UK - House Of Coco Magazine

City breaks December 14, 2021

Luxury in Liverpool with INNSiDE by Melia

Do we all have that one city that we’ve never been to? Like, how did we get to this age, and travel all over the world but have never been to that one city?!

For me, that city was Liverpool. A lifelong lover of The Beatles, Liverpool should never have escaped my grasp for so long, and yet here we are.

I’ve stayed at a Melia hotel before, in Magaluf, representing House of Coco in the Magaluf half marathon. The hotel was modern and luxurious, with experimental art adorning the walls, so I had an idea of the quality to expect at Liverpool’s brand new four star INNSiDE by Melia.

The new INNSiDE Liverpool lives up to the reputation. Situated just a couple of minutes walk from Albert Docks, the city centre is easy to navigate to, and you have the wonderful Gino D’Acampo restaurant on the first floor and its 360 Sky Bar up top.

Walking into the building you first encounter a pop-up shop selling flowers, it’s a cute greeting and there’s a spot for an influencer selfie surrounded by blooms underneath a neon sign.

The open plan reception is handled by casual and super friendly staff, they give off the air that nothing is any trouble. They gave us tips on what to do whilst we were there and made sure we felt right at home.

Rooms

Our suite was incredible. We had views from full-length windows on two sides, one facing Ireland and the other looking over the docks at the hills of North Wales.

The room felt huge but was really well designed in order to make the most of the space. The bedroom area with massive TV was filled with a huge comfortable bed, the dressing area and sofa faced out over the docks, there was a separate coffee/ breakfast table corner, and the open-plan shower and sink area.

It was gorgeous, modern, clean lines, and great views. Plus you get cosy slippers and the most comfortable dressing gown hoodies ever! I’d suggest booking two nights so you can spend the second night with a hangover, in those hoodies, full of Gino D’Acampo pasta, watching a movie in bed.

The Restaurant and Bar

Before dinner, we booked a table at the 360 Sky Bar. Surrounded by walls of glass, the view over this heartful city envelops you. As the night draws in, the city comes alive and from the sky bar you feel the buzz.

As with the rest of the hotel, the staff treat everyone like a VIP. I was getting 80s power suit vibes from up there for some reason, it’s inexplicable, but it’s there.

Back down to the first floor and we couldn’t have been more excited for dinner. Gino continues to dominate city after city with his restaurants and it’s not just his name that makes it happen.

The food is exceptional, with a playful menu full of enough choice, but not overwhelming amounts. Dishes are listed with a little bit of personality from Gino himself explaining a bit more about the recipe such as where it came from, who loves it most in his family, and that sort of thing.

We enjoyed every moment of dinner. From being seated with a direct view of the open kitchen, advice from the experienced staff with our order, and portions that will make you glad you booked. There’s nothing better than delicious food at a special restaurant that serves enough so that you’re not left needing more.

And finally

We spent the night dancing our little hearts out in the famous Cavern Club. As mentioned up top, I absolutely love The Beatles and this is where they started. We paid just a fiver each to get in, with no queue, and there was a resident band playing all of the hits. The place was packed with everyone from students to the over 60s reliving their youth.

Liverpool is a stunning city full of impressive architecture and naturally warm people. So if you’ve never been, just do it.

For good vibes, plenty of space, and no worries at all, the INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool is the one. We will definitely be back… if nothing else, to do the same again but with an added extra night in one of those dressing gown hoodies!

Book a room from £64 per night at INNSiDE Liverpool.

Old Hall Street
Liverpool
L3 9LQ

Tel: 0151 832 0960 innside.liverpool@melia.com

Behind the bar December 6, 2021

Down the rabbit hole with Queen of Hoxton’s Alice in Winterland pop-up

Queen of Hoxton, the queen of cool East London rooftop hangs, is welcoming the return of its winter Alice in Winterland pop-up, which took TeamCoco babe Hannah Tan-Gillies down the rabbit hole (in this case up) into the wonderful world of Lewis Carroll’s fantastical tale.

A firm fixture in London’s nightlife calendar, the fabulously immersive Alice in Winterland pop-up is appropriately over-the-top and transforms Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop garden into a world of mind-boggling possibilities. After climbing the spiralling staircase, guests are rewarded with a special drink – and can only guess whether they shall shrink or grow, as they enter a red and white circus tent – filled with floating teacups, cards and everything else you can imagine.

Here, you can meet the White Rabbit, explore vibrant visual displays, get a glimpse of the Cheshire Cat, peek into the keyhole and explore a world where nothing is quite what it seems.

To celebrate the pop-up, Queen of Hoxton has also launched an appropriately ‘mad’ cocktail menu which offers a few jaw-dropping potions to tantalise your tastebuds. We loved the ‘Wonderland Winter Warmer’ which was a warm, bubbling spiced rum and sherry concoction, perfect for drinking around the rooftop’s fire pit. ‘Alice’s Awake Potion’ is the pop-up’s version of an espresso martini, complete with a salted caramel twist, while the ‘Always late After 8’ is a dangerous blue-green vodka and crème de menthe blend.

The ‘Jam Jar Jabberwocky’, a blend of Kopparberg Gin, apple and lemon juice and topped with ginger beer is as easy on the eyes as it is on the palette while the ‘Mad as a Hatter Mule’ blends portobello and blueberry gin for a sensationally delicious take on a Moscow mule.

The Alice in Wonderland pop-up also offers a short but satisfying menu which includes the Wonderland Burger, Queen of Hearts Katsu Burger and Mad Hatter’s Vegan Burger – all wonderfully hearty – and perfect for a night out in winter.

So, grab your watches and take a trip to Winterland where you can go on a truly mad tea party – unlike anything London has ever seen.

To book visit https://queenofhoxton.com/

Barbados December 6, 2021

Getting in the Christmas spirit with Miracle at Henrietta Hotel

The Experimental Group’s fabulous Miracle pop-up has landed at Henrietta Hotel bringing enough Christmas cheer to brighten up even the dreariest of Decembers. #TeamCoco babes Hannah Tan-Gillies and Hannah Gregory checked out Covent Garden’s most festive pop-up, which transformed the hotel’s mezzanine into a wonderfully whimsical winter wonderland.

Described as the ‘perfect pitstop’ for a Christmassy cocktail, the Miracle pop-up is a fully-immersive space that transports visitors back in time to a 70’s Christmas home. Upon climbing up the stairs you are greeted with an appropriately over the top lighting display, larger than life Christmas tree, and every single retro Christmas decoration ever invented, creating a wonderfully kitschy escape from the realities of daily life.

At the bar, Santa’s little helpers (or in this case Miracle’s expert elvish mixologists) conjure up some fabulously festive cocktails with names to match. The ‘Christmapolitan’ – a crowd favourite — combines Vodka, Elderflower, Dry Vermouth and Spiced Cranberry Sauce. Meanwhile, the ‘Yippie Ki Yay Mother F*****!’ is another cheeky concoction of Barbados rum and rum Agricole, with hints of coconut and pineapple juice that proves (once and for all) that Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie. There are also ‘Nice and Naughty’ Shots – depending on how naughty you’re feeling during your visit.

There are plenty of festive nibbles too. The Italian Charcuterie is perfect to balance out the sweet flavours of Miracle’s holiday-themed cocktails, while Lamb and Cumin skewers with spicy mayo offers just the right kick to add a flavour punch to your meal. The Wild Mushrooms and Cheese croquettes, our personal favourite, are hearty bite-sized treats that pair perfectly with a serving of Miracle’s ‘Jingle Balls Nog.’

So, whether you’ve been naughty or nice, if you’re looking for an experience to ramp up the Christmas vibes, then definitely head over to the Miracle pop-up at Henrietta Hotel. You’ll get enough Christmas cheer to last you another year (at least!).

To book visit www.henriettahotel.com

Adventures December 5, 2021

WINTER SUN: BEAT THE BLUES IN DUBAI

With the nights drawing in, sun-starved Brits are craving some much-needed vitamin D. With so much up in the air, deciding on the perfect destination for that first big trip is a hard feat. However, things are reassurinngly Covid-secure in Dubai, and the UAE on a whole as we go into the New Year and dream of a getaway.

Nothing is overlooked and masks are mandatory in all enclosed public places, until you sit down for food of course. Social distancing is still practiced and people remain very respectful of space; with Dubai being the centre of the world and home to countless nationalities, people are aware of different boundaries and levels of comfort in regards to closeness. My room at Jumeirah Beach Hotel was laden with hand sanitisers, information on local rules and the staff could not have been more attentive from the moment I arrived. With azure Arabian Gulf views, endless sun, a long golden beach on the doorstep and sumptuous dining options, the five-star hotel is the perfect place to beat the blues this winter.

Yes, the flight is lenghtly – especially if you haven’t travelled far in the last two years but you can tick off every country in the world from the safety of one Emirate, ideal for those wanderlust cravings. This is particularly prominent in the mind-boggling array of world-class restaurants in Dubai that feature cuisine from Cannes to Chiclayo. My taste buds rejoiced after maxing out on the same boring Deliveroo order for the last 18 months. You can head to the breezy European style bistro, Cassette, in the atmospheric The Courtyard in Al Quoz for croissants, cold brew coffees and nomad working. During the sun-soaked days, chow down on contemporary Indian food at Bombay Bungalow by the beach, and, come evening, jump in a golf buggy and hop over to the other nearby Jumeirah hotel along the glittering coastline, Jumeirah al Qasr, and tick off Monte-Carlo at the ever-chic French Riviera restaurant.

For those distinctly Dubai moments that the glittering Emirate is famed for all over the world, I went first on an exhilarating Desert Safari Experience to thrash around in the endless dunes and learn about the local culture from the expert guides, before heading to SAL at Burj Al Arab for balmy sundowner cocktails, a hotel that is synonymous with luxury, hospitality, and decadence across the globe. With so much to take in, the Dubai Frame is a great way of bridging the gap between old and new. The monument offers panoramic views of the entire city with its futuristic skyscrapers touching the clouds right across to the older section of the Emirate located near the river that has remained the same for generations.

Looking to be totally transported? Dubai Old Town on the banks of the creek takes the top spot. Gypsum buildings have been beautifully restored to their original glory, complete with wind towers that cast a contrasting silhouette to the modern skyline. Start at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and learn about the rich cultural history of the past and also of the present. Perch on Bedouin-style carpets and pillows, and feast on a selection of delicious dishes whilst your local host answers questions about life in the UAE. With its motto ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ – all questions are welcome and answered, no matter how sensitive. I left feeling humbled and thoughtful, before being thrown back into the hustle and bustle almost straight away in the kaleidoscopic gold, spice and textile souks.

The energy and forward-looking feeling in the Emirate was received like a welcome tonic after months of reminiscing in lockdown about what life used to be like. As we flew over the silver metropolis on a Seawings Seaplane Tour there was a buzz of construction of brand new restaurants, new hotels, and new homes. One to watch is the opening in 2022 of Atlantis The Royal Resort & Residences which will be made up of a staggering 231 luxury apartments, 693 hotel rooms and 102 suites. The hotel will exclusively host restaurants helmed by international celebrity chefs, including Gaston Acurio, Costas Spiliadis, Ariana Bundy, Heston Blumenthal and Jose Andres.

Our trip ended with an exquisite meal at Cé La Vi as we toasted how far travel has come and gazed up at the astonishing Burj Khalifa in all its glory. We clinked our glasses with the restaurant’s name on our lips 220 metres above sea level and sipped on one of the famous ‘Not You Last Word’ cocktails (or two!).

Travelbag offers five nights in Dubai staying in the 5* Jumeirah Beach Hotel on a half board basis from £1,479 including direct return flights from London Heathrow with Emirates. Selected January 2022 travel. Based on two adults sharing. To book, Call Travelbag on 0207 001 4112 or visit www.travelbag.co.uk. All packages subject to availability. Free unlimited access to Wild Wadi Waterpark™

For more information, see visitdubai.com

Dog-friendly November 21, 2021

The Duncombe Arms is your new ‘home from home’ in Staffordshire

It’s easy to mistake The Duncombe Arms as just another idyllic country-side pub in Staffordshire, but driving past this truly fabulous locale without entering its world would be a true travesty. Don’t be fooled by an unassuming stone façade, because The Duncombe Arms is so much more than a country-pub (although in that regard, the Michelin-recommended pub is excellent too).

TeamCocopup Charlie and I stayed in The Walnut House, located just a few paces away from the main building. The dog-friendly Walnut House offers ten individually-designed bedrooms that exude country-side chic. While designed as ‘pub with rooms’, in many ways The Walnut House is more of a ‘home from home’ with each room expertly balancing modern luxuries with familiar touches of home.

We stayed in the Game Birds room. A dark mouse grey shade from Farrow & Ball is balanced a rich and vibrant artisanal wallpaper of – you guess it – game birds. A wool throw, a handsome collection of books, and a Roberts Radio add a softness to the interiors. Large French doors open to a patio with pastoral views of The Dove Valley, perfect for those travelling with hyper-active pooches.

Outside of your room, a quirky selection of art from the Crane Kalman Gallery in London adorn the walls, giving The Walnut House a decidedly boutique-hotel appeal, which doesn’t feel out of place amidst the pastoral landscapes of Ellastone. The Duncombe Arms also offers self-catering accommodation for those travelling in larger groups. The Garden Cottage is peak cottage-core, while the Old Barn is rustic chic at its finest.

The heart of The Duncombe Arms must be the pub, which during our stay, was always filled with clinking glasses, familiar chatter, and wonderful aromas. Look for Hotel Manager James Oddy who has all the best recommendations on what to order – whether that’s with the hotel’s excellent elevated pub menu or extensive 200-wine strong wine list.

The food at Duncombe Arms is second-to-none and it quickly becomes apparent why The Michelin Bib Gourmand, The Good Pub Guide, and included in Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastro Pubs have all included it on their best pubs lists.

There are several dining rooms at The Duncombe Arms to suit whatever you fancy, each one offering a slightly different take on the classic English pub, from a cosy snug to a fairy-light covered conservatory. A new addition is the glass-walled extension that offers plenty of romance in the evenings and is also the ideal spot for Sunday brunch.

The menu mixes pub classics with a creative spattering of modern British dishes. The menu is full of surprises and maximises the high-quality locally-sourced ingredients available in Staffordshire. From the autumn menu, the caramelised cauliflower (a humble side) was a clear standout, as was the Mackerel with aioli and tarragon and the buttered baby carrots and aubergine. It truly says something about the quality of the cooking when even the sides, often an afterthought in many other establishments, continue to delight in new and exciting ways.

For mains, the pork loin with white bean, truffle and parsnip tantalises with its perfect balance of texture, flavour and pizazz while the 40-aged dry wood rib eye steak, served with tick cut chips, was (unsurprisingly) delicious too.

So, if you are looking for a dog friendly staycation that will surely dazzle, we highly recommend The Duncombe Arms. There is no other place in Derbyshire that will, not just serve an impeccable pub meal, but will welcome you to your ‘home from home’ quite like it.

A deluxe double room at The Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms starts at £195 for double occupancy including breakfast. For more information visit https://www.duncombearms.co.uk/

Chef's Table November 21, 2021

Three Uncles is taking authentic Hong Kong street food to Camden

Three Uncles, which has opened a second location in Camden’s new Hawley Wharf Food Hall, is bringing truly authentic Hong Kong street food to London and (in our humble opinion) changing the Asian street food game for good.

The popular Hong Kong style Cantonese roast meat kiosk, which first opened in Liverpool Street, was created by childhood friend and chefs Cheong Yew (Uncle Lim), Pui Sing Tsang (Uncle Sidney) and Mo Kwok (Uncle Mo). The eponymous ‘Three Uncles’ specialise in chopped-to-order Cantonese Roast Duck, Crispy Pork Belly and Char Siu Pork, bringing genuine Cantonese flavours to Camden’s food scene.

There are no bells and whistles at Three Uncles, and the menu is as simple as they come, but all the fanfare is reserved for the truly delicious food on offer. We tried the combination platter, mixing Three Uncles’ Cantonese Roast Duck, Char Siu Pork, and Crispy Pork Belly – the Siu Mai trifecta that offered a flavour and texture explosion in your mouth.

The Crispy Pork Belly had wafer thin yet perfectly crisped skin, while maintaining soft and tender belly meat (a difficult task even for the most gifted Sui Mei master). Meanwhile the Char Siu Pork was marinated to sweet barbecue perfection, while the Cantonese Duck balanced texture and flavour perfectly. It was so good – we ordered two – and had our second serving later that evening.

Three Uncles has also added two new Hong Kong dishes to the menu, Auntie Jun’s Char Siu Sou (sinfully delicious, sweet BBQ pork pastries) and Curry Fish balls, traditional fish balls served with Uncle Lim’s special curry sauce. Both additions boast the same comforting home-style of cooking, evoking memories of home, yet adding something fresh to the already fantastic menu.

Three Uncles, while offering truly excellent Hong Kong style comfort food, is undoubtedly leagues away from the average takeaway. As a foodie with mixed Chinese/Filipino descent, these dishes, genuinely authentic and so wonderfully executed, reminded me of busy Sunday evenings in my grandmother’s kitchen, bringing me closer to home in a way that only good food can achieve. I am thrilled to have discovered Three Uncles, and will undoubtedly be back for more.

www.threeuncles.co.uk

City breaks November 17, 2021

Sunrise In Bed With Radisson Blu, Birmingham

Every once in a while you’ve got to just say ‘fuck it, I’m off on a solo break!’.

Solo break-ing in Birmingham isn’t exactly the reason I went to stay for one night only, but I did decide not to stay with friends this time because mid-week, I needed to stay in the city close to an office.

The Radisson Blu is perfectly placed right next to New Street station. Which, after its recent overhaul, is quite the destination in itself.

Just a minute walk around the corner and the big, jade coloured, glass-fronted 39 stories dominate your view. The imposing building casts its eye over the whole city and is located close to the business, shopping, and entertainment districts.

As you enter the foyer you are reminded of the sheer scale of the building, with high ceilings and huge drop lamps. It’s very stylish, with many inexpensive rooms available, the overall look of the hotel is still impressive.

The suite

I was offered a business class suite on floor 18 and it was perfect to finish off the days work at my desk with views over the Birmingham Royal Ballet studios. The amount of room you get in the upper floor suites prompted me to then break out into a spontaneous pas de chat… possibly much to the dismay of the rooms below. However, I felt like a star!

Everything about the suite was perfect. The almost 360 views over Birmingham, the very cool decor that maximises the potential of concrete, and the sleep situation.

So, what do I mean by sleep situation? Not only are the beds huge, but the bedding is the softest I’ve ever slept in. Sometimes hotels can get bedding so wrong, leaving the sheets and quilt cover stiff with over washing. The sheets, dressing gowns, and towels here were all as soft as silk.

And to make your nights sleep as good as it can be, the hotel leaves a pillow spray at the side for you. It’s the little touches that we love the most.

As an early riser, I was awake before sunrise, so I quickly searched for what time it occurred and where to see it in Birmingham. Luckily for me, it would appear right outside of my window. So, I hit the fitness centre for a quick run on the treadmills and headed back up for a shower. Just in time for the sunrise I opened all of the curtains and lay back on the bed for the beautiful sun to appear and shine its beautiful energy in my face.

I couldn’t think of a better way to start the day. The perfect location for a stop off in Birmingham, the Radisson Blu offers absolute luxury and comfort.

Book direct at Radissonhotels.com for the best prices, with mid-week stays well under £100 per night.

Arts November 9, 2021

International Elf Service shows us 12 Christmas crafts to make a magical December

With the festive season fast approaching, House of Coco caught up with the team behind International Elf Service to get their top tips on 12 Christmas craft ideas that can make this December Extra-Special for the children as well the planet.

Here at Elf Towers, we eat, sleep and breathe Christmas 365 days of the year and 24-7. But even for us, there’s nothing that quite beats the festive taste bud explosion of that first mince pie when December finally arrives. Or the thrill of opening the decoration boxes and singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town on constant repeat. We get tingly with excitement just thinking about it!

And we don’t stop there! Each year we add to the Christmas cheer by thinking up new traditions for our ever-expanding Christmas list. This year, we’re getting Christmas creative with all the children…

Festive activities and Eco-friendly Christmas traditions

At International Elf Service, we all agree that the best part of Christmas is being together and creating memories to treasure. After all, your children probably look forward to these times more than their presents or the food! And the simpler the tradition, the better – for you and for the environment! So why not try one or two of our “12 Ways of Christmas” – a list of fun and sustainable things to do with your chidren to make Christmas even more magical:

Make edible Christmas trees – cover upside-down ice-cream cones in green icing and sprinkles.
Create a Christmas collage using cut-outs from last year’s Christmas cards. Leave it as a surprise for someone to find.
Play Christmas charades with the whole family using only Christmas themes!
Make edible reindeer poo – dip raisins in chocolate, cool to harden and sprinkle them on your breakfast cereal.
Video each family member saying “My favourite thing about Christmas is …”. Put them together for a new Christmas memory.
Make a mini Christmas tree forest – forage for different-sized pine cones, paint them green and add colourful decorations and a cut out star for the top.
Make bird-friendly reindeer food – mix sunflower hearts, naked rolled oats, dried mealworms, yellow millet and kibbled peanuts. Sprinkle on your lawn or bird table, or leave outside in a bowl.
Create natural Christmas decorations – weave twigs together with strips of bright material or wool to make stars, snowflakes or mini Christmas trees.
Make homemade Christmas Crackers – wrap toilet roll tubes in leftover Christmas paper, tie the ends with colourful string, write your own joke, cut out a hat, and make or find a little gift for inside (no buying allowed!).
Bake Gingerbread biscuits and have a Christmas Cookie decorating party.
Design and decorate homemade Christmas cards using items from around the house – shiny buttons, tinsel, wrapping paper, ribbons, recycled material, colourful string etc.
Draw or paint Christmas pictures and put them in the window for passers-by to enjoy. Or take them to a local home for the elderly (staying to talk with some of the residents).

About International Elf Service

International Elf Service is passionate about extending those precious believing years for longer, while supporting children’s well-being and literacy. Their unique, eco-friendly personalised letters combine magical and captivating stories with whimsical, handcrafted illustrations from the worlds of the Christmas Elves of the North Pole!

Featuring new adventures every time, each letter delivers the most fantastical surprise, sparking children’s imaginations, promoting one-to-one time and creating childhood memories and family traditions to be cherished for years to come.

Elfie’s Christmas Advent Letter Bundles are a multi-award-winning way to deliver Extra-Sparkly Christmas Spirit to your home. The Ultimate Story Bundle (link) acts just like an Advent Calendar, with 26 personalised daily letters bringing brand new updates from the North Pole, for your children to discover hidden mysteriously around their home! It also includes a North Pole Village Map and an Extra-Special Letter from the man himself (Father Christmas or Santa Claus – you choose)! And everything’s printed on 100% recycled paper, tied together with natural jute twine or biodegradable cotton candy-cane cord, and presented in compostable gift boxes filled with natural wood shavings from the Elves’ workshop (and sustainably managed forests, of course!).

For younger children, there’s a bundle of 7 handcrafted and personalised Christmas Elf letters, bursting with Christmassy activities for 3-5 year olds (link), and a Baby’s First Christmas Certificate for new additions to the family. (link) And everything can be paired with our Christmas Memory Box – 20 beautifully illustrated pages, one for each year for the next 20 years, for you to record the most magical moments, memories and traditions from Christmas Day – an enchanting gift for everyone in the family.

House of Coco recently caught up with Emily Beckloff, Founder & Chief Elf at International Elf Service, who told us all about her journey to becoming Chief Elf. Check out our interview with Emily here.

For further information on more Extra-Magical Christmas traditions, visit internationalelfservice.com

Maldives November 9, 2021

Visiting Norfolk? Check Out These 5 Beautiful Locations

Pack your bags it’s time to explore the Norfolk Coast and some of the UK’s best beaches…

In my twenty-nine years of living in East Anglia, I had visited Norfolk a grand total of once. One time. One camping trip. I was around sixteen years old, suited and booted in Jack Wills from head to toe (it was 2009, enough said) and enjoyed a couple of days tent camping with a few friends. It was here I actually discovered I don’t really enjoy camping in tents, which is predominantly what led to the purchase of my campervan. I love to explore, discover and feel at one with nature, but I also need a solid roof, you know?

With the introduction of Elvis into my life (my campervan, in case you’re not yet acquainted), it was time to hit the road and explore. Norfolk was pretty high on my list, as not only is it in fairly close proximity to Cambridgeshire, the roads are flat and easy to navigate, and of course, the beaches are pretty amazing too. In fact, I returned to Norfolk three times further during the summer as it really took hold of me. The laidback, slower pace of life, endless campsites, beachside restaurants and nature walks. This is the life for me!

If you’re planning a trip to Norfolk (and so you should) be sure to check out these five wonderful locations…

Brancaster Beach

White sandy beach, crystal clear water, is the Maldives, or is it Brancaster Beach? A real gem on the Norfolk coast, this dog-friendly beach is most definitely worth visiting. You may even notice a shipwreck on the beach as you walk east! Take a picnic as there’s only a small snack shop, and breathe in that fresh sea air.

Sandringham

And more specifically, the Sandringham Estate. If long walks among tall trees and wildlife are your thing, you’ll love a trip to the Sandringham Estate. It’s dog-friendly so you can bring your pooch along for the ride too! It’s worth checking opening times before you go as some part of the estate close for the winter months, so this is best kept for spring-summer trips.

Burnham Market

This picturesque traditional village on the North Coast is known for its chic boutique shops, the most-fabulous pink sweet shop, and is only a short drive from spectacular beaches. Pop by Mabel’s for your sugar fix and why not head to The Hoste Arms afterwards for a quick pint?

Holkham Hall and Beach

Hailed as one of the most beautiful unspoiled stretches of coast in the country, Holkham Beach is pure delight. Enjoy miles of golden sand dunes and pine trees once you’ve made your way down – there’s a little bit of walking involved, but it’s worth it! Not only will you be spoilt by the beach and nature reserve, there’s also Holkham Hall nearby, a truly magnificent stately home. Here you can wander around the immaculate gardens and even rent out a boat on the lake!

Wells-next-the-sea

Wells is a popular Norfolk destination for travellers, and what’s not to love! Situated in the heart of the North Norfolk coast, this coastal town is bursting with independent shops, historical houses and dog-friendly places to eat. The beach and town are separated by approximately one mile, but there are various routes to take you from A to B, and it’s a great chance to take in the views. A stroll along the harbour is sure to blow away the cobwebs.

Chef's Table November 7, 2021