1. From the car park, head back to the road. At the road, with the Victoria Inn in front of you, at this point you can go straight ahead or left then right to the toilets and shops. After the green past the shops, the path on the right takes you back to the main drive where you turn left to the main gates for Holkham Hall.
2. The pedestrian gate is in the left-hand corner. Pass through the gate. If following the shorter walk turn left passing through a wrought iron gate. Follow this path until it joins the main track at (3). The main walk turns right. Follow the gravel track. At the bend in the track follow the grass path in front of the monument. Carry on until you reach the lake. Turn left and follow the lake until you come to the track in front of the hall. Turn left. Follow the track passing the car park. There is usually a large number of deer of to your left. Carry on to the fork in the road. Take the track to the right. Go straight on. Follow the track and pass through the kissing gate at the cattle grid. After a short distance the short walk joins from the left.
3. The shorter walk joins here and turns left to join the main walk. Follow to the east gate then on to the main road where there is a footpath to the right along a gravel drive. Go left and right around farm buildings, there are three boats in the barn on your left, and follow the path to a crossing track. Turn left and continue along this track to the B1105.
4. Cross the road and turn left between the brick piers of a dismantled rail bridge. At the A149 turn right into Burnt Street, passing the fire station on the right and Orchard Holiday Park on your left. Cross the road at the school and speed limit sign and take the track between properties which soon narrows to a footpath going uphill. At the end of the path bear left along Plummer’s Hill to the area called The Buttlands. Keep straight ahead passing a grassy area with a tree in the middle to the left. Pass the Crown Hotel on the right and carry on along the narrow lane ahead - Chancery Lane. At the High Street turn left you will then come to Station Street. Turn right.
5. Walk as far as the Post Office. Turn left by the Post Office along Bolts Close passing the telephone exchange on your right and continue down into Croft Yard to the quay. Turn left. Follow the quay to Beach Road. Follow along the sea wall, with the road and holiday park on your left. You are now on the Norfolk Coast Path which is marked with an oak leaf emblem. At the end of the sea wall turn left by the café following the path round the caravan park The information board indicates that this is Wells Dell and one of the most famous birdwatching areas in England. The tall pines which dominate the area were introduced to stabilise the sand dunes. They, together with the broom and gorse undergrowth, are a haven for small birds. At the coast path finger post turn left which brings you back to the car park, but it is best to turn right and visit the beach. If wishing for a short walk around Holkham you can park at any of the three car parks and walk around the lake and hall. There are maps at the gate showing different length walks - it is worth going down onto the beach.
COMPASS POINTS
START: Holkham Lady Anne's Drive
DISTANCE: Main walk 7.5 miles/12k, shorter walk (just the beach, lake and hall) 6 miles/10lm
GRID REFERENCE: TF 8910 4448
NEAREST POSTCODE: NR23 1RJ
WHAT3WORDS: necks.visits.prune
POINTS OF INTEREST
Holkham estate
The beach at Holkham is one of the most unspoilt and beautiful stretches of sand in the country. Behind the shoreline lies a semi-circular basin, which, at very high tides, rapidly fills to form a spectacular shallow lagoon.
During the summer months the park is open daily from 9am-5pm (check out of peak season) and there are other walking and cycling routes to explore.
The hall itself is open from 10am-4pm on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays from the end of March to late October and admission also includes entry to the Walled Garden, a must for anyone with an interest in gardening, and Holkham Stories which tells the fascinating tale of the estate. Look out for special events during the year, such as deer and wildlife safaris, outdoor film screenings, opera, theatre, the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival and Christmas tours by candlelight. holkham.co.uk
The Coke Monument
Standing 37 metres high, the Coke Monument pays tribute to politician and agriculturalist Thomas William Coke, who pioneered long leases for his farm tenants. It was designed by the architect William Donthorne and has some quirky adornments, including a wheatsheaf on the top.
Wells-next-the-Sea
In the 18th century, Wells was nationally important as a producer of malt. It once supplied huge quantities of malt to the Dutch, then latterly to London breweries.
The maltings and granaries, now turned to new uses, make its working quay a fascinating place to visit, to sit and eat fish and chips, to watch the arrival of fishing vessels or gaze at the marsh wilderness beyond. It is hard to believe that within living memory the marshes were full of sheep.
An impressive feature of the harbour is the large granary building with its distinctive overhanging gantry. Built in 1903, it has now been turned into luxury flats with magnificent views. There are nearby bird reserves, but the rare terns and wading birds know no boundaries and can often be seen from the quay. Don't forget your binoculars!
STAY AND DINE
Splendid surroundings
You can make a memorable stay of it on the estate. Eight historic lodges, including a folly, gatehouse and the magnificent Triumphal Arch, are available to rent for an extra special luxury break in north Norfolk.
And the four-star Victoria hotel has 20 individually decorated rooms and its restaurant helmed by Michael Chamberlain received two AA Rosettes in 2023.
