The Royal Coast
HOLKHAM
Famous for being one of the best beaches in the UK. Voted best beach in Awards for three years running. You’ll find miles of golden sands, grass covered dunes and pinewood to explore
THE QUEEN'S BEACH
The long drive way called ‘Lady Ann’s Drive’ guides you directly to one of the most unspoilt, beautiful stretches of sand in the UK. From the beach you can enjoy the splendid panoramic views of the cove.
Holkham beach is a the jewel of the North Norfolk Coast. At low tide the beach stretches for miles and miles and you can walk in an unspoilt landscape of just sand, sea and sky. On hot days the pinewoods provide some welcome cool shade. It was made famous by Gwyneth Paltrow elegantly walking across the wide sands for the closing scenes of the film ‘Shakespeare in Love’.
Little wonder the Queen chose to have her beach hut here...
WHERE EAST MEETS WEST
Hunstanton is famous for its striped cliffs and is the only spot on the east coast of England that faces west which means that ‘Sunny Hunny’ is the perfect spots for viewing spectacular sunsets.
There are two sides to Hunstanton. The elegant old Victorian town with its Esplanade Gardens and rather sedate air and the lively buzzing family centre with a large sandy beach, pony rides, amusements and summer theatre. Old Hunstanton has more of a village feel, with its beach (including rock pools) backed by the famous striped cliffs. Its large open beaches and flat water make it a mecca for kitesurfing, windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding.
HUNSTANTON
At one end you will find the traditional seaside prom and fair but take a short walk towards the cliffs and you’ll find rock pools to explore and fallen rocks to hunt amongst the fossils.
BRANCASTER
A shipwreck, a royal golf course, a seal colony and a long wide sandy beach. Brancaster has something for everyone including a handy beach kiosks that offer hot drinks and snacks
SEALS AND SHIPWRECKS
A beautiful clean beach which reaches as far as the eye can see in either direction. This beach has a simplistic beauty that is forever changing with the light and the weather. It is a photographer's paradise. At times you will catch a small colony of seals basking in the sun. The beach is very flat and the waves roll in as if they are chasing each other across the sand.There's a fee to park in the car park but you can park for free in the village and walk down either on the road or on the banking footpath (by far the best option). There are toilets and a kiosk selling hot and cold food as well as beach toys.
ICONIC BRIGHTLY PAINTED BEACH HUTS
At low water, Wells beach has huge open views and mile upon mile of sands and shallow channelsto enjoy. When the tide comes in, the beach is transformed into a harbour, with the entrance channel suddenly busy with visiting yachts, fishing boats setting out for the day or returning with their catch, local small boats going out to fish as well as clouds of small sailing boats racing or cruising within the harbour.
The golden sands are backed by colourful beach huts which have been the subject of many a painting and postcard. The popular Beach Cafe nearby is perfect for refreshments during your visit. You can also walk from here across to Holkham beach.
WELLS NEXT SEA
The 208 brightly painted beach huts adorn many Norfolk postcards. Here you will pinewoods to explore as well as basking seals and a busy beach cafe. A light railway runs the short distance between the town and the beach.
HOLME to THORNHAM BEACH
The long sandy beach between Holme-Next-Sea and Thornham is one of those Norfolk beaches that very few people know about. That’s great news for you as it means that even in the height of the holiday season, it’s pretty much empty. Better still The Lifeboat Inn, a former fisherman's watering hole can be found a few steps from Thornham Harbour.
THE WILD ONE
Named by the Sunday Times in 2019 as one of the Top 20 Wild Beaches in the UK. Holme beach came into further prominence earlier in 1998 with the historical discovery of Seahenge, a 4000 year old Bronze Age timber circle which was eventually excavated, restored and can now be seen at Lynn Museum in Kings Lynn. It's a fascinating story and very much part of Norfolk's history.
Holme beach is an ideal place for a family day out. There is plenty of golden sand which is a great place in summer to throw down your towel and get sunbathing or building sand castles. You may like to take advantage of the footpaths, Holme next the Sea is starting point of 2 long distance footpaths - the North Norfolk Coast path to Cromer (44 miles) and the Peddars Way to Knettishall Heath (46 miles). Adjacent to the beach is a convenient car-park, with a stall selling refreshments in season.