Why is Blakeney spit so special?

The towns sheltered by the shingle spit were once important harbours, but land reclamation schemes starting in the 17th century resulted in the silting up of the river channels. The reserve is important for breeding birds, especially terns, and its location makes it a major site for migrating birds in autumn.

What type of geomorphic feature is Blakeney Point?

Blakeney Point extends 6.4km (4 mi) and consists of sand, shingle and dunes. Material is moved along the spit carried by the action of the waves, through a process called longshore drift. On land, sediment is blown by the wind to form sand dunes.

What type of landform is Blakeney Point?

Blakeney village Managed by the National Trust since 1912 and within the North Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney Point is a 4-mile spit of flint-derived shingle and sand dunes, created by longshore drift across the River Glaven.

Can you see Blakeney seals on foot?

Please note: It is not possible to see the seal colony on Blakeney Point on foot. If you wish to see the seals then please hop on a boat from Morston Quay. We reserve the right to close sections of this walk at anytime with no warning for safety reasons.

Why was Blakeney spit important in medieval times?

The spit sheltered the Glaven ports, Blakeney, Cley-next-the-Sea and Wiveton, which were important medieval harbours. Blakeney sent ships to help Edward I’s war efforts in 1301, and between the 14th and 16th centuries it was the only Norfolk port between King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth to have customs officials.

Why does the spit at Blakeney Point change shape?

The spit constantly changes shapes due to the processes of erosion, transportation and deposition. The image below shows an area of deposition close to the mouth of Blakeley Harbour.

Is the Blakeney Point Site of Special Scientific Interest?

It has been managed by the National Trust since 1912, and lies within the North Norfolk Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is additionally protected through Natura 2000, Special Protection Area (SPA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Ramsar listings.

Where is Blakeney Point on the Norfolk coast?

Blakeney Point is a spit that extends along the north Norfolk coastline, close to the villages of Blakeney, Morston and Cley next the Sea. Blakeney Point extends 6.4km (4 mi) and consists of sand, shingle and dunes.