Our guide to North Norfolk’s best boltholes
V1 Blakeney Hotel, Blakeney
Half-way along the quayside in one of North Norfolk’s prettiest seaside villages. The hotel’s firstfloor lounge offers superb grandstand views towards Blakeney Point over moored boats, narrow creeks and the atmospheric salt marshes. Local, friendly staff always seem to have time to attend to details even when the hotel is busy. A big pluspoint here is the indoor swimming pool, a boon for families looking for entertainment on rainy days. Very few Norfolk hotels offer this useful fallback. Cream teas are served in the lounges with a good choice of brews and solicitous service. Doubles from £170 telegraph.co.uk/blakeneyhotel
2 The Hoste, Burnham Market
Dating from the 16thcentury, The Hoste has expanded from village inn to 62-room hotel spread over three sites, all within walking distance of shops and cafés. For a special treat, pick top price Divine rooms in Vine House, where Zoffany wallpaper, gilt mirrors and ornate chandeliers combine with free-standing baths and roomy walk-in showers to create a pampering atmosphere. Smaller doubles in Railway House are good value. Options in The Hoste range from characterful older rooms (including Number 5, where local hero Admiral Lord Nelson is said to have stayed) to modern rooms at the rear, above the spa or overlooking the garden. Doubles from £120 telegraph.co.uk/thehoste
3 Cley Windmill, Cley-next-the-Sea
The windmill is next to the former quayside of the River Glaven, in a flint and brickbuilt village, with superb views over the reed beds and saltmarshes towards Blakeney Harbour. From the grassy, walled gardens, there’s direct access to the pebble and shingle beach of Cley, a 15-minute walk away. There are nine rooms, including three in the tower. These have the best views and the most character. Other rooms are in the former store rooms and miller’s accommodation. Doubles from £159 telegraph.co.uk/ cleywind-millhotel
4 The White Horse, Brancaster
One of a few hotels in the area with direct access to the marshes and coastal path. Although smartened up and extended, it hasn’t completely lost the feel of a local village pub. It retains the locals’ bar, with pine tables and photos of Brancaster characters and scenes. However, the large restaurant mostly dominates the ground floor, with big conservatory windows opening on to a sun deck terrace. The 15 bedrooms are unfussy, with pine beds, rattan chairs and pastel colours. A good choice of local seafood is served in an informal, relaxed setting. Doubles from £100 telegraph.co.uk/whitehorse brancaster
5 The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market
A lot of money must have been spent on recreating the look and feel of the Gunton Arms. But what’s surprising is the collection of modern art on the walls, including a Damien Hirst in the ladies’ loo and a Magritte in the residents’ lounge. The bedrooms, decorated by Robert Kime, are divine. Chef Stuart Tattersall cooks superb steaks on a huge open fire in the restaurant. Doubles from £95 telegraph.co.uk/guntonarms