Holkham, a tranquil and picturesque destination on the North Norfolk coast, is famous for its unspoiled beach, stunning landscapes, and the grand Holkham Hall. This guide will help you make the most of your visit to this unique and beautiful area.
Getting to Holkham
By Car: Holkham is easily accessible via the A149 coastal road. There is parking available near Holkham Hall and at Lady Anne’s Drive for beach access.
By Train: The nearest train station is in King’s Lynn, approximately 25 miles away. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to Holkham.
By Bus: Local buses, including the Coasthopper service, connect Holkham to nearby towns such as Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton.
Where to Stay
Holkham offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to charming self-catering cottages:
- The Victoria Inn: A boutique hotel with elegant rooms and an excellent restaurant, located just a stone’s throw from Holkham Hall.
- Holiday Cottages: The Holkham Estate offers a variety of beautifully restored cottages, perfect for a peaceful retreat.
- Nearby Options: Stay in the neighbouring town of Wells-next-the-Sea for additional accommodation choices.
Things to Do
1. Discover Holkham Beach
Consistently ranked as one of the UK’s best beaches, Holkham Beach features miles of golden sands backed by dunes and pine woods. It’s ideal for walking, picnicking, or simply enjoying the breathtaking views.
2. Visit Holkham Hall
This magnificent 18th-century Palladian mansion is surrounded by a deer park, rolling parklands, and gardens. Highlights include guided tours of the hall, the walled garden, and the Holkham Stories Experience, which delves into the estate’s history and sustainable farming practices.
3. Explore the Nature Reserve
Holkham National Nature Reserve encompasses diverse habitats, including salt marshes, dunes, and woodlands. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, with walking trails and abundant wildlife.
4. Cycle Around the Estate
Bring your bike or rent one on-site to explore the expansive Holkham Estate. Dedicated cycling trails wind through the stunning countryside and coastal scenery.
5. Enjoy Water Activities
Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular activities in the nearby creeks and waterways. Equipment rentals and guided tours are available locally.
6. Visit Lady Anne’s Drive
This scenic path provides easy access to both Holkham Beach and the surrounding nature reserve, with facilities including parking and a visitor centre.
Where to Eat and Drink
- The Victoria Inn: Enjoy seasonal dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients in a cozy yet elegant setting.
- The Lookout: Located at the end of Lady Anne’s Drive, this cafe offers light refreshments and panoramic views of the reserve.
- Wells Crab House: Just a short drive away, this restaurant in Wells-next-the-Sea serves fresh, locally caught seafood.
Events and Festivals
- Holkham Country Fair (Biennial): A celebration of rural life with demonstrations, entertainment, and local food stalls.
- Outdoor Theatre and Cinema (Summer): Enjoy performances and films in the stunning grounds of Holkham Hall.
- Christmas at Holkham (December): The hall is beautifully decorated for the festive season, with themed tours and special events.
Tips for Visiting
- Check Tide Times: Holkham Beach’s expansive sands are influenced by the tide, so plan your visit accordingly.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: Exploring the beach, parklands, and nature reserve involves a lot of walking.
- Bring Binoculars: Ideal for birdwatching or spotting wildlife in the nature reserve.
- Book in Advance: Tickets for Holkham Hall and special events can sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons.
Why Visit Holkham?
Holkham offers a rare blend of natural beauty, rich history, and tranquility. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape, an adventure in nature, or a glimpse into England’s aristocratic past, Holkham has something to offer. It’s a place where you can truly unwind and connect with the natural world.
Plan your trip today and discover the timeless charm of Holkham!
Popular Self Catering Holiday Cottages
Villa Pasadena
- Guests: 8
- Size: 350m²
- View: Ocean
- Bed Type: 1 Queen bed, 4 Tween beds, 1 Full bed
- Categories: Self Catering Holiday Cottages
- Amenities: Hot tub, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 2
- Destination:
Villa Bastilicata Grande
- Guests: 6
- Size: 300m²
- View: Ocean
- Bed Type: 2 Full beds, 2 Queen beds, 2 Tween beds
- Categories: Holiday Parks
- Amenities: Hot tub, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 2
- Destination: Hunstanton
Seaside Villa Tuscany Maremma
- Guests: 6
- Size: 250m²
- View: Ocean
- Bed Type: 2 Full beds, 2 Queen beds, 2 Tween beds
- Categories: Holiday Parks
- Amenities: Hot tub, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 3
- Destination: Hunstanton
Cottage in Holkham
- Guests: 4
- Categories: Self Catering Holiday Cottages
- Amenities: Close to beach, Enclosed Garden, Wi-Fi, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Dogs: 3
- Destination: Holkham
Popular Hotels, Holiday Parks and Campsites
Villa Sa Riera Sea View
- Guests: 8
- Size: 250m²
- View: Ocean
- Bed Type: 2 Full beds, 2 Queen beds, 2 Tween beds
- Categories: Self Catering Holiday Cottages
- Amenities: Hot tub, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2
- Destination:
Villa Pasadena
- Guests: 8
- Size: 350m²
- View: Ocean
- Bed Type: 1 Queen bed, 4 Tween beds, 1 Full bed
- Categories: Self Catering Holiday Cottages
- Amenities: Hot tub, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 2
- Destination:
Villa Bastilicata Grande
- Guests: 6
- Size: 300m²
- View: Ocean
- Bed Type: 2 Full beds, 2 Queen beds, 2 Tween beds
- Categories: Holiday Parks
- Amenities: Hot tub, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 2
- Destination: Hunstanton
Seaside Villa Tuscany Maremma
- Guests: 6
- Size: 250m²
- View: Ocean
- Bed Type: 2 Full beds, 2 Queen beds, 2 Tween beds
- Categories: Holiday Parks
- Amenities: Hot tub, Wood-burner
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 3
- Destination: Hunstanton
Popular Attractions
Private Boat Tour
Price: £85 / Once / Per Guest
North Norfolk Champagne Sunset trips .In the warmth of the summer months, these trips are something special. As we head out west while the sun sets, we will find an idyllic spot to anchor the boat and serve a chilled glass of champagne as you sit and watch the sun slowly set over the sea. […]
Seal Watching
Price: £59 / Once / Per Guest
Join a family-run seal trip to Scroby Sands, the UK’s largest grey seal colony. Observe grey seals and common harbour seals in their natural environment. Enjoy a thrilling adventure and support a local business dedicated to showcasing the east coast’s marine life. Depart from Great Yarmouth and head to Scroby Sands. Witness hundreds of seals […]
SEA LIFE Hunstanton
Price: £20 / Per Day / Per Guest
Hunstanton SEA LIFE Sanctuary is Norfolk’s only seal sanctuary open to visitors and is home to over 2,000 creatures, from tiny shrimps to Amazonian Piranhas! Boasting a state of the art marine aquarium taking visitors on a memorable undersea odyssey filled with amazing close encounters with sea creatures of astonishing variety in spectacular ‘high-tech’ displays. […]
True’s Yard Museum
Price: £5 / Per Day / Per Guest
The Museum offers a unique opportunity for visitors to delve into the rich maritime heritage of King’s Lynn’s North End, showcasing both its past and present through preserved historic assets. At the heart of the Museum are two late 18th-century cottages, which are Grade II listed buildings, providing a rare glimpse into the lives of […]
Swaffham Museum
Price: £4 / Per Day / Per Guest
The Museum is located in a superb Georgian house built in 1776, following the Great Fire of Swaffham, offering five galleries that tell the stories of the people who lived in Swaffham through the centuries Being an old building, the galleries are arranged on three floors which are accessible by stairs – there is a […]
Kayak Hire
Price: £29.99 / Once / Per Guest
Lifejackets and dry bags are provided as part of this package as well as a basic demo and safety tuition by our qualified paddlesport instructors prior to your launch. Importantly there are no boats to avoid on this section of the beautiful Wensum and you will find yourself amongst Kingfishers, Heron, Swans and dragonflies as […]
Paddleboard Hire
Price: £20 / Once / Per Guest
This paddleboard rental allows you to explore and unwind down the Norfolk broads for 2.5 hours. With two routes available, either head north into the tranquillity of the broads and witness wildlife and beautiful scenery or head south with options of Riverside bars to stop off at and enjoy. With our location on the banks […]
Canadian Canoe Hire
Price: £34.99 / Once / Per Guest
Come explore the Norfolk Broads national park on our 3 person Canadian canoes! Each hire comes with a safety demo and basic tuition taught by our qualified instructors and includes lifejackets and dry bags to ensure your safety whilst on the water. Amongst the tranquillity of the River Wensum is a variety of wildlife such […]
SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
Price: £20 / Per Day / Per Guest
Explore an incredible underwater world at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth and get closer than ever before to the creatures and features of the world’s oceans Come face to fin with our rapidly growing juvenile blacktip reef sharks in the 250,000 litre Tropical Ocean Display/tunnel where you can also see an awesome array of creatures and […]
Gravity Norwich (Trampolining)
Price: £13.95 / Once / Per Guest
Let loose as you jump, bounce, hop and dance through the air on our extreme trampolines. During Open Jump, you can use all of the general park activity areas for an intense 60-minute session. From striking a pose in mid-air to defying gravity with huge jumps, there is no better feeling – whatever your moves […]