Holkham to Wells

A circular walk along the North Norfolk Coast between Holkham and Wells-next-the-sea.
An alternative to the North Norfolk Coast Path, which follows the landward side of the large belt of pine trees known as Holkham Pines, is to walk along the glorious sandy Holkham beach. This was such a well worth experience with acres upon acres of sandy beach and dunes. With clear blue skies and a little sunshine this makes for a superb walk at any time of the year. The Albatros, a sailing ship that is permanently moored at Wells Quay provides some fine and simple lunches including fresh mussels which provide a fitting half way point to this walk. The return uses the tracks around the Holkham estate taking in views of the hall, the lake and obelisk.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 78 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 77 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 45 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -1 m
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Photos

A shoot on th eHolkham estate
Holkham Hall
Holkham to Wells Circular Walk

Description of the walk

Start: Bus stop by the Victoria Hotel at Holkham (NR23 1RG) Grid ref. TF 891 440

(S/E) From the bus stop by the Victoria Hotel at Holkham, take Lady Annes Drive Northward down to the beach and follow the beach Eastwards to Wells Beach where a path leads back inland (South) along Becah Road to Wells Quay riad. At Wells Harbour, keep left with The Quay road on your right.

(1) Take Staithe Street, the main shopping street opposite the Quay. At the top turn right then turn left into the Buttlands.

(2) Head down to the right of the Crown Hotel at the bottom where Plummers Hill leads through to the main road (A149). Turn right and walk down to the junction with B1105. Turn left, past the old railway embankment, where there is a track on the right. Continue along here until the hedgerows end and another track on the right leads back up to the road.

(3) At the road (A149) turn left and take the lane into the Holkham estate, past the gatehouse. Keep on this through the woods, and straight across the track that junctions it at the far end of the wood. Keep on the track all the way through to Holkham Hall.

(4) Here, take a detour, the lake is a little further on. The ice-house is around the far end of the Hall following the track past the end of the lake. Continue along this to find the obelisk which is in the woods at the end of the incline. Return back past the Holkham Hall.

(4) Branch off to the left and down to the main entrance to return to the main road adjacent to the Victoria Hotel. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Victoria Hotel at Holkham
  2. 1 : km 5.94 - alt. 6 m - Staithe Street
  3. 2 : km 6.44 - alt. 13 m - The Crown Hotel
  4. 3 : km 8.05 - alt. 20 m - A149 road left
  5. 4 : km 9.89 - alt. 24 m - Holkham Hall
  6. S/E : km 14.2 - alt. 7 m - Victoria Hotel at Holkham

Practical information

Start: Bus stop by the Victoria Hotel at Holkham (NR23 1RG) Grid ref. TF 891 440

Transport:
Coasthopper CH1, CH2, CH3 - Unfortunately, in recent years the highly acclaimed Coasthopper bus service has suffered from subsequent takeovers with a consequent deterioration of the service and continuing doubts upon is viability. Due to its constant changing operators, it is therefore best to use the Traveline website to determine the current timetables and services.
The Coasthopper bus service is a great way to get from wherever one is staying along the North Norfolk Coast to the entrance to Holkham Hall from where this walk begins. Starting out early to mid morning will give a good days walk with lunch at Wells and ample time to walk back in time for the bus journey home.

Accommodation : Woodhill Park Campsite

Refreshments :
The Albatros, Wells-next-the-sea

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

In the nearby area

Holkham Hall
Holkham Beach

Other walks in the area

Walking Holkham Park from Holkham

Walker
↔6.79 km ↗+37 m ↘-37 m ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Holkham (Norfolk)
This short walk explores some of the features of Holkham Park and provides an opportunity to see the large Hall built by the Earl of Leicester in the 18th century. If you are lucky you will also see the large herds of deer that graze in the park. Toilets and cafés are open in Holkham village on most days of the year.

Walking Norfolk Coast Path - Wells-next-the-Sea to Burnham Overy Staithe

Walker
Norfolk Coast Path - Wells-next-the-Sea to Burnham Overy Staithe
↔11.15 km ↗+10 m ↘-8 m ◔3h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Wells-Next-the-Sea (Norfolk)
A walk following the North Norfolk Coast Path between Wells-next-the-Sea and Burnham Overy Staithe.This amble includes some magnificent beach walking along the sands in front of the Holkham National Nature Reserve. Acres upon acres of golden sand when the tide is out with big skies and thousands upon thousands of razor shells which are washed up on the high tide mark. The walk ends at Burnham Overy Staithe, the quiet hamlet which is said to be where Nelson learnt to row and sail.

Walking A Norfolk Ramble around the Burnhams

Walker
A Norfolk Ramble around the Burnhams
↔25.37 km ↗+105 m ↘-112 m ◔7h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Wells-Next-the-Sea (Norfolk)
A circular walk from Wells-next-the-sea taking in Burnham Thorpe, Burnham Market and Burnham Norton.This full days walk has everything to offer the adventurous rambler. There is a wander through the stately grounds of Holkham Hall in order to reach the humble church at Burnham Thorpe with its tributes to Norfolk's most famous son, Lord Nelson who was born and grew up in the area. Country lanes lead down to Burnham Market and the church of the old parish of Burnham Ulph. Heading down to the coast there is the church of Burnham Norton with its resplendent medieval paintings. The ramble returns along the vast expansive beaches in front of Holkham.

Walking Norfolk Coast Path - Burnham Overy Staithe to Brancaster

Walker
Norfolk Coast Path - Burnham Overy Staithe to Brancaster
↔10.11 km ↗+12 m ↘-9 m ◔2h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Burnham Overy (Norfolk)
A walk following the North Norfolk Coast Path between Burnham Overy Staithe to Brancaster.Wide open areas of marshland provide an enticing setting for this easy walk. Sailing boats, marsh, a tidal pool and the site of a Roman fort provide plenty of interest, together with three pubs, what more could one ask for of an afternoons stroll.

Walking Around Burnham Market

Walker
↔8.10 km ↗+56 m ↘-49 m ◔2h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Burnham Market (Norfolk)
This Norfolk walk starts from the attractive village of Burnham Market and continues via Burnham Overy Staithe and Burnham Overy Town. There is much of interest along the route including two fine churches.

Walking Brancaster Beach

Walker
Brancaster Beach
↔4.80 km ↗+12 m ↘-11 m ◔1h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Brancaster (Norfolk)
A walk out to Brancaster Beach returning across the marsh to Titchwell.Although not included in the official Norfolk Coast Path route, this simple walk is a well worth excursion to witness the expanse of sand and dune as well as a petrified forest and an old wreck. Always be mindful of tide conditions and particularly do not attempt to get across to the wreck which lies across the Harbour channel.

For more walks, use our search engine .

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