The Kings Head, Norfolk

Overview

Long a family favourite, this stately looking former manor house is under the same ownership as the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe along the coast (see entry), and draws the summer crowds following a day at nearby Cromer or time spent on Holkham's magnificent beach.

In keeping with its grand appearance, expect a country-chic feel. Cosy, rambling bars and dining rooms welcome visitors, featuring blazing fires, rugs on wooden floors, old paintings and prints on warm Farrow & Ball painted walls, shelves groaning with books, unusual objet d'art and an eclectic mix of old dining tables. Hunker down on the leather sofa by the fire following a winter coast path ramble and peruse the papers with a drink in hand.

Set back from the road in acres of grounds, it's is the perfect place to rest and refuel after a day on the beach or walking the coast path. With teak tables and chairs on the sun-trap front terrace and a secret side garden, there's plenty of opportunties for alfresco drinking and dining in the summer months. During the summer holidays the outside bar and BBQ in 'The Shack' is in full swing from noon to 9pm.

Rooms from

Doubles: £120

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Disabled access
Alfresco & private dining
Parking available
Dog stay: £10

Dog-friendly
Dogs are allowed in the bars and welcome overnight in two of the double rooms - special treats for your pooch are available too.

Family favourite
The pub warmly welcomes families and children have their own menu. The enclosed garden and play area is perfect for youngsters to let off some steam.

Outdoor adventures
The Norfolk coast and countryside boasts plenty of stunning walking spots to get the whole family out and about.

Rooms

The civilised, country-chic feel extends upstairs to the four comfortable rooms. Although quite compact they are beautifully kitted out in quirky style.

Expect bold fabrics, unusual lamps, painted furniture, old trunks for bedside tables in one room, crisp linen and down, and rural views. Detail touches include local magazines, fresh coffee (Grey Seal, Glandford) & milk, Aromatherapy Associates luxury essentials and in the doggy rooms special treats for your pooch. En suite bathrooms are modern, smartly tiled and boast decent power showers.

Start your day with the 'Norfolk' breakfast - packed with local produce.

Restaurant & bar

The inn's seasonal menu draws upon the rich Norfolk larder of produce, much of it sourced on the doorstep, having built up strong relationships with local fisherman, farmers and artisan suppliers along the coast.

Whether serving up mussels from Brancaster Staithe, crab from Cromer, local farm reared meats, or spelt flour for the homemade bread from Letheringsett Mill next door, the menu successfully combines pub classics with more imaginative dishes - pork belly, black pudding, poached pear and red wine jus; Norfolk venison sausages and mash; warm sticky toffee pudding. Come summer, the barbeque is fired up in the garden shack.

Real ale drinkers will rejoice at the sight of Woodeforde's Wherry and there's always an Adnams guest, Moongazer, Norfolk Brewhouse Hindringham and Brancaster Best on tap. There's also Aspall's cider on draught, a small selection of spirits, and a short global list of wines including Humbleyard from Mulbarton, Norfolk, with 17 offered by the glass.

Things to do

Soak up coastal life and head out for a seal trip, with plenty of local proprietors offering local excursions. Watching seals at home in their natural environment on Blakeney Point is a popular day out in these parts, with boats leave from Morston Quay. Trips last an hour, but if weather conditions are favourable, boats will land on Blakeney Point for an additional 30-60 minutes.

This magnificent grand Palladian mansion of Houghton Hall is well worth a visit, lying in picturesque parkland near King's Lynn. It's the home of Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first Prime Minister, and has imposing state rooms, an impressive collection of model soldiers and a restored walled garden.

For those needing a floral fix, Heacham, near Hunstanton, is the home of Norfolk Lavender, where you can see the world-famous lavender gardens, the lavender oil distillery and the national lavender collection and herb garden. The gift shop has a wide range of Norfolk Lavender products and plants.