Being in Leicestershire, the furthest place from the sea, it’s not unusual to sometimes long to be by the coast breathing in the sea air. Fortunately, despite our location we’re still within quite easy reach of some of the UK’s most beautiful coastline as we head over to north Norfolk.
The long stretch of Norfolk’s coastal path is dotted with beautiful towns, villages and quaint places to stop and right at the top of that list most visit spots is The White Horse at Brancaster Staithe.
The White Horse is situated right on the salt marshes at Brancaster Staithe and offers uninterrupted views over the beautiful scenery. On approaching the pub from the main road you wouldn’t realise the delights that lay beyond and it soon becomes no surprise that they’ve won the Best Pub in East of England Award.
For me, the stand out feature is their terrace at the back of the venue. Adjoining their refurbished bar and restaurant you can enjoy a cocktail, bar snack or 3 course meal in al fresco surroundings with a quintessentially British view as the fisherman come in on their boats. This is English seaside at its finest, away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Hunstanton and busy seafronts, you’re right on the coastal path and can sit back to soak in the atmosphere and view.
Then of course there’s the food. As we already said, from the terrace you can watch the fisherman bringing in their catch so it’s no surprise that The White Horse has won awards for their seafood. They were recently named in the top 10 places by the sea to eat seafood by the independent and named in the Restaurant of the Year Top Ten by Seafish The Caterer. There’s fresh and then there’s this, you won’t be able to resist the seafood on the dinner menu.
The food is one of The White Horse’s real selling points. In an area with so many top class restaurants it’s important to stand out and they certainly do. Booking in advance is almost certainly required and the standard of food doesn’t disappoint. Fresh oysters are a particular speciality and we couldn’t resist having them as a starter option. Served with a traditional vinegar they were as fresh as could be and the perfect beginning to the meal. With options ranging from whole lobster to Chorizo Crumbed Coley, pork belly with scallops and wild mushroom and kale strudel, there’s certainly something for everyone on the menu. Whilst the Norfolk coast is full of high quality food options, this has got to be near the top of your list!
Of course The White Horse is more than just a bar or restaurant with their cool guest rooms offering the perfect mini break destination. Got a dog? Make sure you visit here. The dog facilities are fantastic with beautiful garden rooms opening into a small private terrace from your door for your pooch to enjoy. Don’t worry about missing out on anything else either as dog bowls are provided on the restaurant terrace for your doggie and their new canine mates whilst you enjoy a cocktail.
Inside the main building there are 7 guest rooms upstairs, which are charming in character and perfectly designed with not a detail overlooked. Even your coffee will be of the best quality with a pod coffee machine at your bedside. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury then you can also treat yourself to a stay in “The Room at the Top” which is a split level room complete with sofa and lounge area and floor to ceiling doors with Juliet balcony to overlook the water. As we said, there’s not a detail overlooked as the room even has its own telescope to enjoy the evening views.
The White Horse is part of Anglian Country Inns www.acinns.co.uk who operate a number of other venues in Norfolk and Hertfordshire. If you’re travelling with any little ones they be sure to nip over to ACIs other pub in the village The Jolly Sailors, which is just down the road from The White Horse. They won the huge accolade of UK’s Best Family Pub 2015 in the Great British Pub Awards and the kids will love the garden beach huts and games that are on offer! If we’re honest, the adults will love it too!
You never need an excuse to visit Norfolk, sometimes you just need to get some sea air and there aren’t many better places to go for it than here. A gem of a hotel, get this one on your places to visit over the next year, whether it’s a sunny day out on the terrace, or a winters evening by the fire in the bar, you won’t be disappointed.
Rooms at The White Horse start from £110 bed and breakfast and you can book online via The White Horse website.