Review: The Harper, North Norfolk

SLEEP: With a focus on simple luxury, natural comfort and boutique comfort, The Harper is a real treat for individuals or couples on the hunt for a restful but modern break from the everyday. With minimalist four poster beds and sleek, indulgent bathrooms featuring products from naturally-powered Irine Forte skincare, this is escapism at its best.

EAT: With a seasonally-led menu which is updated every day, The Harper’s restaurant, Stanley’s, is a cosy bolthole for food lovers. Evening meals showcase star ingredients from local suppliers including fish, seafood and meat, homemade sourdough with a selection of butters – note: crispy chicken skin-topped butter is a winner – and seasonal vegetables and ingredients are given a starring role. The Harper’s breakfast options are sure to set you up for a fine day of exploring the rural locale, with traditional and vegetarian full English dishes, perfectly-cooked egg dishes and sweet indulgences – we relished the brown butter waffle with berries and clotted cream – providing a delicious taste of Norfolk. Meanwhile, the luxe in-house bar and upstairs lounge Ivy’s offer cosy respite from the outside world.

DO: Having eaten like a king and reclined in the lounge’s oh-so-comfy velvet couches, jump in the car to explore the local area; with armfuls of Norfolk charm within a short radius, including the iconic Cley Smokehouse (next door to a charming pottery), Holt with its array of local bakeries and cafés, local shop-cum-giftshop Stiffkey Stores and picturesque Blakeney, the famous Norfolk landscape is your oyster.

Top tip: Be sure to book a session at The Harper’s light-filled in-house spa. Luxuriate in the pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna before enjoying a treatment from the menu (take your pick from a decadent range of facials and massages, manicures and pedicures). With plans to expand the spa offering – as well as the wider Harper experience – in the offing, this is a must-do.