Burnham Market

NORFOLK

The hub of this north Norfolk village is its traditional green that is lined with flintstone shops. This month, it hosts its second Spring Food and Drink Festival, with restaurants and cafés offering taster menus and holding pop-up supper clubs. Potter around the shops, then venture out to the coast for a breezy walk among the sand dunes.

WHAT TO DO A weekend could easily be whiled away in the 30 independent shops and cafés, but it would be remiss not to take a short drive to nearby Holkham Beach – one of England’s largest coastal reserves (holkham.co.uk). Stroll along the ten-mile stretch of sand and marvel at the array of waders and wildfowl, including oystercatchers, lapwings and pink-footed geese (catch them before they leave in early spring). Afterwards, visit Holkham Hall, the seat of the Earls of Leicester, for coffee and cake (holkham.co.uk). Look out for the fallow deer that roam the 25,000-acre estate. On the way back, stop at Burnham Thorpe for a pint in The Nelson Inn, following in the footsteps of Lord Nelson, whose father was the local rector (the-nelson.com).

WHERE TO STAY Originally a manor house, then a coaching inn, the 17th-century Hoste is a landmark of the village (thehoste.com). Dogs are welcome in many of its 37 bedrooms, while its pub next door offers refined British fare. For charm, head to the nearby Railway House, which sleeps 16 (railwayhousehotel.co.uk). You can even stay in a train carriage, which has been converted into a quirky bedroom. Quote ‘Country Living’ when booking at The Hoste Arms for a complimentary glass of champagne with dinner.