Dog-friendly spots - The Gin Trap Inn, Norfolk: A coastal cottage retreat
The next stop in our dog-friendly series is one we'll be returning to. I hadn't spent much time in Norfolk previously but, alongside the usual favourites (Cotswolds, Peak District, The Lakes, etc), it ticks all things cosy, beautiful architecture, endless walking spots, and good pubs. We stayed in a small village north of Kings Lynn and, as we were there for Christmas, the furthest we travelled from our cottage was about 13 miles. Still, there is a lot to write home about.
Home Away from Home
Nestled in the charming village of Ringstead, The Gin Trap Inn became home for Christmas. Offering dog-friendly cottages alongside it's pub, which is very popular with the locals (always a good sign), from the moment we arrived, I could see every detail had been thoughtfully considered to make our stay special. From being greeted with a bag of presents and thoughtful touches for the dogs, to the speciality teas and gorgeous, eco-friendly toiletries - we settled in very quickly.
The weather was looking unpredictable for our stay and so I packed our full collection of clothing for Twiggy. In fact, the first thing I did when we arrived was unpack her wardrobe, which I was able to hang up on the coat rack by the front door ready for our walks and for speedy drying after the beach - it's moments like these I'm so grateful for these handy little coat tags.
The Gin Trap Inn’s pub felt like the heart of the village. It had a warm buzz about it, particularly helped by the beautiful open fire, which Twiggy claimed as her spot for our stay.
Now, I knew the food was going to be good from the reviews we'd seen, but it really blew us away. I'm not a meat-eater, so when I come across a menu that puts love into their alternatives, I have a good feeling about it. A couple of my favourite dishes were the Twice Baked Lincolnshire Soufflé and the Brown Crab & Gin Trap Ale Rarebit. Twiggy naturally expressed an interest in both. On that note, the dogs were also able to sit with us which was particularly lovely at this time of year.
A Dog Walker's Paradise
Just a two-minute walk from the cottage, we stumbled across a field where the dogs could freely zoom away from the roads. It felt very safe for them to be off their leads and it was ideal for a quick morning run before breakfast.
For our longer walks, we headed to Holkham Beach and Hunstanton Beach during our stay. Hunstanton Beach, also fondly referred to as 'Sunny Hunny' for being one of the driest spots in the country, was a mix of sand, shells, and rock pools which Twiggy loved to explore. I'd be keen to return in summer as, apparently, the sunsets are breathtaking with it being west-facing.
We ventured out to Holkham Beach on Boxing Day, which is part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve and walking distance from the stunning Holkham Hall. I think it must be the most beautiful dog walk I've experienced for its vast dunes and miles of unspoilt stretches of sand. Twiggy couldn't get enough of it and it was a joy seeing her in her own little world. The beach is accessed through a pine forest and, similar to Hunstanton Beach, parking is available close to the entrance. We found it very safe for the dogs to be off-lead due to the time of year (cattle are taken off the marshes in October) and the beach is well away from roads.
It might not have been a place you've considered, especially considering the options we're spoilt with here in the UK, but I couldn't recommend it enough and I feel like we barely scratched the surface.