125
9 Blakeney
Norfolk; NR25 7SZ
Like Cley, this was a busy port in
ancient times but, since the harbour
has silted up, only small craft can
navigate the creeks. The village is
delightful, with attractive flint cottages,
a 14th-century guildhall and places to
shop, eat, drink and stay. However, the
greatest draw for visitors are the boat
trips to Blakeney Point, which put out
from here and neighbouring Morston,
to the west. These trips, lasting one to
two hours, provide an excellent way to
view seabirds and basking seals in
their natural environment, without
unduly disturbing them. The seal
colony – a mix of Common and Grey
seals – numbers some 500. Common
seals have their young or pups Jun–
Aug; the Greys Nov–Jan.
ª Take the A149 west via Stiffkey
(pronounced “Stewkey”), famous for its
cockles, with pretty flint cottages, salt
marshes and reed beds.EAT AND DRINKCROMER
Rocket House Café and
Restaurant inexpensive
Visit this stylish place above the RNLI
Henry Blogg Museum (with lift access),
for coffee and a cake, or a meal of local
seafood with unsurpassed sea views.
The Gangway, Promenade, NR27 9ET;
01263 514 334
WEYBOURNE
The Ship Inn inexpensive–moderate
Simplicity is key in this attractive old pub.
The short menu features delicious local
dishes such as seafood chowder.
The Street, NR25 7SZ; 01263 588 721;
http://www.shipinnweybourne.co.uk
AROUND WEYBOURNE
Cookies Crab Shop inexpensive
On the A149 to Cley, this is a café-shop;
buy some samphire and try the soups
and local fish. Bring your own alcohol.
The Green, Salthouse, NR25 7AJ; 01263
740 352
CLEY-NEXT-THE-SEA
The George inexpensive–moderate
Good, honest fare with a few flourishes
can be enjoyed in this birdwatchers’
paradise. Consider the rooms, too.
High Street, NR25 7RN; 01263 740 652;
http://www.thegeorgehotelatcley.co.ukBLAKENEY
The Blakeney White Horse
inexpensive–moderate
This well-situated pub offers seasonal
seafood fresh off the boat, good local
produce and home-made bread and
desserts – and it also has a few rooms.
4 High Street, NR 25 7AL; 01263 740
574; http://www.blakeneywhitehorse.co.ukAbove Sign for the village of Blakeney
painted according to Norfolk traditionLeft Cley Windmill, set on the salt marshes and
popular with artistsAbove Little station on the North Norfolk Railway
Poppy Line, Weybourne
7 Weybourne
Norfolk; NR25 7SZ
This attractive village (pronounced
“Webbon”’) sits amid farm and heath
land and has a famously steep, pebbly
beach. It also boasts a delightful inn, a
historic station on the Poppy Line and
the Muckleburgh Collection (Apr–Nov:
open daily; http://www.muckleburgh.co.uk),,)
Britain’s largest private collection of
military vehicles and equipment.
ª Take A149 west, via Salthouse –
stopping off at Cookies Crab Shop.
DRIVE 11: The Broads and the North Norfolk Coast
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £508 Cley-next-the-Sea
Norfolk; NR25 7SZ
A thriving port in medieval times, Cley
is now some distance inland. In its
heyday, it exported wool to the
Netherlands – and imported curved
gables, Flemish bricks and pantiles,
which mix happily with Georgian
architecture. Cley Windmill is an 18th-
century mill that has been converted
into a B&B with views of the salt marsh
and bird sanctuary. The owners usually
let visitors have a look inside. Visit the
Norfolk Wildlife Trust visitor centre on
the marshes, east of town. Facilities
include a remote camera, a café, hides
for bird watching, and an audio trail.
ª Carry on west on A149 to Blakeney.times; 01263 820 808; http://www.nnrailway.co.
uk). With a “Rover” ticket for a day’s
travel, board and alight at will. There
is a charming station building,
complete with period furnishings, at
the western terminus, just 8 km (5
miles) from Sheringham and not far
from the flower-filled Georgian town
of Holt, a repeated finalist in the
Anglia In Bloom contest.
ª Carry on A149 west to Weybourne.