Our Deputy Editor Chris Golds travelled to Holt in Norfolk to see if he could discover why Byfords in Holt is among the best places to stay in Norfolk.
Whenever I get the chance to leave London, I grab it with both hands. As much as I love the city, there is nothing like the countryside. So when I got the opportunity to go to Norfolk, I was there in a shot. I was invited to stay at Byfords in Holt for a long weekend. How lucky was I?
Nestled in one of North Norfolk’s prettiest market towns, this posh B&B blends historic character with modern luxury, making it an ideal base for anyone planning a Norfolk weekend break or for exploring the stunning North Norfolk coastline. I’d already heard some wonderful things before I even arrived, but as soon as we got there I just knew it was still going to beat my expectations. Walking into through the front doors and being offered a glass of bubbles is really the only way to start a trip. All hotels please take note. We were staying using the ‘Best of Byford’s package‘. It includes, an overnight stay, a glass of fizz on arrival, a choice of afternoon tea or a two course dinner, a (very) lazy brunch (served til 2pm – amazing) plus an exclusive 25% of extra nights added to your stay and free parking. How many more reasons does Byfords need to be counted as one of the best places to stay in Norfolk ?
A beautiful room with a big bold bed
I’m a details person. Especially when it comes to hotel rooms. I don’t need super huge or beyond fancy, but what I do need is calm, elegant and thoughtful, and our room had all of that. Let’s start with the bed at Byfords. After all, it is the place you’ll spend most of your time in a hotel room. Crisp white bedding, wonderfully plump pillows and huge. I was staying with a friend and we just loved it. Also, it was perfect for room service and an evening watching the World Cup on the big flat-screen TV (the less said about the result though). The room had all the modern conveniences too including USB-C charging sockets exactly where you needed them, by the bed! Praise be. There was also a little fridge, a coffee machine and a lovely walk in wardrobe.
As we were in what felt like our 68th heatwave this year I was thrilled to see that our room came with air-conditioning. It was quiet and very effective. Then there was the bathroom. Wow. The freestanding roll-top bath was simply stunning. I loved it so much. It took a while to fill, but was worth the wait. The shower was also huge, loving the scale of everything here, and it was a really nice touch to be able to turn it on without getting wet. It’s the little things, but they make such a difference.
A building steeped in history
Part of Byfords charm comes from the building itself. Dating back centuries, it has welcomed travellers in one form or another for generations and has evolved into one of Holt’s most loved places to stay, eat and relax. Byfords embraces its heritage while embracing the 21st century. Its historic character sits comfortably alongside modern comforts, creating a posh B&B that feels authentic rather than manufactured. Everywhere you look there are nods to the past and its history.
Exposed wood panels and beams, as well as lots of little details from its days as an ironmongers, add to the charm. All the furniture at the welcome desk and at the newly created Henry’s Bar is really comfortable, making it a lovely place to stop before going out or before dinner. It’s also lovely to see the improvements the team have been making at the hotel over the last couple of decades. Iain and Clair have clearly put some love into the building, including creating the Octagon as a breakfast space, refurbishing the rooms and adding the new alfresco dining canopy at the front. You can read about all their work to make it one of the best places to stay in Norfolk in the Byfords Bulletin, which is in every room.
Dinner that’s every bit as memorable as the rooms
Although Holt has lots of what looked like lovely places to eat, staying in for dinner at Byfords turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The menu has plenty of choice and all the dishes we saw coming out of the kitchen looked delicious and very well presented. I had food envy before I had even ordered. We didn’t need to worry though.
We ordered as part of the 3-2-1 evening special and went for two courses. To start, we had the crispy beef and the salt and pepper calamari. Both were delicious and I could have eaten more but, as ever, I am trying to be good. For our mains, we both had the teriyaki salmon, which melted in my mouth and was perfect. There was such a lovely atmosphere in the restaurant too, with nice lighting and a nice atmosphere. The staff couldn’t have been nicer and we went to bed that night feeling like we had had such a lovely evening.
Breakfast worth getting out of bed for
Frankly, some hotel breakfasts simply fuel the day and then others become part of the experience. Breakfast at Byfords definitely falls into the latter. There is an extraordinary amount of choice, from pastries, fruit, baked goods, cereals and juices, but you can also order food straight from the kitchen.
I went for The Byfords Breakfast, a posh full English featuring eggs, fried, poached or scrambled, smoked back bacon, Allard’s sausage, slow-roasted tomato, mushrooms, black pudding, house beans and a homemade hash brown. We also tried the hash and the brunch burger during our stay and both were perfection. Any hotel that takes breakfast this seriously gets my vote.
A town that is simply charming
One of the biggest reasons to stay at Byfords is its location right in the heart of Holt. If you’ve never visited before, you’re in for a treat. Often described as one of the prettiest market towns in Norfolk, Holt is filled with independent boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, cafés and delicatessens that make wandering its streets a joy. If you’re someone who loves interiors, homeware or discovering unique independent businesses, you’ll lose hours here without even noticing. Parking was refreshingly straightforward too. We left the car in a nearby car park, just a short stroll from the hotel, making arrival and departure completely hassle-free. Just ask at reception.
Explore the very best of North Norfolk
Byfords is also perfectly placed for discovering everything that makes North Norfolk gorgeous. One of our favourite days was spent riding the nearby North Norfolk Railway. Travelling through the countryside aboard a beautifully restored steam train felt wonderfully nostalgic and offered some lovely views along the way.
The spectacular North Norfolk coast is also just a short drive away, with beautiful beaches, charming seaside villages and endless coastal walks all within easy reach. That’s one of the things I loved most about staying here. You can spend the morning wandering around Holt, head out and explore the Norfolk coast during the day, then come back to Byfords for dinner and a bath before collapsing into that enormous bed. Dreamy.
The Byfords verdict
Finding a hotel that genuinely lives up to the photographs isn’t always easy. You only need to look at Byfords Instagram to see what I am talking about. But Byfords really is that gorgeous in person. Beautiful rooms, delicious food, an historic building, genuinely warm service and a location that puts one of Norfolk’s loveliest towns on your doorstep.
Most importantly, it feels like somewhere people genuinely care about. From the little details in the rooms to the welcome when you arrive, there’s a warmth to Byfords that is difficult to manufacture. If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Holt, planning a North Norfolk weekend break or simply searching for one of the best places to stay in Norfolk, Byfords deserves to be right at the top of your list. And yes, I’ll go back as fast as a steam train will take me.
