OUT OF OFFICE
Catalyst visits a manor reborn in the heart of the north Norfolk countryside
he phrase hidden gem is bandied around a lot, but you really do have to know
where you’re going if you’ve got any hope at all of finding The White House. Our satnav gives up the ghost a good few miles before we reach our intended destination, leaving us to chug cluelessly along winding Norfolk roads until finally, somewhere between Burnham Market and Brancaster Beach, buried deep within an estate, the hotel rises up out of the surrounding scenery; greeting us with a picture of pristine country house charm. Framed by lush countryside, this Georgian manor makes an immediate impression with its immaculate whitewashed frontage and handsome turret – but it wasn’t always so grand. Rewind a couple of years and the house was almost derelict; brought back to life by an ambitious renovation project overseen by owner Alison Thompson, who dreamed of transforming it into a luxurious boutique hotel and wedding venue. The rooms Our visit begins with a welcome tour which takes us around the communal rooms, through a cosy lounge with
roaring fire, merlot-red walls, velvet sofas and board games, and past a well-stocked honesty bar “with all the makings of a perfect old fashioned” according to my approving partner. In total there are 12 bedrooms, with ours (number 5) continuing the impeccable interiors of downstairs, but switching to a colour scheme of cloudy greys and sage greens. The overall effect is restful, which might explain why I quickly found myself sinking into the enormous bed, discovering it to be so ludicrously contour-hugging and comfortable that I was compelled to whip off the corner of the sheet so I could make a note of the brand and model with a view to purchasing my own (it’s a 1600 pocket sprung, cashmere Hypnos Super King Size, for any interested parties). Elsewhere, there are lots of touches to delight, from the large (freestanding bathtub, impressive rain shower and winged armchair), to the small (Roberts Radio, Nespresso machine, 100 Acres toiletries), and the thoughtful, like the
bottle of wine with a handwritten welcome note from the management. Even the hardbacks supplied on the bedside table match the decor in this tasteful abode. An oak desk, framed by curved sash windows which look out on to the paddocks below, completes the picture, and make it the kind of room you want to escape to – perhaps to finish writing that novel? – cocooned in luxurious solitude. surrounding area, and you’ll want to acquaint yourself with the charming towns and beaches that populate this part of Norfolk. Burnham Market, known locally as ‘Chelsea on Sea’, is around a 20-minute drive, offering chichi independent gift shops, galleries and smart pubs, while at Drove Orchards, a quirky collection of traders gather in a rural setting. There’s a restaurant in a yurt, a glamping retreat, a fishmonger’s and homewares shop, as well as the orchard itself, where you can forage What to do There’s plenty to explore in the
BELOW The restful
bedrooms feature contour-hugging mattresses, Nespresso machines and 100 Acres toiletries
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