Dunes, Sunshine, and Royals: The UK Beach Beloved by Kate, William, and the Kids
A beach nestled on the Norfolk coast makes the perfect day out for the kids during the summer holidays, and it’s even loved by royalty.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are known to love Holkham beach in Norfolk and regularly visit the sprawling sandy dunes with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, over the school holidays. The idyllic spot offers miles and miles of unspoilt golden sand, with nearby pinewoods offering a refreshing respite from the heat.
Holkham beach has even been the backdrop to Kate’s photographs of the children and her husband over the years when they’ve marked significant occasions, including the couple’s 10th anniversary. It is also said to have been the location they chose when sharing the news that Kate had completed her chemotherapy treatment.
The beach is part of the grand Holkham Estate, which spans 25,000 acres of undulating parkland, houses a splendid Palladian Hall, and includes the globally significant Holkham National Nature Reserve. It’s an ideal beach for families, with stretches of smooth sand for the kids to run about on or to pick up a bat to play cricket or rounders.
Unlike many other beaches, Holkham Beach welcomes horses. During the summer months, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) regularly conducts ride-outs onto the beach, which is a truly extraordinary spectacle. Dogs are also welcome, although visitors are advised to steer clear of areas cordoned off for nesting birds.
It’s a haven for wintering birds and an important breeding site for Little Terns, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher. These ground-nesting birds are vulnerable to high tides and disturbances from humans and dogs. During the winter, large flocks of shorebirds can be spotted along the shore edge and on the developing salt marsh in Holkham Bay.
It’s no wonder that Holkham Beach has been featured in several films and TV series, including the Oscar-winning ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and the 2018 Netflix film ‘Annihilation’. In 2018, BBC Countryfile even named Holkham Beach as Beach of the Year.
