Carbon free travel
Sit back and leave it to your skilled captain to harness the power of the coastal winds. No engine means no fumes, no sound and no pollution.
Spend a night under the stars on a refurbished traditional sailing boat, tucked away into a secluded creek on Norfolk’s north coast. You will set out from Wells harbour on your private sailing safari early in the morning with your skipper at the wheel of the marvellous 30-foot gaff cutter rigged whelk boat.
Head to Blakeney Point, home to the largest colony of seals in England and explore the many creeks and inlets around this stretch of coast, known intimately to your captain. Go foraging for lunch, take wild swims, try your luck with one of the boat’s fishing rods or let the skipper show you how to sail the boat. Drop anchor off Scolt Head Island where your skipper will set up camp for the night. Expect a fabulous dinner of fresh Norfolk seafood and other local delicacies, as your captain shares tales of the ocean by the campfire. Spend the next day exploring more of North Norfolk’s wild coast before touching back down on land for a night at one of the region’s best hotels.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Wild swimming
We know the best places to stop for a wild swim or maybe chance your arm with one of the boat’s fishing rods to see if you can provide lunch.
Overnight on the coast
Set up camp in a secluded creek off the main coast, miles away from anybody else – just you, your family and friends, a campfire and the skipper.
Fresh local food
Food miles will be kept to a minimum which means you’ll eat exceptionally fresh sustainable seafood and other delicious local delicacies.
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Day 1
Wells-next-the-sea
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Day 2
Scolt Head Island
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Day 3
Blakeney Point
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Day 4
Blakeney Point
Day 1
Wells-next-the-sea
Arrive in the afternoon to check into your hotel and relax.
Day 2
Scolt Head Island
An early morning departure using the morning tide to sail to one of the best overnight destinations, including Scolt Head Island, Thornham Creek or just behind Blakeney Point. Spend the afternoon wild swimming, foraging, spearfishing or just relaxing. Stay overnight using the open boat with a canvas tent cover, sleeping on hammocks or inflatable mats under canvas or the stars.
Day 3
Blakeney Point
Following a cooked breakfast around the campfire, return to Wells on the morning tide and transfer to Blakeney Point for a night at the superb Blakeney Hotel.
Day 4
Blakeney Point
Think about extending your Norfolk holiday to include a canoe trip on the Norfolk Broads or head inland for a more rural experience, staying at the superb Carricks at Castle Farm.
More Details
Norfolk whelk boat
Ideal for sailing & as camp for the night
Our partner in Norfolk has a fleet of three clinker-built, Norfolk fishing boats, each with a rich history of working along the Norfolk coast. The design of these vessels has stayed the same for hundreds of years. Adopting techniques handed down through generations of fishermen, these boats are custom-made for the unique conditions of the wild north Norfolk coast and meet the safety standards of the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Our overnight sailing expeditions take place on the Salford, a 30-foot open wooden gaff-rigged whelk boat, first built in one of Kings Lynn’s boatyards in 1950. She has since been lovingly refurbished and is perfect for coastal sailing adventures and camping out with a wood-burning stove and canvas tents. Talk to us about the other two boats in the fleet – an open wooden lug-rigged crab boat and a mussel flat.
Offshore barrier island
Scolt Head Island: A sanctuary for nature
Scolt Head Island is a National Nature Reserve, managed by Natural England and renowned for having the most pristine and prolific saltmarshes in the whole of the UK. Combined with other habitats such as sand dunes and mudflats, it provides sanctuary to a diverse range of wildlife. The island is not easily accessed which means it is an important conservation site and a great place for our sailing adventures to explore.
For birders, Scolt Head is a paradise with a large colony of sandwich terns raising their chicks on the island every year alongside Arctic terns, roseate terns, little terns and a variety of wildfowl and other seabirds. The island is also a favourite haunt for photographers with wide expanses of sand fringed by dunes and seagrass under vast blue skies.
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A note on price
This is an indicative price based on a group of four people travelling together. The cost may vary based on the availability of hotels in Wells-next-the-sea and Blakeney. Please call us so we can tailor the itinerary to suit your needs and give you an accurate quote.
This Itinerary
Price
From $1,329 Per person
When to travel
United Kingdom in January
January is usually the coldest month of the year and also when you’re most likely to experience clear and frosty days but with blue skies and crisp mornings. Perfect conditions for winter walks, if dressed suitably.
United Kingdom in February
You may experience snowfall in February and temperatures will still be relatively cold. In the south of the United Kingdom, snowdrops begin to emerge, particularly in woodland areas and you’ll see the first sprouts of wild garlic.
United Kingdom in March
The weather gradually begins to improve in March as the Spring season starts to get underway. Temperatures begin to rise and spring flowers appear, both on the ground and as blossom on the trees. The rugby Six Nations Championship is held during February or March when England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy all go head to head.
United Kingdom in April
April can be a little unpredictable for the weather; it can be warm and sunny or it can be a very rainy month. Towards the end of April swathes of bluebells cover ancient woodland areas and meadows burst into colour.
United Kingdom in May
The weather is usually warm during May. The month has two Bank Holiday weekends, which can be particularly busy as British people make the most of this time off work. There are quite a few festivals that will take place from May through to August, making the most of the sunshine, so talk to our experts as to what you can get involved in.
United Kingdom in June
The warm weather continues through to June. There are quite a few festivals that will take place from May through to August, making the most of the sunshine, so talk to our experts as to what you can get involved in.
United Kingdom in July
Traditionally the summer months, July and August are in theory the hottest and driest months of the year although, as with all British weather, this cannot be relied on. There are quite a few festivals that will take place from May through to August, making the most of the sunshine, so talk to our experts as to what you can get involved in.
United Kingdom in August
Traditionally the summer months, July and August are in theory the hottest and driest months of the year although, as with all British weather, this cannot be relied on. There are quite a few festivals that will take place from May through to August, making the most of the sunshine, so talk to our experts as to what you can get involved in.
United Kingdom in September
September often has warmer and drier weather than August, and the summer crowds start to disperse as schools reopen.
United Kingdom in October
The autumn leaves are at their best, most vibrant russet shades during October with around, on average about 10 days of rain. Temperatures are cooler and some sites in more rural areas start to close for winter.
United Kingdom in November
In early November the autumn leaves are still in full show, but mountainous areas may experience snow and daylight is restricted to around seven hours in northern Scotland. The weather is usually cool and damp, although it’s not uncommon to have wonderful cold, dry spells. The UK acknowledges daylight saving time on November 1 and the clocks will be set back by one hour
United Kingdom in December
December is usually cold and damp, with little foliage and the least daylight hours of the year (fewer than seven in the north of Scotland).
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
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