‘I am still reeling with delight at the soaring majesty of Norfolk.’

Horsey Beach

Norfolk is honestly such an underrated part of the UK.

I am so grateful to be able to spend a fair bit of time exploring the area thanks to my boyfriend. He was born and raised there and since moving to Essex to live with me, we visit as often as we can to see his family.

I thought that seeing as I’m always trying to sell Norfolk to my friends and family to pay a visit, I may as well use my blog to really show people just how gorgeous this part of the country is.

I’m kicking off my UK Hidden Gems blog series with my ode to Norfolk’s Horsey Beach!

Now, while there are many beaches along the Norfolk coastline, I have to say that Horsey has one of the most beautiful and lengthy beach you can explore. You could spend hours walking along the sea – it’s truly a breathtaking place to visit.

Spot The Wild Seals

What makes it all the more memorable and unique than any other UK beach is the fact that it’s inhabited by SEALS. It’s the first place I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of seals just chilling out and living their best lives, mere meters from where I was standing! I find them fascinating (albeit a little on the smelly side!) and they seem totally unfazed by the fact that there are often lots of humans wandering around and staring at them.

When To Visit

My favourite time to visit Horsey Beach is in the spring – the air is crisp and the sun is shining. It’s also the perfect time to see the inquisitive seal pups too! According to my research seals have their pups between the months of October and February, which means that in spring you will seem them at their cutest!

With that being said, I believe Horsey Beach is stunning in all seasons, you’ll just need to wrap up a little more during winter! The seals are there all year round too.

Respect The Wildlife

Something I think is worthwhile mentioning as I’ve seen the odd person here and there do this: please do not get too close to the seals. The parents of pups get (understandably) agitated and the babies themselves often run away and get scared by loud noises and people getting too close. I think it’s great that we can share the same space as these beautiful, wild creatures so let’s ensure they stick around and remain unbothered by us by respecting their space.

My top tips for visiting Horsey Beach

Set your sat-nav to Horsey Gap! I’ve found that this is the easiest place to park if you’re looking to see the seals. There is a main car park and during the busier summer months there is also an overflow car park, just be sure to bring some coins with you to pay for your spot.
Pack your camera! Whether you’re interested in the seals, the unspoilt beaches or beautiful sand dunes, a good camera will really come in handy when it comes to immortalising your trip to Horsey beach.
The beach gets super windy, so be sure to keep that in mind when getting dressed etc. as it can get chilly even on a warmer day.
There are no toilets in the area. I have since learned that on the main road before turning on to Horsey Gap there is the Poppylands Café which you can visit should you need to use any facilities.
Leave your pooch at home. It seems obvious to say, but dogs can stress out the seals.
Bear in mind that the sand here is very soft which does mean it sadly is not ideal for wheelchair users and prams.