Any county that can boast the likes of Stephen Fry – born in a little village near Reepham - Bill Bryson the droll travel writer - who has lived in the county since 2003 and Alan Partridge the fictional DJ of Norwich played by Steve Coogan must have a character and a personality different from the rest of the UK. Indeed this is one of the most popular counties for independently minded individuals looking for an unusual place to stay for a weekend break. So we have put together a short list of boutique hotels that seem to sum up the personality of the county itself.
1. If you like your pubs and hotels traditional with a warm glowing feel with comfy armchairs, a decent country drinking atmosphere and a menu crammed with Cromer crab and venison then the Gunton Arms will be right up your street. We are talking big hearty portions of home cooked locally sourced produce with selections of deep rich wines and the kind of lighting and ambiance where it is probably polite to fill your face and then collapse on a sofa with the papers. 
The Gunton Arms is situated in the one thousand acre deer park which surrounds Gunton Hall near Cromer in Norfolk. The park was created in the early 18th Century by the Harbord family and was comparable in scale to the great estates to the west, Holkham and Houghton. Within striking distance is the coast and the Norfolk Broads and there is the potential to play golf at some nearish top class courses. But this is not the type of Hotel Restaurant where you are going to get involved in strenuous activity. This is the type of establishment where you are going to book in for some serious socialising. The hotel has 8 rooms. The location is the “wow” factor being slap bang in the middle of a deer park that gives it a reassuring country estate. And the clientele reflects that - where nobby Londoners can rub shoulders with the locals and talk football and fashion and neck decent beer at the same time to be hammered home with some decent bottles of wine.
What is great about the menu is that the bar snacks understand that people get hungry strolling around the countryside. So instead of crisps and nibbles you can order sausages, mussels and Yorkshire pudding with gravy. The main courses pay homage to an earlier time with choices of beef, lamb and loads of venison dishes plus plenty of locally sourced fish from nearby. Vegetarians may well struggle. Desserts are remarkably restrained if you call Cinnamon doughnuts and chocolate tart modest. The main feature of the restaurant though is the French Open fireplace where the head chef Stuart Tattersall cooks portions of meat the size of a small elk. Not for the faint hearted or those who just like to toy with a green salad.
This is a perfect proper country pub that has a style and easy feel. The truth is though that a fair amount of money has been spent on the place and you can have a rare old time gawping at the genuine art that adorns the walls. There are works by Tracy Emin, Gilbert and George and it would be no surprise to trip over a Damian Hirst creation as you stagger to your room.
This is a big hearted hip place that is full of robust personality and a 1000 miles away from the bland decor and uniformity of a chain hotel and in comparison reassuringly light on the pocket. For further details and availability click the link: The Gunton Arms
2. Titchwell Manor, a coastal boutique hotel, near Brancaster, North Norfolk is celebrating being awarded three AA Rosettes for its outstanding cuisine.
Revamped in a contemporary style, Titchwell Manor started out as a Victorian farmhouse, but now does business as a rather chic country hotel. It sits in a lovely spot overlooking North Norfolk’s sandy coast, near the RSPB Titchwell Marsh reserve, and has been run by the Snaith family for a quarter of a century, with Eric Snaith directing the action at the stoves for a decade. Guests can dine in either the informal Eating Rooms or sage-green Conservatory overlooking the walled garden, which serves as a stage for Eric’s innovative dinner-only, four and eight-course Conversation menus. These showcase the splendid local produce, particularly fish and seafood.
Accommodation at Titchwell Manor is in 27 individually designed rooms; prices start from £95 per double/twin room per night B&B; the ‘Conversation Menu’ is £45 per person for four courses and £60 for eight, with matched wines its £75 and £90. Families and pets most welcome.
For more information call Titchwell Manor Hotel on 01485 210221 or visit www.titchwellmanor.com.
3 Take a traditional Grade II listed Country House Hotel and let loose the combined talents of interior designer Shaun Clarkson and set designer Russell Hall. Stir in the inspiration of Hollywood and a whirlwind of indulgent over the top luxury and there you have a camp as you come party house complete with hot tubs, sauna, disco and chill out room. Move over stuffy old country houses with quiet ticking clocks, Shaun and Russell have created a party location to get on down and get loaded. This is where boutique meets traditional to deliver a hedonistic holiday home just perfect for parties for up to 50 people with rooms for 20 people to sleep.
Please don’t expect brass horseshoes or fuddy duddy furniture. At Carrington House you are going to get banana leaves, black wallpaper imprinted with lime green parrots, original art deco furnishings, giant fuscia lampshades, splashed and ladelled over with Versace and Gucci. Its gorgeous over the top, flamboyant, theatrical, bright bold and sometimes brassy – just perfect for families and friends that just want to let their hair down and have a good time. And for a proper indulgent time you can hire in chefs, beauty therapists, yoga instructors and bar tenders. For full details on how to book, click the link: http://www.carringtonhouse.net/
4. The Ship Hotel is located on the North Norfolk coast in the traditional coastal fishing village of Brancaster. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty with long sandy beaches and natural salt marshes that encourage plenty of wild life and natural habitation. The village itself is a slight throw back to bygone days but is a little undiscovered secret that is absolutely worth the trip to North Norfolk. And if you are a golfer and can blag your way into the Royal Brancaster golf club you will be in links heaven.
The Ship Hotel itself has been totally restored by the Kiwi Masterchef Chris Couborough whose love of food is evident by the dishes on offer naturally dominated by the local fish. But this is wholesome no nonsense good food where you can also order fish and chips as well as traditional Sunday roasts. The wine list is nicely balanced and sensibly priced to encourage you to invest in a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
The restaurant itself has got some inviting corners for romantics but also has scale and so can accommodate up to 150 diners on busy days and special occasions. The Hotel also has a function room, a Map room and a library for intimate get togethers – so you put the Ship Hotel down in your diary of special places for anniversaries.
The hotel also has 9 stylish rooms and all have been designed with natural materials that reflect the area – lots of lovely washed out wood and light colours. The Ship Hotel is a quality establishment that will appeal to couples who are looking for a romantic weekend break and to those who want to chill out and explore this part of the world. For full details and availability click the link: The Ship Hotel Brancaster
5. There are 15 beautifully furnished en suite bedrooms overlooking areas of tidal natural beauty at this award winning gourmet Hotel. And if you are into your seafood – this place will be a real weekend treat. The White Horse Inn, national winner of the Best Food Offer awarded by the Publican 2013, is gloriously situated on the marshland coastline of North Norfolk at Brancaster Staithe, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. The conservatory restaurant with deck terrace and adjoining dining area affords spectacular views overlooking the tidal marsh beyond to Scolt Head Island and is a great place to eat local seafood and seasonal produce. It is a perfect backdrop for a truly wonderful dining experience. Dining from any aspect is unhurried an enjoyable social occasion, a true taste of Norfolk living.
The extensive restaurant menu celebrates the best of fresh local produce. Depending on the season, mussels, crab, lobster, oysters, shrimp, sea bass, mackerel and sea trout are delivered to the kitchen door by the village fishermen and local seasonal produce including asparagus, which is grown in beds across the road or samphire gathered from the salt marsh. Avrum Frankel, Head Chef, creates daily specials from this local produce, cooked simply but with skill & culinary flair. The award of 2 AA rosettes has reflected the consistency of the menu and service by the team for the past 6 years.
If you are lucky enough and the tide and season is right, diners will be able to see the local fishermen bringing home their catch of the day or indeed Cyril or Ben, our next door neighbour ‘mussel men’ cleaning and netting their mussels, which are grown and harvested at the bottom of the garden. To find out details of staying or simply eating at the White Horse click the link: http://www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk/
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