We live in Norwich, and Morston Quay is one of our favourite corners of the North Norfolk coast — we were last here in February 2023 for a winter walk along the salt marshes to Blakeney. This is our family visitor guide: the walks we’ve actually done from the quay, what to know if you’re booking a seal trip to Blakeney Point, and the practical bits (car park, tides, facilities) that can catch people out.
How to find Morston Quay
SatNav: Morston Quay, Quay Lane, Morston, Norfolk, NR25 7BH
Morston Quay is between Wells-next-the-Sea and Blakeney. It’s a great place to park up and explore the North Norfolk coast — from the quay you can take the coastal path and either walk to Wells (6 miles) or Blakeney (1¼ miles).
Walking routes from Morston Quay
The North Norfolk coast path runs straight through Morston Quay, and the quay is probably the best single access point for walking the middle section as a family. We’ve done these routes in different seasons; here’s what to expect.
The short salt-marsh loop (about a mile, 30–40 minutes). From the car park, head down onto the quay itself, then walk the short footpath that loops east along the edge of the marshes and back. Flat, pushchair-friendly on dry days, and it gives you a feel for the landscape — open sky, creeks, wading birds — without committing to a longer walk.
Morston to Blakeney (1¼ miles each way). The classic. Flat, open-to-the-wind coast path with the marshes on one side and grazing on the other; in summer it’s busy, in winter it can feel wonderfully remote. Blakeney village at the far end has pubs, a small shop and the Manor Hotel; most families walk there, eat, walk back. Allow two to three hours round trip with a stop. If you time it right you can often catch the Coasthopper bus back if small legs have had enough.
Morston to Stiffkey (about 2½ miles one way). Quieter than the Blakeney direction because there’s no honeypot at the end. Lovely birdlife through the marsh — redshanks, oystercatchers, geese in winter. You can loop back inland via the road if you’d rather not repeat the coast path.
Morston to Wells-next-the-Sea (about 6 miles one way). A proper day’s walk. Most people time the Coasthopper bus back from Wells rather than doubling the distance.
Two practical notes: the path can flood on exceptionally high tides in places, so a tide check before you set out is sensible; and after heavy rain the lower sections can be muddy enough to warrant proper boots rather than trainers.
Seal trips from Morston Quay — what to know if you’re booking
Morston is the main launch point for the boat trips out to Blakeney Point to see the grey and common seals. We haven’t been on a trip ourselves — it’s honestly on our list for a future visit — so this section is compiled from the operators’ own information and current National Trust signage at the quay, rather than first-hand experience.
Two family operators run from Morston: Beans Boats and Temple Seal Trips, both long-established local family businesses. Trips typically run year-round, weather and tides permitting, with more frequent sailings during school holidays and summer. Adult tickets as of April 2026 run in the region of £16–£20, children £8–£12 — check directly with the operator for the current day rate.
Two important variants: in the warmer months (April–October) the trips land you on Blakeney Point itself for a short walk, so you’ll see the seals close up on shore; in winter (November–early spring, covering the grey seal pupping season) boats stay off-shore to avoid disturbing the pups, and you view from the water. Winter pupping trips are the more dramatic experience if you don’t mind the cold.
Whichever season, book ahead — school holidays and good-weather weekends fill up days in advance. Sailings also sometimes cancel at short notice if tide or weather conditions change; operators are good about rebooking or refunding.
What other National Trust sites are nearby?
We haven’t seen this at many other National Trust sites, but the board at the Morston Visitor Information shed lists all the other NT sites you can combine Morston with on a North Norfolk holiday.
We’re regular visitors to Felbrigg Hall — highly recommend the walled kitchen garden — and Blickling Hall, where the cycle hire is a great way to explore the estate with children. Horsey Windpump is also worth visiting with children as they get to climb up inside and see how a wind pump works.
Visitor essentials at a glance
As of April 2026 — always check the official National Trust page for the property before travelling.
- Postcode: NR25 7BH
- Nearest towns: Blakeney (1 mile), Stiffkey (3 miles), Holt (7 miles)
- From Norwich: About an hour’s drive north on the A140 and then west along the coast road
- Opening hours: Car park dawn–dusk; Café and Visitor Information 10:00–16:00
- Admission: Free entry to the quay and grounds
- Parking: Free for NT members (scan card to register); non-members £4 for up to 3 hours or £6 all day. JustPark app or contactless at the machine.
- Toilets: Yes, at the quay (open year-round)
- Café: Take-away café on the quay, daily February–December; times vary with the weather
- Dogs: Welcome on leads on the quay and coast path — great dog-walking destination. Note ground-nesting birds across Blakeney National Nature Reserve March–August and keep control on the marshes.
- Visitor Information Centre: Year-round source of coast-path, reserve and seal-trip information
- Suggested visit length: 2–3 hours for a walk; half a day with a seal trip
- Best for families: Summer for seal landings and beach walks; February for crisp, empty coast-path days
What facilities are at Morston Quay?
There’s a small take-away café at the quay serving hot drinks, sandwiches and cakes. There’s also a used-book corner at the visitor information shed, and you can climb the stairs to the lookout deck for a view out over the marshes — good for birdwatching and watching the seal-trip boats come and go.
The toilet block is separate and, when we last visited, clean and well maintained. There’s also a boat and trailer park for sailors bringing their own craft down for the weekend.
Related reading
- Is National Trust membership worth the money? — our pillar guide.
- Blickling Hall — our family review
- Felbrigg Hall — our family review
- Oxburgh Hall — our family review
Is National Trust membership worth it for a family holiday?
We get asked this a lot, so here’s the honest maths for a family of four on a week’s holiday, using current (April 2026) gate prices.
Picture 2 adults and 2 under-16s doing a North Norfolk coast break — Morston plus a handful of NT days inland — and stopping at Stonehenge on the drive home. Gate prices work out as: Felbrigg Hall £45 family ticket + £5 parking = £50; Blickling Hall £45 + £5 = £50; Oxburgh Hall £35 family, parking free = £35; Stonehenge £88.80 for the family, parking included = £88.80. That’s £223.80 for four visits paid at the gate — before you factor in Morston’s parking, which is also free for members.
An annual National Trust family membership — 2 adults and all children under 18 — is £176.40 by annual Direct Debit, and it covers every one of those visits (yes, including Stonehenge — the stones themselves are managed by English Heritage, but NT England members book a free ‘affiliate member’ ticket on the EH site and walk in free that way, thanks to the long-standing NT/EH reciprocal arrangement). Sign up online by Direct Debit and you also get a free Guest Pass to share with a friend or grandparent.
On this one holiday alone you’re about £47 better off as a member — and every NT property you visit for the rest of the year is pure savings, with free parking at over 300 of them, Morston included.
One more budget point worth knowing. National Trust family membership can be paid by monthly Direct Debit rather than in one lump sum — £14.70 a month for a two-adult family, or £9.10 a month for a one-adult family — spread across twelve instalments. That can be a lot easier to plan around than a clutch of peak-season family tickets arriving all at once during the school holidays.
Eating at Morston Quay
Morston Quay Café — Morston Quay
Quayside café at Morston, next to the seal-trip boats. Right by the seal-trip jetty. Drinks, sandwiches, ice cream. Dogs welcome outdoors.
Today: Open 10:00–16:00.
| Mon–Sun | 10:00–16:00 |
|---|
Verified against the operator's official page. Hours change seasonally — check the operator's page before visiting. (Last verified more than 3 months ago — confirm before visiting.)
Visiting more than three or four NT places a year? National Trust membership covers entry and parking — and there’s a Free Guest Pass on annual Direct Debits at the moment.
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