We continued our visit of Norfolk with the visit of Horsey Windpump and a walk to Horsey Gap where we were lucky to see some wildlife. It was definitely one of the best day we had during our stay there.
Nous avons continué notre visite de Norfolk avec la visite du moulin d’Horsey et une randonnée jusqu’à Horsey Gap où nous avons eu la chance d’observer une faune et flore très variée. Ce fût définitivement l’un des meilleurs jours de nos vacances.
Visit of Horsey Windpump:
Horsey Windpump is the largest and youngest windpump in the Norfolk broads National Park. Now belonging to the National Trust it was built in 1912 and operated until 1987 when it was closed to due the damage caused by a storm. This windpump was used to drain the water from the field such that the area could be used by human and farming animals. The windpump is now open to the public who after climbing the 61 steep stairs will be rewarded with stunning views on the surrounding countryside. The history of the building and area is very interesting.
Le moulin d’Horsey est le plus large et jeune du parc national de Norfolk broads. Appartenant maintenant au National Trust, il fût construit en 1912 et fonctionna jusqu’en 1987 date à laquelle il due fermer à cause des dommages causés par un orage. Le moulin servait au drainage des champs pour que la région puisse être utilisée par les hommes et animaux de ferme. Le moulin est maintenant ouvert au public qui pourra après avoir monté les 61 marches observer les magnifiques vues sur les environs. L’histoire du bâtiment et de la région est très intéressante.
Note: Dog are not allowed inside the windpump but are welcome along the outdoor areas and café.
Find all the information to visit Horsey Windpump on the National Trust website.
Following the visit of Horsey Windpump we decided to go for a walk to discover a bit more of the Norfolk broads and the coast. I found this walk in the “Slow travel in Norfolk” book published by Bradt. It is a series of travel books that I like and I have several of them at home. I find the books well made and with plenty of information of things to see and do that are off the beaten tracks.
Après la visite du moulin d’Horsey nous avons décidé de faire une randonnée pour découvrir un peu plus le parc national de Norfolk broads et la côte. J’avais trouvé cette randonnée dans le livre “Slow travel in Norfolk” publié par les éditions Bradt. J’aime beaucoup cette série de livres et j’en ai plusieurs à la maison. Je trouve les livres bien écrit et organisé avec pleins d’information sur les choses peu touristique à faire et à voir.
Find all the Bradt slow travel guides here.
Walk Horsey Windpump to Horsey gap:
- Distance: 8.7 km
- Level: Easy
- Ascent: 20 m
- Pushchair friendly: No
- Dog friendly: Yes – dogs must be on lead when seals are on the beach.
Starting from Horsey Windpump, we walked in the direction of Horsey Mere where we took some time to enjoy the beauty of the place. We then followed the canal before turning to reaching Horsey Corner and then we took of direction Horsey Gap. Horsey Gap is a touristy sandy beach on the Norfolk coast. During winter months colonies of grey seals use these beaches as their home. During the season 2024/2025 3500 seal pups have been born along the coastline. And luckily that day we had the opportunity to admire them. Several groups of seals were present on the beach and we could observe them sleeping. We enjoyed so much watching them, except Skye who wasn’t really reassured.
Commençant du moulin d’Horsey, nous avons marché en direction d’Horsey Mere où nous avons pris un peu de temps pour observer la beauté de l’endroit. Nous avons ensuite suivi le canal avant de tourner pour arriver à Horsey Corner et prendre la direction d’Horsey Gap. Horsey Gap est une plage de sable fin très touristique sur la côte de Norfolk. Pendant les mois d’hiver, des colonies de phoques gris utilisent ces plages comme refuge. Pendant la saison 2024/2025 environ 3500 bébé phoques sont nés le long de la côte. Et ce jour là, nous avons eu l’opportunité de pouvoir les admirer. Plusieurs groupes de phoques étaient allongés sur la plage et nous avons pu les regarder dormir. Nous avons vraiment aimé les regarder, excepté Skye qui n’était pas trop rassuré.
Note: Please respect the signages to not disturb the seals. Do not cross the red flagged area and make sure that your dogs are kept on the lead.
Find more information about Horsey Gap here.
After spending some time walking on the beach, we walked back through the marshes towards the village of Horsey to find our starting point Horsey Windpump. It was now time to have a well deserved lunch and drive back home for a relaxing afternoon.
Après un peu de temps passer sur la plage à marcher, nous sommes partis à travers les marais vers le village d’Horsey pour trouver notre point de départ le moulin d’Horsey. Après un pique nique bien mérité, nous sommes rentrés au logement passer un après midi tranquille.
Have you visited a windpump before or saw wild seals?
Avez vous déjà visité des moulins or vu des phoques dans la nature?
Linking this walk to Jo’s Monday walk.
Read all our adventures in Norfolk on this page. For our walks in the UK National Parks it is here.
Our Lake District Escapades 
Ils sont trop adorables ces phoques ❤
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Oui c’était super de pouvoir les voir. On a été chanceux.
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A lovely walk which I’ve done a couple of times but I usually do the short version from the windpump past the Nelson pub and straight down to the beach. The seals are usually there all year round, I’ve often sat quietly on the sand a short distance away just watching them. The views from the top of the windpump are fabulous on a clear sunny day.
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We loved that walk it is so beautiful there I understand why you have done it a couple of times. We didn’t know that seals where on that coast. It was a nice surprise.
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How special to complement a nice walk with the sighting of both the windpump and the seals. The perfect antidote for an overcast day.
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Thank you for your comment. It was definitely a great day.
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That looks like a lovely walk and illustrated with great photos. Cheers.
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Thank you Lynette
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How lovely to see the seals!
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It was indeed. thanks Anabel.
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Génial d’avoir vu des bébés phoques 😍
J’ai beaucoup les guides “slow travel” qui vont bien en profondeur sur les comtés.
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Pareil je les trouve super pour visiter le Royaume-Uni.
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The windpump looks pretty cool and it’s neat that you can climb up to the top of it for a nice view of the surrounding area. The seal pumps are very adorable.
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It was nice to see them on the beach and some were swimming as well. The view is well worth the effort to go up.
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I love the name Horsey Wind pump. Fabulous! And to see those sleeping seals~ such a treat. I also saw seals sleeping in Norfolk some years ago, on a sandbank at Brancaster Beach. Love them. 💕
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I agree Sharon it is a lovely name. We had a quick stop at Brancaster Beach it is a beach as well.
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What a lovely walk. The Norfolk landscape is so distinct, it’s an area I’d love to explore. The seals are adorable! We get the odd one coming near to shore here in Belfast, but seeing them together like that is lovely.
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I can definitely recommend to spend some holidays there. So many things to visit and walks to do.
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Good walk . Horsey Wind pump in Norfolk . Looking great 👍🏼 well shared 💐
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Thank you
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Looks a beautiful walk – and how lucky to see a colony of seals! They’re gorgeous.
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We were so lucky indeed. Thank you for reading.
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Whenever we visit my in-laws in Norwich over Christmas, we set aside an afternoon to see the seals. We’ve been to Blakeney Point a couple of times, and visited Horsey Gap last time (definitely the easier walk of the two!). It’s always such a treat to see the seals.
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We had a quick stop at Blakeney Point it was very nice. It is lovely to be able to see them so closely.
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This is such a lovely walk! Seeing seals in their natural habitat is an amazing experience because you get to have a wee glimpse into the lives of these playful marine mammals in their wild environment. Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thank you Aiva. We were very lucky to see them and loved it.
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🥰🥰🥰
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Oh my goodness! What a lovely walk. Thanks for sharing your photos, Melodie. James T. and I are big time walkers too.
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Thank you Robin. It is always nice to meet fellow walkers. We are doing smaller walks at the moment as with a toddler it is not easy. Looking forward to go back to longer walks when he is older.
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