I know I’m mad, but I do love a good long walk along the beach at any time of year – even during the winter; the cold wind and the sea air can be invigorating, blowing all the cobwebs away. That’s why I wrapped up warm this weekend and made my way to Horsey on the North Norfolk coast.
Taking the A47 from Norwich towards Yarmouth, before taking the exit at Acle, I followed the road to Winterton until Horsey was sign posted. Passing the windmill, we moseyed up the road to a dirt track, where other people seemed to be parking their cars and avoiding pot holes.
Seals at Horsey
Climbing to the top of the sand dunes, we walked amongst the grass and enjoyed the view. The views over the countryside and the sea are incredible – you can see for miles, with very few buildings in the way. But most exciting of all, for me, was the little browny-grey shapes bouncing along on the sand.
At first I thought they were just rocks, but as I saw them move, I realised that they were seals – literally hundreds of them – all wriggling on the shoreline.
Walk on the wild side
Like a child I ran down the dunes to get a closer look, because I’d never seen seals up close. I wouldn’t advise going too close to them, especially when there are pups around, but you can get quite near and they don’t seem too fussed as long as you keep your distance.
I think I was most surprised by them because I thought they would have left our shores by now (I know you’re not supposed to go on the beach there in January because of the baby seals), but I’m no expert.
If you’re free this weekend and the weather is ok, I would really recommend going up to Horsey to see them. They’re so cute and seem to have such individual personalities.
Horsey is on the North Norfolk coast, between Winterton and Sea Palling.
