Strattons, Norfolk
From Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay British Hotels, Inns & Other Places.
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A minute's stroll from Swaffham's vibrant market square you enter a peaceful courtyard where silky bantams strut through charmingly informal gardens dotted with urns.
Les and Vanessa met at art school, and have covered every square inch of this Queen Anne villa with mosaics, murals, marble busts, plump pillows, piles of books, bunches of dried roses, rugs on wooden floors - it feels like a wildly original French château.
It's not just the feel of rural France, nor the spectacular interiors that make Strattons so special - it's also one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Britain. 'Everything is home-made, recycled, bought locally, restored, renewed and rethought,' says Vanessa.
Bedrooms are exquisite: a carved four-poster, a tented bathroom, Indian brocade, stained glass trompe l'oeil panelling and sofas by a log fire; the two suites added in 2002 are heaven.
Dine in the pure and simple lower-ground floor bistro, with white-painted brickwork, crisp linen, voile curtains and gilt-framed paintings. Vanessa's fresh and seasonal cooking style has won many awards.
E M Forster dreamed of a 'holy trinity of soil, soul and society' - they’ve got it pretty close here.
Room rates :
£100-£130. Singles from £75. Suites £180 for a double room including breakfast.
Number of rooms :
8: 3 doubles, 1 twin, 1 four-poster, 3 suites.
Phone :
+44 (0)1760 723845
Fax :
+44 (0)1760 720458
Address :
Strattons, 4 Ash Close, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7NH
Website :
www.strattonshotel.com
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