I

n the closing scenes of the film Shakespeare in Love, actress Gwyneth Paltrow walks across Holkham sand at low tide.

Even seeing these Norfolk sands on the silver screen doesn’t prepare you for the scope of this panoramic four-mile beach. It’s the perfect place to spend a lazy day together sunbathing, paddling and picnicking by the dunes.

There are pinewoods and marshlands to explore, all part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve. Go in summer and you may catch orchids in the Wells Dell in late June or early July, in winter might be lucky enough to see thousands of Pink-footed geese leaving their roost on Bob Halls Sand at Wells.

A visit to Holkham Hall doesn’t cost very much and you can decide which bits of it you’d like to experience. A lake cruise is definitely high on romance, or you can hire bicycles. The Walled Garden is also spectacular after a major restoration project. Book the small double ‘North Sea Room’ midweek at The Victoria Holkham and you won’t break the bank but you will have a glorious time.

Take the time to visit neighbouring Wells-Next-The-Sea with its lovely shops on Staithe Street and fine Georgian pubs or head to chi-chi Burnham Market, Norfolk’s own Chelsea on Sea for some celebrity spotting (Springwatch and Autumnwatch are filmed here).