The Seal Colonies and Pilgrimage Shrine in Norfolk

Blakeney is perhaps the prettiest of all the Norfolk seaside villages: flint fishermen's cottages tumble down a steep slope to a picturesque quay with wonderful views over the salt marshes. Beyond the harbour is Blakeney Point, the tip of a 6-km long shingle spit, a National Trust nature reserve famous for its seals.

A seal pup born at Blakeney Point. Photo credit National Trust/Ian Ward

Although you can get there on foot, it is a lot more fun, and less tiring, to be ferried in a fishing dinghy from Morston, a small marshland village 2 km along the coast from Blakeney. A round trip takes a couple of hours and includes plenty of time to explore the Point where, as well as colonies or grey and common seals, you will see hundreds of birds and unusual plants. It is a brilliant place for wildlife photography.