Norfolk

The Victoria

The Victoria Inn has long been a regular part of life in this part of North Norfolk (it was built at the start of Queen Victoria’s reign) and is an integral part of the Holkham Estate. With some of the nicest beaches in the country over the road, it is no surprise that dog lovers make up a large part of the Victoria's client base. And they are very well catered for.

Eat: In summer, the extensive outdoor dining areas come into play, but there are no restrictions on dogs throughout the public spaces downstairs. The food is primarily sourced from the Holkham Estate, including venison, beef and game. Other ingredients come from as close to Holkham as possible, including crabs from Cromer and cheeses from Wighton. The cooking is resolutely meaty, old-fashioned and English (think Elizabeth David meets Fergus Henderson). And breakfast deserves an honourable mention. Definitely worth getting out of bed for.

Sleep: With all that fresh seaside air and excellent food and drink, the Victoria could offer up spikes or wooden planks and guests would still sleep soundly. Luckily, they have also just refurbished most of 10 rooms. Five of them are open to dogs (who also have the run of the entire downstairs area) and all offer the same relaxed-but-high quality atmosphere. If the floorboard in the corridors of this old house can creak a bit, it all adds character. There is no extra charge for dogs. 

Walk: Having a beach like Holkham Beach just over the road makes where to walk a no-brainer (although if you're walking from the hotel be warned that the walk down Lady Ann's Road to beach is longer than it looks and "just over the road" is actually a mile away). Walk in the other direction for Holkham Hall and it's surrounding parkland. If just wandering on the beach doesn't do it for you, there are several well-marked walking trails that take in the local nature reserve and the surrounding woodland. Or you can walk along the beach and into the nearby port of Wells-next-the-sea for excellent fish and chips.