Holkham (a pretty village on the North Norfolk coast)
Holkham is a pretty village on the north Norfolk coast. The beach is home to a national Nature Reserve, and home to many rare species of flora and fauna. The vast sands are backed by pretty pinewoods (a bit like nearby Wells-next-The-Sea). And behind the shore is a semi-circular basin that at high tides, fills to create a shallow lagoon.
If you’re a film buff, you’ll recognise the beach, where actress Gwyneth Paltrow walked across the sand at low tide, in the closing scenes of the film Shakespeare in Love’.
Always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and toxic plants/trees) and on leads near birds, barnyard friends and wild ponies.
If at the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel). Join the campaign to ban flying rings, to help local seals.
The main building here is Holkham Hall, an 18th century Palladian house on a vast 25,000 acre estate, home to the Earl of Leicester.
Unfortunately the estate holds regular shooting parties for birds that are just enjoying life by the sea (like shy woodcocks, pheasants and partridges). It also hosts the royal family for private shoots.
But thankfully the beach is still not in private hands, so is available for the public to visit.
