We got up early on a Sunday morning, packed up the car with our bags and folding bikes {one of our best purchases for the summer months and so handy for folding to take in the car} and headed off to Norfolk. Our first stop was at Holkham Hall {a beautiful old mansion with acres of parkland} where we cycled around the grounds and then down Lady Ann's drive to Holkham Beach where we parked our bikes up for a while for a walk.


Then along the cycle route through the pine trees towards Wells next the Sea to the part of the beach with beach huts. We walked this when we were there in January but it's much nicer to cycle I think especially on a sunny day.


It was my first time to Holkham and Wells and I fell in love with the beach huts as soon as I saw them. So British and iconic.

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After lots of photos we got back on our bikes and cycled into Wells, a small harbour town, for lunch and a look round the cute independent shops. We found a gorgeous interior shop with a courtyard serving yummy lunches. It's since gone as the owners have moved to Cambridge but there are some nice cafes once you get past the slightly tacky shops and fish and chip places on the harbour front and walk up the main high street.









From there we went to Burnham Market, somewhere I've written more about in the Winter post. On the day we visited it was hosting a summer fair so had bunting blowing in the breeze and lots of Union Jacks everywhere.


It was then time to check in at The Pigs. The rooms were amazing, we had been torn about renting a cottage or staying in a hotel but for only a couple of nights a hotel seemed like a better option. So these Spa rooms with the extra outside space were a perfect compromise. We had an outside bath and sauna which led out to a patio with a firepit and loungers! The pub is famous for it's food too which is always a bonus.



Tired from our day by the sea and all the cycling, we inhaled a roast dinner {one of the best we've had out still to this day} before an evening walk in the sunshine around the surrounding countryside.



And then it was firepit time! The pub has a big table in the hallway with a jar of marshmallows and sticks to toast over the fire as well as yummy chocolate cookies and an honesty bar for drinks.











From there we explored Holt, a gorgeous Georgian market town close to where we were staying. It's great for antiques shopping and you must visit the famous Byfords deli. We bought some supplies for dinner at the Pigs that evening.





Just driving around Norfolk is beautiful with fields and farms everywhere. I love the windmills at the side of the road.


Cromer is worth a visit for a walk along the beach too.