The UK beach with stretches of golden sand dunes loved by Kate and William for family day out
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.
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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.
It has also been listed among the best beaches in the UK by TimeOut, one of The Telegraph's favourite white sand beaches, and a top beach for walking dogs by Canine Cottages. In addition to this, it has been named the Best British Beach in the Coast Awards for three years and has also bagged a Travellers' Choice Award.
The stunning beach is just a 35-minute drive from William and Kate's Norfolk holiday home, Amner Hall, where they retreat to during some school holidays and weekends for some quality family time away from the spotlight. And it seems the locals go out of their way to respect their royal residents.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl previously told OK!"The locals are incredibly protective of them, you don't often see people get out their camera phones and record them. They are left to just get on with a family occasion."
"If you speak to anyone from North Norfolk, they're incredibly proud that William and Kate are continuing a love affair with Norfolk that goes back generations. Kate and William tend to go to the same places and these are places where they are known and have a good relationship with the landlord or landlady."
She added: "They've been going to these places for a long time, so it's not unusual and it's not difficult for them to go and relax. Norfolk is one of the few places they can just enjoy ordinary, everyday experiences as a family. William and Kate often go out on date nights and you don't hear about it."
One local also said: "They've been spotted on a yacht just off Holkham Beach, it's the perfect way for them to be able to enjoy the beach but be away from the crowds. Holkham is amazing - it's the beach from Shakespeare in Love - huge white sand with sand dunes, and although it's very popular it never feels busy, as it's so big.
"But even still, it would be hard for the royal family to come down and enjoy it during peak summer season. Being on a boat gives them privacy and security but they still get to enjoy their local beach."
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