Morston Hall

‘Amazingly gorgeous.’ ‘Top of my list.’ ‘Superb food.’ Readers lavish praise on Tracy and Galton Blackiston’s restaurant-with-rooms on the north Norfolk coast. ‘We had a delicious dinner,’ reads the latest endorsement. ‘The service is impeccable and the food very high quality.’ House bedrooms in country house style are named after local stately homes. Blickling has a lovely bathroom with roll-top bath and walk-in shower. Beamed Mannington is tucked away under the eaves with a view of the herb garden, while a garden pavilion offers suites with a seating area, coal-effect fire and a terrace. A report tells of fresh milk and (hooray!) sheets and blankets. At breakfast there are freshly squeezed juices, home-baked croissants, locally smoked haddock, boudin noir, and free-range eggs. But whoever said that breakfast is the most important meal cannot have experienced Galton’s Michelin-starred seven-course tasting menus in the light-filled conservatory. Typical offerings include butternut squash velouté with King’s Lynn brown shrimps; spelt risotto with ewe’s curd and peas; and wild sea bass with butter sauce. (JB, and others)