No. 33

In the only west-facing resort on England’s east coast, Jeanne Whittome’s B&B appeals to those seeking space and freedom, without cosseting, live-in hosts. A concierge service can arrange bike hire, birdwatching tours and beauty treatments, but you’re left to your own devices to enjoy the Victorian seaside town or to explore the wilder shores of the north Norfolk coast. Interiors are stylish, with a palette of soft greys and white. Bedrooms have a bath and walk-in shower. Bay-windowed Room 2 has a wall of Zoffany’s ‘Verdure’ wallpaper, back-to-back original fireplaces in bedroom and bathroom. There are distant sea views from the balcony of rear-facing Room 3, with white, barley-sugar-twist four-poster. A ground-floor room opens on to a small courtyard. More suites can be found at nearby sister property Thornham Deli, source of a continental breakfast that includes pods for espresso machines. Guests receive a 10% discount for meals taken there or taken out. The lounge has a DVD library, the dining room a log-burner. The Coast Path runs from ‘Hunny’ to Cromer, or you can cheat and take the CoastHopper bus.