The Victoria – Holkham, Norfolk

One of the great pleasures in life is strolling on the beach at Holkham, an unspoilt and beautiful stretch of sand, memorably featured in the closing scenes of Shakespeare in Love. Behind it stands fabulous Holkham Hall and its 25,000-acre estate, home to the Earl and Countess of Leicester and their family, and rich in history, architecture and wildlife. Just a few minutes from the beach at the gates of Holkham Park, is the estate’s gorgeous brick and flint hotel and restaurant, The Victoria, affectionately known as The Vic. It has never looked better: a series of lovely sitting rooms, bar and dining room with an airy orangery where delicious, locally sourced, seasonal food is served. Heated by biomass with wood from the estate, and awarded Green Tourism Gold status, The Vic certainly has sustainability at its core. The bedrooms are lovely, too, and it makes a wonderful base for exploring the local area. From the stunning panoramic landscape of the nearby Holkham National Nature Reserve to the old-fashioned beach huts at Wells-next-the-Sea, there’s plenty of great walking to do right on the doorstep.

Doubles from £160

+44 (0)1328 711008; holkham.co.uk

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