A cosy bolthole on the Norfolk coast, The Chequers Inn welcomes
weary travellers with its crackling fires, freestanding bath tubs
and snug corners aplenty. Dine at the hotel restaurant, helmed by
chef Jordan Bayes, for locally sourced dishes such as Holkham
venison or Thornham oysters. Retire to your room for a nightcap
(each room comes with a complimentary decanter of sloe gin) before
diving into plump, king-size beds.

Named after the 1,000-acre deer park that it’s perched within,
this traditional pub with rooms can be found in northern Norfolk.
Go for long, leisurely countryside strolls to stumble upon historic
parks, ancient churches and golf courses, and return to spend the
evening admiring the hotel’s collection of modern art. Work by
Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Lucian Freud adorn walls inside,
while sculptures by Sol LeWitt, Dan Graham and Anthony Caro pepper
the grounds.

Reminiscent of a house belonging to an old (but exceedingly
trendy) great aunt, Strattons oozes eccentric design and eclectic
decor. Decadence is its buzzword; plush red-velvet sofas are offset
by cowhide rugs, statement wallpaper and dark-wood, four-poster
beds. The hotel is eco-friendly too, with low-energy lighting,
refillable toiletries and dreamy (if a little unruly) gardens
teeming with wildlife.

Set within 30 acres of parkland and colourful gardens, this
Georgian manor house offers a charming countryside retreat. Spend
mornings at the spa, where treatments range from single massages to
full-day experiences (complete with a two-course lunch and wine).
Later, head to the hotel’s herb garden (with more than 400
varieties of herbs) for a sensory stroll before dining in the
restaurant, where locally sourced, seasonal ingredients are served
with views across the parkland.

One for the foodies, Morston Hall is primarily known for its
outstanding culinary reputation. The restaurant’s tasting menu that
changes daily, with dishes that showcase the best of Norfolk’s
seasonal produce. Expect Sunday lunch choices of locally reared
beef or North-Sea fish, and an afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones,
cakes and Morston Hall Grand Reserve champagne. Waddle upstairs to
soak in a roll-top bathtub and collapse into a giant bed.

Crowning a cobbled square in King’s Lynn, this former bank
exudes a majestic appeal reminiscent of its glory days. Inside, the
warm, friendly interiors prove that the hotel’s past is a distant
memory, as flickering fires, wooden floors and original panelling
welcome guests. Amble along the riverfront and pop in to nearby
cafés and markets before returning to cosy rooms with freestanding
bathtubs and views over the quayside.

Known by locals as “The Vic”, this 19th-century inn can be found
between Norfolk’s sandy beaches and rugged parklands. The
restaurant here makes the most of ingredients sourced from the
estate – dine on the Vic’s juicy burger and chips or the
pigeon-and-potato salad followed by a cheeseboard (pay no heed to
the antler heads and other taxidermy staring down from the walls,
they make for better post-meal viewing). Follow with a walk through
the Holkham estate and along the North Norfolk coast before
retiring to a roomy, antique-filled bedroom.

Crowning a cobbled square in King’s Lynn, this former bank
exudes a majestic appeal reminiscent of its glory days. Inside, the
warm, friendly interiors prove that the hotel’s past is a distant
memory, as flickering fires, wooden floors and original panelling
welcome guests. Amble along the riverfront and pop in to nearby
cafés and markets before returning to cosy rooms with freestanding
bathtubs and views over the quayside.