Holkham National Nature Reserve Locations
Burrow Gap
From water’s edge to treetopwe’re taking care
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.
Throughout the woodland, several rare species occur although their populations are small and the areas where they occur are protected from disturbance. The mysterious Yellow Bird’s-nest and rare Creeping Lady’s-tresses both occur in small numbers. The Antlion, a dragonfly-like insect, can be found throughout the woodland. Their saucer-shaped pits in dry sand contain the immature form, a ferocious predator that traps their prey in the loose sand.
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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.
Salts Hole
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.
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.
Costal Path
The pine woods (known as Holkham Meals) remain an important and distinctive landscape feature on the Norfolk coast.
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.
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.