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Cleat House - Sheringham

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Luxury seaside B&B

While many UK seaside resorts have succumbed to the lure of Wetherspoons, Sheringham in Norfolk has managed to maintain its old-fashioned, Blyton-esque appeal. The small town on the beautiful North Norfolk Coastline is offers a taste of holidays past, with its penny arcade, tiny ‘Little Theatre’, and… wait for it… steam railway terminus.

That’s not to say that lovers of modern comforts will be left unhappy. Cleat House, a traditional-guest-house-turned-luxury-b&b, makes sure that chic Weekenders can have their cake and eat it. Contemporary style mixes with authentic Victorian fixtures and fittings, including open fireplaces and high ceilings throughout. Three beautifully-designed bedrooms offer huge beds, classy en-suites and stunning views along the seafront, plus all the best trimmings – flat screen tellies, DVD players, fluffy bathrobes and fab toiletries.

Breakfast is perfect, and served in a pretty, airy breakfast room, which is warmed by a proper coal fire on winter mornings. Full English is a staple, but, as Cleat House’s website announces: “…there an alternative hot breakfast dish, varied daily depending on (owner) Linda’s inclination on the day.” Classic.

Where is it?

Sheringham is slap-bang in the middle of the stunning North Norfolk coastline and the perfect base from which to explore the area. The town is easily accessible by rail from Norwich, and that might be the reason why it has escaped the tumbleweed fate of other seaside resorts. Sheringham is bustling and friendly, and is the proud home of an up-and-coming arts scene to boot. Sheringham Little Theatre (www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com Tel: 01263 822347) is a hub of arts activity.

Apart from sampling the town’s gorgeous sandy beach and shallow waters – perfect for a paddle – the must-do is a ride on the famous North Norfolk Railway (www.nnrailway.co.uk Tel: 01263 820800), which starts and ends in Sheringham. Following a ten-mile circular route, the handsome steam-powered rolling stock takes passengers through some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK – real Agatha Christie stuff. The best spots on the North Norfolk Coastline are all within easy reach. The pretty town of Holt is just ten minutes’ drive away, while the glorious miles of sandy beach at Holkham, famous for its starring role as a Caribbean island in Shakespeare in Love, can be reached in less than half an hour.

Click on to The Weekenders Guide to North Norfolk for a full run-down of what to see and where to eat.

Where can I eat?

Sheringham is, of course, a fantastic place to be if you love your fish and chips. But if you fancy something a little more refined, No. 10 (www.no10sheringham.com Tel: 01263 824400) is the best restaurant in town. Head chef and owner, Mustapha Fassih, fresh from the kitchens of London and Norwich, has created a stylish but friendly restaurant with his wife Sonya. Their menus are full of vibrant British dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, and with an emphasis on slow cooking, although Mustapha’s Moroccan background does make an appearance in the occasional tagine.

Further afield, you can find some superb restaurants along the coast. One of the best has to be Morston Hall in Blakeney (www.morstonhall.com Tel: 01263 741041), 13 miles from Cromer. The brainchild of local gastronomic hero, Galton Blackistock, Morston Hall’s fresh and vibrant menus, most using fresh, local ingredients, have earned it the only Michelin Star within a 50-mile radius. Unsurprisingly, it books up fast, so make sure you ring ahead.

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Contemporary style mixes with thoroughly-old-fashioned seaside chic in this luxury Norfolk B&B. Fill up on a great breakfast and arm yourself with bucket and spade...