Byfords, Holt, Norfolk

Well-located in the centre of town, it's a perfect base for shoppers who want to explore Holt's collection of quirky, independent shops. The coast is a ten-minute drive away, and quiet roads lead to the seaside village of Cley-next-the-Sea and the small harbour town of Blakeney. It's under an hour's drive to reach the cultural city of Norwich. The Poppy Line's North Norfolk Steam Railway, which runs between Holt and Sheringham, stops at Weybourne en route.

By car: The hotel is 3 hours' drive from Birmingham, 3 hours 20 minutes from London and 45 minutes from Norwich. There is limited on-site parking, as well as free street parking and pay and display nearby.

By train: London Liverpool Street to Norwich station takes just under 2 hours. From there, you can take a 45-minute taxi, or change onto a train to Sheringham (1 hour) and then a 20-minute taxi. Book trains to Norwich.

Parts of Byford date back to the fifteenth century and this was one of the few buildings in Holt to escape destruction during a devastating town fire in 1708. It has plenty of original features and atmosphere, and the dining areas bustle with visitors from early morning to mid-evening.

A good deli serves a range of bread, salads, sandwiches, stone-baked pizzas and cakes. Waiting staff are largely young and enthusiastic with energy levels that rise to the task of keeping a constant turnover of customers fed and watered.

• Restaurant
• Family rooms
• Self-catering apartment
• Free Wi-Fi

There are sixteen bedrooms in total (confusingly room numbers go up to 17 as there is no number 13). Categorised as either "posh" or "double", depending on size, they have exposed brick- and flint-work, leather wing chairs and come in muted colours (burgundy, browns and creams).

Room types: Double, Posh, Family, Apartment

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with bath and overhead shower, luxury toiletries, TV, entertainment system, tea and coffee-making facilities, hand-made biscuits, free Wi-Fi

Open for informal, all-day eating from omelettes, kippers and fully-cooked breakfasts to serve-yourself soup and sandwiches, rustic flatbread melts, homemade pasties, grazing dishes of pâtés, scotch eggs, Italian meatballs and croquettes, salads, "posh" or create-your-own pizzas and main courses including pasta, burgers, mussels and curries.

Byfords Café: all-day dining, local produce, classic British dishes, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, afternoon teas, small plates. Open daily 8am-10pm. Mains from £13.25.