Travel: Relax in real classic country style in Norfolk
LANGUISHING on the terrace of the country manor house with a cocktail in hand, I felt like I had been transplanted into the decadence of an Agatha Christie novel.
The eery still beauty and mist hanging over the English countryside at dusk lay before me, while inside, art deco statuettes peeped out from mantlepieces, chaise longues graced the sitting room and the aroma of exquisite fine-dining wafted in from the Orangery restaurant to arouse the senses.
This country pile of Congham Hall would make luxury-loving Poirot feel quite at home, while I could imagine green-fingered Miss Marple wandering happily around its renowned herb garden and orchard.
My weekend was being spent in the far east of the country near King’s Lynn, in north Norfolk, an easy two -hour drive from Birmingham but an area of total mystery to me.
On first thought, I conjured up images of the Norfolk Broads, Alan Partridge and turkeys – but what I discovered was a glorious gateway back in time to old-fashioned charming seaside towns, steam train adventures and a piece of regal heritage at the Queen’s nearby Sandringham estate. Pulling up to the white-walled elegant Congham Hall, it made an impressive start to the short break.
Welcoming staff drew my husband Mike and I into the heart of the Georgian building, leading us to one of the 14 bedrooms. I would say the relaxed surroundings felt like a ‘home from home’, yet my house is not quite as grand or filled with antique floral decor.
Although the rooms are not as spacious as modern-day expectations for a top-of -the-market stay, the hotel owners have been limited by constraints of the ageing elegant building. The rooms do have the added bonus of original Georgian features and delightful extras like a poem left on the pillow for arriving guests.
I soon find out why the restaurant smells so good. Chefs use more than 700 varieties of herb plus vegetables hand-picked from the Hall’s garden along with locally sourced food, the likes of Cromer crabs, Norfolk pheasant and King’s Lynn shrimps, and attracts diners from far afield. A new spa extension is also being planned.
But one of its best advantages is this manor house’s central location to so many wonderful attractions. It proved the perfect base.
Winding our way along picturesque country lanes, we reached the quaint town of Holt and the famous Poppy Line steam train route.
