Discover Norfolk’s astounding natural landscape on this walking tour, from pristine beaches and salt marshes to sand dunes
Encounter the coast’s teeming wildlife, including breeding seals, terns, marsh harriers, sea lavender and even natterjack toads
Walk along one of the UK’s finest coastal stretches from Wells-next-the-Sea, past dunes, black pine forests, freshwater marshes and rewilding streams
“Kevin was brilliant at making sure everything was seen and for putting our sightings in context. His knowledge of both birds and habitats and conservation were phenomenal”
– ACE customer on a 2025 tour to Norfolk led by Kevin Hand
With its endless skies, beaches stretching towards the horizon, and remarkable flora and fauna, the coastline of Norfolk has long captivated those seeking both an enhanced awareness of the UK’s natural wonders and conservation efforts, and an escape. This brand new tour has been specially designed for those who enjoy exploring the landscape on foot, and our three walks will showcase the best aspects of Norfolk’s coast at a particularly beautiful and lively time of the year.
A walk to Blakeney Harbour will introduce us to one of the best areas of salt marsh, mudflats and grazing marsh in Britain, while close by lies the famous Cley Reserve – among the oldest nature reserves in the country, where the Wildlife Trust began. In June we may be able to spot breeding seals, waders and Sandwich and little terns feeding their chicks, with possible sightings of families of bearded tits and reed and sedge warblers in the reed beds. The elusive bittern could be more conspicuous while rearing their young, while marsh harriers may be spotted teaching hunting skills to their offspring.
Our second day takes us west through Morston Salt Marshes and Stiffkey Greens to the mouth of Blakeney Harbour. We will watch the fast progress of the tides in the creeks that run across this flat land, driving clouds of waders and ducks onto drier land, while grey and ‘common’ or harbour seals are likely to have pups with them by now. The marshes themselves should be a riot of colourful sea lavender and sea aster, with delicious samphire that we may discover fresh on our dinner plates come the evening.
We will end on a high as we walk along one of the finest coastal stretches in the country, following Holkham Bay from Wells-next-the-Sea. Our Tour Director will lead us between shifting sand dunes and empty beaches, as well as black pine forests planted 150 years ago by Thomas William Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester of Holkham, to stabilise the huge dunes. We will take in the National Nature Reserve managed by the Holkham Estate – including freshwater marshes and rewilding streams – and look out for natterjack toads breeding in the temporary dune slacks towards the beautiful beaches at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Amidst the spectacular wildlife, we will enjoy moments of sublime tranquillity in this largely unspoilt – and often deserted – environment; while our tour personnel will enlighten us during a series of informal discussions, including a focus on coastal conservation.
Our Accommodation
We are delighted to be staying at one of Norfolk’s most delightful and welcoming hotels, the four-star Manor Coastal Hotel & Inn at Blakeney, whose prime position will allow us to access most of our walks directly from the front door. The hotel has won awards for the high quality of its accommodation and use of delicious local produce in its restaurant. Much lauded for its peaceful, elegant atmosphere, The Manor is nestled within Norfolk’s stunning natural landscape and offers beautiful views from many of its rooms.
Kevin Hand
Kevin is a long-standing ACE Tour Director with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism.
This tour will be led by Kevin Hand, MSc, MCIEEM, a long-standing ACE Tour Director with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. Kevin led a team providing access to the British countryside for hard to reach groups, as well as a project on eagles, vultures and other wildlife in Albania. He has been President and Vice President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and continues to act as a Trustee. He currently also chairs the Newmarket Chalk Streams Trust, has been a Trustee of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, as well as a reserve warden, and is now a Biodiversity Surveyor for the RSPB. He has a large amount of experience in visiting many different countries around the world. Kevin has been leading tours to Norfolk for over 25 years.
Kevin will be supported by Liam Northfield, an environmental scientist and expedition guide with a background in conservation work, including at the Manx Wildlife Trust, where his group received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
“I always find Norfolk exciting and full of interest! The coastal changes are incredible to observe, and the wildlife holds new surprises every year”
– Kevin Hand
5
£1595
WNCP-26
