About the reserve

The wide open space, big skies and sea air make Holme Dunes a wonderful place to take a brisk, bracing walk. In winter, with the tide out, you can find some rare solitude in its vast expanse. Visit in the summer months and you certainly won’t be the only one enjoying this beautiful beach. 

As well as the sandy beach and dunes, the reserve boasts saltmarsh, stands of pine, grazing marshes, ponds and pools. All these habitats support important communities of plants, and a good range of invertebrates too. The site is also well-known for its large population of natterjack toads. On a warm, still, spring evening, the loud chorus of male toads can carry some distance.               

Holme was used as a tank firing range during the Second World War, and remnants can still be found here. Much earlier remains have also been discovered, including Roman pottery. In 1988, a well-preserved Bronze Age timber circle was discovered, 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. 

This area of North Norfolk is well-known among birdwatchers for the high number of migrating and vagrant birds that pass through. Scarce migrant birds such as wryneck, yellow-browed warbler, and barred warbler are almost annual. When weather conditions dictate, thousands of exhausted migrant birds may be found taking shelter among the coastal scrub and dunes, in what is referred to as a ‘fall’ of birds.  

Please note: Holme Dunes beach is important for ground-nesting birds such as little tern, ringed plover, and oystercatcher. These birds can suffer due to disturbance, so visitors are asked to follow the guidelines and restrictions displayed, including requests from NWT staff and volunteers.