Charming seaside village with 4-mile beach crowned best mini-break in UK

A beautiful seaside village where rolling countryside melts into golden sands and crystal-clear water has been ranked as one of the best staycation spots in the UK.

Situated on the idyllic north Norfolk Coast, and enveloped in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney is the epitome of quintessential seaside charmand serenity. Here, you'll find a slew of acclaimed eateries, cosy pubs, gift shops and art galleries - all of which are nestled in picturesque alleyways and cobblestone walkways that lead out to the coast.

At the heart of the village is Blakeney National Nature Reserve, a vast open space boasting uninterrupted views of the coastline beloved by walkers and wildlife lovers alike. Here, you'll be able to spot a range of birds including ringed plovers, oystercatchers, brent geese and common teal - or, you can take a boat trip to visit the seal colonies on Blakeney Point, a huge breeding site for grey seals and their pups.

READ MORE: Beautiful UK seaside village 98 miles from London ranked best beach in the south

Blakeney is also steeped in history, with routes linking back to the Middle Ages when the village boasted a thriving port and England's largest harbour. "Tucked away in an alley just off the quay is Blakeney Guildhall, where you will find the remains of the house of a prosperous Blakeney merchant, which has a fine 15th century brick-vaulted undercroft," hails Visit North Norfolk, the area's official tourist board.

"On the village outskirts, lies St Nicholas church, built between the 13th and 15th century, which unusually, has two towers. Blakeney has lots of quaint, pretty streets to wander around with spectacular views."

And of course, there's Blakeney Point Beach - a four-mile stretch of shingle and sand dunes. This area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is managed by the National Trust. With all of this in mind, it's no surprise Blakeney was recently in The Times' list of the 25 prettiest village mini breaks in the UK.

The publication hailed the destination's 'holiday desirability' thanks to its rich wildlife, easy coastal walks, cafés and flint cottages. "Over the past 600 years Blakeney, just inland from the north Norfolk coast, has gone from being a medieval metropolis to a clear contender for Norfolk's cutest village," it added.

Located some 134 miles from central London, it takes around three hours and 11 minutes to drive from the Big Smoke up to Blakeney. Alternatively, you can get the train from Liverpool Street over to Sheringham - which usually involves a change in Norwich and takes a similar amount of time.

If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £17. After arriving in Sheringham, you'll have to catch the CH1 Coasthopper bus towards Wells-next-the-Sea and alight at Blakeney Bus Shelter. This journey takes just 25 minutes.

Accommodation in Blakeney is limited due to its small size, but you'll still be able to find a range of properties at varying costs. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, August 15-17) at the Manor Coastal Hotel & Inn will set you back £468. This is based on two adults sharing a Classic Single Room.

If you're looking for something a little more spacious, check out Delphinium. This three-bedroom holiday home comes with a fully equipped kitchen, 'comfortable seating area' and private garden - but costs a much pricier £784 on the exact same nights.

*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

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