fishing centre with ships making an annual voyage to Iceland. It also became a port with a north sea trade based on the export of cereals, especially barley and malt ,and the import of coal, timber, iron, roofing tiles and a great variety of other goods.

In 1817 the Blakeney Harbour Company was set up to regulate trade and improve the harbour. Their first act was to construct the New Cut to make it easier for ships to reach Blakeney quay, but the port was doomed by the railways, bigger ships and the continuous silting. Hard to believe when looking at the peaceful channel today that a hundred years ago the quay would have been lined with sailing ships.



Today Blakeney relies on the tourist trade with the Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve, owned by the National Trust, being one of the major attractions. The picturesque harbour is now used for recreational sailing and the daily trips to the Nature Reserve (tide dependant), where many varieties of birds and a colony of common and grey seals can be seen.

Whether visiting Blakeney and its winding streets lined with flint cottages, the Nature Reserve, or the unspoilt beauty of the marshland coast, you cannot fail to be impressed by its rural charm.



Local activities and places of interest

Bird Watching
Cley next the Sea (Norfolk Wildlife Trust)
Titchwell Marsh (RSPB)
Snettisham (RSPB)
Blakeney Point
Holme Bird Observatory

Seal Trips and Ferries to Blakeney Point
Bishops' Boats Seal Trips Tel. 01263 740753
Temples Seal Trips Tel. 01263 740791
Beans Boat Trips Tel. 01263 740505

Boating and Sailing
Blakeney Point Sailing School

Golf Clubs
Sheringham Golf Club
Royal Cromer Golf Club
West Runton Links 01263 838215
Mundesley 01263 720095
Hunstanton 01485 532811
Royal West Golf Club 01485 210087

Horse Riding
Weybourne Equestrian Centre 01263 588260
North Norfolk Riding Centre 01263 820796
Forest Lodge Riding Centre 01263 588578

Swimming Pool and Gym
Pinewood Leisure Centre 01263 821208