There’s quiet, and then there’s the glorious kind of silence that greets you when your head hits the pillow at The Gunton Arms, an award-winning pub in the heart of North Norfolk. A short drive off the beaten track and set within an extensive historic deer park, it felt as though it was in the middle of nowhere.
The building was bought in 2009 by Ivor Braka and converted into a country house hotel, with Robert Kime designing the bedrooms and interiors. Stuart and Simone Tattersall (previously of Mark Hix’s London restaurants) later became partners in the business. Given its location, the pub has access to its own venison, while local fishermen supply seafood, including mussels and Cromer crab, all of which feature on its Bib Gourmand-awarded menu. It was a picturesque and idyllic retreat from the outset, encouraging me to switch off for the weekend, settle in by a crackling fire, and even indulge in a game of Scrabble.
The Elk Room (pictured).
DesignMyNight's Review Of The Gunton Arms In Norfolk
Need To Know:
- Address: Cromer Road, Thorpe Market, Norfolk, NR11 8TZ
- Area: Norfolk
- Cuisine: British
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: cosy feels like an understatement for how homely this pub is, though it’s not without its contemporary quirks, which create an inspiring juxtaposition. The owners have a clear passion for art, and throughout the space you’ll find works by Tracey Emin (notably in ‘The Emin Room’), Damien Hirst, Lucian Freud, Glenn Brown and more. Outside, the surrounding park features sculptures by the likes of Sol LeWitt and Dan Graham. The most striking piece, however, is the massive fossilised skull of a Giant Irish Elk - the largest deer to have ever lived. Originally found in a peat bog and later housed at Adare Manor (a gothic building designed by Pugin for the Earl of Dunraven), it dates back over 10,000 years
- Perfect for: switching off, a weekend staycation, and a marvellous Sunday roast
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: overnight stay and breakfast (around £200 for two), dinner (£129 for two), and lunch (£78.75 for two). Overall, around £407.75
Room Quality & Comfort
Our double bed and silver, free-standing bathtub (pictured).
Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our standard double room (£200 per night) had gorgeous views over the park, and the mattress was wonderfully pillowy and soft. A particular highlight was the bathroom, which featured white marble sourced in Egypt by Robert Kime, reclaimed from neglected mansions in Alexandria.
There was no TV in sight, and tea, coffee and hot chocolate were tucked away in an antique walnut cupboard. While there was a kettle, we were encouraged to head downstairs for hot water from the communal space - a thoughtful, personal touch, though slightly cumbersome to imagine after a glass of wine or two.
Dining Highlights
Halibut with seashore vegetables (pictured left), and Norfolk treacle pudding (left).
Dinner: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Roast halibut fillet (£32) - perfectly flaky fish served with seashore vegetables, where the salty elements worked beautifully. A punchy wild garlic pesto added much-needed depth and lifted the whole dish. My partner ordered the same and polished off the entire plate, buttery potatoes included
- Purple sprouting broccoli (£5.50) - these had a little bit of bite, which was appreciated, and were atop a pool of velvety, rich hollandaise that felt like a wonderfully indulgent addition
- Norfolk treacle tart (£9.50) - though I was convinced I’d reached my food limit, I couldn’t resist diving into crumbly, syrup-soaked slices of treacle tart. Paired with clotted cream, it was nostalgic and unapologetically sweet
Breakfast: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full English (pictured left), and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs (right).
There was a breakfast buffet laid out in the morning in the Elk Room, where we ate dinner, featuring a mix of juices, granola, and condiments, which we helped ourselves to, and were able to order an item each off the hot menu.
- Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs - elegant ribbons of coral-coloured salmon were paired with rich, yolky scrambled eggs. Scooped onto sourdough toast, it was simple but excellent, with standout freshness throughout
- Full English - while my partner found the black pudding a touch dry, everything else hit the mark: herby sausages, well-balanced bacon, and beans that brought a welcome sauciness to the plate
Lunch: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pistachio cheesecake (pictured left) and the Sunday roast (right).
We ventured over to The Gunton Arms’ sister pub, The Suffield Arms, for Sunday lunch - or in my case, Mediterranean tapas, which the kitchen is particularly known for. Just a mile down the road, the space mirrors the same eclectic charm, complete with impressive artwork and a bright, natural-lit dining area at the back that was already buzzing by midday.
- Aberdeen Angus sirion of beef (£26) - thick, tender cuts of beef topped with a Yorkshire pudding the size of my head - crisp on the outside, fluffy within. The glossy gravy was generously poured over everything, and my partner said it ranked among the best roasts he’s ever had
- White Andelusion prawns with garlic and chilli (£12) - subtle in both heat and garlic, allowing the natural sweetness of the prawns to shine. They slipped easily from their shells - always a good sign
- Manchego and honey (£7.50) - a personal favourite done right: golden, fruity honey paired with mild, moreish cheese. Simple, but excellent quality made all the difference
- Pistachio Basque cheesecake (£9) - to round things off, we ended with an ultra-creamy pistachio cheesecake, balanced perfectly by a zingy raspberry sorbet that cut through the indulgence
Our Overall Experience At The Gunton Arms
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had a peaceful and well-rested stay at The Gunton Arms, making the most of the fresh country air and slower pace. The pub feels thoughtfully curated, from its impressive art collection to its characterful, quintessentially British rooms. It was a much-needed and appreciated respite from the city noise I've grown accustomed to.
