Horsey Beach
Horsey Beach
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,178 reviews
Excellent
984
Very good
162
Average
16
Poor
6
Terrible
10
Henny52
Walton-On-Thames, UK270 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
An abundance of seals in their natural environment. We visited on 21 November 2022 and there were lots of pups that had been born within the last 7 days (350+) which are the white coloured ones with fluffy fur. Other mums are on the beach waiting to give birth.
Seeing the pups feeding from their mothers and the bulls parading for female attention was wonderful to see.
Parking is £3.50 for up to 2 hours (minimum) and more if you stay longer. About an hour was enough. Information is available from knowledgeable volunteer rangers and the roped off headland walkway is only 5 minutes’ walk from the car park with a gentle incline is suitable for most.
A highlight of our trip to Norfolk.
Seeing the pups feeding from their mothers and the bulls parading for female attention was wonderful to see.
Parking is £3.50 for up to 2 hours (minimum) and more if you stay longer. About an hour was enough. Information is available from knowledgeable volunteer rangers and the roped off headland walkway is only 5 minutes’ walk from the car park with a gentle incline is suitable for most.
A highlight of our trip to Norfolk.
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam H
Hertfordshire, UK10 contributions
Jun 2021
We arrived around 5pm as we understood that we might have a better chance of watching some seals later in the day.
You have to pay for parking (contactless available) and I think it was about £3/4.
Initially I thought we'd blown it as the tide was completely in and we wouldn't see anything, but within a few minutes realised that there were 10+ seals bobbing about in the waves.
We sat in the dunes and watched them in their element for about an hour before we moved on.
There are lots of walking options here (we didn't - we came to see seals and had already walked enough for the day!) so you could make much more of a trip, but for the price paid (vs £100 for us to have taken a boat trip from Lowestoft to see seals) I thought we had excellent value!
You have to pay for parking (contactless available) and I think it was about £3/4.
Initially I thought we'd blown it as the tide was completely in and we wouldn't see anything, but within a few minutes realised that there were 10+ seals bobbing about in the waves.
We sat in the dunes and watched them in their element for about an hour before we moved on.
There are lots of walking options here (we didn't - we came to see seals and had already walked enough for the day!) so you could make much more of a trip, but for the price paid (vs £100 for us to have taken a boat trip from Lowestoft to see seals) I thought we had excellent value!
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mr_bukaroo
Leicester, UK121 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Great couple of hours spent in the dunes watching the seals and walking the dogs. Sadly you can’t get on the beach as it’s closed to allow the seals to come on undisturbed. Volunteers are on hand to chat and give information. Doesn’t matter what time you come regards the tide times as you can’t go on the beach anyway. Had a good walk approx 4km there and back. Would be 5 stars but the road to the car park is a dirt track and the car park itself not much better and then they charge £3:50 for two hours. I only hope they invest it on the car park and road. Some toilets would be nice too! Don’t let this put you off though. I loved seeing the seals in their natural environment and the fact we managed to see a two week old seal pup made it.
Written November 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boataxophone
Birmingham49 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Downbeat last day on the beach. Found a seal pup bleeding from eyes nose and mouth. Called seal rescue and the vet came and picked it up. Probably going to die - mouth rot.
The dead seal in these pictures however was probably killed by absolute idiots on jet skis. Jet skis cause traumatic injuries in seals and in most cases collisions are fatal. Sadly jet skiing is a popular pastime in Horsey and the neighbouring beach of Sea Palling. During our time in Norfolk we found the remains of three adult seals.
Lastly we observed people letting their kids and dogs chase the seals and pups into the sea. This means that the young ones especially can’t raise their body temperature enough to be able to rest and put on weight. Mouth rot, Jet Skis and dogs/kids. Doesn’t look good for the seals of Horsey. Whilst there are some worthy signs put up at the sides of the walk in, most people do not read them.
Parking wardens are present to relieve people of their money, surely to goodness they could also hand out leaflets warning people to stay clear.
The amount of money generated by the car park could easily pay for some beach wardens during the summer months….who owns this car park? Shameful.
The dead seal in these pictures however was probably killed by absolute idiots on jet skis. Jet skis cause traumatic injuries in seals and in most cases collisions are fatal. Sadly jet skiing is a popular pastime in Horsey and the neighbouring beach of Sea Palling. During our time in Norfolk we found the remains of three adult seals.
Lastly we observed people letting their kids and dogs chase the seals and pups into the sea. This means that the young ones especially can’t raise their body temperature enough to be able to rest and put on weight. Mouth rot, Jet Skis and dogs/kids. Doesn’t look good for the seals of Horsey. Whilst there are some worthy signs put up at the sides of the walk in, most people do not read them.
Parking wardens are present to relieve people of their money, surely to goodness they could also hand out leaflets warning people to stay clear.
The amount of money generated by the car park could easily pay for some beach wardens during the summer months….who owns this car park? Shameful.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Let's Go!
Essex, UK477 contributions
Apr 2022
Having read all the great reviews we felt this was a must visit venue and we weren't disappointed. The car park is pay and display and you can stay as long as you want. I would suggest taking a picnic on a warm day and walk the coastal path or sit and just enjoy the view. There is a sloping path to the top of the dunes so you can look down on the seals if you don't want to go onto the beach itself. We stayed on the dunes as we didn't want to disturb the seals that were sleeping, playing, swimming and sunning themselves. I was surprised to see such a variety of colours and the pups were delightful. The noise the seals make is quite haunting and sounds a bit like a low howl when they are all joining in. We stayed for about an hour but would have stayed longer if the weather had been warmer, it was pretty blustery the day of our visit so I would recommend wrapping up warm if it's a dull day. A great way to spend time away from the hustle of the shops and other tourist venues.
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick Vince
12 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Horsey beach was a wonderful place to visit albeit after a long walk due to the idiotic ban on large vehicles at the car park. Not an issue we simply took our spending money to the next village where we could park without issue. Classic local council short sightedness!!
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vacation1581
38 contributions
Dec 2022
Parked at Horsey Beach car park 3.50 for 2 hours, pay by card and walked in 1 minute to beach and saw lots of seals and pups. Beautiful boxing day. Saw seals swimming and a seal hissing fight.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin962
Trowbridge, UK30 contributions
Oct 2021
Being able to see a Seal Colony with so many Seals on the Beach is fabulous. I had expected to see a few Seals as it's early in the Season, but there were upwards of 250 on the Beaches already. Unfortunately it's still too early for there to be any Pups, apparently they don't start to give birth until late November, but even so, the spectacle for seeing Seals playing in the surf and on the Beach, made the whole experience worth while. I recommend wearing Wellingtons as you are walking on lots of Sandy paths and there were quite a few puddles when we visited (October 25th 2021), you will be able to view the Seals from the top of the Sand Dunes, where the pathway is roped off to stop people from accessing the Beach itself and frightening the Seals, that could then panic and abort their Pups.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
triplemelon22
London, UK22 contributions
Feb 2023
I'd never been so had 0 expectation. Parking was well coordinated on a busy Sunday by the team manning the car park. On our visit we were lucky, around 500+ seals in the immediate vicinity of the car park plus the many more up and down the beach further along.
Very well looked after by the wardens, I just hope they are continually respected by the public.
Be warned, the seals do smell.
Very well looked after by the wardens, I just hope they are continually respected by the public.
Be warned, the seals do smell.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ibrahim G
Huddersfield, UK71 contributions
Aug 2021
Just stumbled across this on the net and thought we would pay a visit.
We arrived around 6pm and paid our £3, be aware that it says the gate to the car park shuts at 8pm.
We walked down the beach and found the first group of seals along with people trying to get pretty close to take there snaps so we carried on another good 5 minutes to a second larger grouping, it was great just watching with nobody else about.
The seals are really inquisitive if you do go for a paddle coming and taking a look.
We enjoyed the beach and being with the seals so much we ended up having a couple of visits.
We arrived around 6pm and paid our £3, be aware that it says the gate to the car park shuts at 8pm.
We walked down the beach and found the first group of seals along with people trying to get pretty close to take there snaps so we carried on another good 5 minutes to a second larger grouping, it was great just watching with nobody else about.
The seals are really inquisitive if you do go for a paddle coming and taking a look.
We enjoyed the beach and being with the seals so much we ended up having a couple of visits.
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ledwon
Surrey, UK10 contributions
Can I park a motorhome to see the seals
markandrewhunt
Suffolk, UK57 contributions
No
Ledwon
Surrey, UK10 contributions
Can I park my camper to see seals tomorrow
markandrewhunt
Suffolk, UK57 contributions
No
Are there any public loos that are open ?
bobkat666
Colchester, UK326 contributions
no
Emma_loves_holidays1
England, UK23 contributions
Is it easier to walk along the beach or dunes to get to seals
In sept? Will have a baby in a carrier. Thanks
Brian
35 contributions
You should park at Horsey Windmill and then there is a path to the beach
You will need to go through the gap in dunes which would be difficult with a push chair though
Tom B
1 contribution
whether i could get a wheelchair there
Niamh DM
Nottingham, UK61 contributions
There are steps/a big incline and decline to access the beach from the car park so I think you’d struggle to get a wheelchair across it, especially with the sand. I’m not sure if there’s another access point, sorry.
Kerry W
1 contribution
We are planning to visit around July 10th are there likely to be seals on the beach? What is the best time of day to see them?
MadhouseEssex_
Braintree, UK116 contributions
We went Sept and from the car park at Horsey Gap we could only see seals in the water but we walked for about 10 mins to the right and there were HUNDREDS on the beach. So glad we walked further. Nearly missed out on an amazing sight.
Will there still be seals there this weekend (7 Feb)
Sylvia Appleton
Rugby, UK11 contributions
It's outside the pupping season but imagine there will be some adult ones there.
Sarah B
Ipswich, UK15 contributions
How do we see the seals when taking a wheelchair?
mgsnorwich
Norwich, UK1,020 contributions
Go to Marston and take a Blake’s boat
Cato1111
Sheffield, UK255 contributions
When can you see the seals? Going 17 april next year. Thanks
polartrek
Buckinghamshire, UK280 contributions
I would advocate you check when high tide is during the time frame you are there , for the 'stretch of the beach ' if you walk 2 miles in either direction from the car park you would be unlucky to not encounter the seals . Good luck .
Horsey Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Horsey Beach
- Horsey Beach is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Horsey Beach:
- (3.76 mi) Dairy Barns Bed & Breakfast
- (1.11 mi) The Old Chapel Guest House
- (7.37 mi) Oak Tree Cottages
- (7.67 mi) The White House Bed & Breakfast
- (9.55 mi) The White Lodge
- Restaurants near Horsey Beach:
- (0.84 mi) Nelson Head
- (0.91 mi) Poppylands
- (6.38 mi) Cafe Charlotte
- (5.70 mi) East Coast Family Restaurant
- (6.05 mi) The Kings Arms Fleggburgh
- Attractions near Horsey Beach:
- (1.32 mi) Ross' Wildlife Boat Trips
- (1.24 mi) Horsey Windpump
- (2.98 mi) Martham Ferry Day Boat Hire
- (3.72 mi) Sea Palling Beach
- (2.61 mi) Winterton Dunes