Holkham National Nature Reserve Locations
Salts Hole
From water’s edge to treetopwe’re taking care
When the tidal waters formerly passed through the marshes that you see today, one of the main inlets was here at this small pool, Salts Hole. It was cut off from the sea when the sand dunes developed in the Middle Ages, thus isolating the pool from the sea. Thanks to saltwater seepage the water that collects here remains unusually salty, hence its name
Scientifically it is a feature known as a saline lagoon, a habitat that is decidedly rare in East Anglia. Due to its uniqueness, it is home to a variety of specialist invertebrates such as cockles, periwinkles and shrimps that are found in few other places. Whilst these are unlikely to be seen by the passer by, the birds that congregate here to feed can be. These include Little Grebes, Gadwall, Coot, Goldeneye and occasionally a Kingfisher perched on branches around the perimeter.
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Jordan Hide
The Jordan Hide overlooks the old marshes of Holkham, steeped in ancient history. Central in the viewpoint is the raised-up grass mound, Holkham Fort. This has origins dating back to the Iron Age with folklore involving the Iceni battling Romans and a refuge for marauding Vikings.
Orchid Valley
Walking west from the end of the pines through the dunes you will find a wide valley, known locally as Orchid Valley. As the name would suggest, this is an excellent area to search for a variety of delicate orchid species during the spring and early-summer.
Holkham Bay
The landscape and nature of Holkham Bay is dictated by the actions of the North Sea. Twice daily the tide comes in, bringing sediments of sand, shingle and shells alongside seeds of plants. Development of sand dunes and saltmarshes here have been more pronounced in modern times than many other places along the coast, creating the distinctive view you see before you.
Gun Hill
The shingle beach at Gun Hill is the perfect habitat for some of our key breeding birds such as oystercatchers and ringed plovers.
West Pines
This is one of the best views on the Holkham Estate. The 360 view across the nature reserve looking look over the grazing marshes to the south, west over the dunes towards Gun Hill, north the beach and east over the pines.
Burrow Gap
The pinewoods are an important component of the National Nature Reserve and are home to a selection of rare plant species. To maintain their diversity the pinewoods are managed by the Holkham Forestry team. Periodic thinning (removing selected trees) allows more light to reach the woodland floor producing sheltered conditions for plants and insects to thrive.
Costal Path
The pine woods (known as Holkham Meals) remain an important and distinctive landscape feature on the Norfolk coast.
The Lookout
Holkham National Nature Reserve (NNR) covers 10,000 acres of the coast between Stiffkey and Burnham Norton. It is made up of diverse habitats such as salt marshes, sand dunes, tidal sands, pine woodland and the reclaimed freshwater grazing marshes you see before you.