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Holkham Gap

Norfolk, England


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Holkham Gap, located on the North Norfolk coast, is a renowned beach destination known for its extensive and unspoilt sandy shores, picturesque pinewood backdrop, and diverse wildlife.

Holkham Gap is part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve, which covers 11 miles of the Norfolk coast. The beach itself is a vast expanse of golden sand that stretches as far as the eye can see. At low tide, it can be a considerable walk to the water's edge. Despite its popularity, Holkham Gap remains a peaceful spot, even during the summer months. In the winter, visitors can usually find a secluded spot to enjoy the solitude.

The beach is backed by windswept dunes, salt marshes, and the Holkham Pines, a large belt of pine trees that provide a habitat for rare animals and plants. A boardwalk leads to a viewing platform overlooking Holkham Bay, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. There is also an easily accessible bird hide with views over the grazing marshes. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including paddling, dog walking, horse riding, and bird watching.

Holkham Gap has been recognised as a naturist beach in a designated area to the west. However, there is still a ban on nudity in the sand dunes behind the beach. The beach has been featured in several films and TV productions, including "Shakespeare in Love," "The Eagle Has Landed," "The Avengers," and the 2008 TV series, "Kingdom."

The Holkham National Nature Reserve is managed by Natural England and the Holkham Estate. The reserve provides a range of habitats for rare animals and plants, making it a haven for nature lovers and bird watchers.

Holkham Gap is a popular destination for families, nature lovers, and sports enthusiasts. The beach is dog-friendly all year round, and there is paid parking close to the beach, with a cafe nearby. Visitors can access the beach along Lady Anne's Drive at Holkham village, just off the A149, or by the coast road west of Wells-next-the-Sea.

Holkham Gap is on the North Norfolk Heritage Coast.

Weather and tides for Tuesday 8 July

Tonight
Chance of rain 13%
Min temp. 10°C
(feels like 10°C)
Wind 4mph
Tomorrow (Wednesday)
Chance of rain 4%
Max temp. 23°C
(feels like 22°C)
Wind 7mph
Max UV Index

The tide at Holkham Gap is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 11:54 PM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 6:02 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   17.7°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Popular Activities

    Bird watching Walking
  • Features

    Nature reserve
  • Parking

    Pay and display car park

  • Dogs

    Some areas of beach cordoned off for nesting birds. Dogs to be on leads in these clearly marked areas.

  • Lifeguard

    No lifeguard cover at this beach

  • Water Quality

    Water quality not measured here

    Water quality not measured here

Recommended holiday cottages near Holkham Gap

Things to do and see in the area

Holkham Bay (1.4 miles)
Holkham National Nature Reserve (1.6 miles)
Holkham Hall (1.6 miles)
Alpaca Trekking (2.4 miles)
The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway (2.9 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Holkham

Location type: Village

OS Grid: TF888456

County: Norfolk

Country: England

Local Authority: North Norfolk

Parish: Holkham

Nearest postcode: NR23 1RL

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Holkham Gap, Norfolk, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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18.97.9.173 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 19:36:39 +0100