The Old Coach House
The Old Coach House.
High Street, Thornham, Norfolk, PE36 6LT.
Tel: 01485 512 229.
Despite its name, this former coaching inn on the North Norfolk coast is not all it seems… Multifaceted, this particular hostelry combines a charming country pub with a rather swish Italian restaurant and comfortable country inn accommodation.
The rooms have been simply and tastefully styled to enhance the natural charm of the building with reassuring warmth – perfect after a day of sightseeing, walking, cycling or splashing in the sea.
All rooms have double beds, some of which can be converted to offer twin accommodation, and a Family Room has a double bed with a set of bunks in an attached annex. A cot is available for very young guests.
In keeping with the welcoming allure of The Old Coach House (everyone seems welcome, and refreshingly, everyone seems accommodated), dogs are also welcome at a small supplement of £10 each.
To set you up for the day ahead, choose the hearty English breakfast or help yourself to the Breakfast Buffet.
For lunch or your evening meal, you don’t have to venture far either – The Old Coach House has two bars complete with sink-into-sofas and local ales and a bright, open restaurant offering homemade pies, pizza and pasta dishes.
Tariffs from £80 per night, including a full English breakfast.
Dogs are welcome – £10 each.
Extra beds for children can be provided at a cost of £25 per night. There is no charge for children in cots.
The Lifeboat Inn
The Lifeboat Inn.
Ship Lane, Thornham, Norfolk, PE36 6LT.
Tel: 01485 512236.
Now part of Marco Pierre Whites Wheeler’s family, the 16th Century Lifeboat Inn at Thornham is a real North Norfolk treasure in its stunning coastal location (even the car park has a breathtaking view out onto Holme Dunes).
Other than the cosy oil-lantern lit bar and general ambience, that remains faithful to traditional inn-keeping values, The Lifeboat is a great place to eat all year round – particularly throughout the winter months when it is a really inviting and snug bolthole.
For summer dining, there is a lovely walled patio garden and bright conservatory, the roof of which is covered by an ancient vine that we once heard thrives on Abbot Ale. For evenings and special occasions, try the more formal dining room.
Year-round, the reasonably priced bar menu features local delights and daily changing specials and is very popular with holidaymakers and locals alike. Children’s meals are available and there are options for vegetarians.
View the RESTAURANT MENU and the BREAKFAST MENU.
Highlights are a pot of the Lifeboat’s steaming mussels (available when in season), or how about a huge traditional plate of locally caught fish and chips. No visit to North Norfolk would be complete without at least one of these.
The WINE LIST is interesting and imaginative, selected predominantly from small growers and bijou vineyards.
If you’ve tried the Lifeboat and want to experience something a little different, why not try its sister Inn – The Old Coach House, which is just down the road in Thornham. Serving pizza and pasta in rustic, informal surroundings, it is perfect for everything from a romantic meal for two to a night out with the whole family.
Booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. Bookings taken for dining between 12Noon-2.30pm and 6-9pm.
The Briarfields Hotel
The Briarfields Hotel.
Main Street, Titchwell, Norfolk, PE31 8BB.
Tel: 01485 210742.
Valentine’s Day 2012 at Briafields.
Tuesday 14th February. 3 course dinner (including Coffee & Petite Fours and half a bottle of Champagne) £85 per couple.
See the Valentines Menu.
Conveniently located on the A149 coast road in the pretty village of Titchwell, and with prestigious 3-Star Silver (Visit Britain) status, Briarfields Hotel is a warm and welcoming place to stay in North Norfolk. Made up of a collection of sympathetically converted barns and farm buildings, it offers a relaxed and cosy atmosphere that is perfect for helping you settle in to holiday mode, or to escape for a short getaway.
All rooms are en-suite and the homely traditional decor is brought bang up to date with flat screen televisions, luxurious four-poster beds and heated towel rails, offering you the best of both worlds. Family-friendly (check out the impressive play area to the rear), there are 4 family rooms that comprise a second bedroom adjacent to the main bedroom – perfect for keeping an eye on the little ones.
The hotel has a wonderful restaurant that serves the finest locally sourced produce at lunchtimes and dinner time and there is a large bar and lounge area if you fancy kicking back and relaxing with a newspaper and a drink.
For the more adventurous, Briarfields makes the perfect base for exploring the delights of the surrounding area, including Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve (which the hotel overlooks).
Aside from all this, one of the biggest surprises about Briarfields is that it is so reasonably priced. In keeping with their aim to remain accessible to all, room rates start at £125 for a double room, bed and breakfast in high season and £100 in low season. Dogs are welcome at a nominal charge of £8 per night and a discount can be arranged for groups of 10 or more.
As well as being perfect for a romantic retreat or a family adventure, Briarfields is also available for weddings, conferences and other functions and events.
The White Horse at Brancaster Staithe
The White Horse.
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk, PE31 8BY.
Tel: 01485 210262.
A 3-star, 2 AA Rosette Inn on the A149 coast road in Brancaster Staithe, The White Horse is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay or dine in the region (corroborated by its inclusion in Alistair Sawday’s Special Places Pubs & Inns of England & Wales 2011).
It is located on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with some of the most stunning panoramic views across tidal marshes and sandy beaches that you’ll see anywhere in North Norfolk. Sunsets seen from The White Horse terrace (and rises as well if you’re an early bird) are truly dazzling.
A coastal pub built in 1934, The White Horse has been refurbished and tastefully styled with chic, modern décor that perfectly complements its seashore setting. Plenty of natural materials and nautical blues, greys and whites create a calm, welcoming environment.
The White Horse has 15 large en-suite rooms that are uncluttered and contemporary, promoting total relaxation. They are beautifully decorated to reflect the colours of the surrounding seashore environment, with hues of blue, green, lavender and sand.
There are 7 rooms in the main building, including the split level ‘Room At The Top’, which has its own viewing terrace and telescope.
There are 8 rooms on the ground floor, all built into the natural contours of the land, with grass and sedum roofing that blends with the neighbouring marshland. Each has its own outside terrace. One of these has disable access and five are designated ‘Family Rooms’. Dogs are welcome in these rooms.
All rooms feature digital flat-screen TVs and WI-FI.
For dining, the light, airy conservatory restaurant overlooks the Norfolk Coastal Path and the tidal marsh beyond to Scolt Head Island, offering sweeping views. If you want to dine al fresco, the restaurant leads to a sun deck terrace or there is a gorgeously groomed sunken garden.
As if sleeping yards from the sea were not soothing enough, The White Horse can arrange for you to have a relaxing holistic therapy treatment in the comfort and privacy of your room. Fabulous.
Tariffs from around £50 per person, per night, including breakfast. Please visit The White Horse’s own website for further details about special offers and breaks.
Winter 2012 A Season Of Tastes
5 courses & meet the local suppliers £27.50
Local Game Dinner – 17th Jan 2012 8pm
A Celebration of Seafood – 7th Feb 2012 8pm
Booking Essential – 01485 210626
View full ‘A Season of Tastes’ schedule and menu.
Special Offers at The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe.
Early NEW YEAR offer.
Monday 2nd to Tuesday 31st January inclusive.
Stay in a garden or sea view room for £40.00 per person per night, bed & breakfast. Telephone booking only, please call on reception on 01485 210262, quoting Enjoy North Norfolk.
The Funky Mackerel
The Funky Mackerel Café.
Cliff Road Car Park, Cliff Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 9BJ.
Tel: 07887 676649.
Imagine a funky surf-shack style café that wouldn’t be out of place on any beach from Newquay to Maui, and you’ll get an instant flavour of The Funky Mackerel Café. Except this relaxed shore-side family-run business is located on Sheringham beach in North Norfolk.
Dog- and Family Friendly (there is a Café dog – ‘Sparkle’), The Funky Mackerel Café prides itself on offering great food but with an all-inviting, non-pretentious atmosphere.
The Mackerel Menu is comprehensive and uncomplicated with great Fair Trade coffee, toasted sandwiches, pasties and sausage rolls. As you’d expect from a Café that overlooks the ocean, there is often seafood on the menu as well, for example Peppered Mackerel, Sardines on Ciabatta and Crayfish. Most noteworthy are their Bacon Sandwiches, said to be the best in town (and perfect after a morning on the beach, no matter what the season).
For those with a sweet tooth, The Funky Mackerel is also renowned for their delicious homemade Flapjacks. Available in a rainbow of flavours, including the likes of Cherry & Ginger, Bombay Mix, Banana, Fig and Cherry & Toasted Coconut, these tasty treats will leave you with plenty of energy to enjoy the delights of Sheringham and the surrounding area.
Unashamedly quirky, The Funky Mackerel has a delightfully unique ‘Rummage Room’, an Aladdin’s Cave of second hand clothing and accessories, where browsing is an art form and you’re likely to find the most amazing bits and bobs if you well… rummage long enough.
The Lodge
The Lodge.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6HX.
Tel: 01485 532896.
PLEASE NOTE: The Lodge will be closed for essential maintenance on Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th February 2012 and will re-open on Thursday 9th February at 12noon.
Valentine’s Day 2012. Romance your Loved One at The Lodge this Valentine’s Day.Room, 3-course Dinner & Breakfast from £169 per couple.Break available between Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th, Monday 13th or Tuesday 14th of February 2012. View full offer here.
Transformed by the owners of the country-meets-coast Briarfields Hotel, The Lodge is a delightful pub with a restaurant and rooms, of a quality usually only found at a stylish, designer inner-City hotel. A Dower House in the early 1800’s and The Lodge Hotel from 1912, the listed building offers a lovely mix of the old and the new, with wooden floors and real ales sitting happily alongside new world wines and the latest technology.
Situated in the attractive coastal village of Old Hunstanton, The Lodge is only 400 hundred yards from quiet sandy beaches, and just along the road from some of Norfolk’s best golf courses, including Old Hunstanton and the Royal and West Norfolk at Brancaster.
The Lodge has fifteen freshly-refurbished en-suite rooms, along with two suites on the top floor.
The ground floor hosts a spacious open bar and lounge area (complete with over-sized, flat-screen TV and comfy leather sofas) and a contemporary-styled restaurant that serves the highest quality locally sourced ingredients in its selection of mouth-watering dishes.
Perfect as a base for exploring North Norfolk, or as a rest stop for lunch and refreshments, The Lodge offers a warm welcome all day and is well worth a visit to experience its laid-back charm and hospitality.
Don’t just take our word for it – The Lodge is proud to hold 4-Star Silver status (EnjoyEngland) and 4-Star Inn With Rooms (AA).
Restaurant open 12noon-2pm and 6.30pm-9pm.
Latest News – All Inclusive Golf Breaks From £100 per person.
The Lodge is now offering All Inclusive Golf Packages in conjunction with Hunstanton Golf Club (a championship links course).
The White Horse at Overstrand
The White Horse.
34 High Street, Overstrand, Norfolk, NR27 0AB.
Tel: 01263 579237.
With an AA 4-star rating, The White Horse at Overstrand offers a unique opportunity to combine the escapism of a traditional seaside holiday with the quality and comfort you’d expect from a luxury hotel.
Situated in Overstrand, a pretty coastal village, which was so popular with the Victorian rich that it became known as ‘Millionaires Village’, The White Horse has seven superb en-suite bedrooms. All are spacious and individually styled to a high standard, with the added benefit of that warm cosy feeling that you get from feeling at home away from home. Wake in the morning to a three course home-cooked breakfast before starting your day exploring the beauty of North Norfolk.
With the philosophy that ‘eating out should always be special’ and a growing reputation for quality cuisine, The White Horse is well equipped to provide a relaxed, enjoyable experience for diners. Take pleasure in a pre-dinner drink or unwind at the end of a day of sightseeing in the bar and lounge area, or enjoy a romantic meal for two in the stylish restaurant.
Tariffs start from £68-£85 per room per night (double room) depending on season.
Dogs welcome at no extra charge.
Family room available.
Special Offers:
Short Break Saver
Stay for a minimum of 3 nights benefit from the Short Break Saver:£30 off the cost of your break for a 3 night stay
£40 off the cost of your break for a 4 night stay
£50 off the cost of your break for a 5 night stay
One night free for a 6 night stayPartnership Discounts
The White Horse is delighted to be able to offer a 10% discount off their standard rates between 1st October and 31st March, for the following:- Members of the National Trust, The Ramblers Association and The RSPB; Employees of the NHS, Network Rail, The Police, Fire/Ambulance Service, Local Authorities, Public Service Workers and the Armed Services.
The Owl Tea Rooms & Bakery
The Owl Tea Rooms & Bakery.
Church Street, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BB.
Tel: 01263 713232.
Dating back to Victorian times (making it one of Norfolk’s oldest tearooms), and presently a family run business for some 25 years, The Owl Tea Rooms in the centre of Holt is a delightful place to sample scrumptious homemade food all day long. Traditional in feel, The Owl resembles a large country cottage kitchen, with wooden booths and tables, earthenware condiment pots and fresh flowers on each table. There is a warm touch of nostalgia throughout.
Values too are traditional in that all food is freshly made from local ingredients, service is attentive and friendly and everyone is most welcome.
The menu, however, may surprise you. It is forward-looking with one shared theme: deliciousness. On the Specials board, classic British indulgences such as Local Norfolk Lamb Hotpot or The Owl Special Steak & Kidney Pie can be found alongside Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Fruit Infused Cous Cous and Roasted Butternut Squash stuffed with Cranberries and Chestnut Puree.
Lunch options include a number of lighter dishes – jacket potatoes, sandwiches and hot buttered crumpets. For the sweet tooth or to complement a tea or coffee, The Owl does a positively dangerous line in Cream Teas and homemade cakes.
There are options for all tastes and persuasions, including vegetarians, diabetics and those avoiding gluten. There is also a Children’s Menu.
For warmer days, The Owl boasts a hidden walled tea garden, tucked behind the Tea Rooms. A sheltered, tranquil spot to enjoy your yummy goodies, this really is an experience worth savouring on sunny days. Dogs are allowed in the garden and there is wheelchair access.
After you’ve enjoyed your meal or cream tea, the adjacent bakery and shop selling all manor of freshly baked bread and scrumptious cakes will enable you to take a little taste of The Owl away with you. Our personal favourite temptation – the fat, homemade donuts just bursting with jam. There should be a law against something so naughty.
As well as food, The Owl shop stocks a great range of wooden toys (perfect gifts and stocking fillers) and handmade greeting cards. You can also hire cake moulds.
Open Mon-Sat 8.30am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm) including Bank Holiday Mondays.
Lunch is served 11.45-2.15pm.
Back to the Garden Cafe Restaurant
Back to the Garden.
Letheringsett, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7JJ.
Tel: 01263 715996.
Food doesn’t get fresher than this. Back to the Garden’s fabulous new Café Restaurant uses their own organic fruit and vegetables, locally reared organic beef, lamb and game and a rainbow of other Norfolk-produced goodies to create tantalising food from homemade cake to blow-out Sunday lunches.
Housed in a towering 18th Century barn situated beside the A148 in Letheringsett, the Café Restaurant is wonderfully, yet minimalistically, styled to combine touches of the rural/agricultural with chic modernity. Accents from the huge focal-point pendant lamp that resembles a large metal tractor wheel to the stylish metal-framed images of rural scenes that adorn the walls provide subtle, but wonderful decoration against the exposed brickwork, generous timber and almost floor-to-ceiling windows.
The menus (breakfast, lunch and Sunday lunch, as well as a lavish selection of drinks that includes lagers and wines) are well thought out, including high quality seasonal local fare in generous portions.
The organic Sunday lunch is a highlight (see our review), and despite the fact that the tables were pretty much all full by the time we finished our 2-hour eat-a-thon, the waiter/waitress service was impeccable throughout.
If you do find space lacking inside the barn, and the weather is pleasant, there are further tables outside in a beautiful garden area (think country cottage garden, but larger). Tranquil and pretty, with grapes growing on vines, a fish pond and discreetly hidden boxes for owls and bats, you’ll find yourself so relaxed that if you’re not on holiday, you’ll feel like you are.
For afternoon treats or morning coffee, Back to the Garden stocks plenty of diet-busting sweet goodies, including homemade pastries and cakes (the Chocolate & Guinness Cake looked very interesting).
The Café Restaurant and garden at Back to the Garden are available to hire for parties, wedding receptions and functions. And best not to get us started on the adjacent Farm Shop…
Café restaurant Opening Times
Tue-Fri 9am-4.30pm, Lunch 11.30am-3pm.
Sat As Tue-Fri plus Breakfast 9am-11.30am.
Restaurant open for Dinner Friday and Saturday evenings 7-9pm. Booking recommended.
Sun 10am-3.30pm, Breakfast 10am-11.30am, Lunch 12Noon-3.30pm.
Farm Shop Opening Times Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.
(Summer Bank Holidays 10am-4pm).
The White Horse Restaurant
The White Horse.
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk, PE31 8BY.
Tel: 01485 210262.
A 3-star, 2 AA Rosette Inn on the A149 coast road in Brancaster Staithe, The White Horse is undoubtedly one of the best places to dine or stay in the region.
It is located on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with some of the most stunning panoramic views across tidal marshes and sandy beaches that you’ll see anywhere in North Norfolk. Sunsets seen from The White Horse terrace (and rises as well if you’re an early bird) are truly dazzling.
A coastal pub built in 1934, The White Horse has been refurbished and tastefully styled with chic, modern décor that perfectly complements its seashore setting. Plenty of natural materials and nautical blues, greys and whites create a calm, welcoming environment.
The light, airy conservatory restaurant overlooks the Norfolk Coastal Path and the tidal marsh beyond to Scolt Head Island, offering sweeping views. If you want to dine al fresco, the restaurant leads to a sun deck terrace or there is a landscaped sunken garden.
Dining is an unhurried experience, intended to be savored. A range of tantalizing menus bursting with fresh, local cuisine (including oodles of seafood) offers something for all tastes (children and vegetarians are well served). When in season you’ll find Oysters and Asparagus farmed from Brancaster Staithe itself alongside the likes of Cromer Crab, Button Mushroom and Binham Blue Cheese Crepes and Pan roast Gressingham corn fed Chicken Breast.
The dessert selection is equally mouthwatering and there is an extensive wine list to accompany the great food.
The lunch menu consists of classic pub dishes such as Fish and Chips, Ploughman’s and salad as well as some rather fabulous Tapas options.
Dining times in the restaurant (booking advised) 12Noon-2pm, 6.30-9pm.
The bar is open for drinks at 12noon.
Bar breakfast 9am-11am (just walk in)
All day dining al fresco or in the bar 11am-9pm.
Winter 2011-12 A Season Of Tastes
5 courses & meet the local suppliers £27.50
Taste of north Norfolk Supper – 8th Nov 8pm
Taste of Spain – 6th Dec 8pm
Local game dinner – 17th Jan 2012 8pm
A celebration of seafood – 7th feb 2012 8pm
Booking Essential – 01485 210626
View full ‘A Season of Tastes’ schedule and menu.
Back to the Garden Cafe
Back to the Garden.
Letheringsett, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7JJ.
Tel: 01263 715996.
Housed in a lofty 18th Century barn situated beside the A148 in Letheringsett just outside Holt, the Back to the Garden Café Restaurant is wonderfully, yet minimalistically, styled to combine touches of the rural/agricultural with chic modernity. Accents from the huge focal-point pendant lamp that resembles a large metal tractor wheel to the stylish metal-framed images of rural scenes that adorn the walls provide subtle, but wonderful decoration against the exposed brickwork, generous timber and almost floor-to-ceiling windows.
Ideal for a relaxing mid-morning coffee or indulgent afternoon tea, there is an extensive drinks menu, with a variety of coffee and tea, and a selection of delicious soft drinks. The Café is licensed, so you can even treat yourself to a glass of wine or lager. In keeping with Back to the Garden’s ethos that food and drink should be as fresh and natural as possible, there are organic options across the board.
To eat, Back to the Garden stocks plenty of diet-busting sweet goodies, including homemade pastries and cakes (the Chocolate & Guinness Cake looked very interesting). There are also savoury choices including breakfast, light meals, salads and toasted bagels. Collectively, the Café has deemed such items ‘All Things Lovely’. And they are.
On warmer days, there are further tables outside in a beautiful garden area (think country cottage garden, but larger). Tranquil and pretty, with grapes growing on vines, a fish pond and discreetly hidden boxes for owls and bats, you’ll find yourself so relaxed that if you’re not on holiday, you’ll feel like you are.
The Café Restaurant and garden at Back to the Garden are available to hire for parties, wedding receptions and functions. Best not to get us started on the adjacent Farm Shop…
Café restaurant Opening Times
Tue-Fri 9am-4.30pm, Lunch 11.30am-3pm.
Sat As Tue-Fri plus Breakfast 9am-11.30am.
Restaurant open for Dinner Friday and Saturday evenings 7-9pm. Booking recommended.
Sun 10am-3.30pm, Breakfast 10am-11.30am, Lunch 12Noon-3.30pm.
Farm Shop Opening Times Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.
(Summer Bank Holidays 10am-4pm).
The Green Room Café
The Green Room Café.
6 Kings Arms Street, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JX.
Tel: 01692 408993.
The family run Green Room Café in the heart of North Walsham is very much dedicated to supporting, and being a part of, the local community.
Almost all food is home cooked from carefully and locally sourced produce (farm fresh eggs, sausages from the local butchers and fruit and veg delivered daily).
Breakfast is hearty (a vegetarian breakfast is available), with extensive choice to suit all tastes. Fancy a sweet start to your day? Try the pancakes and waffles.
For lunch, you’ll find old favourites such as Jacket Potatoes and homemade soup alongside tasty daily specials such as Chilli, Steak & Guinness Pie and Chicken Chasseur. The colourful Salad Bar is freshly stocked daily. If you can’t stop, all options are available to takeaway.
For a lighter bite, or to accompany your coffee, The Green Room Café offers scrumptious sausage rolls (made, of course, with local pork, and deemed recently by one customer to be “the best sausage rolls in Norfolk’) and tempting homemade cakes, cookies and scones.
If you fancy a tipple with your meal, The Green Room is fully licensed, enabling you to enjoy a truly relaxing lunch.
Children’s lunches are available (as are baby changing facilities).
Always striving to do their best to cater for customers needs, The Green Room Café offers gluten free choices and will accommodate most dietary requirements – just ask.
The Green Room Café prides itself on offering a relaxed and welcoming environment to its customers. Combining a traditional café feel (Heinz Ketchup on the tables; plentiful portions of well-loved dishes) with modern thinking (fresh, local produce; all dietary requirements well served; fully licensed), it is a refreshingly non-pretentious place to enjoy some good value, very decent home cooked food.
Roast Dinners are available (with a selection of meats and a fish option) on Thursday and Sundays*.
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat & Sun 9am-4pm (last orders 3pm on Sunday*).
*Booking is advisable for Sunday Lunch.
The Blakeney Hotel
The Blakeney Hotel.
Blakeney, Norfolk, NR25 7NE.
Tel: 01263 740797.
Winner of the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Award 2010 for Best Hotel.
Just right for total escapism, The AA 3* Blakeney Hotel is situated beside the quay with outstanding views across the estuary to Blakeney Point (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). A traditional, family hotel that prioritises quality and value for money, it is a good base for exploring the wider area (ideal if you like walking, bird watching or want to visit the nearby towns of Holt, Norwich or Aylsham), but equally perfect if all you want to do is kick back, read a paper and gaze out dreamily over the salt marshes.
The Blakeney Hotel boasts over sixty rooms, all furnished to a high standard and some with balconies or terraces offering wonderful views over the estuary and salt marshes. Extra beds or cots for children can be provided and the ground floor rooms are ideal for holidaying dogs.
If you don’t feel like going too far, there is plenty to occupy and delight you within the hotel itself. The Hotel has a heated indoor swimming pool with adjacent Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and air-conditioned mini gym. There is a games room for table tennis, pool and darts and a billiard room with a full-sized table for billiards or snooker. Use of all the leisure facilities is free for residents.
For eating and drinking, the Hotel has two lounges, an AA Rosette restaurant and a bar, offering hearty English breakfasts, light lunches and seasonal À la Carte choices.
Picnic hampers can be made up for residents.
Great for enjoying the whole North Norfolk area, or a getaway destination in itself, The Blakeney Hotel is worth discovering whether you’re planning a romantic break for two, a half-term getaway with the kids or a weekend of walking and exploring with just you and the dog!
The Blakeney Hotel
Restaurant @ The Blakeney Hotel.
Blakeney, Norfolk, NR25 7NE.
Tel: 01263 740797.
The AA 3* Blakeney Hotel is situated beside the quay with outstanding views across the estuary to Blakeney Point (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). A traditional, family hotel that prioritises quality and value for money, it is a good base for exploring the wider area (ideal if you like walking, bird watching or want to visit the nearby towns of Holt, Norwich or Aylsham), but equally perfect if all you want to do is kick back, read a paper and gaze out dreamily over the salt marshes.
Whether you’re staying at the Hotel or not, it’s a great spot to indulge in a drink or some excellent cuisine. The Hotel has two lounges, an AA-Rosette restaurant and a bar, and offers hearty English breakfasts, light lunches and seasonal À la Carte and Table d’hôte menus that change every 3-4 months. Tasty delights such as Pan Fried Fillet of Cod with Smoked Paprika Potato and Warm Tartare Sauce, Baked Avocado topped with Sweet and Sour Vegetables or Apple and Hazelnut Galette are sure to sate even the largest appetite.
To accompany your meal, the restaurant at The Blakeney Hotel offers a selection of wines by the glass, or if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try one of their cocktails?
Afternoon Tea is available between 3.30pm and 5.30pm, complete with finger sandwiches, pastries and scones.
Drinks and snacks are available in the Lounge, Bar or on the Terrace from 10am-5.30pm. Sandwiches are available daily between 12noon and 2.15pm.
Lunches are available in the Restaurant 12noon-2pm. A traditional lunch menu is available on Sundays.
The White Horse Brancaster Staithe
The White Horse.
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk, PE31 8BY.
Tel: 01485 210262.
A 3-star, 2 AA Rosette Inn on the A149 coast road in Brancaster Staithe, The White Horse is undoubtedly one of the best places to drink, dine and relax in the region.
It is located on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with some of the most stunning panoramic views across tidal marshes and sandy beaches that you’ll see anywhere in North Norfolk. Sunsets seen from The White Horse terrace (and rises as well if you’re an early bird) are truly dazzling.
A coastal pub built in 1934, The White Horse has been refurbished and tastefully styled with chic, modern décor that perfectly complements its seashore setting. Plenty of natural materials and nautical blues, greys and whites create a calm, welcoming environment.
The bar at The White Horse is well stocked with real ale on tap from the associated Brancaster Brewery (view tasting notes and a Brief History of the Brancaster Brewery), along with other local brews including Woodfordes Wherry, Adnams Bitter and changing guest ales.
A well-chosen wine list offers choices from around the world both by the bottle or the glass.
There are plenty of non-alcoholic choices too, including a variety of teas and coffee. We like the wonderfully refreshing ‘Norfolk Orchards’ assortment, with locally produced Cox apple juice and non-alcoholic Pippin cocktail (local cider also featured, which is alcoholic. As cider should be).
For the peckish, a bar menu features delicious local, seasonal fare all day long.
Dining is an unhurried experience, intended to be savored. Food can be eaten at the bar or, if you want to dine al fresco, there is the landscaped sunken garden.
Breakfast menu available 9-11am.
Bar Menu available 11am-9pm.
The bar is open for drinks 11am-11pm (Mon-Sat) and 12Noon-10.30pm (Sun).
Winter 2011-12 A Season Of Tastes
5 courses & meet the local suppliers £27.50
Taste of north Norfolk Supper – 8th Nov 8pm
Taste of Spain – 6th Dec 8pm
Local game dinner – 17th Jan 2012 8pm
A celebration of seafood – 7th feb 2012 8pm
Booking Essential – 01485 210626
View full ‘A Season of Tastes’ schedule and menu.
Titchwell Manor Hotel
Titchwell Manor Hotel.
Titchwell, Nr Brancaster, Norfolk, PE31 8BB.
Tel: 01485 210221.
*Featured in Sunday Times Travel Magazine November 2008 – The World’s 100 Best Hotels / Regional EnjoyEngland Awards For Excellence Winner 2010 / EDP Tourism In Norfolk Awards Winner 2010 *
Perfectly located for exploring Brancaster, Burnham Market and Holkham, taking in the rich diversity of flora and fauna on the RSPB Titchwell Nature Reserve or simply enjoying a spot of golf at the championship courses nearby, Titchwell Manor offers exceptional luxury and quality without sacrificing the charm of its family-run pedigree. A 3-star hotel, it feels 5-star on every level.
Beautiful and modern throughout, with emphasis on details that create an inviting romantic atmosphere, Titchwell Manor has 30 rooms in all, including 13 stunning chalet-style cabins built around a herb garden. Rooms in the main hotel building offer more traditional elegance with sumptuous fabrics and warm lighting, while the herb garden rooms are light and contemporary, decorated with a coastal-chic flair. All rooms are en-suite, some with baths and/or showers or wet rooms. Other delights to expect include views over the RSPB reserve (Room 1 Lavender Fields) or out to the sea (Room 3 Scolt Head Island), original period features such as an amazing oak open fire (Room 12 The Lounge), handcrafted furniture (various rooms), a 32-inch plasma TV (Room 19 The Potting Shed) and French doors leading to a private patio area (various rooms).
For drinking and dining, Titchwell Manor has a 2 AA Rosette restaurant and the ‘Eating Rooms’, offering a less-formal atmosphere and a fabulous well-stocked marble bar.
Ground floor rooms provide accessible accommodation for wheelchair users or those who have difficulty with stairs.
Children are welcome at Titchwell Manor. Please ask about the larger rooms – ideal for a family stay.
Titchwell Manor is pet-friendly! There are some dog-friendly rooms. Dogs are also welcome in the bar and lounge areas.
Planning a special occasion? Ask about the function rooms at Titchwell Manor. Titchwell manor is licensed to hold Civil Ceremonies and bespoke menus and cakes can be made according to your personal requirements.
Tariffs range from £55 pp pn (B&B) to £125 pp pn (B&B), depending on season and room. Visit the Titchwell Manor website for further details and additional special offers.
Sunday Jazz at The Manor:
Every second Sunday of the month is Jazz Night with The Matt Hodges Jazz Band. Traditional Sunday lunch and full A la Carte menu available.
EnjoyMent Offers:
- Complimentary upgrade upon booking your room for Cardholders (please mention you hold a card when you book and bring it along with you).
- Bed and breakfast from £55 per person midweek.
Click here to become a member.
The Blakeney Hotel
The Blakeney Hotel.
The Quay, Blakeney, Norfolk, NR25 7NE.
Tel: 01263 740797.
Winner of the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Award 2010 for Best Hotel.
Memorable and inspiring, The AA 3* Blakeney Hotel is situated beside the quay with outstanding views across the estuary to Blakeney Point (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). It is a good base for exploring the wider area (ideal if you like walking, bird watching or want to visit the nearby towns of Holt, Norwich or Aylsham), but equally perfect for holding a conference or function away from the usual distractions and limitations of an inner-city venue.
The Mayflower conference suite can accommodate up to 240 delegates. Comprised of five rooms (Billiard, Trinity, Victory, Trafalgar and Revenge) that have adjustable sliding walls, it can be adapted for smaller or more intimate functions.
Conference equipment, including wireless Internet access, flip charts and pads, overhead projectors, audio-visual equipment is available and other equipment and facilities can be arranged at an additional cost. The Hotel can support your conference by providing photocopying, fax, secretarial and office facilities. The Revenge room features a private bar and double doors that lead out onto the garden.
The hotel has on-site free car parking.
Both residential and non-residential packages are available. The Blakeney Hotel boasts over sixty rooms, all furnished to a high standard and some with balconies or terraces offering wonderful views over the estuary and salt marshes. The Hotel has a heated indoor swimming pool with adjacent Jacuzzi, two saunas and an air-conditioned mini gym. There is a games room for table tennis, pool and darts and a billiard room with a full-sized table for billiards or snooker. Use of all the leisure facilities is free for residents.
For eating and drinking, the Hotel has two lounges, an AA rosette-awarded restaurant and a bar, offering hearty English breakfasts, light lunches and seasonal À la Carte choices.
Felbrigg Lodge Hotel
Felbrigg Lodge Hotel.
School Road, Aylmerton, Norfolk, NR11 8RA.
Tel: 01263 837588.
Felbrigg Lodge Hotel is a real asset to Norfolk, accommodation-wise. A bona-fide Norfolk Country hotel, it is a marriage of diversity, with one overriding theme of fabulousness.
Originally the hunting lodge and fire station to nearby Felbrigg Hall (and once the country home of Brian Blessed and his wife), Felbrigg Lodge Hotel is positioned in over seven acres of mature trees and landscaped gardens. Combine this fabulous rural setting with luxurious, boutique styling and you have yourself a very special country retreat.
All 7 recently redecorated ‘rooms’ (more appropriately referred to as suites, a cottage and a pavilion – should give you some appreciation of their size) are set in their own location within beautiful wooded countryside. Among the options you’ll find 2-bedroom Hedgehog Cottage (ideal for Families), romantic Chestnut with its solid oak 4-Poster bed and the Oak Pavilion with its double sunken bath, relaxing sofas and ultra-private situation. All offer a glorious fusion of traditional luxury and contemporary opulence inside, with wonderful views and all the little extras you can think of when you picture a relaxing getaway.
Only a short stroll away is The Ivy Restaurant, where you are welcome to hearty Lodge Breakfasts, Traditional Afternoon Teas and a delicious, home-cooked evening meal. Everything is cooked from fresh, mostly locally sourced ingredients. Expect to find dishes such as Breast of Norfolk Duck with Wild Berry Compote, Cromer Crab and Prawn Pancakes and Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding.
Perhaps you fancy a refreshing dip before breakfast each day or a romantic sunset swim? Felbrigg Lodge has its own 12m private indoor-heated swimming pool.
In its gorgeous far-from-the-madding-crowd situation, Felbrigg Lodge is the ultimate luxury stay. With pretty much everything you need for an amazing escape there within the grounds of the Hotel, it’s easy to forget that the Hotel offers easy access to all the charms of the North Norfolk Coast or the historical destination City of Norwich. The area is a haven for birdwatchers and due to so little light pollution, on a clear night you will see millions of stars. Finally, Felbrigg Lodge is wonderful in that, while a hotel, it is not so large that the ‘personal touch’ has been lost; owners DeeDee and Philip go out of their way to ensure your stay is everything you dreamed it would be. Which we have absolutely no doubt it will be.
EnjoyMent Offer:
- EnjoyMent Cardholders receive a £20 voucher to spend on wine, food or Afternoon Tea during their stay (one voucher per booking).
Click here to become a member.
The Old Custom House
The Old Custom House.
East Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1LD.
Tel 01328 711463.
As the name suggests, this fabulous 4-star B&B on the North Norfolk Coast is housed within the former Custom House. Built in 1560, it was from here that the authorities attempted to rein in the activities of smugglers and pirates (most of whom were busy frequenting The Royal Standard Inn, which is now a Chandlery and just next door!).
As if that weren’t historically important enough in itself, the garden boasts one of the only remaining original spring wells that gave Wells (later Wells-next-the-Sea) its name.
The Old Custom House has three lovely en-suite rooms, all unique and furnished to an exceptional standard. Each has digital TV, WI-FI, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and plenty of books and magazines to make you feel at home.
Additionally, the lavish ‘Four-poster’ Room has a King-sized four-poster bed and fantastic views out onto the quay and beyond.
The ‘Captain’s Quarters’ (once the Customs Office) is a King-sized double with its own spacious private bathroom. East- and West-facing windows offer lovely views over the creeks and marshes towards the sunrise (if you’re up early enough!) and along cobblestone cottages with pantile roofs, respectively.
The ‘Queen’s Warehouse’ twin room is conveniently located on the ground floor and has its own access straight to the front yard. This makes it ideal for wheelchair users. More a ‘suite’ than a ‘regular’ room, The Queen’s Warehouse also features a dining area with fridge, sink and microwave and a bathroom with a large shower cubicle. Pets with well-behaved owners are also welcome in this room.
Off-road parking is available.
As if the history, location (as beside the sea as you can get without waking with wet feet) and views aren’t enough to tempt you into visiting The Old Custom House, they also have the coveted Breakfast Award (enjoyEngland.com), a testament to the tremendous breakfasts, cooked to order from local produce. It really is a very, very special B&B.
Tariffs: from £70 weeknights/£90 weekends (Bed & Breakfast, based on two people sharing). All major cards accepted.
EnjoyMent Offer:
- £10 off the normal room rate each night of your stay between 1st December and 31st March (upon production of an EnjoyMent card – please mention when booking. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other special offers).
Click here to become a member.
The Neptune Inn
The Neptune Restaurant With Rooms.
85 Old Hunstanton Road, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6HZ.
Tel: 01485 532122.
Featured in The Good Hotel Guide 2011, The Neptune Restaurant with Rooms at Old Hunstanton is charming on so many levels that it would be a shame to miss out on such a treasure.
The site of ‘The Rifleman’ in the 1780’s when it was used as a store for seized contraband, it has been known as The Neptune since the 19th century. Now under the careful ownership of Kevin and Jacki Mangoelles, the Inn and Restaurant has been transformed to evoke images of the New England coast.
With nautical themes throughout, brown mellow tones and white clapboard walls, The Neptune could easily be fragranced by either home-baked apple pie or salty sea air. The Lloyd Loom sofas and chairs add to the relaxed ambience of the bar, lounge and restaurant.
True to its origin as a coaching inn, The Neptune offers elegant accommodation in 6 fabulous en-suite bedrooms, all furnished with the clean lines of white, hand made New England furniture. A 4-Star Inn (EnjoyEngland.com), you are assured a high level of hospitality at this charming bed and breakfast, which is perfectly located for easy access to the North Norfolk coast, Sandringham, the Burnhams and the wider County.
Under Head Chef Kevin, the classic-modern food at The Neptune is lovingly created from fresh local produce such as Thornham Oysters and Plums from Orchard Farm. Already a prestigious 3 AA Rosette restaurant, The Neptune has held a Michelin Star for two years running.
The Neptune Restaurant is open Tues-Sun (Closed Mon).
Dinner served Tuesday – Sunday 7.00 -9.00pm.
Sunday lunch 12.00 – 1.30pm.
Lunch Wednesday – Friday by arrangement.
The Neptune cannot accept pets or children under 10.
EnjoyMent Offer:
- Complementary glass of champagne on arrival at The Neptune for dining cardholders plus one guest.
Click here to become a member.
Heacham Manor
Heacham Manor Hotel.
Hunstanton Road, Heacham, Norfolk, PE31 7JX.
Tel: 01485 536 030.
Situated in picturesque gardens on the edge of West and North Norfolk, Heacham Manor is a recently restored 16th Century country house that offers modern luxury in a rural idyll.
Heacham Manor and its gardens have a long history of providing rest to its occupants. Legend suggests that the garden’s ancient mulberry tree was planted by the famous Native American Indian, Pocahontas, during her own time of rest and relaxation in Heacham a few hundred years ago.
14 fabulous en-suite rooms within the house itself, plus a further 15 bedrooms in the adjacent ‘Heacham Manor Cottages’ make this the perfect base to explore the wider County. Equally, if you simply want to take it easy, then this peaceful haven is just the ticket.
Whatever you’re idea of luxury, Heacham Manor has a variety of choice to suit. Choose from spacious suites with four-poster beds and stunning views, modern and airy rooms or rooms offering country house lavishness. All have high speed Internet, flat screen TVs, luscious complimentary toiletries and tea & coffee making facilities. There are Family Suites for those travelling with children and especially customised Deluxe Easy Access Rooms for guests who use wheelchairs or have mobility problems.
If you’re after self-catering, Heacham Manor has some lovely self-catering, self-contained hideaways in the form of 2- and 3-bedroom holiday cottages. Still enabling you to enjoy all the facilities of the hotel, you’ll also have the option of preparing your own meals and enjoying relaxing family evenings together in the privacy of your own space.
For dining, look no further than the Mulberry Restaurant. Offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meals, it is the ideal choice whether you wish to ‘set yourself up for the day’, treat a loved one or gather the whole family together to celebrate a special occasion.
If you’re a golfer, Heacham Manor is the only hotel on the North Norfolk Coast with an 18-hole Championship Golf Course. Set within an area of Important Landscape Quality, the vista to be enjoyed here is as good as the golf.
In 2011, Heacham Manor will also have a Spa that will offer a hydro-therapy pool, a thermal suite, Rasul mud baths and a relaxation room amongst other invigorating holistic luxuries. Fabulous.
The Mulberry Restaurant at Heacham Manor
Heacham Manor Hotel.
Hunstanton Road, Heacham, Norfolk, PE31 7JX.
Tel: 01485 536 030.
Situated in picturesque gardens on the edge of West and North Norfolk, Heacham Manor is a recently restored 16th Century country house that offers modern luxury in a rural idyll.
For dining, look no further than the airy and stylish Mulberry Restaurant (named after the garden’s ancient mulberry tree, said to have been planted by the famous Native American Indian, Pocahontas, during her stay in Heacham a few hundred years ago). Offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meals it is the ideal choice whether you wish to ‘set yourself up for the day’, treat a loved one or gather the whole family together to celebrate a special occasion.
Head Chef Neil Rutland (formerly of the much-celebrated Hoste Arms in Burnham Market) is a champion of keeping dishes fresh and simple to create a pure ‘dining experience’ and makes a point of using local produce throughout his menus. Suppliers to Heacham Manor include Arthur Howell butchers in Wells-next-the-Sea, while seafood hails from King’s Lynn and Thornham (or sometimes local fishermen), fruit and veg from Coldham Fruit and ice cream from Norfolk Farmhouse Ice Creams of Dereham. Superb.
French Pastry Chef Fabien compliments Neil’s main courses with deserts that’ll satisfy even the sweetest of tooths!
Depending on your preference (and the time of year), you can dine in the stunning Conservatory, in the stylish Bar & Lounge area or outside on the terrace.
Service Times.
Lunch: 12Noon-2.30pm (full A la Carte and Daily Specials menus are available).
Traditional Afternoon Tea & Champagne Cocktail Afternoon Tea: Mon, Weds, Fri 12.30-4pm (View Menu here).
Dinner: 7-9.30pm (View a Sample Menu).
Sunday Lunch is served on Sundays – £12.50 per head.
The bar is open to guests as well as non-residents.
