Norfolk is justly known as one of Britain's best counties for wildlife. From a base in Holt, we'll explore a diverse range of habitats in search of early-summer wildlife.

We will spend one full day in Broadland, England's most important lowland wetland, where Norfolk hawker dragonflies and swallowtail butterflies are among the rare creatures we may see on the wing over fens full of fascinating plantlife. Marsh harriers are feeding chicks at this time of year, bitterns are booming and hobbies are feeding on the first flush of summer dragonflies.

Much of our time will be spent in the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where, depending on weather conditions and tides, we'll visit sand dunes, a shingle beach, rockpools, saltmarshes and freshwater marshes. We'll look for characteristic plants and animals in each habitat and we'll investigate the formation of the diverse habitats of the Norfolk coast and how they're managed today for conservation. On one evening we'll visit a North Norfolk heath in search of churring nightjars, roding woodcock and glow-worms.

We'll also spend a day in Breckland, Norfolk's historic sandy grassland, where Mediterranean plants and insects have their northern-most outposts and stone curlews have their national stronghold. Though the landscape has changed dramatically with the introduction of modern agriculture and forestry, we'll find quiet corners of the Brecks where we can still explore the fascinating history and natural history of these unique grasslands. Nearby we'll pay a visit to an ancient wood, rich in characteristic plants, to complete our tour of Norfolk's outstanding wildlife.

£895, Single Room Supplement £105

Full Board

Leader: Nick Acheson (Norfolk Wildlife Trust) with local guides