Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Holme Dunes NNR, in Norfolk’s northwest corner where The Wash meets the North Sea, is superbly located to attract migrating birds. In spring, wheatears and warblers are common, with large numbers of finches and thrushes in the autumn. Scarce migrants such as wryneck, yellow-browed warbler and barred warbler are also seen. Holme Dunes is made up of a range of coastal habitats including intertidal sands and mud, sand and shingle bars, saltmarsh, sand dune, freshwater and salty pools and grazing marshes. These important habitats support numerous other wildlife species including natterjack toads, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as a large number of interesting plants. Holme is also a good place to watch seabirds. In the right conditions gannets, skuas, terns and divers can be watched passing by the coastline in their hundreds. Holme Dunes was the site of the discovery of a well-preserved Bronze Age timber circle, which became known as ‘Seahenge’, in 1998.

Location

Holme next the Sea

About the area

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.