nourish team Kate Morfoot, leading food and travel writer from www.LoveToEatToTravel.com, explores the Norfolk coast and stays at The Globe at Wells-next-the-Sea.
Norfolk is renowned for its wonderful pubs and The Globe, situated on ‘The Buttlands’ village green at Wells-next-the-Sea, is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing coastal dog-friendly holiday exploring this wonderful part of the country. The 19th century coach house has just reopened its doors to guests after an extensive refurbishment, ready for a busy summer ahead. Since 2020, The Globe is now part of the award-winning Chestnut Collection that has many high-quality pubs and inns with rooms and restaurants throughout East Anglia. The Globe is perfectly situated to walk into the bustling seaside town, and it is on the Norfolk Coast Path, a glorious route where you can take in the stunning scenery aside the beaches and north Norfolk marshes.
The property’s 19 bedrooms have been redesigned to offer a welcoming bolthole after a day of exploring the coast. Each bedroom is tastefully decorated, taking inspiration from the Norfolk coast with nautical inspired fabric and prints. Some of the rooms have been designed to be pet-friendly, too, with some special treats waiting in the room.
This was the case when we checked into one of the apartments adjoining The Globe. The double room with private toilet was situated on the second floor, with the lounge, dining, bath and shower room and kitchen on the first floor. The dogs were welcomed with their own bedding and food bowls, and they were most excited to find toys and treats! The apartment was warm and spacious with everything you need to be self-contained for an enjoyable holiday.
To support the major renovation project, The Globe Inn has revamped its menu with the team of chefs producing locally sourced meals that embrace the region’s heritage; dishes include spiced Weybourne mackerel and Brancaster mussel chowder. We enjoyed a lovely meal of smoked haddock kedgeree scotch egg, served with coriander, turmeric and celeriac remoulade (£9) and Holkham venison terrine, smoked bacon, onion and pickled walnut jam, toasted walnut bread (£8.50), followed by bone marrow brisket burger, Norfolk dapple cheese, pickles, onions and fries (£16.50) and classic fish and chips, mushy peas, tartare whip and lemon (£17.50). There’s lots of lovely choices on the pudding menu too, including flourless chocolate orange cake (£9), salted caramel ice cream, coconut panna cotta, lime zest and tropical fruit tartare (£8.50), classic crème brûlée infused with Madagascan vanilla (£8.50), and Bakewell tart with griottine cherries and pistachio ice cream (£8.50).
Not only are the humans well fed, you will find that your furry friends also have their own food and drinks menus too. To chew, to nibble, and to gnaw, The Globe has it covered for your four-legged friends. Give them a taste of these alcohol-free drinks including Bottom Sniffer Beer, Posh Pooch Barker Bay Rose Wine, and Posh Pooch Tailwagger Creek White Wine, all £3, and of course, Norfolk’s best tap water, which is free.
The pub and dining room have rustic wooden floorboards throughout, with ambient lighting that emanates a cosy, antique feel to set the relaxed tone that The Globe has long been associated with. The refurbishment also includes a fully revamped outdoor area and a funky private rooftop drinks area for resident guests.
Philip Turner, founder of Chestnut said: “The Globe is a key part of the fabric of life in Wells and has a strong reputation as part of North Norfolk’s successful tourism scene. We therefore wanted to ensure we maintained the community feel of the Inn, while modernising and redeveloping the property to attract new guests to the area. We’re absolutely delighted with the outcome as we now have a restaurant that is perfect for friends and family after a day at the beach, while the restored bedrooms provide a relaxing and luxurious space for those wanting to extend their stay in Norfolk.”
The seaside
Wells-next-the-Sea is a famous seaside town with one of the most beautiful beaches along the north Norfolk coastline. Walk through the pinewoods to access the vast, award-winning beach and view the many colourful beach huts facing out to sea.
The quay and the harbour
Try your hand at crabbing off the quay or just sit on the wall to admire the view over the harbour. It’s an iconic place to have fish and chips, and where you will see the best view of The Lifeboat Horse, made from steel bars and whiskey barrels. This was made as a tribute to the horses that once pulled the town’s life lifeboat more than two miles from the quay to Holkham Gap.
Walks and wildlife
Take a walk along the Norfolk Coast Path from Wells to Holkham. This coastal route will take you to Holkham beach and to Holkham Hall, where The Duchess was filmed.
Wells is part of the largest coastal nature reserve in England and Wales and is a magnet for bird watchers. Its marshes provide the perfect habitat for wading birds, bitterns, avocets, marsh harriers and winter geese.
Shopping
Wells-next-the-Sea is a buzzy seaside town brimming with lots of independent shops and arcades.
Fact file
Rooms can be booked from £85 bed and breakfast per person
Dogs: £25 per dog
- Address: The Globe, The Buttlands, Wells-Next-Sea. Norfolk. NR23 1EU
- Phone: 01263 710206
- Email: info@theglobeatwells.co.uk
- Website: www.theglobeatwells.co.uk
- Follow Kate on Instagram @Love2Eat2Travel
