Walking Holidays and Outdoor Adventures in Holme-next-the-Sea

Sand Dunes, Saltmarshes, and the Start of a National Trail

A peaceful coastal village where beach, marsh, and big skies meet at the very start of the Peddars Way.

Holme-next-the-Sea is a quiet, nature-rich corner of the North Norfolk Coast, perfect for walking holidays and outdoor adventures. It’s the official start point of the Peddars Way National Trail, which heads south through heath, farmland, and forest to meet the Norfolk Coast Path and continue along the shoreline. Here, the landscape is shaped by tidal creeks, saltmarshes, and the wide sandy expanse of Holme Beach.

The area is also home to Holme Dunes Nature Reserve, managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Its network of trails and boardwalks winds through dune ridges, grazing marsh, and freshwater pools — a haven for migrating and breeding birds. Low tides reveal the “Seahenge” timbers, a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age monument discovered in 1998, now preserved in King’s Lynn museum.

Walkers can head east along the Norfolk Coast Path toward Thornham, Brancaster, and the villages beyond, or west into the vast sands and tidal flats stretching toward Hunstanton. Inland, quiet lanes and bridleways connect Holme to Ringstead and Old Hunstanton for circular walking routes.

Why Visit Holme-next-the-Sea for Walking and Adventure

Start point of the Peddars Way National Trail
Access to the Norfolk Coast Path and Holme Dunes Nature Reserve
Expansive sandy beach and tidal flats, perfect for long seaside walks
Unique history with the discovery site of “Seahenge”

Nearby Trails

Norfolk Coast Path – Runs east from Holme-next-the-Sea through dunes, marshes, and beaches to Hopton-on-Sea, and west to Hunstanton.
Peddars Way – Roman-road route running inland through Breckland to Knettishall Heath, linking directly with the Norfolk Coast Path at Holme.
Ringstead Circular – A countryside loop linking Holme, Ringstead, and Old Hunstanton, with a mix of field paths and quiet lanes.

Outdoor Adventures and Activities

Birdwatching – Holme Dunes is a hotspot for migratory and breeding species
Beach walking – Miles of sandy shoreline at low tide
Coastal photography – Marsh, dunes, and vast Norfolk skies
Nature trails – Boardwalks through wetland and dune habitats

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Peddars Way start in Holme-next-the-Sea?

The trail’s northern trailhead is signposted near Holme Beach, beside Holme Dunes Nature Reserve. From here, it follows a historic Roman route south through heath, farmland, and woodland, eventually meeting the Norfolk Coast Path and continuing toward Knettishall Heath in Suffolk.

Is there parking for walkers in Holme-next-the-Sea?

Yes, there’s a public car park at Holme Dunes Nature Reserve (Norfolk Wildlife Trust), which is ideal for starting walks on the Peddars Way, Norfolk Coast Path, or the reserve’s trails.

Can you walk from Holme-next-the-Sea to Hunstanton?

Yes — it’s a scenic walk of about 3 miles along the Norfolk Coast Path. The route follows the beach and dunes west toward Old Hunstanton and then into Hunstanton itself.

Are there cafés or pubs in Holme-next-the-Sea?

Holme itself has limited amenities, but pubs, cafés, and shops are nearby in Thornham, Old Hunstanton, and Hunstanton.

What wildlife can I see at Holme Dunes?

Holme Dunes is known for migratory and breeding birds such as avocets, little terns, and marsh harriers. You might also see seals offshore and a variety of coastal wildflowers in summer.