Holkham Bay

Holkham Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on the North Norfolk Coast and indeed in the British Isles. It is the most extensive, diverse and dramatic nature reserve in Norfolk, with windswept sand dunes, a maze of creeks, shady pinewoods, green pastures and marshes.

Alf Alderson wrote in the Daily Telgraph, “A seemingly infinite stretch of golden sands running down to the blue-green waters of the North Sea, backed by huge horizons – you feel as if you could walk forever. The sensation of space is totally liberating“.

Holkham Bay Beach has been used as a setting for many major TV productions and most notably, in the film Shakespear in Love, actress Gwyneth Paltrow was filmed walking along the beach in the closing scenes. Holkham Beach was also the back-drop for the music video for the All Saints single, Pure Shores (soundtrack to the 2000 film, The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio).

Across the coast road is Holkham Hall, a Palladian style mansion and home of the Coke family. The hall is set in large parkland, full of nature trails and marked walks. The popular Victoria pub and tea room can be found on the main road, between the bay and the hall.