NORFOLK BY FASHION DESIGNER GILES DEACON
'The starting point to my favourite walk is like a fairy tale. It begins at Holkham Hall in Norfolk, an incredible house dating back to the 18th century. It holds an amazing art collection and has beautifully impressive grounds. You can spend hours immersed in intense Regency culture, before you set off on the walk to the beach. This journey leads you through incredibly dramatic woodland made up of huge birch trees, until you emerge onto the most enormous and beautiful expanse of sand. It stretches as far as the eye can see and is covered in dunes. It's a lovely place to draw or read, and great for a barbecue or a picnic.
'If I fancy some really decent scampi and chips then I'll park up at The Victoria. It's a great pub, halfway between Holkham Hall and the beach — perfect for a few drinks after a day out or a swift half before setting off again.
'The marshlands here are home to a tremendous amount of wildlife, all sorts of amazing butterflies and birds. And considering how hugely popular this area is with holidaymakers, there always seems to be so much space available. Maybe it's thanks to the huge Norfolk skyline. It feels almost Turner-esque, and the sky and clouds are incredibly beautiful, very dramatic in their own quiet way.
'Strangely enough, it feels kind of private too, which is a rarity for a beauty spot. You can easily find a secluded place on the beach to vanish to — and then come back through the woods to Holkham Hall. The route can take anything from 30 minutes to five hours, depending on how far round you want to go.
'I like to wander off alone. It's blissful to pop some headphones on and stride out along this incredible coastline. It's really peaceful. My friends own a perfect bolt hole there where I retreat to during the runup to all the big fashion shows.
'In the winter, freezing cold winds rage in from the North Sea, but the land still has the most amazing atmosphere. I've been to Holkham when it's covered in snow and it's like being on the moon. But in the summertime, it feels like a Caribbean beach.'
The Giles Deacon autumn/winter 2011 pre collection is in store now (thecorner.com).
