Pictures of Blakeney

About Blakeney

The 100ft tower rising above the Church of St.Nicholas is a landmark that can be seen for miles around. At the eastern end of the church, a smaller tower acts as a beacon to guide vessels to the safety of Blakeney Harbour.

In the 16th and 17th-centuries Blakeney, together with Wiverton and Cley-next-to-the-Sea, was a port of considerable importance, bringing Flemish bricks and timber, coal and other goods to Norfolk. In turn the ship's took away Corn from Norfolk's vast grain fields. Until the beginning of this century the little port of Blakeney continued as a commercial port, it's chief export being coal. The charming harbour remains in use, it is a first class sailing centre and in the summer months the harbour comes alive with gaily painted pleasure craft and hansome yachts.

Enchantingly, cottages of brick and flint interspersed by houses built of red brick line the High Street which runs from the main street down to the quay. There is a hotel in High Street which has a 14th-century undercroft. This building was the former Guildhall. Opposite the quay, flat marsh land stretches into the distance towards Blakeney Point, an area that is now owned by the National Trust and is a nature reserve which can be visited by boat in a favourable tide. Alternatively, the hardy amongst us, can reach the reserve via a lengthy 5 mile walk from the village of Cley.

The original village is thought to have been centred around a Carmelite House, founded late in the 11th-century and now nought but a ruin. None-the-less, the village of today has a calm serenity and a timelessness which leaves one feeling than nothing much has changed here for many, many, years. In it's premier position on the Norfolk Heritage Coast, Blakeney is in an area of great natural beauty and as such is a joy to visit. Other attractions in the area are; The North Norfolk Railway, the NT property Sheringham Park, a nearby Windmill and Holkham Hall.