Holkham Beach, Norfolk

I adore Holkham.

It has everything – a gorgeous hall and parkland (Holkham Estate); a collection of shops – including Adnams Cellar & Kitchen Store; a fantastic hotel – The Victoria – and the most stunningly beautiful beach on earth. It’s wild and windswept, and when the tide is out, it reveals miles of open sand.

Holkham beach, July 2009

Agricultural land behind the sand dunes is protected by a series of embankments and pine forests – the tree roots help anchor the sand in place, otherwise the dunes would naturally migrate inland on the wind. The woods are home to many birds including goldcrests, sparrowhawks and, on the margins, warblers. Where the dense canopy is broken to let in the light, there are low-growing, silvery-leaved bushes called Sea Buckthorn, dripping with orange berries. When I came across my first sea buckthorn bush and discovered the berries, I was not sure whether they were edible or not, but I crushed a berry to get an idea – the juice smelt absolutely gorgeous. I tentatively tasted the juice, which was sharp and acidic, but the aromas are of ripe, tropical fruits. The aroma was as alluring to me as Snow White’s poisoned apple, so I did not eat any, but after some research I now I know that they are safe, so I’ll give them another try.