CCUK Baby Seals Hike Day Trip – family and friends are welcome! RSVP deadline January 18th

Happy January! This month, we are glad to bring an event held by one of kindly volunteers Karbi Chan. We are off for a day trip to Norfolk on 24 January, 2026 (Saturday)! The grey seals here are a true WOW moment, and witnessing them up close is an experience you absolutely shouldn’t miss!

Norfolk is THE best place where you can see baby seals in the UK. Norfolk holds the world’s two largest Atlantic grey seal colonies. From November to February, 5,000 seals inhabit the beaches between Horsey and Winterton. You will be able to observe, often just a couple of metres away, the seals who come to these sandy beaches every year to give birth to those gorgeous white furry creatures.

We will be able to observe seals of different ages. We will see seals of various ages, ranging from tiny white pups just a few hours old to full-grown adolescents and large males that weigh hundreds of kilos, who will be fighting a bit further down on the sand. Volunteers will be around to answer all our questions and to prevent us from getting too close to those beautiful creatures, although they often struggle to do so, as the curious cubs frequently approach us far too closely to inspect us.

On this day hike, we’ll walk along the top of the dunes and enjoy stunning panoramic views across the North Sea. The whole walk is in Broads National Park – one of fifteen national parks in the UK. You’ll discover its iconic windmills, navigable waterways and broads (man-made, shallow lakes). With over 125 miles of lock-free waterways, the Norfolk Broads have more than Venice or Amsterdam and are an extremely popular boating holiday destination! Locals like to call the Broads “the Venice of the East”.

This walk is suitable for all abilities – it is almost entirely flat and done at a very gentle pace to allow us to enjoy nature and take plenty of pictures.

DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY

Distance: 6 miles (10 km).
Ascent: 50 m.
Difficulty: Easy. Families and kids are welcome!

ITINERARY

07:45 For those joining us in a private van, we will meet at Paddington, London, at 07:45 (we will announce the exact location to participants).
08:00 Sharp departure
11:15 Arrive at Horsey Windpump; if you drive in your car or come from other UK cities by train, we can meet here.
16:30 Departure
19:30 Arrive at Paddington, London, for those joining us in a private van.

PRICE

£65 per person for those joining us in a private van, including transport throughout the trip, NO REFUND.
FREE if you join at Horsey Windpump. Please reach out to volunteer with the contact info below at least 3 days in advance of the trip for coordination.

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

personal insurance, which covers cancellation, accidents, health issues, emergency evacuation, loss, theft, or damage to baggage and personal effects, as well as personal trekking insurance.

WHAT TO BRING
Suitable hiking shoes with ankle support
Waterproof and windproof jackets, trousers, or ponchos (if there is a chance of rain)
Gloves/hat/cap
Water (min. 1L)
Packed lunch (There is a PUB FOOD option after the hike for you to socialise and relax. But I give no guarantees. So definitely bring your own food and water with you as a precaution.)

MUST READ

For your information, the organiser and volunteers are not professional guides and do not provide supervision, medical care, or duty of care. By joining, participants should acknowledge that outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including slips, falls, weather exposure, and physical injury and participants are responsible for their own safety and that of any dependents. Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are medically fit to participate. If they have any medical conditions, allergies, or mobility limitations, please assess suitability carefully. Parents and guardians are fully responsible for supervising their children at all times. The organiser and CCUK accept no responsibility for minors. The organizer will reach out in case of rain or bad weather conditions.

By purchasing tickets to this event you agree to our Privacy Policy and accept that tickets are non-refundable. The event organiser may also take a group photo which will be shared on our platforms and with Cornell University Office of Alumni Relations. If you would prefer not to be included in the photos, please let the event organisers know.