We’ve been hearing a lot about the Gunton Arms in Norfolk for years now, both through friends that have been and loved it, and awards like the Top 50 Gastropubs where it currently sits at no.12 on the list.
The Gunton Arms is not your average country pub however. Rather than being in the heart of cute little village, it’s tucked inside the 1,000-acre grounds of Gunton Park, surrounded by wide open fields and lots and lots of deer. It’s run by art dealer Ivor Braka, and his eclectic collection is scattered throughout the pub and bedrooms – think Tracey Emin in the dining room, Damien Hirst in the bar – making it as much gallery as gastropub.
Arriving in the late afternoon, we took a big walk around the grounds, getting those steps in before dinner. There are beautiful deer everywhere you go, which look at you slightly warily before slowly shuffling away as you get closer. We did a huge loop around the grounds and worked our way back to the pub in time for dinner.
Inside the old stone building, it’s all flagstone floors, heavy wooden beams and roaring fireplaces, the sort of place that make you want to settle in with a pint – which we duly did. In summer though, there’s plenty of space to spill out into the gardens, with views stretching across the estate.
The menu leans heavily into Norfolk’s produce. We started with dressed Cromer crab, a local staple done simply with lemon and bread. From there, a hefty pork chop cooked over the fire in the Elk Room – the pub’s signature – came with crisp crackling and bags of smoky flavour. Sea trout with samphire and brown shrimp was lighter but just as good, showcasing the fruits of the nearby coastline. Dessert was a classic strawberry cheesecake, the kind of pudding that doesn’t need to be messed with.
There are sixteen rooms spread across the main pub and outbuildings. Ours had a huge bed dressed in thick blankets, antique furniture, and a nice living room area with comfy sofa and armchairs. Bathrooms are kitted out with big tubs and local Bramley products. Big props too for the included tea, coffee, crisps and biscuits supplied.
Breakfast the next morning is served in the pub – think toast with butter and jam, local sausages, bacon and eggs, and lighter options like granola and fruit. It’s hearty enough to set you up for a bracing walk along the Norfolk coast, which is exactly what we did. Take our tip and park in quieter Overstrand and walk along the beach to Cromer, and then back along the cliffs.
If you’re staying for longer, it’s worth noting that The Gunton Arms has a sister pub just down the road, The Suffield Arms. Where The Gunton is all roaring fires and chops, the Suffield takes its cues from Spain, with a menu of tapas-style dishes. We popped in for lunch after our walk and found everything from croquetas and tortilla to plates of jamón and an excellent grilled lobster.
With great food, art and countryside charm, The Gunton Arms is exactly the sort of place Londoners like escaping to. Whether you’re there for a blowout dinner, a night by the fire, or a long weekend exploring the coast, it’s undoubtedly one of Norfolk’s gems.
Cromer Road, Thorpe Market, Norfolk, NR11 8TZ
https://www.theguntonarms.co.uk
