Beechwood Hotel

Agatha Christie memorabilia, murder mystery weekends and Art Deco touches set the tone at this creeper-clad hotel, former home of doctor friends of Christie, in a bustling market town. Rooms range from a modest single to garden pods with roll-top bath, walk-in shower and a deck with hot tub/sauna. A main-house bedroom was ‘splendid – very roomy, comfortable four-poster bed, two armchairs, fridge, good-sized TV, lots of storage space’. The enthusiasm of the owner proved a little Tiggerish for one trusted reader who had arrived very tired, while, for another, the host’s ‘charm and attention’ were ‘very much a plus’. In the restaurant and converted summer house, ‘interesting and varied’ menus include dishes such as treacle-cured Norfolk venison with port jus. ‘The dining experience was exceptional.’ ‘Halibut, sea trout, venison and chicken were all fine. Decent-sized portions and plenty of vegetables.’ Service was ‘efficient and friendly’. Golf packages, South African and Fawlty Towers nights are among the attractions. ‘A superb hotel for touring this area of Norfolk’, and there is a bar if you could murder a pint for the money. ‘We will certainly return.’ (Mary Coles, Peter Anderson, PA, and others)