#wintertononsea

[glynnehather]

Church #bnw #norfolk #wintertononsea #church #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography (at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEqrgXTn4L4/?igshid=1f8vgw5rzcr91

[winterton-on-sea]

AERIAL shots of Winterton taken at 8.00am this morning by Simon Carter ©, who shot them while on his morning cycle ride - part of his daily exercise. wintertononsea.co.uk

[elsewhereclicks]

Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk, UK

Summer 2015

- Tom

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/a-locals-guide-to-vising-the-seals-at-horsey-on-the-norfolk-coast/

Seals at Horsey: a local's guide to the best views

If you want to come seal watching in Norfolk and in particular, you want to see baby seals, then Horsey and Winterton beaches are the place to come.

Visiting the seal colony at Horsey, especially when the seals have their babies in the winter in an amazing site. Last year 2034 fluffy white seal pups were born on the beach at Horsey. It’s one of the highlights of Norfolk’s seasonal wildlife calendar and a must see if you are visiting the Norfolk Coast this year. Beware that it can be very windy on the coast so wrap up warm. It is magical to see these animals but they are vulnerable to disturbance from people and their dogs so please keep at least a 15 meter distance.

About the seals at Horsey

Around half the world’s grey seal population is found in Britain. They are a protected species and come onto the beach at Horsey, to have their babies and breed. It is magical to see these animals but they are vulnerable to disturbance from people and their dogs.

Baby seal on the beach at Horsey

The females come to the beach and have their babies about a day after they arrive. Their babies have a beautiful white woolly coat which is not waterproof. Staying on shore, for the first 17 days or so, they are fed milk by their mums putting on as much as 2kg  per day. Within 3 weeks the mum has weaned her pup and she abandons it to live off its blubber and loose it's coat, known as molting. Once they get their waterproof coats, driven by hunger, these brave little pups go into the sea and teach themselves to catch fish. Over 50% of the pups don’t survive their first year.

After the females have weaned their pups they mate. One dominant bull (male seal) may mate with up to 20 females. Seals are territorial - if they are disturbed and have to move they and their pups are in danger from other aggressive males. Likewise, if humans approach too close to babies their Mums may abandon them.  The dark brown or grey males are distinguishable from the females who tend to be tanned and more mottled in colour. Males live to around 25 years and females to around 35 years.

Seeing the seals at Horsey

There are two species of seal at Horsey. The Harbour seal and the Grey seal. The main way to tell the difference is their faces – they consider harbour seals to be cuter with heart-shaped nostrils. Grey seals have more roman noses. Another key difference between the species is their babies. Harbour seals have their babies in the summer. They can swim as soon as they are born. The grey seals have their babies between Nov and January on the beaches so it's these little fellas you will see in large numbers. This cute little film is a great introduction to the seal colony at Horsey.

Grey seal facts

Around 40% of the world’s grey seal population live in Britain.

They are a protected species

The seal colony at Horsey is growing. Over 1500 babies were born here last year

They smell terrible

The females arrive on the beach and have their babies about a day later.

Their babies have a beautiful white woolly coat which is not waterproof. They must not go back into the sea. If they do they may well die of exposure

Staying on shore, for the first 17 days or so, they are fed milk by their mums putting on as much as 2kg per day. Ideally they feed 6 times a day, consuming 2.5 litres of milk per day.

Within 3 weeks the mum has weaned her pup, and she abandons it to live off its blubber. During this period the baby loses its coat, known as moulting.

Once they get their waterproof coats, driven by hunger, these brave little pups go into the sea and teach themselves to catch fish.

Over 50% of the pups don’t survive their first year.

After the females have weaned their pups they mate.

Males live to around 25 years and females to around 35 years. Females are smaller

One dominant bull (male seal) may mate with up to 20 females.

About 60% of a grey seals time is spent at sea. They can dive to 70m usually for 5 to 10 minutes. Though they can stay submerged for up to 20 minutes.

Between February and April around 2000 seals come out of the sea to moult.

Theories as to why the seal colony is growing in Horsey and Winterton vary but many think it is because of the offshore wind turbines creating habitat for young fish, thus increasing fish availability others think it Is a result of climate change as the seals move south from Scotland.

How to reach the seal colony?

For a short walk

Park at Horsey Gap car park which costs £3 for 2 hours. It is a 10 minute walk to the nearest viewing platform. Beware there are no toilets but is a good option if you have young children or elderly folk with you. The nearest toilet and coffee stop is the delightful Poppylands on the main road. To get an idea of what it is like at Horsey check out this lovely little film by mummy blogger and explorer 'baby routes'.

You can also park at the National Trust wind pump at Horsey and walk to the seals via the Nelson head pub. This is about a 3 mile walk.

For an alternative, shorter walk, park at the Nelson. You can follow a track to the beach, this is a 1.5/2 mile return walk. You can do this with a push chair, just about, but there is a stile to get over. The good food and roaring fire at the pub is always welcome upon your return.

If you are staying in Winterton or with us at Mill Farm Eco Barn you can probably see babies on the beach or hidden in the dunes. The seal wardens will direct you to the best place to safely see the babies. You can also walk to Horsey. It’s a 7.5km return walk, taking in the Nelson Head pub.  See walk 5 of our walking guide. Please keep dogs on the lead. Seal bites can prove fatal to a dog.

It can be very windy on the coast so wrap up warm, particularly if you are doing the walk from the car park with young kids. I once met a Mum with a portable water colour kit viewing the seals - their children happily painted a quick water colour of the seals to add to their experience – genius!

The seal colony as seen from the dunes

Friends of Horsey Seals

The Friends of Horsey Seals is a wonderful organisation, run by volunteers, who help protect these beautiful mammals.

They ask visitors to observe the following code when they visit the seals:

Stay a good distance away from the seals. At least 15 meters away.

Look out for seals in the dunes and give them a wide berth.

Keep dogs on a lead and be careful - seals have a nasty bite.

Keep to the marked viewing areas and respect the fencing.

Remember that they are wild animals and should not be approached!

Want somewhere to stay?

If you would like to come and see these seals we offer 2 beautiful Eco Barns in the neighbouring village of Winterton on sea. They sleep 8 and 2 and can be booked for the weekend.  Check our availability here.

[spencersarc]

My feed the past couple of days has been filled with seaside and beach day posts and I love it. Beach days make me so happy. My two were back at school today but I���ve been planning some of our upcoming adventures. It’s good to have a plan. Some more beach time to look forward to. 📸 For now here’s a little throw back from our trip to Winterton-On-Sea when we stayed at the gorgeous @millfarmecobarn . #beachdays #sandytoessaltykisses #seaside #beach #sandbetweenyourtoes #vitaminsea #wintertononsea #norfolk #travelfamily #travelmad #beachadventures #beachaddict #childhoodunplugged #momentsofmine https://www.instagram.com/spencersarc.mummy/p/BwmcUyRF2uo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ek41cfm4z3gl

[packthepjs]

Serious business as Toby looks for ‘treasure’ on Winterton dunes with his metal detector from Regton Detectors. Where are we? Well, in the Dunes Cafe of course, watching him! #wintertononsea #dunescafe #hemsby #norfolk #norfolkcoastpath #metaldetecting #metaldetectorist #huntingfortreasure #familytravelblogger #lookingfortreasure #treasurehunt #familyfun (at Winterton Beach/Dunes)

[ibottlethestars]

To surprisingly sunny autumn days at the beach... #beach #beachday #autumn #wintertononsea #boyfriend #sun #sea #sand (at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk)

[norfolksteve]

Winterton-on-Sea #roundhouses #seaside #beach #norfolk #wintertononsea #coast

[glynnehather]

Walking the Dog #norfolk #beach #wintertononsea #sand #sea #england #coast #beachlife🌴 (at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEqj-_nnIsW/?igshid=1aivain45pgz8

[glynnehather]

Lighthouse Village #wintertononsea #beach #lighthouse #villagelife (at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpka_QHcUo/?igshid=14imyg6rx09u

[glynnehather]

Sand Dunes #wintertononsea #norfolk #beach #sand #dunes #grass #bnw #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #bnw_workers #bnw_magazine (at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpijWLngnm/?igshid=1lf29wauirmf8

[glynnehather]

Along the Waterfront #wintertononsea #norfolk #beach #seaside #england #sand (at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpiPavnp-G/?igshid=w8v4z13sd47x

[glynnehather]

Sheds #norfolk #wintertononsea #coast #shed #england #seaside #beach (at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEoxdKOnDIR/?igshid=17udo3n5dq20d

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/autumn-days-out-in-norfolk/

Autumn Days Out in Norfolk

Norfolk is a beautiful place to visit in the autumn. Whether you want a dose of nature and experience the changes of the seasons. Or if you are here for your family’s half term holiday there is plenty do to whatever the weather. Here is my local guide to the best places to head to this autumn in Norfolk.  This blog post focuses mainly  in East Norfolk where the Norfolk Coast meets the Norfolk Broads. I am based in Winterton-on-sea.

Experience Nature

Norfolk is a great place to be if you want to watch the seasons change and experience wildlife.

Visit the seals and coast.

A must visit if you are in the local area. The seal colony at Horsey has been growing steadily for some years now. The colony has harbour seals or common seals as well as grey seals. In Autumn we see both types of seals on the beach at Horsey in large numbers (and increasingly at Winterton-on-sea). Grey seals have their babies on the beach from mid-November onwards. Last year over 2000 grey seal babies were recorded. If you visit Horsey this autumn you should get to see both types of seals on the beach. The beach at Horsey will be closed to the public from the end of October, to protect the baby grey seals who can’t go into the sea until they are over 6 weeks old. You can view the seals from a number of viewing platforms on the dunes. I have written a detailed blog on how to get the best out of a visit to see the baby seals here.

Seals at Horsey

Top tip: Tracking the seals down can be trickier. I tend to ask people when I arrive where they are and then head to the right part of the beach. Please note there is no public toilet at Horsey. Poppylands the 1940s tea room, at Horsey gap, is a great stop-off point - they do great cake.

Visit the Broads National Park

The beautiful Broads make for excellent wildlife spotting and days out in nature. I’d recommend hiring an electric boat from Martham Ferry Boat company and experience Martham Broad, Horsey and Hickling. At dusk you can hear the pink footed geese and watch the cranes fly over. Ross' wildlife tours, operating out of Horsey to rave reviews, are back for half term (kids and dogs welcome). Text Ross on 07791526440 for availability. Or visit Hickling National Nature Reserve.  At Strumpshaw Fen nature reserves you can book  your own personal wildlife safari with the RSPB warden.

Tip: If you hire a boat, always go electric. Quiet and no fumes - why wouldn’t you?

Top picnic spot and place to see brilliant autumn colours

How Hill.

My favourite place in the Broads. It has everything (apart from a tea room) that you could want for a picnic spot including mini museum, boat trips, and nature reserve. I made a little film of my friends and family enjoying How Hill.

On October 23 there is a delightful Craft Fayre on at the house. 11am-4pm with refreshments, craft, and activities for kids.

Tip: there is lots to How Hill but it’s easy to miss. Check to see if the main house and gardens are open. It will say on a notice board outside the house and seek out the ‘Secret water gardens’ which will be beautiful in autumn. You enter them via the woods heading north from the house.

Great options for kids over the half terms weeks.

October 18-26 - Norwich Science Festival at the Forum

I love the Norwich science festival. This year it has nine days of inspirational exhibitions, sensational shows and hands-on science activities for all ages and all levels of knowledge. It is an absolute must to visit with your young scientists. There are, mostly, free shows for kids but book in advance.  Find out more about the Norwich Science Festival

Tip: The Forum in central Norwich has drop in events, these tend to be busy but good to dip into either side of a show or workshop.

October 19-31 - The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade at BeWILDerwood

Always one of my top recommendations for kids from 3 – 11 years old especially for the half term week. Apparently, as dusk falls, BeWILDerwood will glow in a magical light extravaganza. See the woods in a fantastical new light as all the inhabitants come out to celebrate a Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade!  Check out this short film on the parade

Tip: I’d recommend arriving around 1 or 2pm if you want to take part both in the lantern parade and in the usual activity. There is a good 5 hours of fun on a normal day. Outside of half term it's open at the weekends.

October 23 - Family Survival School 10:30am - 3:30pm at Sheringham Park

Our friend, Rob, at Sheringham Park puts on marvellous family days at the National Trusts beautiful Sheringham Park and this event sounds great.  "Hone your survival skills with a bitesize bushcraft adventure! Build a shelter, light a fire, forage for food and learn how to navigate with a map and compass. Cooking on a campfire is one of the '50 things to do before you are 11¾'"

Tip: You need to book. Sheringham is a great place to take bikes for kids or just wonder around the beautiful park land and then head into the town for fish and chips  on the beach at dusk

October 18-27 - Halloween Hoot at Hirsty's Family Fun Park

If you are looking to entertain your family and want the pumpkin carving to not happen at home, try the Halloween Hoot at Hirsty’s Famiy Fun Park. Pick and carve your pumpkin on site, wheel it back to the carving tent and start creating your own masterpiece - then try out other craft activities before playing in the Fun Park.

Tip: Alternatively you pick your own pumpkins at the Tacons farm shop in Rollesby and even take part in their pumpkin fun run on the 26th October.

October 19-November 3 - Fang-tastic Family Fun at Trick or Tweet at Pensthorpe Natural Park

We love Pensthorpe’s  beautiful gardens and brilliant indoor and outdoor play areas.  This half term you can join Pensthorpe Natural Park's Trick or Tweet which will allow families to discover the grim and gruesome side of nature and celebrate the magic of autumn outdoor.

October 19-27 - Fairhaven Fairy Folk Halloween Trail

These guys always put on great events. Throughout half term you and your kids can hunt for little fairy doors in the trees and discover which fairies and spirits live there. Fairhaven helps reveal how in recent centuries, Halloween has replaced the ancient celebration of Samhain, when our Celtic ancestors celebrated the end of summer and the beginning of winter. The Fairy Folk Halloween Trail is free with garden entry plus 10p for the trail sheet and runs every day from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27.

Tip: Their café is great and reasonable. Dogs allowed on leads.

October 19-27 - Spooky Fun at Pumpkin Festival, Wroxham Barns

Perfect for younger children, combine a visit to Wroxham Barn’s junior farm with their pumpkin festival. You'll be able to make potions and wands with your kids. There are prizes for the scariest costumes.

October 19-November 3 - Halloween Spooktacular 2019 at The Hippodrome Circus

If you are anywhere near Great Yarmouth we’d recommend a trip to the Hippodrome and see Great Yarmouth’s permanent circus spectacle. Ideal for families with kids 6 plus.

Arts and Crafts Fairs

Norfolk has an increasingly good arts and craft movement. These are a few local ones I’d really recommend.

October 19 20 Thrigby Arts Festival 10am – 4pm (free)

Beautiful crafts from pottery, weavers, upholsters – great gifts. See their Facebook page here. I go every year, there is hand on stuff for the kids to do and I even manage to buy some  early Christmas presents.

October 23 How Hill Trust Craft Fayre 11am – 4pm adults £3

A large range of local craft stalls and demonstrations. Gardens open. Orienteering activity and dyke dipping for children. Homemade cakes, refreshments, and light lunches available throughout the day.

November 3 Blue Bird Handmade Market, Royal Assembly Rooms, Great Yarmouth. 11am- 3pm free or Nov 17th Yarmouth Race Course 11am- 3pm

Range of quality local crafts at these delightful Christmas markets. Find out more on their Instagram pages

24 November and 1 December Norwich Makers Market, Norwich Assembly House 11am- 4pm

Wonderful gifts are available from the stalls of these talented people. Follow them and see who is participating at the market via their Instagram page

[winterton-on-sea]

WE'RE rather chuffed to see that software giants Rage have picked our Winterton website among others from across the world to advertise their Apple website design programme Everweb. We don't use templates, so every page starts off as a blank. https://www.everwebapp.com/resources/customer-sites/

[winterton-on-sea]

Chas 'n' Dave tribute band The Rockney Rebels are returning by popular demand to the Fishermans Return on Friday at 8.00pm. For other Winterton events in September please visit: https://wintertononsea.co.uk/whats-on.html