Blakeney, Norfolk
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Blakeney, looking out to Blakeney Point and the sea from Mariners Hill |
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The High Street in Blakeney |
Blakeney is a
village and
civil parish on the north coast of the
English county of
Norfolk, between
Sheringham and
Wells-next-the-Sea. It lies within the North Norfolk AONB (
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the North Norfolk
Heritage Coast. The
North Norfolk Coastal Path passes through the village.
[Ordnance Survey (2002). OS Explorer Map 251 - Norfolk Coast Central. ISBN 0319218872.]The civil parish has an area of
9.9 km² and in the
2001 census had a population of 789 in 402 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the
district of
North Norfolk.
[Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes. Retrieved December 2, 2005.] Blakeney was a commercial
seaport until the early 20th century. Now the harbour is silted up, and only small boats can make their way out past
Blakeney Point to the sea. The harbour and surrounding marshes are owned by the
National Trust and is a nature reserve where
seals can be seen basking on the sand.
Just inland from the harbour is Mariners Hill. This vantage point is believed to be man made, probably as a lookout point for the harbour. Adjacent to the hill, at the foot of the village's High treet, is the old
Guildhall with a
14th century undercroft.
Higher up the village, the
Church of Saint Nicholas has two towers: the main tower is over
100 ft (30 m) high and a well-known landmark for miles around, and the smaller tower was built as a
beacon to guide boats into Blakeney harbour.
* for Blakeney.
*
Blakeney - A guided tour in pictures.*
Information from Genuki Norfolk on Blakeney.
