You won’t find hordes of tourists here. No busy arcades or loud fairgrounds. Just wind-swept dunes, skies that stretch forever, and a silence broken only by sea birds. This place has been quietly collecting praise, and for good reason. On the north Norfolk coast in the land of endless skies, there’s something almost magical about the sands once the peak summer season has ended.
The wind has a bit of a nip to it, your cheeks turn rosy, and your hair gets blown all over the place. And for Brits looking for a slice of peaceful perfection, there’s one beach in Norfolk that hits the sweet spot. Nestled just a few miles away from the postcard harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea lies Holkham Beach. Perhaps best known for its roles as the backdrop for some blockbuster hits such as Deadpool & Wolverine, Annihilation, and the iconic closing moments of Shakespeare in Love, the seemingly endless sands have hosted some big names.
But now the weather has begun to turn and autumn is here, the beach takes on a new charm. It’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to blow the cobwebs away.
Holkham was recently named by Condé Nast Traveller among the best autumn destinations in the UK, and it’s easy to see why.
It is part of Holkham National Nature Reserve, backed by pine woods and salt marshes, with a stretch of sand so wide that low tide reveals an “endless” golden beach.
On a crisp September day, many visitors say you feel almost alone, you can walk for miles, taking in views over the dunes, leaving you feeling like you’re the only one around.
It’s no suprise that just year, Holkham was ranked among the top 50 beaches in the entire world by The Telegraph, named alongside paradises in Indonesia, Dubai, Australia and Vietnam.
When autumn rolls around, Holkham shows off its more nature-filled, quieter and relaxing side. Migrant birds begin to whistle in the woods behind you, and although many may complain about the walk to the water, the trail that weaves through the ancient pinewoods is always worth it.
The travel experts at Conde Nast agree, writing: “Amble your way down to Holkham beach for a bracing walk on the endless expanse of sand, and it can feel like you’re the only person left on the North Norfolk Coast.”
If you’ve made it to the beach, then it would be a shame not to hop over to the road to the Holkham Hall Country Estate. With a beautiful, stately home and even more picturesque grounds, the autumn colours come even more alive.
After you’ve built up an appetite, you can warm up with a cosy lunch at the Victoria Inn, where many of the ingredients have been sourced from the estate you’ve just been wandering on.
If it’s seafood you fancy, after a short drive to the boutique village of Burnham Market, you’ll be met with Gurneys Fish Shop, a perfect place to pick up some of Norfolk’s famous shellfish and seafood. And after you’ve picked up your dinner, the village is filled with high-brow independent shops perfect for a browse.
