People

At Norfolk-hotels, we love meeting people who are creating and developing innovative ideas, products and businesses – many inspired by our fantastic location. Here we meet and find out about their big blue sky thinking.

Exploring the Holkham Estate with Sue Penlington

Sue Penlington joined the Holkham Estate as its first education officer in 2013 and leads a team creating learning programmes and events for all ages. Tell us about your role and how you came to work in the education department at the Estate. I’m responsible for hosting school visits, adult education (walks and workshops), the family visitor experience including events such as Easter, Open Farm Sunday and Halloween, and I also run the Field to Fork Experience. I came to Norfolk in…

January 27, 2017 , article by

Walk this way – a guide to walking in Norfolk

Suzy Watson is a walker and author of Explore Norfolk UK (www.explorenorfolkuk.co.uk), an online resource to exploring the county. It also organises walking holidays. Although you’ve lived here for 20 years, you describe yourself as a Norfolk newcomer – where are you originally from and how did you end up living in Norfolk? I was brought up in the heart of the Essex countryside so not too far from Norfolk and I spent most of my summer holidays in Walberswick in…

January 26, 2017 , article by

A private charter on the Norfolk coast

The North Norfolk Heritage Coast between Holme-next-the-Sea and Cley is appreciated by many thousands of visitors each year. Walking is the usual way to explore its secret natural treasures but for those with access to the water, visiting less accessible places by boat is a special privilege. As a former Royal Marine and UN envoy, there isn’t a safer pair of hands to guide visitors along the North Norfolk coast and marsh creeks than Henry Chamberlain. As well as bearing…

December 2, 2016 , article by

Golfer’s paradise

Sport fanatic and golf journalist Chris Bertram shares why  – with two GB&I Top 100 courses and three in England’s Top 200 – he loves Norfolk. Here’s his pick of the best spots to play on the coast Royal West Norfolk The process of becoming intoxicated with the links of Royal West Norfolk begins before you step onto the 1st tee of this seaside course of character and soul. The journey between swaying reeds and twisting drive to the clubhouse begins this…

October 5, 2016 , article by

In the swim

We love making the most of our beautiful location year-round, and we’re not the only ones. Colin Bailey is a solicitor at Fraser Dawbarns and a keen swimmer who enjoys both indoors and outdoor pools. Here he shares his love for the water with us. How long have you been swimming locally? Since I was a boy! I was born and bred in King’s Lynn and started swimming at the outdoor pool in The Walks. You could buy a season ticket…

September 14, 2016 , article by

Norfolk Motorbike Company

Norfolk Hotels takes a tour… with The Norfolk Motorcycle Company

Just when you think you’ve seen done and everything there is to experience in Norfolk, someone comes up with a novel idea that gives you a new perspective on our wonderful county. One such individual is David Loughlin who has launched The Norfolk Motorcycle Company hiring classic motorbikes upon which to enjoy coast and country. We caught up with him to find out more… How did The Norfolk Motorcycle Company come about? “For a long time, a group of friends and I…

June 16, 2016 , article by

Five things to do in Norfolk in March

Five Norfolk things to do in March

1. Eat, drink and be très merry In the first of an occasional series, Briarfields is to host its first wine pairing evening with gourmand Graham Donaldson. A Taste of France will feature six wines served over five French-inspired dishes, and Graham will explain the science behind classic flavours, why they work (and even why some pairings don’t). Informal, fun and decidedly unstuffy, Donaldson will entertain and educate as you sip, sup and relax. Tickets are priced £50 per…

March 5, 2016 , article by