WHERE TO STAY
A bed for the night Whether you’re planning a visit North Norfolk or live here and fancy a staycation, take a whistle stop tour of just some of the places to stay in the area, complete with top tips on what not to miss nearby! Thornham Harbour and the Coal Barn, a short walk from The Lifeboat Inn www.pebblesphotography.co.uk
Congham Hall Hotel
The view from the terrace at The White Horse
The Decking at Briarfields
Cockleshed House, available through Barefoot Retreats
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IRST up is Congham Hall Hotel in the heart of the Norfolk countryside. Set in 30 acres of parkland including orchards, the 26-room boutique hotel is renowned for its Herb Garden with over 400 varieties. If you fancy a bit of ‘me time’ check in to the hotel’s Secret Garden Spa. Their Herb Garden Signature Treatment was exclusively designed by the hotel’s principal product supplier, Elemental Herbology - a 75-minute face, back and scalp massage featuring rosemary, lavender and mint handpicked from the grounds. Top tip: Congham Hall Hotel is celebrating the Year of the English Garden 2016 with ‘The Magnificent Seven … Norfolk Gardens’, a free trail guests can download, including the nearby Sandringham Estate and Houghton Hall. If you’re heading up to the coast, the historic Lifeboat Inn in Thornham offers uninterrupted views across the salt marsh to the sea and 13 en-suite double bedrooms. The rooms have undergone extensive refurbishment by the Inn’s new owners, which should be completed this July. Each bedroom is named after the crew of the Licensed Victuallers III, the last pulling lifeboat at Hunstanton Lifeboat Station. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to stay too. The Lifeboat
has a dining room, conservatory restaurant (complete with a 200 year old vine which still fruits and flowers) and a bar. Why not: walk down to Thornham harbour with its famous Coal Barn and along to the beach via the Norfolk Coast Path, enjoy a spot of retail therapy at nearby Thornham Deli and Drove Orchards – the latter includes a Farm Shop with produce grown on site, a fishmonger, lifestyle shopping, a pop-up gallery and garden nursery. Head east to the next village Titchwell and you’ll come to Briarfields Hotel, situated between the RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve and the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club at Brancaster. A range of accommodation is available at the hotel including family rooms. Dogs are welcome in some bedrooms. Briarfields has stunning views of the Titchwell salt marshes, the natural home for freshwater and saltwater wildlife – head to the hotel’s decking area, relax and enjoy the view! Don’t miss: Briarfields’ Posh Afternoon Tea, the beach at Brancaster, perfect for walkers, dogs and families alike, RSPB Titchwell Marsh, a trip to Holkham Estate, just a short drive away – visit the Palladian Hall and enjoy a walk round the grounds. With the Norfolk Coast Path running past the bottom of its garden, The White Horse in
Brancaster Staithe overlooks the marshes and harbour across to Scolt Head Island. Each of the 15 rooms are en-suite and decorated with the seascape in mind. The eight ground floor rooms have their own terraces and well-behaved dogs are welcome in these. Head to The White’s terrace, the perfect spot to watch the tide come in and the fabulous sunsets and don’t miss their 2nd Summer Oyster & Champagne Festival on Friday 19th August from 4pm till sunset. Watch the tide come in and enjoy the pop-up oyster bar on the edge of the marsh. Barefoot Retreats specialize in laid-back luxury accommodation on the North Norfolk coast and offer guests a concierge service whether you’re looking for a babysitter or fancy a fishing trip, they’ve got it covered. Barefoot has Cockleshed House in Brancaster Staithe on their books, with a large garden running down to the harbour. The house has a chilled-out feel and its stripped floorboards and crisp white linens give a beach house vibe. Sleeping eight, dogs are welcome. Enjoy: crabbing down at the harbour, hike up to Barrow Common for fabulous views along the coast, bird watching across the tidal marsh, shopping at Dalegate Market, in Burnham Deepdale. u
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