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Welcome to The Victoria

Relax like you’re at home,we’ll take care of the rest.

Welcome to Holkham and thank you for choosing to stay with us at The Victoria. I hope you will find your room comfortable and have everything you need to enjoy a relaxing stay. If not, please let one of the team know and we will do all that we can to help.

The Victoria is an independent hotel owned by the Holkham Estate and run by our dedicated team of staff. Our aim is to provide outstanding service, food, cleanliness and value while making you feel at home. We hope that in doing so, we will make Holkham and The Victoria somewhere you will want to return to again and again.

Your feedback is important to help us maintain the high standards we aspire to deliver. Should you wish to provide me with feedback from your visit, I would be most grateful to hear from you. Please feel free to email me when you have returned home at ben.hw@holkham.co.uk.

Enjoy your stay.

Ben Hunter Watts, Managing Director

 

Important information for during your stay

Please familiarise yourself with the details below.

Between 7:30am and 10pm:

To speak to our reception staff, call 01328 711008 or dial 0 from the telephone in your room.

Emergency out-of-hours contact:

In the event of the fire alarm sounding during the night, the manager will be automatically contacted. In the event of any other emergency, whereby a member of staff is required, please call the phone numbers shown on the back of your door or in the hallways of The Victoria and Ancient House. Please remember to press 9 prior to entering the number if calling using the phone in your room.

The telephone in your bedroom is for internal calls only. If you wish to make an outside call, reception (dial 0) can arrange a connect call for you.

To call another bedroom, please dial the following extensions:

1 – Hare Clump 301 11 – Bush Close 311
2 – Tutsia Clump 302 12 – Waterden 312
3 – Honk’s Pit 303 13 – Cow Planting 313
4 – Crabbe Castle Pit 304 14 – Wilbrahams 314
5 – Scarborough 305 15 – Dale Hole 315
6 – Watermire 306 16 – Lime Kiln 316
7 – Mouse Hill 307 17 – Fushia 317
8 – Blunt’s Corner 308 18 – Pistol Club 318
9 – Hanging Fallow 309 19 – Emmerdale 319
10 – Joe’s Stop 310 20 – Bones Belt 320

If you have not been forewarned of a scheduled fire alarm test, please always assume it is an emergency and evacuate immediately. Please refer to the back of your bedroom door on arrival to familiarise yourself with fire exits and assembly points.

In the event of a fire:

  • On finding a fire, sound the nearest fire alarm and proceed to the nearest fire exit.
  • Once safe, please call the Fire Brigade on 999, and alert a member of staff if possible. Our address is: The Victoria, Park Road, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1RG

On hearing the fire alarm:

  • On hearing the fire alarm, proceed quickly and safely to the nearest fire exit as shown on the back of your door. Ensure all people in your party are accounted for. Do not delay by gathering your personal items.
  • Once through your nearest fire exit, proceed to the assembly point which is located at the car park to the rear of The Victoria or the Ancient House car park depending on the building you are staying in.
  • Once you are at the assembly point, please give your name and room number to the Duty Manager or Fire Officer and await further instructions.
  • Only return to the building when the all-clear is given by the Duty Manager or Fire Officer.

 

 

Check in is from 3pm onwards. You are welcome to collect your complimentary car parking pass from reception prior to this check in time. Reception closes at 10pm.

Please be aware that check out is by 11am on the day of departure. On certain occasions we can provide an extension for check out by an hour with a £10 additional charge. If you do wish for this hour extension, please ask at reception. Please feel free to ask a member of staff if you require help with luggage on check out.

We are more than happy to tidy your room whilst you are staying with us and topping up your tea and coffee facilities. If you would like us to tidy your room, please put the ‘make my room up’ hanger on the door. If the housekeeping team do not see a hanger on the door or the ‘do not disturb’ they will not enter your room. Please note your hanger would need to be on the door in the morning around breakfast time and rooms will not be serviced after 3pm.

The Victoria has ten bedrooms within the main building, and another ten in Ancient House, located opposite. There is one ground floor accessible bedroom at The Victoria. Upon check in you will be given a key to your room, which will also allow you access into the main door and resident lounge at the Victoria after hours.

You will find towels and cotton bathrobes at your disposal, as well as selected complimentary drinks and a tea and coffee station. Should you require anything extra, such as additional towels or tea bags for example, please ask a member of staff who will happily help with your request.

Each bedroom has an en suite, some with baths, others with showers and some with both. You will find instructions in your bathroom on how to operate the shower and bath dials, if needed.

Forgotten something? We have nonslip bathmats, shaving kits, shower caps and toothbrushes available on request.

Please note, the toiletries in the bathroom are refillable and therefore not to be taken away. There will be a charge for any missing items. Please inform reception or housekeeping if you require a refill at any point during your stay.

Dining with us

Breakfast 8-10am, Lunch 12-2:30pm, Dinner 6:30-9pm

We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, in either our comfortable gallery where you’ll find a roaring fire in the winter, or in our spacious Orangery, which has glorious views over the Holkham National Nature Reserve. All dining areas are dog friendly. We aim  to showcase the very best locally sourced ingredients and our menus change regularly.

We do have two sittings at both lunch and dinner and therefore a table allocation of two hours. We recommend booking in advance to secure the time of your choice. Please note that if you are on a Bed & Breakfast package you are not automatically guaranteed a table, as this is subject to availability.

 

Fancy a tipple or two?

The bar is available to all guests from 12noon to 11pm. We have an extensive wine list as well as a cocktail menu, selection of spirits and mixers, a range of beers and ciders on tap and in bottles and a variety of soft juices, cordials, tonics and more. Many of our drinks are produced in local breweries and distilleries.

We’re dog friendly!

We are a dog friendly hotel and welcome dogs to stay in rooms 1-10, located inside the main building. Dogs are provided with their own bed, water bowl and complimentary treats when staying with us. Rooms 11-20 in Ancient House are dog-free.

Please do not leave dogs unattended in rooms.

Dogs are also welcome in all downstairs areas of The Victoria and must be on a lead at all times. Holkham and Wells beaches are predominantly dog friendly, but please familiarise yourself with the dog zoning areas where dogs either need to be on a lead at certain times of the year to protect ground nesting birds or are not permitted to protect the seal colony.

 

Book a massage

We are sorry but in-room massages with North Norfolk Natural Therapy are currently unavailable.

I would like to reiterate my manager Ben’s welcome to you and trust you will have a wonderful and relaxing stay with us.

My four-great grandfather, Thomas William Coke, of Agriculture Revolution fame, built The Victoria in 1838, the year Queen Victoria created him Earl of Leicester (of the second creation). The first Earl (of the first creation) was Thomas Coke, the builder of Holkham Hall a century before.

I hope you find time to visit the Hall if you are staying during our open season (April to October). Otherwise, I cannot urge you strongly enough to take a stroll on the amazing beach across the road from you now, undoubtingly one of the greatest beaches in the country, or simply walk or run in the park.

The bedrooms at The Victoria have all been named after shoot drives on the estate, areas of woodland and woodland belts. Holkham has long been regarded as a ‘Great Estate’ in the eyes of the shooting world, not least because it is believed to be the place where driven shooting first began in England. Today, the estate is still well known for its wild bird shoot and its conservation policies. We also own and manage the Holkham National Nature Reserve opposite the hotel.

I hope you will enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this special place, not to mention the delicious menu we are so proud of, always sourcing fresh local produce where possible, much of it from the estate; game in season, venison, beef and potatoes from the farm and vegetables from the walled garden.

The Earl of Leicester

Holkham attractions

The Victoria is an integral part of the wider Holkham Estate. Well-known for the beach and Holkham National Nature Reserve, you can also visit Holkham Park and enjoy the sweeping landscape, deer park and a wonderful range of attractions and events.

Holkham Beach & Nature Reserve

What makes Holkham National Nature Reserve so special? Is it the glorious stretch of golden sand, the haven for wildlife or the feeling of freedom as you step onto the bay? Perhaps it’s all three.

Wells-next-the-Sea Beach

The thriving seaside town and port plays host to a range of shops for everyone from foodies to fashionistas.

The Hall

  • Open Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays until 31st October
  • Adult: £18, child (ages 5-15): £2

Step into Thomas Coke’s vision of an Italian villa on the North Norfolk coast; a haven to display the treasures and trophies amassed whilst on his 18th century Grand Tour of Europe.

Holkham Stories Experience

  • Open daily 10am-5pm

Learn how Holkham has changed over the years, how the Hall was built and about the Coke family’s historical past, from prosecuting Gunpowder Plotters to revolutionising agriculture.

Walled Garden

  • Open daily, 10am-5pm

Visit the newly renovated Samuel Wyatt Vinery, before stepping through the Venetian gates to discover what lies within the sun trapped walls of the garden.

Ropes Course

  • Open weekends and school holidays
  • £24

With your harness on, get your feet off the ground and take to the treetops on our Ropes Course. Do you dare balance on the beams, tiptoe over swinging bridges, and zoom on our two zip wires?

Cycling

  • Open daily until 31st October, weather dependent
  • Adult bike prices from £14

Hop on your bike and follow our way-marked routes to explore all corners of the park, passing many landmarks such as the Obelisk, the Ice House and the Monument on your way. Our Cycle Hire offers a great range of bicycles, electric bikes and trailers – there’s even one for your dog! Currently, pre-booking is available for full day hire only. Shorter hire periods are available in-person on the day.

Walking and cycling routes

Boat Hire

  • Open daily between 20th July-31st August (weather dependent)
  • £16 per boat (45 mins)

Enjoy a slower pace and take in the stunning views as you while away a pleasant afternoon on Holkham Lake. Hire one of our rowing boats and relax as you admire the passing wildlife.

Courtyard Café

  • 10am – 5pm

You’ll find the Courtyard Cafe nestled in the main visitor courtyard in Holkham Park. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy a tasty snack or a light lunch during your visit.

Courtyard Gift Shop

  • 10am – 5pm

Every trip to Holkham Park is deserving of a browse around our gift shop. Full of beautiful homeware, varied artwork, delicious food and plenty more, we opt for sustainable and local products wherever possible.

The Lookout

  • 10am – 5pm

Sitting at the top of Lady Anne’s Drive, The Lookout blends perfectly into the landscape with spectacular views and refreshing food and drinks.

Woodland Play Area

  • Open daily
  • Free. Parking charges apply.

Adventure awaits in the woods! Children can go wild playing in the trees, enjoying high level walkways, treehouses, swings and a zip wire. There’s a special area for tots, and of course a place for parents to perch and enjoy a cuppa.

Holkham Park

  • Open daily, 10am-4pm
  • Free. Parking charges apply.

Take a walk on the wild side, keeping an eye out for our resident Fallow Deer, pheasants, wildflower meadows, geese on the lake and our unusual evergreen Holm oaks, brought over from Italy in the 18th century.

Holkham Village

Home to a small but satisfying selection of shops, stopping off in Holkham Village is a must!

Wells Beach Café

  • 10am – 5pm

If being on the beach isn’t a treat enough, the Beach Café provides tasty goodies to enjoy alongside your stroll on the sand.

What’s on at Holkham

Have a browse of Holkham’s upcoming events.

View all eventsView all events

Attic Tours of Holkham Hall

Most Wednesdays

Accompanied by an expert guide, our behind-the-scenes tours exploring the hidden passages and the servants’ stairs of Holkham Hall take you right up to the highest tower rooms and attics.

Read more

Traditional Oil Painting Workshop

Tuesday 15th – Wednesday 16th October

Join artist, Bryony Knight, for a traditional oil painting workshop inspired by Holkham’s art collection.

Read more

Meet the Makers

Selected Thursdays

Meet talented makers and producers in Holkham Giftshop.

Read more

Talking with the Wounded

Friday 18th October

A charity presentation with Ben Stephens and four wounded soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Read more

Parkrun

Every Saturday

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you!

Read more

Time toexplore.

The team here at The Victoria have compiled a list of our favourite local attractions and restaurants to ensure you have the best time possible.

Please feel free to ask us any questions about The Vic, Holkham, Wells and the local area.

Places to eat

Aside from our excellent restaurant and bar at The Vic, here are some suggestions for delicious dining in neighbouring villages and towns.

Courtyard Café

Holkham Park
01328 710227

Wells Beach Café

Wells-next-the-Sea
01328 713055

The Lookout

Holkham Beach
01328 711917

The Lord Nelson

Burnham Thorpe
01328 854988

Bang in Wells Café and Bar

Wells-next-the-Sea
01328 712149

Sands Restaurant

Wells-next-the-Sea
01328 710534

The Crown Hotel

Wells-next-the-Sea
01328 710209

The Globe Inn

Wells-next-the-Sea
01328 710206

Wells Deli

Wells-next-the-Sea
01328 711171

Wells Crab House

Wells-next-the-Sea
01328 7105456

The Red Lion

Stiffkey
01328 830552

Black Lion Hotel

Walsingham
01328 820235

The Carpenters Arms

Wighton
01328 807080

The Three Horseshoes

Warham
01328 710547

No. Twenty9 Bar & Restaurant

Burnham Market
01328 738498

Socius

Burnham Market
01328 738307

The Hoste

Burnham Market
01328 738777

The Two Magpies Bakery

Blakeney
01263 741368

The Two Magpies

Holt
01263 712465

Back to the Garden

Holt
01263 715996

The Parlour

Binham
01328 830796

Backed by a belt of sweet-smelling pines is the stunning Wells Beach, best known for its sweeping line of pastel painted beach huts and miles of golden sand. Be sure to keep clear of the seal enclosure, and listen out for the siren, warning of the incoming tide.

A walk between Holkham and Wells beaches is the perfect way to spend your time, with The Lookout at one end for refreshments and Wells Beach Café ready to greet you at the other, with everything from tea and coffee, sandwiches and cakes to ice cream and even dog treats!

Holkham Village on our doorstep is home to a few independent shops that are well worth a browse, as well as the Adnams store.

A little further afield, there are many wonderful, independent shops in Wells-next-the-Sea and Burnham Market, selling everything from homewares, books and clothing to art, photography and delicious food and drink (just perfect for that picnic on the beach!).

Travelling around

Closest petrol station

Gulf on Polka Road, Wells-next-the-Sea operates 24 hours a day. Payment is by card only.

Taxis

Pre-booking is strongly recommended for these services:

Elite Travel, Wells-next-the-Sea – 01328 821812
Cars To Go, Walsingham – 01328 854171
Tiny’s Taxis, Fakenham – 01328 888888

Electric vehicle charging

We have four charging points here at The Victoria. Charging is available at a cost of 50p per KW.

There is also EV charging available at Holkham Park and Lady Anne’s Drive.

Coasthopper bus

We’re fortunate to be just 100m (around a one minute walk) from bus stops for buses travelling in both directions. The 36 Coastliner stops here between Kings Lynn and Fakenham, stopping in Wells-next-the-Sea, Burnham Market, Walsingham and several other lovely Norfolk villages. There are easy connections to help you access the best the county has to offer.

Up-to-date travel information can be found using the link below.

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WONDER at The Vic

Sustainability is part of everything we do at Holkham.

We have many initiatives already in place at The Vic. Our Biomass Boiler which uses woodchip from the estate to fuel heating and hot water. Our electricity comes from certified renewable energy sources, powering our LED lighting throughout. We support biodiversity with native, pollinator-friendly plants in our gardens.

Sustainable procurement of ingredients is key, from fair trade products to local ingredients, many coming from the estate itself (including game and venison) to the floral arrangements around the hotel from the walled garden on the estate. Wherever possible, our food comes from within a 50-mile radius. Food waste is composted, with the compost used in Holkham’s Walled Garden. Our refillable toiletries are safe for the water system and sourced locally. We’ve removed all single-use plastic from the bar and our booking process has been paper free for years.

We are committed to continually monitor and alter practices to be as environmentally and ethically responsible as possible. We hold the highest accolade of a Gold Award in Green Tourism: the largest and most established sustainable certification.

How you can help

  • Conserve energy: reduce your energy usage by switching off lights and electrical appliances when not in use and close the windows if the heating is on.
  • Give the car a rest: leave the car behind, if only for one journey. The Victoria is surrounded by beauty spots such as Holkham Hall and Park, plus Holkham National Nature Reserve and Beach, Wells Beach and the pine woods, all well within walking distance. Bikes, including e-bikes, can be hired from Holkham’s Cycle Hire  and can be taken off the estate to explore the local area, which includes the Sustrans National Cycle Route 1. To explore further afield, our local bus service runs along the coast from King’s Lynn to Sheringham.
  • Reduce waste: you’ll find bins in your bedrooms with dividers in, allowing you to easily separate your recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
  • Be water wise: turn the taps off whilst brushing your teeth or shaving and try to take shorter showers.
  • Reuse towels in the rooms where possible
  • Respect nature: help us look after the surrounding landscapes and wildlife by not littering, picking up after your dog, guarding against fire and by using footpaths and cycle ways responsible.