A romantic getaway in Norfolk — What to do and where to stay

July 9, 2025 | The Victoria | 12 minute read

If you’re planning a romantic getaway in the UK with your partner, we’re here to give you some inspiration! Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or birthday, planning your honeymoon or babymoon, or simply treating your special someone just because, North Norfolk is one of the best destinations in the UK for a romantic getaway. So let’s explore why you should choose Norfolk, where to stay, and what you can do while you’re here. 

Why choose Norfolk for your romantic break

North Norfolk is known for its natural beauty, peace, understated charm, and secluded countryside. Our big skies and vast, open landscapes are wonderful for walks and enjoying the views together, while the villages and market towns along the North Norfolk coast offer plenty to see and do, including boutique shops, independent galleries, and delightful cafés and bakeries. The foodie scene here is fantastic, too. 

We’re perhaps harder to get to than other places, but that just means there’s more opportunity for secluded, intimate time together. Trust us, it’s worth the journey. 

Where to stay for your romantic getaway in Norfolk

The Victoria at Holkham is a romantic hotel by the coast and is an ideal choice for your Norfolk lovers’ retreat. You can choose from one of our 20 hotel rooms or a stay in a new, luxurious shepherd hut! 

Why choose The Victoria for your couple’s trip:

• The Victoria’s prime location gives you easy access to Holkham Beach, the Norfolk coast path, Wells-next-the-Sea, Holkham Park, Burnham Market, and a wealth of other towns, villages and attractions in North Norfolk that are well worth exploring! Take a look at our suggestions for things to do with your partner during your trip below
• Our restaurant is renowned for fantastic food, its ever-changing menu providing plenty of variety. The dishes are created using predominantly locally sourced products from Holkham and within Norfolk, and we’ve been awarded two AA Rosettes in 2022, 2023 and 2024
• The Victoria’s main building and shepherd huts both provide dog friendly accommodation, so if you’re dog paw-rents, you can bring your pup with you! (If you don’t want a dog friendly room, take a look at the accommodation in The Vic’s beautiful Ancient House). More details about a dog friendly stay at The Vic can be found here
• We’re a sustainable hotel, always trying our very best to lower our impact on the planet. Find out more about what we’re doing and our Green Tourism award here

The Victoria hotel

Our 4-star hotel and restaurant has 20 individually decorated rooms across two buildings – The Victoria and Ancient House – and you can even choose the room that’s right for you and your partner upon booking. 

Cosy rooms, larger suites, nature reserve views… take a look at our selection of rooms here and see which takes your fancy.

You can even book an in-room massage as an extra treat for your partner!

Shepherd huts at The Victoria

In spring 2025, we opened four luxurious shepherd huts on the hotel grounds. Each handcrafted, the shepherd huts at The Victoria offer self-catering accommodation for couples. 

They’re larger than a standard shepherd hut, meaning there’s space to settle in for your break, while still providing a lovely cosy atmosphere. You can take in the views over a paddock and enjoy the fresh air from your terrace.

And, of course, if you’d like to enjoy a slow breakfast, tasty lunch or candlelit dinner at The Victoria, you can!

Things to do on your romantic getaway in Norfolk

So your stay is booked — now to plan the fun you’ll have together. Whether you’re seeking activity or relaxation, here’s some inspiration for your Norfolk retreat.

1. Stroll along Holkham Beach (or neighbouring Wells Beach) at sunset

Backed by dunes and pine woods, Holkham Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. Its expansive sands and fantastic views make it the perfect place for a romantic walk, particularly when the tide’s out. 

The beach’s beauty has captured the eyes and hearts of many. It’s been featured in numerous films, including the closing scenes of Shakespeare in Love, in which Gwyneth Paltrow walks along the golden sands. If that’s not a sign that it’s the perfect place for a romantic break, we don’t know what is.

It’s a popular choice for proposals too, hint hint!

2. Sail away

Take a boat trip out to see the seal colony at Blakeney Point. This can be on a group trip, or you could go all-out and charter a boat for the two of you. Alternatively, sail the salt marshes or into the sea with the Coastal Exploration Co., departing from nearby Wells-next-the-Sea.

Find out more about seal spotting options here (post written by our friends at Pinewoods).

3. Enjoy an al fresco picnic

Tuck in while taking in the views. Enjoy a couple of hours of peace in nature with your favourite picnic items and a bottle of bubbly!

Bring books, a game, or simply sit back and chat, enjoying uninterrupted time in each other’s company.

4. Cycle or hike through Holkham Park, the National Nature Reserve, or surrounding villages

Rent bikes from Holkham’s cycle hire team or bring your own with you, and head off on two wheels! Discover monuments around the park, explore the various habitats and landscapes of the nature reserve, or stop off for shopping or snacks in local villages and towns like Burnham Market, Wells-next-the-Sea, North and South Creake, and Walsingham.

5. Visit Holkham Hall and its Walled Garden

The Victoria lies at the gates of Holkham Park. A gentle stroll will find you at the Palladian hall, which is open to the public on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays between late March and October. Slightly beyond, you’ll find the recently restored Walled Garden, where you can while away time among beautiful blooms and gain inspiration for your own garden. 

If you do feel the love on your visit, you might be interested to know that both Holkham Hall and the Walled Garden can be hired for your wedding! Find out more about Holkham weddings here.

6. Have a treetop adventure on the Ropes Course

Sometimes we need to go back to our childhood, don’t we? Boost your adrenaline and enjoy a laugh together by taking on the Ropes Course!

7. Explore quiet coastal trails

North Norfolk is full of secluded coastal trails running through dunes, salt marsh and woodland. It’s the perfect place to head out on a stroll, with beauty in abundance!

Consider wandering from Wells-next-the-Sea to Stiffkey (stopping off at Stiffkey Stores), Blakeney to Cley (picking up some provisions from Picnic Fayre), or around Burnham Overy Staithe.

8. Go birdwatching and look out for wildlife

Norfolk is a paradise for wildlife lovers. The Holkham National Nature Reserve is just across the road from The Victoria and is home to a huge variety of birdlife and other animals who make the most of the diverse habitats here. Spot seals in the shallows on the beach or in greater numbers at Blakeney Point, admire the fallow deer in Holkham Park, or explore the numerous nature reserves nearby. 

9. Relax with dinner and drinks at The Victoria

No romantic getaway is complete without a dinner out! Dine with us at The Victoria and enjoy delicious meals from our fantastic chef team, headed up by Michael Chamberlain. Passionate about using the best seasonal, Norfolk produce wherever possible, the team changes their menus regularly. What you can always be sure of is high quality alongside excellent, friendly service. Remember to save room for dessert!

Other popular restaurants to add to your itinerary include Socius and No. Twenty9 Bar & Restaurant (both in Burnham Market), Wells Crab House in Wells-next-the-Sea, and The White Horse in Brancaster. 

10. Stargaze with the dark Norfolk skies

Did you know that the area around Victoria, and much of the rural North Norfolk coast, is a dark sky area? The low light pollution here means it’s a super spot for stargazing. So, wrap up warm if needed and gaze up at the night sky. If you’re really lucky, you might even see shooting stars or the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) which have been sighted here.

Cuddled together, gazing up in awe at the stars above — it doesn’t get much more romantic than that!

11. Cosy up and relax indoors

The rooms and shepherd huts at The Victoria offer a calm and peaceful environment to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you want to simply rest, relax and enjoy each other’s company here, go for it! Many rooms have large baths, and we use luxury toiletries from Norfolk Natural Living. Our lounge area provides hotel guests an exclusive, cosy place to go to read, play a game or have a drink. The shepherd huts feature lovely leather sofas, a breakfast bar with a view, with a board game or two provided. Enjoy the simple pleasure of time away from everyday life with your favourite person (and perhaps your favourite animal, too!)

If you’re inspired to book a romantic getaway or couple’s break in Norfolk with a stay at The Victoria, view hotel rooms here and find out more about the shepherd huts here.

We hope to see you soon for your next anniversary, celebration, or just because!