You probably already do lots of things to help look after the environment, from sorting and recycling rubbish and turning the tap off when you clean your teeth to save water (one of the world’s most precious resources!), and you can keep up the good work while on holiday at Searles Leisure Resort too. We are located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, right on the edge of the North Norfolk coast, and there are plenty of ways to discover and learn about the natural world while you’re here. Read on, and if you have a great green idea to help us do more to reduce pollution and boost conservation, let our team know.

Earn your eco stripes at Searles

We all need to do our bit to help protect the planet, and you’ve probably heard about how everyone has a carbon footprint, which is the measure of greenhouse gases or emissions released into the atmosphere, depending on the things we do. By making environmentally conscious decisions we can limit these and help to look after the world’s natural resources.

While you’re at Searles holiday park, we’d love you to help us to reduce the amount of electricity we use by turning off lights and plugs – known as energy vampires! – when you’ve finished using them. In fact, why not switch off your phone and tablet and pick an activity that doesn’t require a screen! Go for a swim, play in Sidney’s outdoor or indoor parks, hire a pedal kart or enjoy a game of crazy golf with your family instead.

When you’re out and about, use a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated and try to walk or cycle to where you’re going, rather than hopping into the car – you could even ride the Searles Land Train into town. By choosing to shop at local stores, including our own onsite supermarket, you can reduce your ‘food miles’ – the distance that food has travelled to get to your plate – and the impact on the environment too. When you wash up after meals and when cleaning your teeth, turn off the tap after you’ve filled the sink to save water and use cold water whenever possible.

Finally, we’d love for you to help us by sorting and disposing your rubbish at the recycling points located near the beach access point and on the edge of Stonewood Homes (185). By recycling, we can reduce the amount of landfill waste which pollutes the planet and oceans, and paper and plastic can be reused to curb the need to manufacture new materials.

Help keep Norfolk’s beaches clean

We are so lucky to be just a few footsteps from Hunstanton Beach and at Searles we’re proud to have recently been involved our first beach clean, organised by Surfers Against Sewage. Why not check out one of the other regular beach cleans organised by Sea Life Centre and Alive Oasis? Thousands of marine wildlife and seabirds are affected by plastic pollution, some of which is left by people using the beach, and the sea constantly deposits rubbish from the water as the tide goes out, so by pitching in and cleaning up we can all protect the eco-system.

Look out for upcoming events which we’ll advertise onsite and join in, but even if there are no planned beach litter picks during your stay, why not grab a bag, pop on a pair of rubber gloves and see how much rubbish you can collect in just a few minutes to help keep the beach clean. You might be surprised at what you find and become an avid beachcomber!

Go wild in Norfolk!

There are lots of ways to connect with nature and learn about the birds, plants and trees that are native to Norfolk during your holiday. Walk along Hunstanton Beach towards the stripy cliffs at the other end of town and spend time rock pooling around the large moss-covered boulders – from crabs and starfish to lost shark teeth, you might even spot a shipwreck! Remember to be gentle with any creatures that you find and carefully return them to the water.

Explore further afield with days out and learn more about the precious ecosystem of the coastline. Start off at Wild Ken Hill in Snettisham, which you can reach by walking along the promenade to Heacham and then follow the road from South Beach to Heacham Bottom Farm, off Lamsey Lane. BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch have been broadcast from here for several years and showcased the rich wildlife which inhabits the site that stretches from the sea to freshwater marshes, heathland and wood pastures. Using rewilding, regenerative farming and conservation practices, the team offers guided tours to learn more about the location and its wildlife.

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) is the oldest wildlife organisation of its type in the UK and cares for more than 50 nature reserves and sites of habitation for otters, water voles, natterjack toads, bitterns, common cranes, marsh harriers, beard tits, swallowtails and Norfolk hawkers – you might be lucky enough to spot these rare species if you visit its sites and the NWT organises regular events, so check out its calendar. This month, the NWT is holding a free family day with nature-themed activities at the Sandringham Estate from 9am – 5pm on Friday 11 August.

One of the NWT sites within walking or cycling distance from Searles is Ringstead Downs, just east of Hunstanton. One of the last remaining areas of chalk grassland, the deep valley is home to several rare species of butterflies and common rock-rose, a strongly scented lemon yellow blossom which blooms between June and September.

Still further along the coast, pack a picnic and catch the Coastliner 36 from the bus stop opposite Tesco or Hunstanton Bus Station to Holkham which is working to become the first carbon negative estate – meaning it will emit no greenhouse gasses at all – by 2040. Learn about its WONDER plan which is changing the way the land is managed and farmed, along with employing sustainable practices across the estate and Holkham National Nature Reserve.

Visit on a Monday, Tuesday or Saturday and try your hand at pond dipping to learn about Holkham lake’s aquatic ecosystem or hop aboard a tractor trailer for The Grand Tour to learn about the estate’s farming and conservation work.

By the time your holiday is over you will be a real eco-hero and can teach your family and friends all about how the little changes we make to the way we live add up to make a big difference to the planet!