Horsey Gap
Car Park

Horsey Gap Beach, Seals & Parking

Horsey Gap is home to one of the largest and most accessible grey seal colonies in the UK, with over 3,000 seal pups born along this stretch of the coast in the 2024/25 season. From Horsey Gap carpark, the beach is very close by, just a couple of minutes walk over the sandy ramp, ‘The Gap’ in the sea wall.

During the seal pup season, to protect the seal colony, there is a voluntary beach closure. Instead, there are two large seal viewing platforms, the first platform being 5 minute’s walk from Horsey Gap’s beach carpark, or about 10 minutes walk from Horsey Gap’s overflow carpark, when in use. From Horsey Gap’s beach car park, head right handed, over the beautiful Horsey dunes, (the largest dune system in East Anglia), and in just a few minutes you will be at the closest viewing platform. For those wanting a longer walk and the chance of seeing more seals, there’s also a second viewing platform further along the coastal path.

Situated on the east coast of Norfolk, an area renown for its diverse wildlife and within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Horsey Gap is one of the best places in the UK to spot seals all year round either swimming close to the shore or basking on the beach. Grey Seals give birth along this sandy coastline, from late October to early February, and are on Horsey beach in great numbers during the winter seal pup season. The beach is open all year round apart from during the winter seal pup season, (mid/end October to end January), where seal viewing is from the sand dunes and designated ‘viewing platforms’ only. The huge number of seals and seal pups on Horsey beach during the winter must be one of the UK’s greatest wildlife spectacles.

Beautiful, and rarely crowded, Horsey Gap’s wonderful sandy beach is great for families, for relaxing on the shore, swimming in the shallow waters and watching the seals. Please remember that during the winter seal pup season, to protect the seal pups, the beach is cordoned off until the pups are old enough and have replaced their fluffy white non waterproof fur with their grown-up adult coat. From Horsey Gap there are many miles of beautiful coastal walks heading south towards Winterton or north towards Waxham and Sea Palling.

Horsey Gap‘s large beach car park is rarely full, however, on occasions, Horsey Gap’s overflow ‘field’ car park is used as extra parking. Horsey Gap ‘beach’ and adjoining ‘overflow’ car park are privately run, and are easily the two closest car parks to Horsey beach, Horsey seals, and the extensive Horsey Dunes nature reserve.
 

Horsey Gap is a CAR ONLY carpark. There is no parking, or drop off near Horsey Gap for coaches, buses, minibuses, motorhomes, campervans, trailers, caravans or horseboxes. The nearest car park for coaches, buses, and other larger vehicles is Sea Palling, about 4 miles away.

The beach car park at Horsey Gap is pay and display. Cars are charged £4 for up to 2 hours, £6.20 for up to 4 hours and £8.50 for the day. Both card and coin payments are accepted.

Charges also apply for the Horsey Gap ‘overflow’ car park. When in use, Horsey Gap’s overflow ‘field’ carpark has a set flat fee of £5 per day. The field carpark closes at dusk.

No campervans, motorhomes, minibuses, coaches, or any large vehicles are permitted.

THE SITE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ANY LARGE VEHICLES

HORSEY GAP BEACH CAR PARK : Opening times are 8am to 6pm from October to March, and 8am to 8pm from April to September.

There is strictly no overnight parking or camping – and no barbeques.  The area is free from any amusements or seaside attractions, but is instead surrounded by beautiful countryside and a wild, yet stunning coastline.

Please can you keep your dogs on leads during the winter seal pup season, when viewing is from the dunes.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME.

NB There are no toilets on site. 

Horsey Estate accepts no liability for loss or damage which might occur on site.