Tucked away on the North Norfolk coast, Blakeney Quay is that peaceful spot you keep coming back to. Ramshackle charm, old wooden piers, and the chance to turn crabbing into a gentle adventure — it’s exactly what I look for on a family seaside escape. I’ve crabbed here a few times, and it’s my favourite spot to go to. We’ve stayed in a small cottage in the village, which is a great base for visiting this part of Norfolk. We’ve also visited a few times when staying further round the coast; it’s accessible from a lot of Norfolk.
Shore crabs (mostly), occasional bigger ones
National Trust car park, or village hall/field
At the village hall & near the quay
1hr before to 1hr after high tide
Fine — it’s a public quay
Crabbing at Blakeney
The quay is perfect for dropping lines into the slow-moving estuary waters. You’ll mostly catch shore crabs, with the occasional bigger one for a bit of excitement. I love how calm it feels — it’s less about competition and more about the joy of watching tiny legs scuttle into your bucket. Keep an eye on your nets as you’ll often catch pipefish – these are small, mainly clear fish that look like they have a bump on their backs.
Here is a Blakeney Quay crab!
Timing Your Visit
Aim to arrive at least an hour before high tide, and you’ve got a good hour or so after it too — beyond that it’s really not worth sticking around; the water drops away, and the crabbing slows right down.
Gear & Bait
There’s a lovely local shop just off the quay — Blakeney Spar — where you can pick up crab lines, buckets, and bacon or fish for bait. Bait can also be bought from the butchers on the high street; it’s 3 shops down from the Spar. There’s also a quaint little shop on the opposite side of the road that sells eco crabbing nets, which are our preferred choice. It also has some t-shirts and nice local products; it’s in a courtyard behind the pub on the quay.
Parking & Getting There
The National Trust car park is a short stroll from the water, making arrivals easy even with kids and gear. It’s peaceful, and because Blakeney tends to attract fewer crowds than busier ports, space doesn’t fill up too fast. It was free for us as National Trust members. If we can’t get in there, we often park at the village hall instead, where there are toilets and a decent children’s play area. For the full picture of all the town’s car parks and pricing, Blakeney Parish Council’s parking page covers the lot. If you park at the village hall, you’ll pass the butchers that does crab bait on your way to the quay. It’s only a couple of minutes from the village hall to the quay.
Nearby Facilities & Food
There’s an amazing café called Two Magpies right by the quay — perfect for a hot drink or an ice cream while your last crab clings to the line. This is a must-visit if you’re in Blakeney; the pastries and cakes are incredible. Public toilets are just a few minutes from the water, so it’s easy to pack up and head home clean, fed, and happy.
Safety & Accessibility
The old quay has no side rail — just posts for the boats to tie around — so always keep little ones within reach. As you approach from the bait shop there’s a slipway: to the left a path worn into the grass, to the right a harbour wall which is much more level for pushchairs. Take a folding chair for your own comfort.
Keep a close eye on your nets — we caught some fry and a few pipefish, as well as epic amounts of crabs, over 100 in one afternoon, when we found the right spots.
Final Thoughts
Blakeney Quay is one of those spots where crabbing is thick and fast if you find the right spots. You come for the quiet mix of crabs, sea, and salt — and stay for the soft village backdrop and an ice cream in the quay air. For a relaxing little crab adventure, it’s hard to beat.
If you fancy making a full day of it, crab at Blakeney first and then head along to Cromer afterwards for the arcades, mini golf, and pier — Blakeney for the crabbing, Cromer for everything else.