Coastline, cosy beds and Norfolk nourishment

Being an island, there is something that Britain has a lot of, and that’s coastline and visitors to the island would be remiss to leave without experiencing some of the seaside attractions of the country. While most visitors are drawn by an invisible magnetism to the city of London, there is more to English life than can be found on the city streets. Even with its impressive array of shopping opportunities, clubs and theatres, London cannot encompass all it means to be English so, after a night or two in a swanky hotel like the Adria in Hammersmith, why not take a scenic trip to Norfolk where the long beaches and fantastic cuisine reveal another side of Old Blighty.

If you’re looking for accommodation Norfolk has a range of budget to boutique establishments that are perfect for a weekend stay. Weekends are the best time to visit Norfolk as it’s when the seafront and promenades bustle with life and music. Gorleston Beach is just around the corner from Great Yarmouth but enjoys comparative obscurity, giving it a more peaceful air and allowing visitors more room to enjoy the long, golden beach. On summer Sundays, however, Gorleston takes on a festival atmosphere as the bandstand plays host to a range of free musical events. Grab a deckchair or find a spot on the lawn and enjoy performances by the region’s best musicians.

There are many Norfolk hotels situated close to Gorleston-on-Sea but only one or two inside the village itself. The Cliff Hotel is situated just a short walk from the award-winning beach so you can work up an appetite with a stroll along the beach, before tucking into the incredible menu available at the Cliff Hotel. From local seafood to delicious Lancaster duck and an impressive range of vegetarian options, your taste buds will be tantalised while you enjoy the view from their covered terrace.

Also situated in Gorleston is the All Season Lodge Hotel, a cosy, family-run establishment that is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family break. Its honeymoon suite boasts a spa bath while the other spacious rooms offer comfortable accommodation right on the sea front.

But Gorleston isn’t all about the beach, having been around long enough to be recorded in the Doomsday Book, Gorleston is steeped in history and enjoyed many years as one of the busiest British herring ports thanks to the salt pans on the banks of the River Yare. Once this industry went into decline, Gorleston re-established itself as a popular tourist destination as it is today. 

Gorleston also offers a unique shopping experience where you will find local stores including high quality butchers, bakeries, gift shops and contemporary clothing shops. After browsing the wares available, why not embark on the Gorleston Celebrity Walk which will take you on a tour of the village, revealing the homes and landmarks associated with some of the rich and famous that have lived in this exquisite place, ending up at Peggoty’s Bar which was frequented by none other than Charles Dickens.

With history combined with a traditional British seaside experience and a range of activities and gastronomic delights in between, Gorleston offers some of the best of the Norfolk coast, steeped in tradition and retaining the atmosphere of a bygone era.