For the weekend we explored the Sand Dunes at Winterton On Sea in Norfolk. The village is only 13 km north of Great Yarmouth and 30 km east of Norwich. The coast is made up of a 109 hectare National Nature Reserve. Combining the Winterton dunes with the Horsey dunes, Hawker Dragonflys and Natterjack Toads can be found here. Winterton On Sea is also the home to more than 300 pairs of the little tern seabirds, making it the UKs largest colony.
We had visited during a chilly -3°c and strong winds of -12°c from Siberia, named in the UK as the ‘Beast from the East’ that would also bring snow in the days after we had arrived.  We decided to take a walk on the Norfolk coast with family and their dogs. Prepared with our winter coats, hat and scarfs we braced ourselves to be windswept!
Pulling up at the car park and little Winterton Dunes Beach Cafe we could already see that this usual popular walking spot was rather empty. Family members told us that in the summer that it’s not always possible to find a parking spot and you will need to queue to get into the cafe!
In the car park area you can also see some concrete anti tank cubes which were constructed and placed there in World War Two. More can be found along the beach.
Source: Unknown
Wnterton On Sea is a starting spot to see common and grey seals, but we were welcomed with large crashing waves and only a few other walkers on the beach. For better chances of seeing wild seals you should head north towards the coast at Horsey. At Horsey you also have a special viewing platform thats free, keeping a safe distance from any seals and their pups. For more information and best viewing dates see Explore Norfolk UK .
Source: Seals at Winterton On Sea by Emma Louise Layla
Not to get put off by the cold winds we decided to walk straight into the sand dunes to be a little more sheltered than the beautiful wide beach area. Dogs are welcome to walk freely here and so they were off their leads straight away.
We loved being out in the nature, the dunes reminded us of some of the west coast beaches in the Netherlands that we have visited in the past. Some we must visit again soon!
For us it was nice to get out here and spend some more time with family, as well as visiting a new place in Norfolk that we had not yet explored. In the summertime we’d love to go back and spend more time at the sand dunes of Winterton On Sea.
Tips:
- Keep your distance from any seals
- Prepare for the weather!
- Take all your rubbish with you
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23 Comments
fromtoddlertotraveler
7th March 2018 at 3:00 pmThis looks beautiful! I actually love visiting beaches when the weather’s chilly. Your dogs look like they are having so much fun!
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:08 amThanks for commenting – Chilly walks are definitely just as fun! 🙂
pokerpilgrim
7th March 2018 at 3:13 pmOh my goodness. It looks very chilly. I would love to be able to see seals just hanging out in nature, however.
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:09 amYes, unfortunately no seals were around for us to watch.
Lara Dunston
7th March 2018 at 3:41 pmI’ve never been beyond London on my UK trips and I’m regretting it now. Looks just lovely! I didn’t expect the beaches to be so beautiful there. But I have to say that I’m surprised they allow the dogs to get so close to the seals though – or are the dogs in a completely different area?
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:12 amThere were no seals this time we visited unfortunately, but dog walkers of course are not allowed to let their dogs so close to seals if there are any 🙂 then the walkers must use leads and control their dogs by respecting the distance.
Kristen Tcherneshoff
7th March 2018 at 5:32 pmThose seals are too cute!!! I had no idea you could see them in the UK and now trying to figure it out how I can squeeze it in during my trip to London in April…. 😉
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:13 amYou have to time it well of course with the season. We unfortunately missed them but have heard since that they have been there!
Krystle
7th March 2018 at 4:46 pmI have never been to England before, but I need to add it to my list. Your photos look lovely and those dogs… oh my gosh, they are so cute! 🙂
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:12 amThanks for commenting Krystle! It was a fun day with the doggies for sure 😀
Maike
7th March 2018 at 4:51 pmWow, this landscape looks so beautiful. I would love walking around the area but when the temperature is a bit higher 😉
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:12 amYeah it was far too chilly this time, but still fun none the less 🙂
Sushmita Malakar (@sushmitamalakar)
7th March 2018 at 6:15 pmSuch cute pictures! Trust me, I don’t think I could wholeheartedly read the post after seeing that cute doggo! Thanks for the wonderful post! 🙂
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:14 amThanks for commenting! My family sure does have cute doggies 😀
Heidi Medina
7th March 2018 at 9:09 pmI love visiting the beach anytime of the year but that sounded like it was cold. But it’s so nice to go when it’s not crowded. And what cute seals and pups. It looks like the pups had quite an adventure as well! Such a beautiful location.
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:17 amThanks for commenting Heidi, it was definitely an advantage to go when its chilly to avoid the crowds. 🙂
josypheen
7th March 2018 at 9:39 pmThis looks like a perfect day for your doggo!!
Once we went swimming with a seal by mistake (off the Coast in Ireland.) We were swimming with our dog (a labrador- they have similar faces to seals) and my mum thought the dog had swum too far out, so she tried to grab him, to pull him back to shore. It was only when she touched his skin she realized she’d tried to grab a seal, not our dog!
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:17 amOh wow what an experience! I’m sure the seal was a little too curious too hehe
josypheen
13th March 2018 at 1:36 pmRiiight!? Although I think mum was lucky not to have her fingers bitten!
Ruth
8th March 2018 at 2:16 amI love beaches like this! The entire setting reminds me of the beaches here in California. Of course, we have very different weather, even in winter. Anyway, I think it is a great decision to spend some time outdoors even when the weather is chilly. Those dogs are so cute!
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:18 amThanks for commenting Ruth! Totally agree with you! No matter what the weather is, its great to be outdoors!
Teja
8th March 2018 at 9:25 amI love the black wood of the shed in the photo! The wood grains are gorgeous!
Zoe | Together In Transit
13th March 2018 at 9:18 amThank you 🙂