Burnham Market - A 'Truly Unique 17th Century Norfolk Village'

Having been based in and around Norfolk for nearly thirty years, this week we are looking at Burnham Market, a popular, picturesque and vibrant 17th century village in Norfolk. This historic village, known as Chelsea-on-Sea,?is one of the Norfolk Burnhams, a group of adjacent villages on the north coast of Norfolk. The small but bustling village was additionally named as one of Britain’s most desirable spots in a Savills survey in the Telegraph, and rated among the ’20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland’ by Condé Nast Traveler in 2020. ?

The traditional Georgian village is brimming with beautiful buildings, shops and eateries, as well as a lively market every Wednesday. There is a mixture of restaurants, cafes and bakeries, accommodating to all occasions and moods. More formal dining compromises of The Hoste Arms, a luxury hotel and pub dating back to 1651, an English tapas-style restaurant Socius, and Number Twenty9, a bar and restaurant recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the top 80 places to stay in Great Britain. Other, more casual, high points include bakery and cafe NO.Thirty3, and Tuscan Farm Shop, a café, wine bar and deli.?

Shopping wise, the village has a mixture of upmarket chains, for instance Joules and Jack Wills branches, as well as an eclectic mix of independent stores. These include gems such as The White House Bookshop, Barefoot Living, Little Sunshine Toys, Norfolk Living … and the list could go on!?

There are likewise plenty places to stay. These include The White House, a gorgeous building available to book by room or in its entirety, The Hoste Arms again, or The Nelson, a superb country inn first recorded as a pub in 1685. Additionally, the village has a Norfolk Hideaways branch, with a whole 29 of their retreats situated in Burnham Market. They offer all kinds of stays, from luxurious and romantic getaways, to family and dog friendly holidays. One of their retreats even houses 31 people!

Not only is the little village buzzing with shops and restaurants, it also has a strong and welcoming sense of community. The Burnhams Tennis Club, for instance, describes itself as ‘your family friendly club in the heart of beautiful?Burnham Market’. With over 200 members and junior tennis coaching, the inclusive club has two floodlit hard playing courts and a clubhouse. The village hall is likewise a centre for community spirit, with activities such as bridge and ballet clubs, the Poppy Quilters (a quilt making club), and the Phoenix Ladies, a society set up 16 years ago, taking place there each week.?

Perhaps Burnham Market’s best feature, however, is its proximity to the North Norfolk coastline. The Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Beauty includes some of the most unspoilt beaches in the UK. The village is close to beaches such as Holkham, Brancaster and Turnham Overy Staithe, and is only six miles from Wells-next-the-Sea. The small paradise of Scolt Head Island, a National Trust Nature Reserve, is also close by and Pink-Footed geese will currently be flying here during the colder months.

The royal estate Sandringham, a favourite country retreat of Queen Elizabeth II, is only a stone's throw away. The estate’s parkland, courtyard, and gardens are open to the public, and from this Friday the Luminate Sandringham Winter Light Trail will be open every evening.?

Equally impressive is Holkham Hall, a magnificent 18th century Palladian style stately home with a beautiful walled garden and acres of stunning dog friendly parkland. The hall itself is open to the public, as well as the surrounding grounds which offer a woodland play area, nature and bike trails, the beautiful St Withburga church and a stunning fountain before the hall’s entrance. Holkham, which was used for filming The Duchess, also offers a park run every Saturday, as well as a well-being walks every third Tuesday of each month. Similarly to Sandringham, this winter will offer?‘Holkham Hall by candlelight’; an opportunity to tour the hall in all its Christmas finery. Holkham however is likely most known for its abundance of fallow deer, and with it currently being rutting season, now is the perfect time to visit!??