The White Horse, Blakeney, Norfolk

Overview

Just a stone's throw from the tidal harbour and stunning saltmarsh views, stands Blakeney's oldest hotel, a former 17th-century coaching inn located on the winding narrow High Street.

Adnams have gently smartened up the old inn, freshening up the split-level bar and all the bedrooms, giving them a contemporary coastal feel with soothing seaside hues. Soft lamplight draws locals and visitors in for pints of Broadside and well-cooked traditional pub food and there's a buzz about the bar on winter days as the coast path walkers seek refuge from the rain and chilly east wind.

Arrive early to bag the fireside chairs in the cosy snug area. There's an airy conservatory dining room and the sheltered courtyard is perfect for summer sipping and popular with families who have spent the day on the beach or crabbing on the quay. Wellies and binoculars for hire.

Rooms from

10 doubles/twin: £90

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Alfresco dining
Limited parking; Quay car park
Dog stay: Free

Water & waves

One of the most popular beaches along the coast is the remote and spectacular Holkham Beach - it's just the place to enjoy wild beauty and stunning wide skies.

Family friendly

Book Room 10, a huge suite with it's own access from the High Street, a lounge with sofa beds and bunk beds - kids under 11 stay free.

Walking

For something with a real sense of adventure, follow the North Norfolk Coast Path east, which in places runs alongside a vast landscape of salt marshes, creeks and mudflats, to Cley-next-the-Sea.

Rooms

Ten charming rooms ramble across the first floor and all have been decorated in soothing greys, beiges and soft whites in keeping with the seaside location.

Expect quality fabrics, comfortable beds with stripped headboards and throws, relaxing easy chairs, and local seaside and saltmarsh photos adorning the walls. Fresh, fully tiled bathrooms have either walk-in showers or showers over baths, and generous supplies of Temple Spa soaps and lotions.

For views of the coast marsh and sea beyond, book rooms 1, 8 and 9, while four rooms overlook flint cottages on Blakeney's quiet narrow High Street. The suite (room 10) has direct access from the High Street and is perfect for families, sleeping six with a sofa bed and in a cosy lounge area and bunks beds.

Restaurant & bar

As befits the coastal location, fish and seafood features prominently on the traditional menu, which is served throughout the pub, for example moules mariniere, Ghost Ship beer battered with triple-cooked chips, and smoked haddock, salmon and hake fish pie.

You will certainly find a hearty burger, perhaps venison and pork with local Binham Blue cheese and homemade bacon relish, alongside more inventive dishes such as Old Ale and treacle marinated beef short rib, horseradish mash and mulled red cabbage.

At lunchtime, wash down a decent pulled chicken and tarragon mayonnaise sandwich with a cracking pint of Adnams - you'll find their whole range of real ale and craft beers on tap - or why not kick off your evening with Adnams Copper House Gin, distilled in Southwold. Quaff excellent wines too and visit the Adnams Cellar & Kitchen Shop along the coast in Holkham and take some bottles home.

Things to do

North Norfolk's seemingly endless coastline is a stunning backdrop for all kinds of sailing and boating activity. Watching seals at home in their natural environment on Blakeney Point (also a well-known breeding ground for waders and terns), is a popular boating excursion. Boats leave from Morston Quay and the trip lasts for one hour, but if weather conditions are favourable, boats will land on Blakeney Point for an additional 30-60 minutes.

Catching sight of Blickling Hall for the first time takes your breath away. The turreted Jacobean mansion stands proud in the Norfolk landscape and surrounding it is a beautiful 500-acre park. Blickling, near Aylsham, is widely believed to be the birthplace of Anne Boleyn.

It's probably not what you'd expect to find in the depths of North Norfolk but lovers of musical instruments are quickly drawn in. Among the treasured items on display at the fascinating Thursford Collection are a Wurlitzer cinema organ, fairground carousels and various barrel and street organs.