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Conde Nast Traveller: Luxury travel magazine names Burnham Market as one of UK's 'most beautiful' villages

The village was ranked 15th on the list

• 18:14, 12 MAR 2022

A North Norfolk village has been named as one of the "most beautiful" in the UK in a list published by a popular luxury travel magazine.

Burnham Market, located near the north Norfolk coast, was ranked at number 15 on the esteemed list which was compiled by Conde Nast Traveller .

The village was praised for its "smart" high street as well as its "redbrick houses, colourful windows and old-fashioned shopping" offered by some of its independent stores.

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The magazine said: "Walk the length of Burnham Market's smart high street, with its redbrick houses and colourful windows, for an exercise in old-fashioned shopping. There's a post office, butcher, hardware shop and fishmongers.

"But it's not all essentials, among the assortment of independent shops is The Hat Shop, an emporium of thousands of flamboyant bits of head wear to marvel at.

"For lunch, join the queue at The Crab Hut three miles away on Brancaster Staithe harbour, where baguettes are stuffed with crab, prawns and lobster, before heading on for a bracing walk on Brancaster beach."

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The picturesque village has received lots of accolades over the years, one of which was being named among the 'poshest places to live' in the UK by The Telegraph, which dubbed the village "Chelsea-on-Sea".

It's also one of the most expensive places to own a home in the county, with estate agent Savills estimating an average house price of £826,770 in the village.

To view the full list of the most beautiful villages in the UK, visit the website here .

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The Harper Hotel, Norfolk review

By Olivia Morelli

Eclectic decor, cosy corners, multiple bar areas and a zen new spa – this multifarious hotel fills a contemporary void in the ancient countryside villages of north Norfolk . As the Cornwall craze took hold of the UK for staycation season in 2021, The Harper is putting Norfolk back on the map.

Hotel address: North Street, Langham, Norfolk NR25 7DH Website: theharper.co.uk Phone number: +44 1328 805000 Price from: £175 a night

Set the scene

North Norfolk is well known throughout the UK for its rugged beauty. As second-home territory for some, a wildlife sanctuary for others and excellent holiday spot for many, the region’s perennially popular shores attract a varied bunch. However, the rustic villages and storybook towns have been calling out for a cultural shake-up for some years – and The Harper cropped up just in time. The hotel opened in the summer of 2021, just as holiday-hungry Brits started looking for a crowd-free alternative to the south-west coast. The Harper retains a laidback village feel with its snug corners and bright, airy living areas, but also taps into a more modern aesthetic with fairy lights, giant emoji artwork and an eco-centric ethos.

The backstory

The brick and flint-built barns at former glass-blowing factory Langham Glass had been a familiar sight for locals and regular visitors to north Norfolk . So when the Cutmore-Scott family bought the buildings, they remained intent on creating a hotel that paid homage to the property’s history. Known for making their mark in the wedding industry, the Cutmore-Scotts own Bijou, a wedding planning and venue-hire service based in the UK and France . The Harper is the family’s first foray into boutique hotels, a venture headed up by Cutmore-Scott son Sam. Tangible in every corner is an industrial theme, a nod both to the building’s heritage and also to Sam’s grandfather Stanley, a former mechanic in nearby Norwich for whom the upstairs restaurant is named.

They are divided into three categories: big, bigger and biggest. Big rooms are ​​indeed spacious; oak floors span 280 square feet with a giant four-poster bed, a plush armchair, desk and chair for remote workers or early-morning admin, coffee machine and a fridge stocked with soft drinks and bottled cocktails handcrafted by Edmunds. Bathrooms in Big rooms have spacious showers and a range of sustainable, plant-derived products by Irene Forte Skincare. Bigger and Biggest rooms do as they say on the tin – more floor space with marble bathtubs and excellent views over the courtyard.

Caitlin Morton

Lauren Burvill

CNT Editors

María Casbas

Food and drink

The hotel is centred around the courtyard, where the building’s industrial history is most apparent. Iron and slate sculptures and ornaments are dotted around a gnarled olive tree, and fire-pits are raring to blaze as soon as the sun goes down. Food can be ordered here if the weather permits – the lobster and samphire mac'n'cheese is just as delicious as it sounds. Upstairs is Stanley’s, a dining room with exposed-brick walls, wooden beams and magnificent stained-glass windows. The restaurant is for guests only, and with the 32 rooms all booked up on our stay, nearly all of the tables were occupied. Plenty of local ingredients take pride of place on the seasonal menu – it’s a blend of Norfolk coast and land. For example, hand-dived scallops were topped with a Norfolk-bacon crumb, oyster cream and samphire, while a lamb main was served with wonderfully crispy anchovy tempura. Stanley’s is also where breakfast is served; tuck into bread and pastries as you peruse the menu, and take in the view of the hotel roof which is planted with flowers and herbs.

Next to Stanley’s is Ivy's bar (named after Sam’s grandmother). With inviting, leather-clad sofas and plush velvet armchairs, this cost space is an ideal spot for an aperitif. A neon-lit sign with the words ‘Blow me away’ harks to the glassblowing factory as well as the renowned wind that sweeps across Norfolk’s northern coast. Hole up with a good book by the free-standing log burner, or pour yourself a glass of wine from the dispenser in the corner to watch the sunlight fade over Langham’s red-tiled roofs.

The spa is definitely worth booking. Current Covid restrictions mean guests must book a time slot to use the pool , but rumour has it the hotel is planning to keep this practice as guests love having the space to themselves. Giant windows let natural light flood in over the pool (don't worry, swimmers can't be seen) and there is a steam room, sauna and hot tub. Book the Forte Facial in the upstairs treatments rooms for 55 minutes of stress-boosting massages and rejuvenating therapy. After an in-depth skin analysis, your therapist will help you choose between a purifying treatment to deeply cleanse and refine; a brightening treatment for radiance and luminosity or a hydrating treatment for smoothing and replenishing. Leave feeling wonderfully relaxed and tension-free.

For those searching for a fancy meal out, Galton Blackiston’s Morston Hall is a real treat. The restaurant has held a Michelin star for 21 consecutive years, and serves a daily changing seven-course tasting menu. For a more casual option, try The Gunton Arms for a pub lunch surrounded by incredible artwork from Tracey Emin and Paula Rego. Head to Morston quay for a seal-watching boat trip, or go for a long walk down to Blakeney National Nature Reserve to spot native birdlife. The Georgian town of Holt is a great day trip, with its charming antique stores, coffee shops and narrow winding alleys. Stop at Byfords Café for coffee, or at Eric’s for fish and chips – and don’t forget to order the fried gherkins.

The service

The hotel takes a slightly different approach to service. Rejecting the premise that ‘the customer is always right’, staff instead apply the rule ‘treat others as you would have them treat you’ – a very fair and dependable rule. It’s a good adage to follow: service is reliable and staff are very friendly. Definitely ask for tips on lesser-known nearby spots; all the staff are local and in-the-know.

Eco effort  

The Harper has made a solid effort to ensure the hotel is eco-friendly . No gas is used on the hotel premises, only biofuel, wood and electricity. Food is locally sourced, and the team is working with the Norwich distillery to ensure spirits are delivered in vats and decanted on the property. Low-energy LED lighting is used throughout the building; all inventories, directories, menus and bills are online and there are PodPoint electric and Tesla rapid vehicle chargers in the car park.

Accessibility for those with mobility impairments  

There is wheelchair accessibility in all downstairs areas, including the courtyard, and options of all three room sizes can be booked on the ground floor.

Anything left to mention?  

As well as the courtyard, Ivy’s and Stanley’s, there is another bar area downstairs where midnight-blue walls and dark slate floors create an alluring, late-night atmosphere. Order a cocktail from the very sleek upcycled copper drinks counter (the happy result of a plumbing accident during the renovation) before heading for the games room to nab the pool table if it’s free, or choose your evening entertainment from the board-game selection. In the mood for something sweet? Ignore the lingering guilt and order a deep-fried mini Mars bars. Inspired by the family’s Scottish heritage and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream , it’s worth the calories.

Hotel address: North Street, Langham, Norfolk NR25 7DH Website:   theharper.co.uk Phone number: +44 1328 805000 Price from: £175 a night

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