Horsey - Seal viewing

The beach at Horsey, just a short drive east of Great Yarmouth, is one of Norfolk's best spots to watch seals hauled out on the shingle. Grey seals particularly - proper chunky things - loll about on the shore, especially between autumn and spring when they're at their most relaxed. You don't need to pay anything or book ahead; just turn up, walk along the beach, and keep your distance (binoculars help enormously). The seals are genuinely unfazed by people if you stay calm and quiet. Allow a couple of hours to get the most from it, though an hour's enough if you're just after a quick look.

Families with patient kids will find this rewarding. Teenagers usually love it. Walkers should note that the coastal path here is lovely and flat - nothing taxing - though the shingle does shift under your feet. Birdwatchers also do well out of Horsey; you'll see plovers, terns and waders depending on the season.

The practical stuff: no facilities on the beach itself, so bring a flask and snacks. Parking is limited and free, but it fills quickly on weekends. Winter mornings are quietest and often best for seal-spotting. If you're staying at Waxham Sands or Golden Beach - both within a few miles - Horsey makes a proper morning trip. It's the kind of place that sticks with you precisely because it's unglamorous and real. Not Instagram-perfect, but genuinely good.