Holme Dunes, by Frederic Landes 1/5
2/5
Holme Dunes, photo by Richard Osbourne 3/5
Holme Dunes, photo by Mike Page 4/5
Holme Dunes, photo by Liz Dack 5/5

Holme Dunes

At Norfolk’s northwest corner, where The Wash meets the North Sea, Holme Dunes is superbly located to attract migrating birds.

It also holds a variety of important habitats which support numerous other wildlife species including natterjack toads, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as a large number of interesting plants. Various military remains from the Second World War can be glimpsed around the reserve, including the remnants of a target-railway used to train artillery.

Much earlier remains have also been discovered including Roman pottery and, in 1998, a well-preserved Bronze Age timber circle, which became known as ‘Seahenge’. The circle was uncovered by strong tides, having been hidden for some 4,000 years. No longer at Holme, the structure was removed for preservation purposes by archaeologists. It is now on view at King’s Lynn Museum.
 

DOWNLOAD the Holme Marsh walk map (PDF)

 



Access
From Hunstanton head north along the A149 Coast Road for 4km (2.5 miles), where you will then take a  left turn and drive down Beach Road. The reserve is signposted. Please park in the NWT car park on the left- hand side of the track. Entrance to the nature reserve and start of the trails are beside the visitor centre. A number of hides overlook the pools and grazing marshes. There is a charge for non-NWT members. The Lynx Coastliner bus stops on the main road 3km (1.9 miles) away.

Access for those with limited mobility
Reserve:
From the car park it is possible to access the Norfolk Coast Path via a hardened path. The coastal path which runs adjacent to the reserve has some sections of easy access boardwalk. The reserve also has some sections of boardwalk/hardened paths leading to one accessible hide.

Visitor Centre:
No specific disabled car parking bays but a rough surface leads to the centre and a ramp to the entrance and patio area. The unisex toilets are wheelchair accessible but are only available when the centre is open.

Please note that the dunes and their wildlife are very susceptible to erosion and disturbance, so please follow all on-site access instructions. During busy periods in the summer visitor numbers may be limited.
 

Spring

Birds - Little tern, ring ouzel, ringed plover, redshank, lapwing, marsh harrier, shoveler
Reptiles and amphibians - Natterjack toad
 

Summer

Birds - Avocet, little tern, black-tailed godwit, ringed plover, redshank, lapwing, bittern, marsh harrier, shoveler
Reptiles and amphibians - Natterjack toad
Plants - Southern marsh orchid, sea lavender


Autumn

Birds - Black-tailed godwit, wigeon, pink footed goose, brent goose, Slavonian grebe, twite, spotted redshank, pied flycatcher, curlew, bar-tailed godwit, knot, ringed plover, redshank, lapwing
 

Winter

Birds - Wigeon, pink footed goose, brent goose, snow bunting, long tailed duck, Slavonian grebe, twite, spotted redshank, curlew, bar-tailed godwit, knot, ringed plover, redshank, lapwing

 

Sea Buckthorn
Probably planted to help stabilise the dunes, this spiky silvery shrub is prevalent here. In autumn, its bright orange berries are a godsend to the thousands of migrating birds, such as wintering thrushes, that stop off at Holme.
 

Barn Owl
There are few sights in Norfolk more evocative than the ghostly form of a barn owl carefully quartering the fields and dykes. NWT Holme Dunes is one of the best places to catch up with the ethereal birds as they hunt silently over the grazing marshes in the late afternoon. Calm days are the best time to observe them.
 

Avocet
This unmistakeable black-and-white wader, with its characteristic upturned bill, breeds in small numbers on the reserve, and can often be watched feeding in front of the hides during the summer.
 

Migrating and vagrant birds
The unique location of NWT Holme Dunes means it attracts large numbers of migrating birds. In spring, wheatears and warblers are common, with large numbers of finches and thrushes in the autumn. Scarce migrants such as wryneck, yellow-browed warbler and barred warbler are almost annual. When the conditions are just right, thousands of tired migrants take shelter among the scrub and dunes in what is known as a ‘fall’.
 

Seabirds
Holme is a good place to seawatch: with the correct winds gannets, skuas, terns and divers can be watched passing by the coastline in their hundreds.

The advance car park booking scheme for NWT Holme Dunes will begin on 17 July and run until 3 September 2023. Visitors will need to book in advance for any visits made to the reserve by car during this busier period. It remains our priority to carefully manage the site for wildlife, visitors and our local community and to follow the North Norfolk Coast’s ‘enjoy, respect, protect’ plea.
 

To avoid disappointment, you must book your visit in good time, especially at busier times such as weekends and bank holidays. Bookings will close at 30 minutes prior to a booking slot, which should allow considerable flexibility but as with any point in time when the parking is full we will not be able to accept any more entrants. All visitors must use the Eventbrite booking system prior to arrival at the site. 

​Full terms and conditions for the advance car park booking scheme can be found on the Eventbrite page via the link below.

Click here to book your parking space at Holme Dunes.
 

Download the Holme information leaflet:
   Download the Holme information leaflet: Download   

Details

Address

Post code
PE36 6LQ
Map reference
OS Landranger 132
Grid reference
TF 714 449
Designation
NNR, SPA, SAC, SSSI, Ramsar
Get directions
Directions
Best time to visit
Opening times
Dog policy
Type
Visitor centre
Entrance fee

Upcoming events at Holme Dunes

Sorry, there's currently no Events matching the parameters given.
Share this