Sandy beaches to epic wildlife – north Norfolk is perfect for winter staycation

WITH vast sandy beaches, epic wildlife and hearty food, beautiful north Norfolk is the place to blast away the winter blues.

We sent three of our editors to Nelson’s County to enjoy the delights of East Anglia.

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The Gin Trap Inn, Ringstead

Deputy Features Editor Rosie Gizauskas lived the good life with friends Anne and Laura.

THE PAD: Tucked away in the pretty hamlet of Ringstead, The Gin Trap Inn is a 17th-century coach inn that’s a mecca for (you guessed it!) gin!

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The cosy pub has 13 super-stylish cottages and guest rooms, and dogs are welcome in the majority.

We stayed in the two-bedroom Cadaman Cottage, which has one bold pink, Moroccan-style bedroom and another chic navy-blue one, each with huge comfy beds and vaulted ceilings.

There’s a balcony and private outside decking area, perfect for a cup of tea – or a gin from the pub – with views across a field of horses.

In the morning, the inn’s full English breakfast, included in the room price, is just what the doctor ordered. Bringing the kids?

There’s an amazing play area to keep them happy. 

EXPLORE: Take the scenic route past windmills and quaint cottages to the village of Old Hunstanton for a pint at The Lodge pub, before walking on to nearby Hunstanton Beach, a pretty stretch of shingle coastline (Thelodgehunstanton.co.uk).

Further up the beach, you’ll find Hunstanton town, AKA “sunny Hunny”, a Victorian seaside resort complete with arcades and a promenade featuring a Sea Life Centre, where injured seals are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.

Tickets cost £15.10 for adults, under-threes are free (Visitsealife.com/hunstanton).

Where better to visit in the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee than Sandringham?

HRH’s country pad – reportedly her favourite residence – is just nine miles from The Gin Trap Inn.

The free audio tour guides you around with rich detail, and you even get to see where the royals eat their Christmas dinner. 

Don’t skip the beautiful gardens – we spotted three little graves where some of her beloved corgis were laid to rest.

Entry costs £23 per adult and kids are free (Sandringhamestate.co.uk).

REFUEL: Foodies are absolutely spoiled at The Gin Trap, known for its flavour-packed seasonal fare.

We loved the smoked squash naan bread with pomegranate yoghurt and onion jam, £16, as well as the chicken and mushroom pie with truffle mash, £17.

Kids have their own menu that includes sourdough focaccia pizzas with pesto and cheesy chicken, £8.

But the clue’s really in the name – the pub has a carefully curated collection of more than 100 types of gin.

We sampled the inn’s namesake, the Gin Trap, in a negroni (or three!) and can confirm it’s delicious.

If you fancy a trip out for dinner, head to The White Horse in nearby Brancaster for rock oysters, £10 for three, and pan-roasted sea bass, £18.50, with views across the sea (Whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk).

Or for a fun, casual lunch, swing by The Crab Hut at Brancaster Staithe.

BOOK IT: Cadaman Cottage costs from £290 per night, including breakfast (Thegintrapinn.co.uk). 

Abbey Farm, Alby

A glamping dome made for a trip to remember for Picture Editor Janet Davenport and husband Andrew. 

THE PAD: Norfolk isn’t short of accommodation options, but one of the most memorable and fun is Abbey Farm’s new glamping geodesic domes.

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Located on a picturesque field, this truly is camping on a luxe scale.

Each dome sleeps up to six and boasts trendy furnishings, a fully kitted-out kitchen and bathroom, bedding from The White Company, a 40in TV and a cosy log burner.

Open the curtains to reveal quiet farmland and your own private space, lavishly fitted with barbecue, pizza stone, private eating area and hammock.

There’s also a wood-fired hot tub, perfect for relaxing in the evening – north Norfolk is one of the best places in the country for stargazing.

EXPLORE: A mere 10-minute drive away, traditional seaside town Sheringham is all seafront walks, ice creams and amusements.

The beautiful wide, sandy beach holds plenty of excitement whatever the weather.

A ride on the North Norfolk Railway, AKA The Poppy Line, lets you appreciate the area’s stunning scenery in style.

Board at Sheringham and enjoy the 10.5-mile round trip, via the Georgian town of Holt – great for antiques, cute coffee shops and boutiques.

A day ticket costs £7.80, or £3.90 for under-15s (Nnrailway.co.uk).

For a dose of culture, Blickling Hall, 15 minutes away by car, is thought to be the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, and it’s said she still haunts the grounds.

Nearby Felbrigg Hall might not have a famous ghost, but its incredible walled garden and grounds make it well worth a trip.

REFUEL: A generous welcome hamper full of local delights greets you in your dome, and once you’ve finished off the delicious brownies from local bakery Winnibees, Abbey Farm can supply dinner, too.

We spent a fun evening learning how to make pizza from a kit provided, £9 per person.

We also had a delicious afternoon tea delivered to our door, including sarnies, scones with jam and clotted cream, plus picture-perfect meringues.

Away from the dome’s delights, fish and chips, £9, are a must at the nearby, seaside-themed Sheringham Trawler. 

BOOK IT: A three-night stay in Abbey Farm’s geodesic domes costs from £675 (Abbeyfarmnorfolk.com).

Blakeney Hotel, Blakeney

Acting Lifestyle Editor Emma Ledger, her boyfriend Alex and two-year-old Annie had a sweet time.

THE PAD: Since it opened in 1922, Blakeney Hotel has been hugely popular thanks to its unbeatable location, traditional charm and locally inspired menu.

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The decor is all soothing shades of green, cream and grey, with antique bird prints and maps lining the walls, and front-facing rooms have unspoilt views of the coast

Both kids and dogs are warmly welcomed, with the former able to enjoy a large indoor swimming pool and a games room that’s great for rainy days by the roaring fire.

There’s also a gym, sauna and steam room, and the mega-friendly staff always make time to help with anything you ask. 

EXPLORE: Walk to nearby Cley Next The Sea, past lagoons and reedbeds that are a haven for birdlife, and stock up on oak-smoked kippers, £6 for a pair, at the adorable Cley Smokehouse (Cleysmokehouse.com).

Source the rest of your picnic from Picnic Fayre, home to a selection of baked goods, cheeses, charcuterie, locally sourced fruit and veg, and even Norfolk wines (Picnic-fayre.co.uk).

The perfect spot to feast on it all awaits you by the water’s edge.

Just 10 minutes’ drive away is charming town Wells-Next-The-Sea, where salt marshes turn into the golden sands of Holkham beach, with a line of candy-coloured beach huts on stilts.

Stop by the Beach Cafe for a cuppa or a cone, depending on the weather (Facebook.com/wellsbeachcafe), before taking a free deer-spotting stroll in the beautiful grounds of Holkham Hall (Holkham.co.uk). 

REFUEL: Breakfast offers something for everyone, with a buffet of cereals, pastries, home-made muesli and fresh fruits, plus hot options including kedgeree and a full English, with veggie alternatives.

Dinner is lavish but not stuffy, costing £38 for a three-course feast with coffee.

The stand-out starter was local mussels in Thai massaman sauce, while main courses include halibut with ham hock and crab chowder and Persian spiced Norfolk lamb with fondant potato.

Choose pud from a sweet trolley laden with tiramisu, lemon tart and sticky toffee pudding. Vegetarian, vegan and children’s menus are available, too.

BOOK IT: Rooms at Blakeney Hotel cost from £165 per person, per night, half-board (Blakeney-hotel.co.uk).  

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