HOLKHAM in North Norfolk has been voted best beach in the UK in the largest ever survey of British travel writers and editors.
The four-mile stretch of unspoilt sands fought off competition from other popular beaches including Rhossili on the Gower Peninsular in South Wales and Watergate Bay in Cornwall.
Holkham is a part of a National Nature Reserve and managed by Natural England in partnership with the Holkham Estate. It featured in the closing scenes of the Hollywood movie Shakespeare in Love.
The survey – conducted by the travel inspiration website 101 Holidays – asked more than 100 of the UK’s most influential travel editors and writers to name their favourite places both at home and around the world.
On hearing the news, Pete Waters, Brand Manager at Visit Norfolk, said, ‘It’s fantastic that Holkham has been recognised in this way - it’s the jewel in the crown of Norfolk’s 93 miles of wonderfully varied and unspoilt coastline and perfect for everyone all year round.
“On any day you’ll see walkers with dogs striding out on the vast expanse of beach, riders galloping their horses through the surf, families congregating around the beach huts with picnics, groups playing frisbee and cricket, youngsters crabbing at the quay and playing in the dunes, or birdwatchers in the pine forest.’
Meanwhile, Celia Deeley of the Holkham Estate, said, ‘We are delighted to receive national recognition for the stunning setting of Holkham Beach which has always been a great draw for visitors to Norfolk.’
In the 101 Holidays’ poll, the travel writers’ favourite country was France followed by Italy and India, while New York, London and Paris claimed the top three city spots.
The journalists were also asked which destinations they disliked so much that they would never return. The “winners” were Las Vegas, Qatar and Dubai.
The full survey results can be found at www.101holidays.co.uk/travel-writers-survey/, for further information on all things Norfolk go to www.visitnorfolk.co.uk and for further information on the Holkham Estate visit www.holkham.co.uk
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