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General
Holkham is a very large 'official' beach on the north coast of Norfolk
near Wells-next-the-Sea. It is part of the Holkham Hall estate, seat of
the Coke - pronounced 'cook' - family. The beach is "suitable for
everyone but... you have to be fit and able to walk some distance".
Access & Parking
The A149 coast road runs from King's Lynn via Hunstanton to
Wells-next-the-Sea. Holkham village is just west of Wells. The 'proper'
car park is located in 'Lady Anne's Road'. The entrance road is opposite
the Holkham Hall entrance in the middle of the village (can be missed -
look for 'The Victoria' pub on the corner). Please note that by paying for
car parking - flat rate fee £3.00, gates open until 9pm - you will be
encouraging the private owners of this beach to continue to allow naturist
use. Having parked, walk through the gate and turm left (northwards)
toward the sea.
The easy access path is 1.5 - 2 miles long, past the pond, past the bird hide, past the house and outbuildings until the path takes a slight bend to the right and through a some trees. At this point paths cross - turn right (seaward) and pick your way through the trees. The path is not well marked and is not suitable for wheelchair access. Eventually the path emerges on the edge of the dunes where you will find notices requesting naturists not to use the dunes, but only the beach. Please observe them - this is private land and naturist use is generously allowed by the landowners.
Access Update 2003
".. a much quicker route via the dunes and a single track road
into the nature reserve. The first gate on the left after leaving the car
park seemed to be the best route. After about one mile along the road
there is a wooden walkway on the right hand side of the road, this is a
path for disabled / infirm walkers. Walk along the walkway until you come
to the viewing platform at the end.
From here you have 2 options, 1) Walk onto the beach, go to the point on
your left and walk along the beach until you see the sign denoting the
start of the naturist area. 2) Turn left and walk along the dunes until
you see the sign."
As an alternative, it is possible to walk along the seafront from the car park, and then along the edge of the sea shore, out of the large bay, across or around (depending on the tide) the next inlet, and then you'll find yourself at the naturist area. - a good 20 minutes 'slog' along the beach, particularly where the sand is soft - "about as far as I would walk in any heat".
Description
This is an extensive, wide and sandy beach with dunes and woods behind
and a nature reserve nearby. 'Bags of space available for bare foot
exploring, building sand castles, roaming the dunes and swimming'. The
sand is very very fine indeed and full of shells. Another fan of this
beach says 'well worth going nearer the sea, but you'll NEED a wind break.
The beach is a "typical windswept north anglia beach"- which
means there is a constant breeze. Good for families nearer the sea, choose
your spot nearer the dunes. The beach IS patrolled by Police and Wardens
from time to time to PROTECT the naturists.'
"This beach is really beautiful but can be very windy. There are posts across from the trees behind to the beach itself announcing the Naturist area but these signs do say that naturism is not to be practised in the dunes but only on the beach!"
If you park at the Holkam beack car park, walk on to the beach and head west for half a mile or so - there are wonderful sand dunes and the Queen's bathing hut is in the woods just behind the nudist beach.
Facilities
None on the beach itself, there may be some at Holkham, but best to
'stock up' with everything you will need in Wells. There are no toilets.
Water Quality
The sea water at Wells-next-the-Sea meets the lower standard of the EEC Bathing Waters
Trip Report: September 2005
"This year is the first year I have ever taken my clothes off on a beach - but I love Holkam bay and have seen naturists there before and simply could not resist.
It was beautiful - I was a female, alone and yet I never at any point felt threatened. On my first visit there were some lone males who came to speak to me, but they were nothing but kind and friendly and I went for a walk with one and his dog and had a lovely time. At a visit later in the summer, on a very hot day during the school holidays the atmosphere was different again, as many many more couples were present and some families too. I still seemed to be the only lone female though. Not sure if that makes me brave or crazy!
This time I had my dogs with me and we had the best time ever walking and playing in the sea. It is a wonderful place and at all times I felt confident and safe, quite happily leaving all my possessions in a pile in the sand and wandering off for a walk. I would urge anyone who who has ever wondered what it would be like to come here and give it a try. Holkam is so vast that you can safely find yourself a spot and not be observed by others or have to interact with anyone at all if you do not wish to."
Trip Report: August 2005
"I visited Holkham today and it was gorgeous, not too many "meerkat" and I felt comfortable walking all over the beautiful beach totally naked, as a woman that is a bonus. Lots of nice men too... keep it up boys"
Trip Report: August 2005
"What a great place - a beautiful beach, though my first day to a nudst beach was spoiled. Being a single man people seem to think you are a pervert and walking along the beach. I'm not suprised there were a few men in the dunes popping up whenever someone walked by. This made me feel angry as I wanted to just lay on the sand in the sun, not just show off or whatever they think they are doing.. So in the end I walked away feeling sad I could not enjoy what I went there for.."
Trip Report: July 2005
"What a loveley place I found this to be, the walk to the naturist beach was so nice.
When I did for the first time find the naturist beach I found that most were sunbathing in the dunes, mostly single males which put me off a little. Not wanting to be the only one on the beach (as it was my first time) I soon joined them, but having set myself up in one of the dunes I found it the best place to be as I was out of the wind. While there I did get a lot of male attention but after a while just got used to it {they were not a threat in any way ) mostly just nice poeple to talk to even though I knew I was being chatted up. A very nice day out and I will be going back every chance I get , Well worth the £3 parking for the day."
Trip Report: May 2005
"What a beautiful place Holkham Bay is, the wide expanse of unspoilt beach catering as it does for everyone. My wife and I live in Cromer and love its beach but that all-over tan has been nothing but an unattainable dream. The idea of naturism has interested us but we never really believed we’d have the. courage to try it however appealing it seemed. Well, I pleased to say that all has changed now and no longer is it just wishful thinking. We still need to gain some more sun in the right places but we’re definitely getting there after our first foray into the wide expanse of Holkham Bay and the delights of a carefree afternoon in fleetingly brief periods of late May sunshine. You can sure we'll be back when it's a little warmer."
"The car park fee is now £3 but still good value bearing in mind how lovely this place is. We did experience the attentions of a couple of the so-called 'meerkats' but simply followed the advice of others and ignored them. We also found their antics quite amusing - they kept us entertained. Plenty of walkers passed by in both directions but we soon got used to this. They seemed no more interested in us than we were of them - a pleasant surprise because we had worried about this and wondered if we would find it embarrasing. We think some of the walkers were probably more embarrassed than us if truth be known."
Trip Report: September 2004
"My wife and I visited Holkham this August with no forethought of stripping off. Ambling along the beach the realisation dawned as to what we were walking towards and the urge to shed my clothing and just run straight into the sea was overwhelming for me and happily also for my lovely wife.
Bags of space, only a couple of lads old enough to know better than scan the beach and the bathers with their binoculars...for goodness' sake lads!
We've been back twice since and our only regret is that we didn't discover this earlier in the summer! All in all, a very safe spot to sunbathe or swim. The best route to the beach seems to be via the wheelchair/pushchair friendly ramp reached by taking the left path at the head of the car park - going straight on takes you a little too far east. Windbreak purchased, roll on next summer!!"
Trip Report: September 2004
"I visited this beach again this weekend. Even when it is busy it never seems to be crowded, it really is that large.
The first people I encountered were a couple who had just turned back from the dunes who remarked to me that there were naturists up there. I wimply replied that there would be another in a minute! This really is my favourite beach of this area. Most of the naturists genuine and there are many couples and families who use this beach.
In peak season there is a refreshments van at the bottom of the car park. I believe that this is part of the Holkham Estate company. They take full advantage of their monopoly, charging £1 for drinks and £3.50 for sandwiches! "
Trip Report: August 2004
"I have used this beach on several occassions, both as a single male and in the company of my partner. The naturist area is fairly large and the dunes do appear to be occupied predominantly by single males. At the end of the naturist area furthest from the car park there are often male couples. Nearer the middle of the dune area I have been approached by a single male... [and] have been a little put off using the dunes. I am quite comfortable just in front of the dunes although I have to say that the best area is further down the beach nearer the sea. It is this area that is most frequently used by couples and families. I would not hesitate to take my family to this beautiful piece of coastline."
Trip Report: August 2004
"We visited the beach on what was probably the hottest day so far this year. We have taken naturist holidays abroad for the past 3 years and this was our first visit to an offical uk naturist beach - and it was brilliant!.
The car park was fairly full on our arrival and armed only with the information printed out from the previous NUFF reports we went looking for the beach. The walk to the beach was wonderful - through pine woods and very reminisant of being abroad. The beach was easy to find and stunning - an open expanse of clean sand and certainly not the crowd we expected from the full car park. Ok - heads did keep popping up from the dunes - but that did not detract in any way from the enjoyment of the beach. On the strengh of our short day visit we are hoping to holiday in the area next year and spend much more time on this great beach"
Trip Report: July 2004
"The last day of July 2004 was my first time going nude in public -shame the day was not a bit wamer.
We never did find the sign along the beach stating where the [naturist] area started - but the first siging of a bare bottom told us we had arrived. Walking to an area away from others I just removed what little I had on and headed for the sea. I have to say that I have never felt freer or unworried before, my partner joined me later as well for her first time too. We had our children with us but tey did not join in the fun of being free and nude on the beach. What might have altered things was if there had been more people there (it was 4pm) and more young people, so that they could see that it was a normal thing to do, funny how where you are gives a different view to children (14-11-4-2) all are used to seeing each other naked at home yet out in the open they are not sure. We will return, I am just sorry it has taken me this long to go anywhere like this."
Observations: July 2004 - Martyn J
"My wife and I have been visiting this beach for ten years [and] I would like to make few observations:
Firstly, the first "row" of dunes are available for use by naturists - there are signs to that effect as you head inland towards the pines.
Secondly, although when I am with my wife we use the beach (room for frisbee etc.), when I am alone, and being too lazy to carry a windbreak, I do go onto that first row of dunes. I therefore have to admit to being an occasional "meerkat". It gets VERY hot in the marram and standing up allows you to cool down and, yes, to have a look around. As for the people who "patrol" the dunes please remember that many of the folks there are regulars and will stroll along the dunes chatting to friends. In my experience very few are truly exhibitionistic. In ten years I have only been exposed (sorry!) to unwanted or inappropriate behaviour twice - though I am sure some does take place. I just followed the advice given elsewhere on this site and (overcoming British reticence) politely told them to desist/move on.
To conclude. This is a stunningly beautiful beach, well worth the 20-30 minute walk from the car park. And for those who obviously felt a little uncomfortable, don't be put off, most of what you see is totally innocent."
Trip Report: 2003 - Ray and Tina
"We often go as a family with our children and at other times its just us.... what a great place it is, clean, safe and with a good sunny day you couldn't want for a better place. We tried the Spanish naturist beach and quite frankly we wouldn't swap the Norfolk coast for anything. Its the people who make the place and what a friendly lot they are, sometimes if you just talk to the folks it puts a totally different perspective on things. Just try it once and like us you will be coming back time after time."
Trip Report: 2003 - Mike W
August 14th was one of the many wonderful sunny days we have had this year so far, so whilst in Norfolk my wife and I decided to spend a day on the naturist beach at Holkham. This is something we have wanted to do for a long time as we both enjoy the great outdoors. So, first time naturist, first time at Holkham, what were we expecting?
Not a packed beach but a reasonable number of families, couples, groups and individuals doing their own thing enjoying nature's elements against their skin. Despite the super weather and peak holiday period this was not the case. Having entered the designated area we found a dry area near the dunes to put our bags. Sitting there facing out to sea we were surprised at how few people there were on the beach then we became aware of people behind us. Altering my position so I could keep an eye on what was going on behind me revealed more activity than on the beach. Yes you have probably guessed it, as others have mentioned it was these lone males doing their impersonation of 'meercats', bobbing up and down in the dunes, prowling backwards and forwards, more often than not with a camera bag over their shoulder. The longer you watched them the more amusing it became.
Were we put off by this? No, we had a super time, next to the sea. Overall, it is a lovely place, but I would imagine there would be a lot of people, particularly young families, put off by these sad individuals that haunt the dunes.
Trip Report: August 2003 - David and Jill
"This year (2003) could not have been better for enjoying the pleasures of Holkham, the weather has been really hot and the sea unusually warm. Both my wife and I are regular visitors to Holkham as we live near Cromer. We are both naturists and find this an ideal place to enjoy the sun and the fresh air. Although getting to Holkham is a long walk from the car parks, the exercise makes it worth while. We would agree with others who have written reports, that a number of single men tend to regularly patrol the dunes apparently in the hope of seeing something exciting! We do not find this objectionable in any way and it must be appreciated that Holkham is open for all to visit. "
Trip Report: August 2003 - by Roy B.
"Having been a naturist for a few years now, I decided to take my
first trip to Holkham beach yesterday, 07 Aug 2003. The parking was very
good, but I did arrive early to avoid any problems.
Once parked I headed through the gate, along a wooden walkway, and down
onto the beach. As previously stated, turn left and walk until you find
the sign for the naturist beach, this is not a large sign, so watch out
for it, you will find it near to the sand dunes. I found a lovely beach
and scenery, ideal for naturists to sunbathe, swim and play beach games,
you couldn't have wished for a better place to be. On the down side
though, I did notice a lot of single males, this not being a problem, but
some that I can only describe as exhibitionists and if in a different
environment “Flashers”. I say this as it was very obvious, that
when they noticed a Female walking down the beach, they would get up walk
in front of the walker, and parade themselves in front of them, also some
would walk continually up and down the sea front as if to say “look
at me!”
On the whole though, I had a lovely day there and would recommend anyone
a visit. Any Females, don’t get put off by the exhibitionist Males,
just ignore them, there are a lot of single naturist Males who conduct
themselves in a proper manner."
Trip Report: August 2003
"What a fantastic beach. I never knew this sort of beach could be
found in the Norfolk area. Beautiful scenery and a really peaceful
setting. The beach is immense when the tide is out, it took me about 10
minutes to reach the sea! The wet sand is full of shells but the overall
impression is of a beach that was designed for naturists.
This might seem a bit odd, the beach is also part of a coastal walk around Norfolk, quite often you find groups of people passing by in full hiking gear looking at their feet!!! Stare at them.... it might make them take their clothes off and take a rest. As previously mentioned, £2.50 for car parking is well worth it if that's what it takes to keep the beach open. Visit there, I'm sure you will agree."
Trip Report: July 2003
"..the beach is big, beautiful and very relaxed. I would recommend
it again and again."
"This is a glorious beach, but it could do with a couple more signs on the beach to reinforce the boundries.Otherwise it is heaven on earth "
Trip Report: July 2003
"First time naturist, first time at Holkham, wonderful, a glorious
day and a fabulous beach too... .Didn't see or find anything to spoil the
experience"
Trip Report: August 2000
"What a great place for the first timer!
The dunes provide the shelter for the first timer but as the day goes by
and the idea of being without clothes becomes more natural, so you have
the opertunaty to spread your wings and go for a walk or if feeling brave
a walk right past those lying in their wind breaks and down to the loverly
warm lagoons and the sea.
The one thing that realy impressed me was the cameradery of the naturists
how nice to find such friendly people with no hang ups regardless of age
or size. A very liberating experiance and very good for the soul as you
are taken as a person rather than being judged by what you wear."
Trip Report: August 2001
"A very fine clean beach indeed. Very large at low tide shrinking to a few yards at high tide. Also long.. if you walk along for about ten to fifteen minutes you do reach another perimeter sign. The signs asking naturists not to use the dunes also stop at this point. The best way to get there is to turn left at the track next to the gate at the end of the car park, follow it past the chalet and turn right at the crossroads with another large track, but it's still a long walk! There are no signposts until you reach the dunes or a map at the car park.
Most naturists still seem to use the dunes, rather than the beach, but occasionally standing up to view the beach. This looks very furtive and appears to be an admission that you are doing something wrong, as well as disobeying the signposts. This is our beach - use it as texiles use other beaches - I enjoyed flying a kite and walking along the beach as well as sunbathing.
Incidently it's worth noting that a long distance walk traverses the beach resulting in occasional passers-by. I found this out after walking the length of the beach, then turning round to see distant figures that were obviously going to pass my clothes long before I reached them. With nothing else to do, I gritted my teeth, hid behind my sunglasses and set off back. I decided not to sit to one side and not to stare, or look away. I walked along the edge of the beach, but this didn't make much difference as the tide was in and we passed about five yards from each other. They didn't seem to mind at all and I cannot help thinking they would have been more concerned if I had acted differently - a naked man acting furtively will cause more concern than one just enjoying an official naturist beach! "
Trip Report: August 2001
"I enjoy this beach and have been doing so for a few years off and
on, but I would just like to agree with the post on your page that it's
really off-putting the way odd-looking lone men keep standing up in the
dunes and staring around (one even with binoculars last time I was there a
few weeks ago)then sitting down again, only to stand up and stare around
again a short while later, and so on. This odd behaviour has definitely
increased in the last couple of years and is presumably the reason why
English Nature has put up the 'no naturists in the dunes' signs which
never used to be there.
It's also very bizarre to see men who, as soon as the wind picks up, put their t-shirts on but still patrol along the beach with their bits hanging out below. I mean - I know which parts of me feel the cold first! Some of these are particularly annoying men who patrol up and down, up and down repeatedly, offering to help you with your kite etc.
If I didn't have my girlfriend there to protect me I wouldn't feel comfortable getting my kit off on this beach. She says it's good for me to find out how it feels to be ogled!"
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