National Nature Reserve Locations
Holkham Bay
From water’s edge to treetopwe’re taking care
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.
The beach so beloved of visitors, is an integral part of the NNR and an understanding and respect is needed for nature and recreational visits to live in harmony. In the winter Brent Geese, Curlews and Shore Larks join the local Redshanks to feed on the saltmarsh whilst Sanderling flock along the shoreline.
Summer sees a profusion of different colours, pink sea thrift, varying shades of purple of three Sea Lavender species and then the oranges and reds of low growing glasswort and sea blite. In the summer ground nesting birds like Little Terns, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers breed in the protected enclosures. Keep dogs under control at all times to protect the vulnerable wildlife and between April and the end of August keep them on leads in the designated signed areas.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.