From now until January, you can witness the sight of thousands of seal pups being born and nursed by their mothers along the roughly 3½-mile stretch of coastline between Winterton and Horsey Gap.
I was lucky enough to spend a few days there to witness the spectacle, and I can tell you, despite the chilly and rather windy conditions it’s absolutely worth the pilgrimage.
Just two and a half hours’ drive from London, Winterton is a relatively quiet seaside village that’s only a 40-minute drive from Norwich, offering a peaceful base close to festive activities, restaurants, and nightlife.
Where we stayed
We stayed at Bulmer Cottage, located just a three-minute drive from the main beach.
It’s a comfortable, characterful three-bedroom cottage with a sitting room, dining area, two bathrooms, a courtyard, and outdoor parking.
The cottage is one of the dog-friendly homes managed by Winterton Cottages, who oversee around 30–35 properties in the area, including the one we stayed in.
Our cottage also featured a log burner for cosy evenings, as well as underfloor heating in the main foyer area.
Being an extended cottage, the house has a lot of character — including its original staircase and distinctive windows, which add charm to the kitchen area.
Seal spotting
One of Winterton’s main appeals is, of course, its grey seals.
At this time of year, thousands of seal mothers haul themselves onto the beach, many of them born there in previous years — to give birth and nurse their pups.
It’s truly a spectacular sight, and we saw many pups with their mothers, some only days old.
Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept strictly on leads, and there is a cosy seasonal café by the beach where you can warm up with a hot drink.
The area is monitored and protected by Friends of Horsey Seals, a volunteer organisation that supervises the colony, advises visitors, and rescues any seals that may be injured or abandoned.
Do be aware that both mothers and large seal bulls can roam across the dunes and footpaths, so listen carefully to volunteer wardens and follow their guidance on where you can walk, as it helps keep everyone, especially the pups safe.
The sight of so many seals and their young is a wonderful and humbling experience, and a powerful reminder that the UK is home to its own remarkable wildlife spectacles, even in the depths of winter.
Further afield
If you fancy venturing inland, Norwich is just 40 minutes from Winterton and has plenty to offer.
From its award-winning market with a huge selection of food and drink stalls to its historic 12th-century castle, recently refurbished with new galleries and exhibitions, there’s something for everyone.
Film-lovers may recognise Elm Hill, Norwich’s famous cobbled street, which has appeared in several productions.
For festive explorers, spots such as Jarrolds Department Store and the Royal Arcade offer some of the prettiest Christmas lights in the city.
If history is more your interest, the area is within an hour’s drive of several notable National Trust properties.
One of the most popular is Blickling Hall, a grand 17th-century estate traditionally linked to Anne Boleyn’s early life.
This year, the hall has been beautifully decorated for Christmas with the theme “A Mouse Christmas”, leading visitors through a charming trail of tiny festive mouse scenes hidden among the decorations.
