Blakeney Point Seal Trips Ptarmigan

The boat ride out to Blakeney Point is where the real magic happens. You're looking at a proper seal colony - grey seals and harbour seals lounging on sandbanks like they own the place, which, fair enough, they do. The Ptarmigan is the boat that does most of these trips from Blakeney village, a short drive east of Fakenham, and it's worth booking ahead because these things fill up fast.

What you actually get is about an hour on the water, usually twice daily depending on tides (which matter, obviously - sandbanks aren't much use when they're underwater). The seals barely flinch as you approach. Some haul themselves up to stare at you with genuine indifference. It's not dramatic wildlife theatre - it's intimate and a bit meditative, to be honest.

Kids love it, genuinely. They'll spend the entire journey pressing their faces to the windows. Adults tend to get surprisingly absorbed too, especially if you go in spring when there are pups around. Bring a camera with decent zoom because you'll want closer shots than the boat allows.

If you're staying at Pinewoods Holiday Park nearby, this fits perfectly into a Norfolk coast long weekend. It's not free - expect to pay around £10-15 per adult - and it's weather dependent, so pick a calm day if you can. The journey itself is pleasant enough, but the seals are the draw. Go for them, not for the boat ride.