We packed our bags and headed to Sea Palling, Norfolk for a dog-friendly holiday
Everyone knows that Norfolk is the go to place for a dog-friendly mini break in the East of England, but what do you do when you get there? We’ve put together a handy guide for exploring the North and West Norfolk coastline.
Where to stay – dog-friendly accommodation in Norfolk
As a couple of couples and two dogs in tow, we made the base of our trip at Rosemary Cottage in Sea Palling. Available to hire at Sykes Cottages the dog-friendly, four bed cottage ticks all the right boxes. Beautifully restored by its owners, the cottage is the type of home you’d expect to find in a glossy interior magazine. Exposed beams, an open fire, woodland wilderness theme and earthy tones add an instant warmth to the home. I must admit it’s rare to find a dog-friendly holiday rental that is so beautifully styled.
The cottage features four bedrooms and sleeps up to seven. There’s a pretty courtyard to the rear, which is safe for dogs (perfect for letting them dry off) and a handy utility room for storing sandy wellies.
Once settled in, we headed straight for the beach, which is just a few minutes walk away. After a quick pit stop from the two dogs at the ‘Doggy Watering hole’ outside the seafront café and ice cream parlour, we walked for miles along the almost deserted beach to Waxham Sands and back. Firmly exhausted, the late afternoon was spent with tea and cake from our welcome pack and a snooze in front of the fire.
Dog-Friendly restaurants in Norfolk
Sea Palling is rather remote so it’s a great option for self-catering fans, but foodies will be pleased to know that a short five-minute driveway is fine dining at The Ingham Swan, headed up by Great British Menu finalist Daniel Smith.
Refreshed after a good night’s sleep, the next day of our trip was all about enjoying the best of Norfolk. The morning was spent tracking down a seal colony at Horsey, a must-do for any visitor, before a long walk along the Norfolk Coastal Path, before heading to Cromer in search of fresh seafood.
A trip to Norfolk wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local produce. We picked up our fresh produce at Davies Fish Shop in Cromer. The time of year meant choice was limited but we were thankful the mussels were in season, as they made a great edition to our home-cooked linguine later that evening. I couldn’t mention cooking without giving reference to how superbly well-equipped the kitchen is at Rosemary Cottage.
We also picked up local real ales at the Norfolk Food & Drink Company on Tucker Street for an evening tipple and stopped for lunch at The Gunton Arms; where our two dogs settled in for a snooze after their long beach walk.
One of the best things about Norfolk besides its glorious beaches, has to be its restaurant scene. Rustic pubs such as The Salthouse Dun Cow and Stiffkey Red Lion. For beachside cafes, check out Wells Beach Café and the Beach Café at Old Hunstanton. Boutique hotels with restaurants include Titchwell Manor, The Globe Inn at Wells and The Harper Hotel are among our favourite. They’re all dog-friendly too.
