How To Spend A Winter Weekend In Norfolk
STAY
You’ll find The Harper in the quaint village of Langham, just a mile inland from the coast at beautiful Blakeney. Set in an old glass blowing factory, the hotel has embraced its history by adding bespoke glass features throughout, such as striking stained-glass windows, and embracing an artfully mismatched design aesthetic. No two bedrooms are the same and across categories like ‘Big’, ‘Bigger’ and ‘Biggest’ there’s something for all budgets, as well as a cottage for families.
Guests can relax with a treatment at the spa, book in for a pre-breakfast sauna and swim session, cosy up by the fire in the living room and enjoy dinner at Stanley’s – an art-filled restaurant with a playfully presented tasting menu celebrating the best of local produce. There’s also a pretty courtyard, which has all the fire pits and blankets needed for a cosy winter evening. The property also has its own bikes and a selection of wellies, which can be borrowed to explore one of the team’s handpicked walking routes that take in the very best of Norfolk’s beautiful landscape. We suggest a trip out to nearby Stiffkey to see the striking saltmarshes.
Another option for nature lovers is Titchwell Manor, a country home just around the corner from Titchwell Bird Reserve in Brancaster. There are 26 chic bedrooms, most of which lead to a patio or small garden space. It’s also a good spot for those wanting to explore the local area, thanks to its proximity to Burnham Market, Hunstanton Beach and the market town of Holt. Set right over the River Wensum in Fakenham you’ll find Sculthorpe Mill, which has seven ensuite bedrooms, plus a great pub below. Another notable pub is The Gunton Arms in Cromer, which is also home to some gorgeous rooms decorated by renowned interior designer Robert Kime. Each looks out over the thousand-acre, deer-filled Gunton Park, which you can stroll around before heading to the restaurant for dinner. The property is home to owner and art dealer Ivor Bracka’s personal collection, with works by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Lucian Freud featured on the walls. The pub’s menu champions locally sourced ingredients – from venison to local must-try Cromer crab.
The creative city of Norwich has lots of interesting places to visit. As well as its famous cathedral, one of our picks is the Sainsbury Centre For Visual Arts on the University of East Anglia campus, which hosts regular exhibitions and features lots of eye-catching pieces across its 350-acre sculpture park. It also has a lovely café at the back, plus a great bookshop. If you’re in the city, we suggest staying at The Assembly House. This hidden gem is set in a historic building which dates to the 18th century. There are 15 spacious rooms as well as a grand dining room where they serve afternoon tea.
With some of the best interiors and design on this list, Blackwood is a seriously chic woodland home on the north Norfolk coast, with Wells and Holkham close by. The contemporary property has three bedrooms: a super king with woodland views and a freestanding bath on the ground floor, plus another super king and twin bedroom on the first floor, both with en-suites. There’s also a spacious and modern kitchen which flows into an open plan lounge/dining area filled with bespoke handmade furniture, as well as unique artwork, ceramics and carved wood pieces throughout the house. Evenings can be spent on the terrace, gathered around the fire pit. Another beauty is the design-led Great Barn Farm, a collection of luxury self-catering holiday cottages and converted barns offering accommodation that combines the authentic look of a working farm with every convenience you can think of. Available for booking by the week, mid-week or weekend, each barn offers a relaxing and stylish stay, sleeping between two and 16 guests.
Finally, close to the Sandringham Estate, Congham Hall Hotel & Spa is a charming, privately owned Georgian manor house with 31 bedrooms and suites. Set in 50 acres of beautiful parkland with an orchard and herb garden, the hotel also has a Secret Garden spa. We like the look of the Orchard Cabins: five architect-designed suites with huge beds, designer furniture and specially commissioned art and rugs.
EAT & DRINK
Nest Farmhouse is the countryside sibling to well-loved St Barts and Nest in London. Over in north Norfolk, the restaurant – which launched this summer – is set on a 1,000-acre working farm in Docking, with a farm-to-table ethos. Everything is sourced and created as locally as possible, from the food to the furnishings. The restaurant itself is housed in a former cattle shed and has been remodelled to reflect a chic New England coastal spot with a 40-cover dining room, sheltered veranda and bar. Open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, the kitchen’s hearty menus change regularly – of the current menu, we love the sound of crispy duck leg with green lentils and prunes; Tamworth pork chops with BBQ beetroots, apple, pork and plum sauce; and spotted dick, custard and buttermilk ice-cream. If you’re making a weekend of it, you can book one of the six upstairs bedrooms, which are filled with a mix of modern and vintage furnishings, and have deep baths and balconies looking out over a lake and towards the Norfolk landscapes beyond. Another reason to book a bedroom? The breakfasts are truly excellent – think thick-cut bacon, local smoked trout, homemade focaccia, perfect scrambled eggs, local jams and coffee served in vintage Norwich crockery. Just what you’ll need ahead of a day walking over miles of local beaches.
Another popular Norfolk restaurant is Socius in Burnham Market, which is run by a husband-and-wife team and serves modern tapas. On the edge of Burnham Market’s green is The Tuscan Farm Shop, which transports shoppers to an Italian vineyard. It serves generous antipasti platters along with soups, Italian wines and homemade desserts. It’s a lovely spot for a coffee and pastry or an Italian feast-style lunch.
On the fine-dining front, Meadowsweet in Holt is a lovely Grade II-listed house that’s now home to a small restaurant downstairs, serving the best of the season’s produce, and three comfortable rooms upstairs. Then Morston Hall is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant headed up by Galton Blackiston. A good space to book for special-occasion dining, the restaurant’s seven-course tasting menu features the best of Norfolk, with canapés served in the lounge beforehand. It sits right on the coast, so you can take a walk on the beach before or after your meal.
We can’t mention food and drink without shouting out a handful of the best beach cafes. The Lookout Café is a cosy spot at the entrance of Holkham beach and is just the place to warm up after a windy beach walk. The Beach Café in popular Wells-next-the-Sea can be found right on the sand, with a large outdoor seating area. Everything on the menu is locally sourced, from the sausage rolls to the victoria sponge. And just a few steps away from the golden sands of Holkham beach, The Victoria is a lovely spot to relax after a long walk. Alongside bar snacks and a smart lunch menu, this pub also serves evening meals and there are 20 pretty bedrooms. Dogs are welcome too.
On the pub front, The Jolly Sailors in Brancaster is a popular spot, where locals like to catch up over home-cooked classics like whitebait and its show-stopping stone-baked pizzas. The owners also own Brancaster Brewery, so expect some exceptional real ales. The Duck Inn in Stanhoe is a must-book if you have time for Sunday lunch before heading home or The Hero in Burnham Overy Staithe is a cosy pub five minutes from Burnham Market. In the winter, the bar fires up its wood burner and turns out excellent fish and chips.
VISIT
There are so many beaches on the Norfolk coast, but two worth a visit are Brancaster and Holkham, where they filmed the closing scenes of Shakespeare In Love. Holkham is romantic, rural and wild, with unspoilt stretches of sand leading to the water, while National Trust-owned, family friendly Brancaster is great for sandcastle making and picnics. For some wild swimming, head to Stiffkey Freshes, near Morton. A must-see sight is Blakeney Point – home to England’s largest grey seal colony. Many of the local ferries and boats run seal-spotting day trips, most of which can be booked online – just remember to wrap up as, even on sunny winter days, the spray from the boats can be chilly.
Along Norfolk’s northeast coast, Hunstanton offers the chance to see beautiful sunsets over the Wash, a natural rectangular bay that’s popular with photographers and bird watchers. While it’s not as well known as some of its counterparts further south, Hunstanton has charm, with its striped cliffs, sandy beaches and Victorian architecture. The town attracts water-sports enthusiasts, with opportunities for kitesurfing, windsurfing and paddleboarding along its shores. For a more leisurely trip, walk along the promenade or explore the red and white striped Hunstanton Cliffs. Make a day of it and book lunch at The Neptune, one of Norfolk’s only Michelin-starred restaurants. You could also stay overnight in one of its cosy cottages.
Further along Norfolk’s coastline, Sheringham is a traditional seaside town with a quiet sandy beach. Explore the town's high street, where you'll find independent shops, cafés and galleries selling everything from local crafts to ceramics. You’ll also want to walk along the promenade where you can see colourful beach huts and watch the fishing boats come and go from the harbour. From here, it’s easy to reach countryside where you'll find scenic walking trails, wildlife reserves and historic landmarks such as Sheringham Park and the Norfolk Coast Path.
For some culture, Holkham Hall and Houghton Hall are open to the public. The houses and grounds are spectacular, and well worth a visit even if you’re not staying in the immediate area. Holkham is part of a 25,000-acre estate of rolling parkland that is alive with deer and huge oak trees, and leads to an expansive beach backed by sand dunes and pine forests. Meanwhile, Houghton is known for its pretty walled gardens and outdoor sculptures.
Sandringham House is perhaps the most famous stately home in Norfolk. It was Queen Elizabeth II’s much-loved country retreat and has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs. Visitors can enjoy the lovely gardens that are dotted with trees of all ages, including an oak tree planted by Queen Victoria and a giant redwood planted by Princess Christian of Denmark. Beyond the gardens, the dog-friendly Sandringham Royal Park, which is open to the public year-round, has an abundance of animals, birds and plants. It can be explored on foot or by bike – there are two marked nature trails to follow, or you can follow the many other woodland paths.
Holkham Estate
When it comes to shopping, Gurneys Fish Shop in Burnham Market is the place to head for the freshest catches, as well as homemade pâté and soups. A small delicatessen, Humble Pie, lies above it, so be sure to stock up if you’re staying in self-catered accommodation. We suggest picking up a loaf of its daily made bread, along with some local cheeses, homemade quiches and salads. A slice of its famous chocolate cake is also a must-try, as are the jam-filled doughnuts.
In a converted stable yard, Bayfield Hall Antiques in the gorgeous Georgian town of Holt is where you'll find some one-off gems. Home to a range of antique dealers and specialists, selling everything from colourful glassware to Persian rugs, it’s where you’ll track down some great one-off pieces. While you’re in Holt, make sure the men in your life check out Old Town, one of the best suit-makers in the UK. Anna in Burnham Market is known for its beautiful selection of clothes and accessories. Along with some lesser-known designers, it also stocks big names like Anya Hindmarch, Isabel Marant Étoile and Rixo – ideal for a spot of Christmas shopping.
You can’t visit Norfolk without trying some of its wine. Our favourite bottles come from Burn Valley Vineyard, four miles from the North Norfolk coast. Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the soil is free draining and flinty with a chalk base, which is reflected in the sipping. Our picks are the Bacchus, Solaris and Marsh Red – but you can make these decisions for yourself by booking into one of its weekend tasting sessions.
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