'I will be watching from my sofa!' Strictly's Tilly Ramsay is forced to pull out of the final after revealing she's tested positive for COVID-19 It was reclaimed from the sea in the 19th Century by the 2nd Earl of Leicester, who planted pine trees to stabilise the sand.Įmily Atack and Laura Whitmore get splattered with gravy and CUSTARD as they attempt to serve a festive feast in Celebrity Juice xmas Special The beach, which features about three miles of unspoiled sand, is largely man-made. The conservation area is also a favourite among twitchers as a variety of birds graze along the salt marshes. In 1957, the Queen, Prince Philip and a young Princess Anne and Prince Charles spent time on the beach. The stretch of sand has also played host to a Royal holiday. It regularly makes the list of the most recommended naturist beaches.
The beach is backed by a pine forest and is renowned for being one of the best stretches of unspoiled coastline in the UK. Natural England has described it as one of the most important and heavily visited sites in the UK. The film ends with Gwyneth Paltrow walking along the sand. It was the setting of the final scene in the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare In Love. Holkham beach, which is part of Holkham National Nature Reserve, attracts about 500,000 visitors a year. 'So it is a shame that the Holkham Estate has come to make this decision and we would like to open some dialogue with them about this.' If 20 people out of 20,000 in a football stadium cause trouble they don't close the whole stadium. 'These people should be dealt with by the police. 'Unfortunately some people see being nude as an excuse to misbehave and it is a great shame that a small minority of trouble-makers ruin it for all of us. The beautiful beach is owned by the Crown Estate and managed by Natural England.īoth organisations were consulted over the decision but naturist groups have reacted angrily to the news.Īndrew Welch, a spokesman for British Naturism, said: 'Many of our members enjoy coming to this beautiful part of the country to sunbathe on the beach and socialise with like-minded people without causing any problems. The dunes are owned and managed by the estate. Holkham National Nature Reserve, which includes the beach, is managed by Holkham Estate. They have been instructed to tell any naturists to put their clothes on and if they refuse they face being arrested and prosecuted.Ī Facebook group was set up three years ago trying to ban naturists from Holkham Beach
Signs will be erected to highlight the new order and Holkham Estate wardens will be patrolling the beach to ensure visitors comply with the new policy. 'The decision has been made to implement a total ban for the better management and future safety of all our visitors.'
'We have consulted with the police and discussed the issues and options. 'The management and control of these activities has been an increasing concern to me and my team who look after the reserve so we have had to take action to ban all nudism. Sarah Henderson, conservation manager at the Holkham Estate, said last night: 'It is sad that we have been forced to take this step due to the persistent anti-social behaviour of a minority of people. The western section of Holkham beach has been a designated destination for naturists for a number of years and is flagged up on swinging and dogging websites.