‘Unspoilt’ beach named one of Europe’s best where you can see seals and paddle in shallow water

The beach is known for being one of the best spots to see seals along the Norfolk coast.

A beach easy to get to from Cambridgeshire has been announced as one of the best in Europe. The Trip Advisor awards for 2026 have been released and cover a range of categories including the best beaches across the world.

Horsey Gap on the Norfolk coast has been named one of the best beaches to visit in Europe. While there are many popular seaside towns to visit with lots of attractions for children, if you are looking for a quieter beach to relax on this summer, you might want to try Horsey Gap instead.

The ‘unspoilt’ beach goes on for miles with lots of sandy dunes to explore on a walk. The beach is good for paddling in the shallow waters and sunbathing.

Horsey Gap is probably best known for being a great place to spot grey seals. Throughout the winter, Horsey Gap sees thousands of seal pups being born on the beach with lots of people visiting the area to watch them for afar.

Even though pupping season ends around February, if you visit the beach throughout the spring, you might still be able to see some of the baby seals, as they like to stay in the area to shed and renew their coats. During these times, you can find seal wardens to help visitors and tell them about the wildlife.

Horsey Gap is also popular with those looking for a long and peaceful coastal walk. You can stroll for miles along the beach either towards Waxham and Sea Palling in the north or to Winterton-on-Sea in the south.

If you need a place to pick up something to eat for your trip, you could pop into Poppylands 1940s tearoom, where you can enjoy cream teas and light lunches surrounded by 1940s memorabilia. You could also visit the National Trust’s Horsey Windpump tearoom while visiting the historic site.

Horsey Gap is around a two hours drive away from Cambridge via the A11. A car park can be found right next to the beach, which costs £4 for a stay of up to two hours, £6.20 for up to four hours, and £8.50 for all day.