North Norfolk Hotel that's really a Posh B&B

Best Holt Hotels include Byfords, with its Cafe, Restaurant and Deli

Aug 22, 2009

Byfords in Holt, North Norfolk, calls itself a posh b&b but is more like a boutique hotel with luxury rooms, restaurant, cafe, bike hire and a deli for perfect picnics.

Anyone looking for a superb North Norfolk hotel should head for Holt, and for Byfords. Byfords calls itself a posh b&b but a boutique hotel would be a better description, though it is a place that is hard to categorise. It has a top-class deli selling quality local produce, especially meats and cheeses, and a relaxed cafe/bar with outdoor seating overlooking Holt's Market Place.

Byfords has 16 guest bedrooms and also has its own restaurant and cafe. It's one place in this part of North Norfolk that serves food seven days a week, from 8am to 9.30pm, with live jazz music nights on the last Wednesday of each month.

History of Byfords North Norfolk Hotel

Byfords is believed to be the oldest house in Holt, with a cellar that dates back to the 15th century, its entrance just behind the bar. It has survived two fires, one on 1st May 1708 that devastated the whole of Holt in just three hours, and another that raged through the Byfords building in 1906. For over a hundred years Byfords was a household name in Holt, being hardware store and ironmongers belonging to the Byfords family, and Byfords 'posh b&b' takes its name and its warren-like nature from the old hardware store.

Luxury Rooms in the Byfords North Norfolk Hotel

One of the many attractive features of Byfords is the way that the red brick walls of the old hardware store have been incorporated into the new building, in both the guest bedrooms and the public areas, including the cafe/bar and restaurant. As well as parts of the brick walls, the rooms also have timber beams and fireplaces, but all modern comforts such as marble bathrooms with underfloor heating, the latest Bang & Olufsen TVs, DVDs and CD players, writing desks with modems and phone, and free wireless internet in parts of the hotel.

Free Extras at the Byfords North Norfolk Hotel

On arrival at Byfords guests are offered a complimentary cake and coffee or other drink in the cafe. The cakes are out of this world and it's a delightful way to start a stay. The complementary breakfast is also quite a spread, with numerous hot dishes including kedgeree, local Cley kippers, or a smoked salmon Eggs Benedict all available. In the evening, diners at Byfords restaurant are offered a 'Nibbles Table', to help themselves freely to various breads, olives, nuts and other tasty hors d'oeuvres.

Byfords also provides guests with a free 30-page North Norfolk mini-guidebook, with suggested days out, walks, cycling routes, best beaches, towns and villages, attractions, and other recommended places to eat.

North Norfolk Bike Hire from Byfords

Bicycle rental can be booked at Byfords. The North Norfolk coast is ideal for cycling, being mostly flat and with expansive views to be had. Despite the flatness, mountain bikes are also available for hire and the Byfords Deli will put together a picnic hamper.

North Norfolk Bird Watching Holidays

Byfords can also arrange for a local bird watching expert to take guests out to the best bird viewing areas nearby. There are many of these as the North Norfolk coast is one of the best bird-watching spots in England, and attracts ornithologists from all over the country. Holt is only a few miles from Cley-next-the-Sea and nearby Blakeney, whose marshes attract all kinds of birds. From the harbour at Blakeney there are also seal-watching boat trips, as this part of the North Norfolk coast is rich in all kinds of wildlife.

Bargain Breaks at Byfords North Norfolk Hotel

With only 16 guest bedrooms Byfords books up quickly at busy periods, and the best chance to bag a bargain break is in winter, when various special offers are available. Book two nights b&b and an extra night is included for free on most dates through the winter season, or book b&b for one night and a free dinner will be included.

Byfords North Norfolk Hotel Contact Details

The copyright of the article North Norfolk Hotel that's really a Posh B&B in England Travel is owned by Mike Gerrard. Permission to republish North Norfolk Hotel that's really a Posh B&B in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.