Natural England - Holkham NNR

Holkham NNR

The mix of habitats and the blend of wildlife make Holkham NNR a unique place

Where: Norfolk

Main habitat: Coastal

Why visit:
Holkham NNR is a treat for all the family. Young children will love the thrill of beachcombing, and the chance to explore the pine woods, but it’s also a place to walk, watch wildlife and enjoy the scenery, especially Norfolk’s fantastic, never-ending skyscapes, which in winter will often burst into life as thousands of pink-footed geese geese arrive from Iceland.

Star species:
The spectacular Holkham National Nature Reserve is a delicate and fragile home for hundreds of rare and important wildlife species. Look out for majestic marsh harriers hunting for prey over the grazing marshes and aerobatics of lapwings in spring, when you may also hear the distinctive call of the natterjack toad on the dunes. The NNR is home to tens of thousands of waterfowl in the winter including wild geese, wigeon and teal.

Access:
You can explore most of the NNR by following footpaths from the main settlements or from the car parks. There is also an Easy Access Trail at Lady Anne’s Drive, Holkham. It’s a 3.5km round trip starting at the Lady Anne's Drive Car Park in Holkham. There is more information on the Holkham page of the Nationwide Access Register.

Other nearby attractions:
The NNR forms part of a long stretch of coastline managed for wildlife, and other nearby reserves include RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserves at Holme Dunes and Cley Marshes, and the National Trust’s Blakeney National Nature Reserve, all of which are close to the Coasthopper bus route.

Eighteenth century Holkham Hall and deer park is located to the south of the NNR at Holkham village.

Horse riding at Holkham

Natural England and Holkham Estate permit horse riding on the beach. Details including restrictions and maps can be found in the horse riders' information leaflet: (366kb).

Take Care

The core section of the NNR, from Wells to Holkham Bay, is ‘permissive open access’ with public rights of way allowing access to all the best wildlife habitats. Please help to look after the plants and other wildlife by staying on paths and tracks, and do not walk on the grazing marshes.

During the summer, please also respect the breeding colonies on the beach and do not stop too long at these clearly marked areas as this may disturb adult birds that are incubating eggs or feeding their young.

The North Norfolk Coast Path, which is a national trail, passes through the entire length of the NNR. To the east of Wells, it runs parallel to a large area of saltmarsh and mudflats which is dissected by a number of tidal creeks. These are dangerous on a rising tide and this area should not be walked over without detailed local knowledge.

The NNR is protected by several conservation designations that highlight the internationally important contribution it makes to wildlife. Please:

Keep dogs under close control. This is important throughout the year in the short marsh vegetation between Wells and Holkham. In the spring and summer ground-nesting birds rear their young here, while in winter it’s a feeding ground for wading birds, larks and pipits as they build up their energy stores to help see them through the winter.
The dunes between Wells and Burnham Overy are also important breeding sites for shore-birds such as oystercatcher, ringed plover and terns, so please keep any dogs under close control in the bird breeding season (April-August).
Keep to paths to reduce erosion and minimise disturbance to the wildlife.
Do not light fires of any description.
Take your litter home.
Use the dog bins provided at Lady Anne’s Drive and the Wells entrance. Do not leave dog mess bags on the reserve.