The opening of the Victoria marked a turning point in the standard of English seaside hotels, guaranteeing its inclusion in our Hot List 2002. Converted from a nicotine-stained pub, this reasonably-priced, unpretentious hotel on the north Norfolk coast is completely chintz-free. The interiors feature soft Georgian colours, sea grass flooring and custom-designed Indian teak furniture, and the restaurant serves grown-up comfort food, including very good local venison and English puddings (treacle tart and clotted cream, rhubarb fool). There is a kid's menu and a garden for them to run around in. Lunchtime at weekends is busy (and increasingly more Fulham-on-Sea than local), but afternoon respite can be found among the velvet sofas and leather armchairs in the bar area. There are 11 rooms, the best being the Raj Room with its four-poster. Service is attuned to detail (expect jugs of chilled fresh milk in the bedrooms). If you're not with children, visit in autumn when Holkham beach, a five-minute walk away, is windswept, empty and wildly beautiful. The Victoria was featured in our guide to Norfolk.
COST
Doubles £100-£170
CONTACT
The Victoria, Park Road, Holkham, Norfolk (01328
711008; fax: 711009; email: victoria@holkham.co.uk; www.victoriaatholkham.co.uk) |
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