Photo Essays and Stories

In May 2024 the northern lights put on an unexpected display over Holme-next-the-Sea.

In September 2023 the Norfolk Rivers Trust announced the completion of wetland creation and river improvement works along the Hun.

A recurring object revealed by the tides on Holme beach turns out to be part of a trial Beach Dewatering Scheme.

This smart little bird attracted birders from afar to Holme-next-the-Sea during the middle of October 2020.

This photo was taken of the beach at Holme-next-the-Sea just 100m or so from the golf course crossing at the end of Beach Road.

At the end of September 2019 a holidaying couple of birders and wildlife enthusiasts spotted this otter running across the back of the lake from a hide on the Holme Marsh Nature Reserve.

Villagers Sally and Martin Crown spotted this strange looking structure while walking locally in August 2019.

On the 22nd March 2018 a police car ventured onto the sands at Holme-next-the-Sea beach - possibly to investigate reports of an unexploded device found there.

On 7th May, 2017 a couple of residents living in Westgate were enjoying Sunday lunch when a small, cryptically-plumed bird landed on their lawn.

The Milestone 19 that had been missing for many years was found in February 2016 and subsequently restored by the Milestone Society and local volunteers.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance service landed their helicopter G-RESU in the village on Thursday 28th April, 2016.

Late in the evening of Tuesday 8th March, 2016 it started to rain in the village and the downpour continued overnight.

Villagers Sally and Martin Crown were out walking in the parish, fortunately with a camera, when they spotted two species of orchid.

This hedgehog was seen on November 12th, 2015 in a garden on Westgate.

In the early hours of Monday 28th September, 2015, a rare phenomenon occurred—a Supermoon lunar eclipse, an event last seen in 1982 and not to occur again until 2033.

On the 3rd September, 2015 this amazing Hummingbird Hawk Moth was seen in a village garden.

On 8th August, 2015 the annual Church Fête was held in the grounds of Whitehall Farm by kind permission of the owner, Mr. David Gorton.

On Sunday 14th June, 2015 a special service was held in St. Mary's for pets - with their owners of course!

A family of Great Tits have taken residence in an earthenware pot laying on its side in a Holme-next-the-Sea garden.

Red Kite can regularly be seen at some well known feeding stations in Wales and there have been some releases of birds in various parts of the UK.

On Friday 20th March, 2015 at about 9:30 a.m.

These photos were taken by Mary Burton, a resident of the village, whilst walking on the beach.

Every winter the beach here is visited by Snow Buntings - sometimes a flock is made up of 60+ individuals.

On a bright New Year's Eve in 2014, a visitor came across a sunfish washed up on the beach at Holme-next-the-Sea.

In 2014 the village was blessed with fine weather on the day of the fête—a welcome contrast to some rather nasty days either side!

In early December 2013, the sea broke through near Gore Point after a predicted tidal surge, flooding the village and causing significant coastal erosion.

On September 8th, 2013, this juvenile Sparrowhawk sat preening and cleaning itself on a back fence in a village garden—it appeared to have recently bathed, perhaps in the garden pond.

The European, or Brown, Hare likes to be seen during the early spring when the sap starts to rise.

During late November 2012, controlled explosions by the Royal Navy Diving Unit 2 cleared unexploded ordnance from World War II era firing ranges on the beach.

During the late evening of Saturday 4th February 2012, and for a while overnight, Holme-next-the-Sea (as well as many other parts of the country) saw a steady fall of snow.

During January 2012, two Egyptian Geese became regular visitors to the ridge of St. Mary's church main roof.

On Christmas Eve, 2011 a 55ft Sperm Whale was washed up dead on the beach at Old Hunstanton, believed to have died from injuries sustained to the stomach.

The following 'postcard' was written on October 7th, 2011 by MacNabbs—"Gentleman and Player"—who posted it on his blog.

During the summer of 2011, a heavy bough broke away from the large beech tree in the churchyard of St. Mary's.

During early June 2011, at least three water voles were seen in the River Hun at Holme-next-the-Sea, with one carrying a young vole in its mouth.

This picture of a Little Owl was taken by village resident Gill Morley, who observed the bird for several weeks during the spring of 2011.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust introduced a herd of Konik ponies to the marshland between Holme-next-the-Sea and the sea.

In a garden on Westgate, a pair of Blackbirds adapted resourcefully to raise a family during challenging times.

Rogation Sunday, the fifth Sunday after Easter, marks the start of Rogationtide which ends on Ascension Day.

The Crabapple tree on the village green is a focal point that lifts the spirits through the changing seasons.

Village carol singers raised money for The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, during the festive season.

Muntjac Deer, also known as "barking deer", are sometimes seen around the village.

The River Hun flows west to east through the parish, bordering Broadwater Road for part of its journey.

In either 1986 or 1988 (depending on the source) a film adaptation of Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield" saw the erection of Peggotty's Cottage on the beach at Holme-next-the-Sea.

Mr. James Ellender was an almost legendary character who lived at Beach House, Beach Road, Holme-next-the-Sea until 1941.