Holkham hotels

Hotels in Holkham

In the middle of a nature reserve, the tiny village of Holkham has one of Norfolk's – and probably England's – loveliest beaches.

Book one of our Holkham hotels and discover the unspoiled countryside, myriad of wildlife and beautiful stately home that surround the village.

Holkham Hall

The 17th-century Holkham Hall is notable for its libraries, paintings, statues and furniture. Its splendid rooms include the stunning marble hall, the statue gallery, with its excellent collection of Roman statues, libraries, sitting rooms adorned with Old Masters and the kitchen. The marble hall is often used for concerts.

The 3, 000 acres of grounds have gardens, a play area and a lake where you can hire boats and canoes, join a cruise or go water zorbing. There are several walking and cycling routes through the parkland.

Holkham National Nature Reserve

Covering some 9, 158 acres, the nature reserve comprises several precious habitats. Footpaths from the main car parks run to most parts of the reserve.

Look out for common and grey seals, natterjack toads, squirrels, hummingbird hawkmoths and two rare species of butterfly – the dark green fritillary and the white-letter hairstreak. Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for pink-footed geese, plover, sanderling and little tern – seven percent of the latter's British population is found at the reserve.

Beaches

A peaceful, wide expanse of white sand and dunes, lined with beach huts, Holkham is one of Britain's most unspoiled beaches. Voted the UK's best beach in a survey of travel writers, it has no attractions – and that's the point. Golden-sanded Wells beach does have attractions, including a pitch-and-putt course, a miniature railway, a boating lake and trampolines. Wells beach is filled with boats when the tide comes in, but there's a swimming area away from boats marked by yellow buoys.

Shops

Visit Adnams Cellar and Kitchen Store for wines – plenty of which are open for tasting – kitchenware and the company's own range of award-winning beers. The award-winning Bringing The Outside In gallery, run by landscape photographer Martin Billing, is an open studio which also sells coastal artefacts and crafts, most of them exclusive to the gallery. Next door you'll find his wife's shop, Nomad And The Bowerbird, which sells unusual products from around the globe, including clothes, homeware, toiletries and candles.

Eating and drinking

Classic British dishes and cakes are served at the Victoria Inn, part of the Holkham Hall estate. The conservatory has views over the nature reserve, and there are real ales, a kids' menu, a terrace and a fire. Tuck into light lunches, ice creams and lollies at the Beach Café, a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner, which has traditional board games for customers to play. Dogs are welcome – the café won best café and restaurant in the Kennel Club's Be Dog Friendly Awards in 2014, and there's even a dog wash for mucky mutts. Another Certificate of Excellence winner is the family-run Wells Crab House Café, which catches its seafood in its own boat.