Keep your cool: Where to go during a North Norfolk heatwave

June 25, 2025 | Things to do | 8 minute read

It’s certainly been heating up recently, and predictions suggest that summer 2025 will continue to be a scorcher. Hot, sunny days can be lovely, and we’ve plenty here to do if you enjoy spending time outdoors. But if the latest North Norfolk heatwave is getting a little much, here’s some inspiration for ways to keep cool at Holkham and across the region this summer.

Keeping cool at Holkham

Given our proximity to the North Sea coast, Holkham is an ideal place to go during a heatwave. Hopefully, there’ll be a cool sea breeze, and there’s plenty of shade to seek out here too.

Visit Holkham Hall

Stately homes like Holkham Hall typically enjoy cooler temperatures, thanks to their high ceilings and thick stone walls, which store heat and therefore keep the interior temperature lower. This means Holkham Hall feels noticeably cooler on hot days — a blessing for our team working inside!

So if you’re looking for somewhere to cool down on one of our Hall open days (Sundays, Mondays or Thursdays), we’d highly recommend a visit. You can book in advance here, or head Visitor Reception on arrival.

Visits are free-flow, so you can enjoy the cool environment for as long as you like! Take in the stunning Marble Hall, be wowed by the unrivalled classical statue collection, and marvel at the artworks of Old Masters.

2025 marks 75 years since Holkham Hall opened to the public, so you’ll find additional objects and ephemera to evoke memories of the 1950s and learn more about our history inside.

The cellars will feel particularly cool, so this might be the perfect time of year to book a cellar tour! These take place on Wednesdays.

Pop to the Courtyard Café afterwards for a drink, a refreshing salad or an ice cream!

Picnic beneath the trees in the pine woods

If you do want to be outside, seeking shade is the best idea, especially in the heat of the day. Enjoy a wander or picnic in the pine woods on the Holkham National Nature Reserve, where you can benefit from the perfect combination of breeze from the sea and the shade from the trees.

Enter from the Wells Beach (Beach Road) or Holkham Beach (Lady Anne’s Drive) car parks, and perhaps pop into Wells Beach Café or The Lookout for an ice cream and a cold can or two!

Please remember to take your rubbish home to protect wildlife.

Head into the sea     

Getting into the sea is probably the best way to cool down during a heatwave, whether you want to paddle, splash in the shallows, float calmly on your back or go for a full-on swim.

A heatwave will inevitably cause the sea temperature to rise, but not too high of course. This is the North Sea, not the tropics, despite how it may feel! It’s therefore a wonderful way to lower your body temperature.

Make sure you check tide times before entering the water.

Shelter in a beach hut

If you do decide to head to the sand, consider hiring a beach hut for the day. Pinewoods offer a number of beach huts for renting out, and they’re a great place to seek shelter and shade when it’s sunny. With the door open, or sitting out on the little terrace, you won’t be in direct sunshine, but you’ll still be able to enjoy the cool sea breeze, stunning views, and easy dips in the water.

Hire a rowing boat

Hiring a rowing boat at Holkham Lake is a good option too. While there isn’t much shade, being surrounded by water typically means you’ll feel cooler thanks to the lake temperature being colder than the land temperature.

No need to exert yourself – this isn’t the Olympics! Row to a peaceful part of the lake and take a pause, enjoy a book, look out for wildlife or take in the views.

Just remember you’ll be in direct sunshine even if it does feel cooler, so make sure to top up your sun cream!

Boat hire is available during the school summer holidays.

Keeping your cool elsewhere in North Norfolk

Who knows, the heat might continue for weeks, so here are even more options for keeping your cool this summer, whether you’re local to North Norfolk or visiting on holiday.

Catch a film at Wells Maltings cinema

Wells Maltings is a cultural centre in the heart of Wells-next-the-Sea, featuring a theatre, exhibition, café and a diverse line up of events.

The cinema, in particular, is a great way to stay cool, because who doesn’t want to sit in a dark room for two hours when it’s getting too hot outside!?

Take a look at their programme here.

Visit Heritage properties

We aren’t short of beautiful stately homes in North Norfolk, and they will all offer a cooler environment than you’ll find outdoors and in most un-air-conditioned buildings. New this summer, you can enjoy Wolterton Hall’s ‘Sea State’ art exhibition by Maggi Hambling and Ro Robertson, or Stephen Cox’s ‘Myth’ at Houghton Hall (some of which is outside).

You might also want to visit Sandringham House, Blickling Hall or Felbrigg Hall, all well worth visiting whether it’s to cool down or not!

Enjoy a boat trip

What boat trips lack in shade, they make up for in wind chill! A boat ride on a hot day can be a wonderful way to cool down during a heatwave, even if you do have the added layer of a life jacket.

Why not take a boat ride to see the seals at Blakeney Point? These usually last roughly one hour to 90 minutes, taking you to observe the grey seals and common seals that call Blakeney Point home. You’ll also probably see common seal pups, as summer is their breeding season!

Our team at Pinewoods have more information about seal trips here.

Kayak or paddleboard 

As we mentioned when talking about rowing boats on Holkham Lake, being surrounded by water can help you feel cooler thanks to the lower water temperature. Paddleboarding – SUPing – is therefore a fun option where you can enjoy being outside in the sunshine while staying cooler than if you were on dry land. Plus, there’s always the option to sit with your feet dangling into the water, or even to jump in!

Various North Norfolk businesses offer paddleboarding classes, tours or hire, so just search the area you’re visiting or staying in to find one close to you.

We hope you enjoy the summer months and are able to stay cool on the hottest days. Remember to keep hydrating, use sun cream and stay safe!