Holkham on the north Norfolk coast has one of the best beaches in Britain – sandy and vast, some three miles long and half a mile from dunes to sea at low tide. It stood in for the Sahara when the BBC filmed El Cid, and more famously starred in Gwyneth Paltrow’s final scene in Shakespeare In Love. You can race horses, fly kites, take your clothes off (at the official western nudist end only), walk your dog (like the Queen and her corgis – Sandringham is just down the road) or simply take a picnic and find a sheltered nest for two in the marram-tufted dunes.

Where to stay
The White Horse can be reached by following the coast path from Holkham. This ‘pub plus’ has grand views across the salt marshes, serves great seafood and is the Good Hotel Guide’s current Norfolk Hotel of the Year. Doubles from £100 B&B a room (£150 including dinner).

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