Helen Price celebrates dog breed meet-ups in North Norfolk with her pair of Norfolk Terriers
Holkham Hall
The Holkham Estate is the jewel in North Norfolk’s crown. A stunning country estate spanning land and sea, it has been owned by the Coke family since the 1750s. With its beautiful beaches and country walks, it’s no wonder so many people visit each year, especially dog owners, as Holkham is renowned for being exceptionally dog friendly. The estate encompasses the magnificent Holkham Hall, Holkham beach and nature reserve, and Wells-next-the-Sea beach. Every year, Wells beach enjoys an influx of visitors in the form of Basset Hounds for what is affectionately known within their community as the Basset Beach Invasion. This year’s meet-up broke records, with over 350 hounds in attendance. Breed meet-ups are a growing community event, increasing in popularity thanks in no small part to social media. Platforms such as Facebook make it easier than ever for like-minded dog lovers to connect, arrange gatherings and enjoy time together with their beloved breeds.
Grounds at Holkham Hall
As a Norfolk Terrier owner and member of the Norfolk Terrier Club of Great Britain, I wanted to create something different. Five years ago, I set up a Facebook group and hosted my first Norfolk and Norwich Terrier meet-up on Brancaster beach. We had a grand total of ten attendees, not quite Basset numbers, but a wonderful starting point that has grown. Norfolk Terriers and their sister breed, Norwich Terriers, are smaller breed groups, with Norwich Terriers listed as a rare breed. We were incredibly proud that our 2025 meet welcomed 60 Norfolk and Norwich Terriers, and our 2026 event is already shaping up to be even bigger. One of the most brilliant aspects of hosting our meet-ups at the Holkham Estate is how welcoming and helpful they have been. From advising on timings and parking to answering our many questions, their support has made organising these events a pleasure.
Courtyard Cafe
Our 2025 meet took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the day after the Basset Hound event. This meant our entire weekend in Norfolk was filled with spotting – and cuddling – Basset Hounds, Norfolk Terriers, and Norwich Terriers alike. Many attendees made a weekend of it, staying across North Norfolk. Popular accommodation choices included The Orange Tree in Thornham, The Globe Inn in Wells, The Lifeboat in Thornham, and The Victoria Shepherd Huts at Holkham. North Norfolk really is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever visited, and what more perfect location could there be for a Norfolk and Norwich Terrier meet than the motherland itself?
The Beach Cafe, Wells Next The Sea
Accidentally selecting the same weekend as the Bassets created a wonderful buzz across the dog community. Our meet begins at 10am at Wells Beach Cafe, next to the car park, where people can enjoy a cup of tea and a bacon butty before the walk begins. At 10:30am, we head as a group along the boardwalk, a fantastic sight as dozens of wagging tails move in unison. The beach has a clearly signposted dog friendly section, so we enter between the famous Wells-next-the-Sea beach huts on what is always a breathtaking approach. That entrance never fails to take your breath away: rolling sand dunes for the dogs to explore, a backdrop of pine trees, an expansive shoreline, and the sea, perfect for paddling. It’s genuinely good for the soul. We usually walk along the beach for around an hour before returning to the beach huts, giving attendees the option to stay longer, head back to the cafe, or wander into town. Over the past five years, we’ve tried three different Norfolk beaches, but Wells has consistently been the group’s favourite. Our next meet will be held there on Sunday, 7 June 2026, at Wells Beach Cafe at 10am and walking at 10:30am. I also caught up with Tracyann Wright, who, alongside husband Matt, organises the Basset Waddles: “My husband Matt and I have loved North Norfolk and Holkham ever since we were invited there over 12 years ago. We couldn’t believe the beautiful beaches that go on for miles, the picturesque beach huts, and you can’t beat a Holkham sausage roll. “When we wanted to organise a getaway with our Basset Hound friends, there wasn’t anywhere else we wanted to share. That was six years ago, with just 12 hounds. Every year the numbers have grown. Last year we were joined by 306 hounds. “We descend on Wells-next-the-Sea Beach Cafe, who welcome us with open arms each year, ready to fuel both human and Basset bellies with sausages. Next year will be our seventh Basset Hound Beach Invasion, and for the first time, our three-day event becomes a four-dayer, visiting beaches and other beautiful green spaces along the North Norfolk coastline.” The Countess of Leicester, wife of the 8th Earl of Leicester and current owner of Holkham Hall, also has her own Basset Hound, Bilbo. Bilbo has become something of a celebrity, having featured on Channel 4’s Christmas at Holkham Hall, where viewers fell in love with his cheeky character.
Beach Huts – Wells Next The Sea
The Holkham Estate welcomes dogs throughout. Explore miles of footpaths within Holkham Park, enjoy a stroll through the Walled Garden, and pop into the Courtyard Cafe and Gift Shop – all are dog friendly. While dogs can’t enter Holkham Hall itself, they’re part of the action throughout the year, from the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival in summer to Canine Carols at Christmas. Venture beyond the park and you’ll find two stunning beaches, The Lookout and Beach Cafes, Pinewoods Caravan Park, and The Victoria Hotel and Restaurant. Holkham is dog friendly, but also deeply committed to wildlife conservation. Visitors are asked to keep dogs on leads in Holkham Park to protect deer and other wildlife. Beach dog zoning is in place from 1 April to 31 August. Further details from holkham.co.uk.
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