Red Lion B&B, Stiffkey UK

Stiffkey is one of those locations I retreat to in my mind when I’m instructed to think of my “happy place.” Set amongst the wetlands of Norfolk on the east coast of England, it is a teeny, tiny little hamlet with a handful of shops, one narrow road, a few homes and the obligatory pub. (If you’re curious about Stiffkey itself, read about my past trip to Stiffkey here. The coolest part? The main accommodation in town for tourists is part of the pub.

The Red Lion is an old, very traditional English-style pub. It looks like its been added on to several times to accommodate its burgeoning custom, which is always a good sign. In the back, several rooms have been added to accommodate tourists- or those who may have drank too much to make the drive down the crazy lanes back home after a particularly hard night.

Located right on the main road, and just across the street from walking paths, or through a field to the marshes, the Red Lion is a nice place to go if you want to commune with nature. I have gone twice, both times with a view to spend the day slipping about in the muddy marshes and the evening eating fresh seafood and drinking pints in the pub.

The rooms themselves are pretty standard- big queen bed, a bit of storage space, and a nice balcony with a view of the pub and the fields across the way. The big selling point, however- not that they need one, considering accommodation is pretty rare in the immediate vicinity- is the bathroom. Big, white and sparkling clean, there is a jet tub to soak away a day of mud (and, if you’re totally unfit like me, sore muscles) from perambulations around the area.

The pub is the only food option in the immediate area, so although you may be out for lunch, if you stay more than one night, you’ll get familiar with the staff, who double as the reception staff for the rooms above. Luckily, the food is so good- and pretty well priced- that eating there night after night is no big deal. There’s also plenty of selection, from veggie-friendly to plates for complete meatlovers. I tend to get the seafood, given it comes from the shore just a few miles away.

The real selling point, though, is breakfast. (I feel like I say that a lot. I guess the important things for me in a hotel are good breakfast options and, of course, a good view. This place has both!) Being a b&b, breakfast is included in your accommodation, and could not be more generous. In addition to a continental breakfast that includes toast, cereal, fruit and a variety of juices, you can select from several variations of the traditional English fry up. Say whaaaat?! There have been a few times where I’m so stuffed from breakfast I haven’t had to eat anything until its time for a pint at 5pm.

If you’re looking for a quiet weekend in the countryside- and like to combine your restaurant and sleeping accommodation- try the Red Lion. I keep coming back to the area for its beauty, and staying at the Red Lion will always be my top choice.