The view is one of marshes and moored boats, of creeks and children crabbing, from Emma Stannard’s well-established, family-friendly hotel on the quayside of a coastal village.

‘Describing it as “quirky” is a hole-in-one.’ There’s ‘a pleasant, rural, overgrown tranquillity’ to Wendy and Jim Sarton’s 15th-century manor house in large gardens where wild rabbits scamper.

‘The Michelin star is well earned’ at Tracy and Galton Blackiston’s friendly restaurant-with-rooms close to the north Norfolk coast.

Across a quiet road from the shingle beach, this ‘delightful, warmly welcoming’ Victorian hotel has been in Michael Pritt’s family since 1920.

Wide Norfolk countryside stretches out on either side of this ‘very special’ place.

Wide, tranquil views of salt marshes add to the relaxing atmosphere at the Nye family’s ‘first-rate’ Norfolk inn. ‘Cheerful, pleasingly confident’ staff, ‘modern, well-equipped’ rooms and ‘tasty, varied’ menus seal the deal.

Part of the new wave of ‘boutique B&Bs’, this handsomely refurbished Victorian villa stands on a ‘quiet, attractive street’, with a ‘friendly welcome’ and a platter of cream scones within.

Amid rolling countryside, Stephanie and Richard Challinor’s restored 17th-century farmhouse B&B stands in award-winning gardens just right for a wander and quiet contemplation.

Artful surprises await around every corner at art dealer Ivor Braka’s sophisticated yet ‘relaxed’ pub-with-rooms: find Stubbs engravings above cracking fires, a Damien Hirst painting in the ladies’ loo.

Overlooking the village duck pond, Rebecca and Robert Bradley’s smart B&B is a fine base for local exploration, the sandy beaches and salt marshes of the north Norfolk coast within easy reach.

Within a 20-minute drive of the city centre, this modern spa hotel occupies a 19th-century water mill in large, landscaped gardens.

The creeper-covered, red brick building appears modest from the outside, but there are ‘excellent dinners’ within: Kevin and Jacki Mangoelles’s restaurant-with-rooms has a ‘well-deserved' Michelin star.

Here is Tom Pearce’s old grey mare crossed with Arkle – a Victorian taproom given the ‘terrific’ thoroughbred treatment by Philip Turner’s Chestnut Inns.

‘Lush grounds’ lead from James Holliday and Anna Duttson’s ‘stylish’, wisteria-hung Georgian house down to the River Bure.

In large grounds beside the stables and training gallops in this horseracing town, this family-run hotel is liked for its ‘superb service’, ‘lovely gardens’ and ‘excellent breakfasts’.