The Summer Invasion: A Village Transformed
One of England's most picturesque villages has been effectively emptied of its local residents, with only a handful finding ways to withstand the overwhelming effects of mass tourism. Blakeney, nestled in North Norfolk, transforms into a bustling hub each summer. Drawn by its status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, charming stone cottages, a nationally acclaimed hotel, and a significant seal population, visitors descend in vast numbers when the weather turns warm.
A Winter of Empty Homes and a Stark Economic Reality
Come winter, the scene changes dramatically. Tourist numbers fall sharply, and many of the historic fishing cottages stand vacant. This seasonal shift presents a complex challenge for the local hospitality sector. Tore Hill, an employee at the Manor Hotel, described the situation as a "double-edged sword" during a late-November interview. The village's appeal is undeniable. Just metres from the award-winning Manor Coastal Hotel and Inn flows the River Glaven, meandering through the National Nature Reserve. Blakeney Point is famous for its seal colonies, with Beans Boat providing tours all year.
The village's character has fundamentally shifted over the last century. Once a thriving fishing port, the estuary has silted up, rendering the quay inaccessible to all but the smallest vessels. Today, Blakeney is a village sustained by tourism. Its two pubs and three hotels are packed throughout the summer season.
"I love living here, but unfortunately, during the summer, it is just a full, full village," Tore explained. "There's far too much traffic going through such a small place, but that does mean I'm busy with my work, which is fantastic. The cottages and second homes are so quiet during the winter. It's sad to know that there are so many people who'd love to live in those houses, but unfortunately, they can't."
The Housing Crisis and a Local Lifeline
Tore is a rarity in Blakeney—a native who wasn't able to inherit a property but has managed to remain. After moving back to the area a decade ago, she was able to register with the Blakeney Neighbourhood Housing Society due to her birth connection to the village. This organisation, established in 1946, owns 39 properties let at affordable rents to tenants with a local birth tie, countering a national trend where social housing has halved over fifty years.
The statistics paint a bleak picture. As of November 2025, average house prices in the Blakeney area have soared to £714,000—more than three times the national average of £273,000. With the median weekly salary in North Norfolk at £571, homeownership is an impossible dream for most. Thanks to her rent-controlled home from the society, Tore pays just £478 a month.
In response to the widening gap between income and property prices, the district council has taken action. It has imposed a 100% Council Tax premium on second homes, effectively doubling the bill for their owners. Rosemary Thew, Chairman of Blakeney Parish Council, clarified that the measure isn't meant to deter tourists, who are vital to the local economy, but to address the critical issue of second and holiday homes, which now constitute around half of all dwellings.
"It's pushing prices up quite considerably," she stated. "It means that, as far as locals are concerned, they can't afford to live here... In winter time, it's particularly marked. The streets are jet black because there are no lights on in houses."
