Congham Hall Hotel & Spa is a great place for a break or a romantic getaway

jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 12:26, 26 May 2024

| Updated: 10:03, 27 May 2024

I thought it offered the ideal break for hard-working couples who need a little rest and relaxation away from the stresses of everyday life. My wife believed it was the perfect romantic retreat - perhaps somewhere to be whisked away to in the early stages of a relationship.

It could also be a gorgeous place to stay if visiting West Norfolk, somewhere to spend quality time with friends and family or just a fantastic treat. After all, we all deserve one of those now and again.

Whatever your reason for visiting, you can be sure you’ll find it at the luxurious yet unpretentious Congham Hall Hotel and Spa, situated just eight miles from Lynn but not a million miles from paradise.

Having lived and worked around West Norfolk my whole life, it is surprising that I’d never visited the elegant Georgian manor before, so when I was given the chance to stay for an evening with my wife, I didn’t have to be asked twice.

We arrived early on a sunny Sunday afternoon and, driving through the village and into the grounds of the hall, were immediately struck by the impressive white building

Congham Hall offers a choice of 31 individually designed bedrooms and suites, alongside friendly service, delicious food and drink, and a luxury spa.

But it also boasts five luxurious Orchard Cabins among the gardens and, after a tour of the hotel, one of these architect-designed contemporary detached suites is where we would stay.

Each named after the different apple trees that surround them, the cabins are stylish yet comfy, with lovely large beds and designer furniture, offset by artwork and gorgeous rugs.

The spacious open-plan room includes a dressing area, refreshment station and bathroom. But what makes the cabins special is the floor-to-ceiling window which allows you to feel a part of the natural world playing outside, whether it be a muntjac deer running by, the breeze passing through the apple trees or the stars in the night sky. There’s even a freestanding bathtub on the outdoor terrace.

Although only staying one night, we made the most of our time and enjoyed wandering through the beautiful garden shortly after arriving and before leaving the following morning. The herb area features many varieties, all used in the AA Rosette restaurant to flavour and garnish dishes and infuse oils. Mint is provided for tea and glasses of Pimms and rosemary is used in massages at the Secret Garden Spa.

We enjoyed some time in the spa, taking in the pool, sauna, steam room, bio-sauna, experience showers and foot baths before laying on sun beds outside for a while and enjoying a dip in the outside hot tub. We didn’t have time for treatments this time but will make that a priority on our next visit - and we will be back.

Something we always make time for, however, is food and we enjoyed two lovely meals in the The Samphire Kitchen restaurant, which is open to outside diners as well as hotel guests.

For our evening meal, I enjoyed a fresh and tasty superfood salad starter with a tofu ‘fish and chips’ main, while my wife enjoyed a smoked salmon starter followed by roast cod main. We both finished off with sticky toffee pudding.

The kitchen is beautiful, light and airy and one particularly lovely touch was a different plant on each table.

In the morning the food was just as appealing and we both thoroughly enjoyed our breakfasts, me going for the ‘herbivore’ option and Josit the ‘full English’.

Our stay was infused with the luxury and elegance that makes Congham Hall Hotel a really special stay and we savoured every moment, knowing it was something special.