North Norfolk has long been synonymous with great food, and the wider county has been a destination for lovers of culinary gems for generations. Cromer crab is perhaps the best-known example, but today the county offers up delights in the form of Mrs Temple's Cheese (renowned for its fan favourite Binham Blue), not to mention a raft of simply superb dining spots. This reviewer has been lucky enough to sample a number of them, but if you're looking for a comfortable, relaxing and classy place to dine, stay and indulge, The Hoste Arms in Burnham Market takes the title.
Located on the main thoroughfare of Burnham Market – if that makes you think of a hustling and bustling, traffic-heavy street, fear not because that is far from the case here – and positioned next to the village green (supremely handy for parents of young children) as well as surrounded by charming independent shops, The Hoste Arms, a former coaching inn, stands imposingly in this characterful village.
Thankfully, there is plenty of seating to the front of the building from which to enjoy the quaint view, where guests and locals alike relish a refreshing Youngs beer or, as in my case, a signature house cocktail in the evening sunshine – the perfect appetite-whetter for a delicious dinner, as are the bar snacks (I heartily recommend the jug of homemade cheese straws).
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Speaking of which, the menu from head chef Herbert Pizer did not disappoint, offering up a moreish combination of the familiar and the exciting. The roasted parsnip and apple soup, served with a crunchily-zingy Granny Smith granita and crusty bread to dip was the perfect opener – warming and cosy while still elegant and innovative, and waking up my palate for more culinary delights.
The grilled Brixham hake, resplendent in a creamy grapefruit and thyme sauce, partnered perfectly with expertly cooked tenderstem broccoli and sea-seasoned samphire, and the buttery Cornish new potatoes served alongside were ideal for mopping up the light yet indulgent sauce. For a side, I opted for the spring salad served with toasted pumpkin seeds, pickled pear and shallot vinaigrette - light yet flavourful, with an excellent variety of textures on show. Next time I plan to sample the local venison, reared on the nearby Holkham Estate.
There are many Basque cheesecake fans out there – of which I am one – and if you share my obsession, the chocolate burnt Basque cheesecake with caramelised orange syrup is definitely one to add to the list. It could easily have been overly decadent, but The Hoste's talented pastry chef managed to make it both astoundingly delicious and the right side of too much – no mean feat.
Comfortably satisfied, I retired to my bedroom – a charming and sizeable space with an equally sizeable bed, and a bathroom with an unquestionably generous bath and shower resplendent with Bramley products (always a treat). The hotel can house more guests than you might guess from its frontage (it has 47 uniquely decorated rooms), which means that it offers the perfect balance of quiet personal space and convivial bar and restaurant, especially if you visit at a time when the local regulars are out in force.
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Indeed, the bar and restaurant have been recently refurbished under the watchful eye of new owner Sean, and now offers up cosy and characterful country pub vibes within a comfortable format which allows you to happily waft from the picturesque outdoor seating area to the mahogany-lined bar and restaurant.
The Hoste Arms is just as wonderful a place to begin your day as it is to indulge and recharge of an evening; this buffet breakfast-fan was delighted with the array of breads, pastries, fruit and yoghurts and gleefully opted for a granola parfait, (ample) selection of pastries and breakfast sandwich – a towering partnership of eggs, bacon and sausage – on a sunlit corner table of the restaurant, while fellow satisfied guests chose from the menu of full English breakfasts, luscious eggs benedict and much more besides. The tea was steaming hot, the atmosphere convivial, and the welcome warm: the ultimate start to a new day spent exploring North Norfolk.
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No trip to Burnham Market is complete without a visit to Old School Books – a cocoon-like sanctuary filled from floor to ceiling with the most beautifully curated selection of food-related books, from memoirs and explorations to recipes from around the world – and thankfully it is but a couple of minutes' walk from the hotel, so that was my first stop upon checking out.
The village is also host to some truly excellent foodie independents such The Tuscan Farmhouse and Humble Pie delis, Arthur Howell butchers, No. Thirty3 bakery, and the exemplary Scandi Coffee Co., so there's plenty to tuck into once you've burned off your Hoste breakfast by ambling around the church and indie shops.
Whether you're in North Norfolk for just the day or a longer stay, there's no doubt that Burnham Market should be top of your destination list – with a tipple, feast and stay at The Hoste Arms a must.
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