Norfolk break
6 – 10 September 2021
This break has run, though it can run again if there is interest.
Four days in the field around the Norfolk Broads
This web page outlines Honeyguide's 'Norfolk break', which follows a similar formula to four run in September 2020 and two in May/June 2021. Participants book the hotel themselves, and Honeyguide's Chris Durdin will be your nature guide for the stay.
Itinerary
The first morning will follow Honeyguide tradition by being on foot to Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Thorpe Marshes, a very short walk from the hotel and Chris's local patch.
After that the plan is flexible. The intention is to try to keep travel distances down, to focus on places Chris knows well and not so much on famous nature reserves like Cley and Titchwell Marsh which are included on the North Norfolk break (or easy to visit unguided if staying on). Places to visit could include RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, NWT Buxton Heath, Potter Heigham Marshes, Ranworth, Winterton Dunes NNR, Hickling / Horsey and Holt Country Park.
NWT Thorpe Marshes.
September on the marshes: some of the high summer flowers below are carrying on into early autumn, marsh woundwort and angelica flowers especially. There are still dragonflies, damselflies and a few butterflies on sunny days. Mornings can be wet with dew, of course. Some birds are singing again, notably Cetti's warbler, robin and chiffchaff.
Flowers to look out for in September: marsh woundwort, angelica, orange balsam. Nodding bur marigold - see right.
Ivy bee, hornet hoverfly (both 4 September).
Hotel
Accommodation will be at the Oaklands Hotel, Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich. For anyone who is interested, please contact us and we will forward an email with details of how to book the special package arranged for Honeyguiders. This package includes breakfast and a budget for an evening meal.
En suite facilities.
Lunches: probably a mix of a garden buffet (one day, included), a café and packed lunches.
Covid-19: the hotel’s outside eating terrace, already big, has been greatly extended with huge sunshades/covers that also have patio heaters, if need be. This means that a group of six sitting together is fine, and we aren’t reliant on dry, warm weather. There is a lot of attention to regular cleaning: it’s very thorough.
The Oaklands Hotel is listed as a Best Western hotel, which is a marketing cooperative, though it's locally owned. The owner also owns a farm shop at Blofield (near Strumpshaw Fen) and there is a very new, additional outlet for this at the hotel, which boosts using local produce and low food miles.
Holiday details & how to book
Days/dates: the first dates above are four days in the field, Tuesday to Friday. We expect most people to have four or five nights at the Oaklands Hotel: to arrive on the Monday and leave late on on the Friday or on Saturday morning. Note: there is a wedding with disco in the hotel on Friday evening, 10 September.
Hotel cost: to be advised by email and depends on the choice of room.
Price: £100 per day fee for your guide (including guide's expenses and conservation contribution).
Deposit: none to Honeyguide. You will be invoiced after the break.
Booking: no booking form is needed. Just keep us informed!
Travel to Norwich: Chris can collect from Norwich railway station anyone arriving by train. There are taxis at Norwich railway station and a door-to-door bus route.
Local travel: in your car, or in Chris's car if you are comfortable with that, or car sharing by mutual consent. No minibus is being booked.
Maximum number (one guide): 8 plus guide. Local Honeyguiders may join the group on some days if the group isn't fully booked.
Conservation project
£40 per person will be donated to Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Guide
Chris Durdin is the driving force behind Honeyguide, running holidays since 1991. For many years he combined this with his work for the RSPB in Eastern England, often the Society’s spokesman, but has been concentrating on Honeyguide full-time since 2009. Chris is the co-author of a book about Norfolk’s cranes and leads regular walks on his local wildlife trust nature reserve, Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Thorpe Marshes. He’s also a barbershop singer. As a naturalist, Chris is an all rounder.
Willow emerald damselfly, egg laying into a willow. September is willow emerald season: more about willow emeralds here.