DAYS
4
TOUR CODE
WILN-27
COST
£1295
DAYS
4
TOUR CODE
WILN-27
COST
£1295
Set at one of the most atmospheric and magical times of the year, our updated tour to Norfolk will spend a day at Wild Ken Hill alongside the coastal site of ‘Seahenge’, the excellent Titchwell reserve and Holkham National Nature Reserve, home to snow buntings and shore larks.
Overview
“I am still reeling with delight at the soaring majesty of Norfolk”
– John Betjeman, English poet and writer
The wetland reserves of Norfolk – a far-reaching landscape where human life and the natural world weave inseparably around one another – are internationally renowned for their unspoilt coastlines and outstanding habitats. With its vast skies punctuated by frost-laden branches, windmills and handsome church towers, Norfolk in winter offers one of the very best environments to experience England’s rich and dynamic wildlife, including rapidly wheeling migratory flocks which find a harbour here during the colder months. Norfolk’s historical roots also extend deeply, and the most satisfying experiences of this landscape adopt a layered approach, presenting some of the county’s most superb natural wonders against the backdrop of its ancient history.
Our tour offers an array of bird-watching opportunities suitable for both beginners and more experienced observers, with local wardens sharing their knowledge of the reserves. Stately Holkham Park could afford glimpses of pink-footed geese, marsh harriers and that most mesmerising of Norfolk’s birds: the barn owl. Meanwhile, the large hides at the RSPB reserve at Titchwell – a diverse landscape of salt and freshwater lagoons and reedbeds – frequently reward visitors with close views of geese, waders, gulls and rarer birds. Here, we will also look out for harriers and egrets coming in to roost, as well as remnants of Norfolk’s prehistoric past.
Wild Ken Hill is a 4000-acre site stretching inland from the sea through coastal scrub, freshwater marshes, heathland and wood pasture to nature-rich farmland. Regenerative farming, rewilding and traditional conservation practices have been employed to help return the land to nature whilst farming sustainably. We are delighted to be dedicating a whole day to the site in 2027: a guided walk exploring the habitat of Norfolk’s first population of beavers will be followed by a circular coastal walk, including an opportunity to encounter owls as they begin to wake at dusk.
CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY AT WILD KEN HILL
The host location for several series of the BBC’s Winterwatch, Autumnwatch and Springwatch programmes between 2021 and 2023, Wild Ken Hill is at the forefront of innovative methods to promote biodiversity and address climate change. The site ranges from wetlands to rewilded zones, home to roaming pigs and ponies. We look forward to a special guided walk, offering the opportunity to explore various aspects of the landscape including its importance for local beaver populations, and learn about the work being done here.
“[T]he visit to Wild Ken Hill was outstanding” – ACE traveller in 2025
Our tour is complemented by an appreciation of Norfolk’s human history. A walk to the famous site near Holme-next-the-Sea where ‘Seahenge’, a unique timber circle dating back over 4000 years to the Early Bronze Age and subsequently protected by peat, was discovered, is followed by a visit to Lynn Museum, which preserves and displays half of the original timbers. The gallery adeptly sets this remarkable monument in the context of both the landscape and its enduring value for those who have lived, and continue to live, amongst its waterways, beaches and skies.
“I have been leading this tour for over 25 years, and I always find it exciting and full of interest. The coastal changes are incredible to observe, and the wildlife holds new surprises every year.”
– Tour Director Kevin Hand on his longest running ACE Tour
Tour Director
Kevin Hand
Kevin Hand is a conservationist, environmental consultant and experienced ACE Tour Director. A former President of the Cambridge Natural History Society, Kevin has been leading tours to Norfolk for many years.
This tour will be led by conservationist and environmental consultant Kevin Hand, MSc, MCIEEM, a long-standing ACE Tour Director with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. Kevin has 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, and has been leading ACE groups to Norfolk for many years.
- ACE customer on a 2025 winter tour to Norfolk led by Kevin Hand
Our Accommodation
This tour is based in Old Hunstanton at the characterful four-star Le Strange Arms Hotel, positioned a stone’s throw from the sea. This hotel has consistently rated highly with ACE customers for its comfort levels, service and location, with one traveller remarking in 2025: “The hotel and the restaurant team were superb and exemplary in their care.”
Itinerary
Day 1
Assemble 1545 at King’s Lynn Station (those arriving by train) for transfer to Hunstanton for three nights at Le Strange Arms Hotel. 1800 welcome and introductory talk.
Day 2
Whole day at Wild Ken Hill (sustainable farmland, rewilding area and wetlands), including commentary with local experts and an exploration of the habitat of Norfolk’s first population of beavers. Afternoon: circular walk incorporating parts of the coast, finishing at dusk with a possible opportunity to encounter owls as they begin to wake. Evening review and preview of Day 3.
Day 3
Coastal walk to the site of Seahenge (unique Early Bronze Age timber circle) and Holme-next-the-Sea. Afternoon: Holkham National Nature Reserve (pink-footed geese, snow buntings and shore larks) and RSPB Titchwell (large hides for close views of geese, waders, gulls and rarer birds) to look out for harriers and egrets coming in to roost. Evening review and preview of Day 4.
Day 4
Morning visit to King’s Lynn to view the Seahenge excavation at Lynn Museum. Tour disperses c 1200 at King’s Lynn Station (for those travelling by train), or c 1230 at the hotel for those driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
This tour requires a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina. Participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions, and be prepared for walks of up to four miles without many opportunities to sit down. In particular, our guided walks at Wild Ken Hill will involve walking for a number of hours, including stops. At most of the sites it is necessary to cross rough and uneven terrain, including sand, pebbles, rough grass and woodland tracks, as well as up some modest inclines. In the event of wet or cold weather, it can be slippery and icy underfoot, and there can be wind chill.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Cost Details
Wildlife of Norfolk: Birds, Seascapes & Skies
January 25 - 28, 2027
Included: accommodation based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, three breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £50.
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