THE LOWDOWN

This 300 year old coaching inn has been transformed into a fun and funky pub, restaurant and hotel combo. You’ll find it perched on the busy A148 in the west Norfolk village of Hillington, a stone’s throw from the Sandringham Estate (the Royals are practically neighbours!) and seven miles from King’s Lynn.

Once home to Martin Ffolkes, attorney general to Queen Catherine, Ffolkes is the most recent project of entrepreneurs Iain and Clair Wilson who scooped up the rather rough-round-the-edges pub in 2017. After a creative £2m refurb, it has become a much-loved member of the Norfolk Passport family of businesses which include Byfords in Holt, The Pigs in Edgefield and The Assembly House in Norwich.

We couldn’t wait to check out the latest revamp which has seen the creation of a bigger dining area and introduction of eight exciting new concept rooms, including the star attraction of three secluded spa cabins. These beautifully designed suites for two, with hot tub, sauna and countryside views, have been so well received that there are plans afoot to add three more this year. Cue excited clapping.

THE VIBE

Fun, unpretentious and down to earth. Rocking up on a dark, cold January evening, we appreciated the warm welcome from both the staff and the stylish double-sided fireplaces!

The original coaching inn is home to a buzzy restaurant, with adjoining glam double lounge, tucked-away games room and pretty conservatory. Follow the ‘Get Lucky’ sign upstairs to the most traditional rooms on offer, each decorated with a subtle nod to different aspects of the pub’s history.

Downstairs, chandeliers, velvet armchairs, leather sofas and wooden panelling hark to the heritage, but there are playful pops of bold colour and little humorous, personal touches throughout (we noted the jaunty moustaches and hair bows stuck to the framed Georgian-style portraits and the Ffolkes Family gallery of staff baby photos).

I’d describe the main eating area as more casual diner than country pub, with families and groups of friends eating in large booths and at long party tables, alongside smaller tables for couples, whilst the Instagrammable lounge makes for the perfect grown-up retreat to sup cocktails.

Clearly families are very much welcomed here and Ffolkes hasn’t scrimped on amusing their younger visitors. There’s a creative outdoor play area centred around a giant dragon’s egg, with lots of outdoor seating to supervise from whilst you leisurely sip your drink. On rainy days, depending on their age, there’s a foosball table, shuffleboard and darts to keep them occupied.

Big kids like me will also appreciate the hugely fun container crazy golf course, decorated by local street artists and pumping out choones. I was a little too delighted to beat my competitive husband on its loop-the-loops, mazes and golf-ball vortex. (A midweek round is £4 per child/£6 for adults.)

Ffolkes spills out beyond the coaching inn, with further bedrooms housed in a colourfully painted courtyard block and above the former stables which is now a rather swanky events venue. Not forgetting the new spa cabins at the back of the vast car park (more to come on these below).

SCOFF & QUAFF

Formal dining? No. Fun? Oh yes! Scrumptious street food is the order of the day in the restaurant. Ffolkes Feast outdoor dining experience set up during lockdown proved so popular they’ve brought it inside for the long term, with a different dining experience depending on the day of the week. On our Friday night visit, there was a choice of Asian-inspired dishes from Norwich’s Oishii, elaborate ice-cream creations from Downham Market’s Reesey’s, and funky disco vibes provided by a guest DJ. The rather quirky Eat to the Beat concept on Fri and Sat evenings adds to the festival feel but didn’t drown out conversation, despite our decks-side table.

Oishii specializes in bao buns, rice bowls, tacos and, perhaps surprisingly, a vast range of burgers and loaded fries – all with an Asian flourish. The food is prepared on site and served fresh to order. Who can pass go without ordering bao buns? Not us. Filled with sweet and salty char sui pork, pickled red onions and sriracha mayo, they were light as air and fabulously zingy. A winning dish for me.

Sitting pretty, the Hello Katsu (above) came topped with picked red cabbage and a sprinkling of coriander. Its tender popcorn chicken was melt in the mouth and the flavours authentic. My husband had the pleasingly smokey and spicy Kanji burger with its juicy Aberdeen beef patty topped with cheese and bacon.

If you like pimped-up fries, there’s a choice of four intriguing flavours. We opted for Crackanese which were perfectly crispy under a tasty coating of kewpie mayo, miso glaze, Oishii seasoning, spring onion and sesame seeds. I was glad we put in a last-minute bid for some veg in the form of the refreshingly crunchy smacked cucumber salad, dressed with a peppy bang bang sauce, chillis and crushed peanut. Vegetarians are fairly well catered for, but the choice for vegans is rather limited.

More than a little bit full, we enjoyed watching the elaborate head-turning desserts being delivered to delighted diners. Next time I’m saving space for Reesey’s sharing platter of mini ice cream cones, cookie dough and sticky toffee pudding, cutely served in a mini ice cream van. Clearly the kids are here for the puds – but if you can get them to eat something savoury first, they have their own pick ‘n’ mix menu of crowd-pleasing classics.

It would have been remiss not to have squeezed in a nightcap in the lounge. Picking from 16 tempting cocktails, many featuring local spirits, we didn’t regret our choices of liquid tiramisu cocktail and a Ffolkes own gin and tonic. We noted Ffolkes branded lager and ale, and many local breweries represented (scoring the pub an entry in the 2023 CAMRA Good Beer Guide).

Click here for a timetable of which days the different street food traders visit. We heard such good things about Ffolkes own Pie Kitchen (Mon-Thu and Sun) that we bought a batch of individual pies to takeaway. The gluten-free pastry was divine!

It’s the daily unlimited brunch however that really pulls in the punters – and at an affordable £16 for adults/£5 for under 12s (and included in all room bookings), it’s easy to see why this self-service buffet is such a hit. Shout out to the awesome herby sausages from local butcher Allard’s and the dainty berry compôte, yoghurt and granola pots. The full English is sizzling hot and fresh as if made to order.

PILLOW TALK

With 26 bedrooms each with their own special features, there’s plenty to deliberate over, but perhaps the most luxurious are the spa cabins, complete with private hot tub, sauna and outdoor wood-fired stove. A short stroll from the main pub, they’re a peaceful retreat and, despite all three being occupied, we wouldn’t have known we had neighbours.

A spectacular sight at night, the open-plan interior was aglow with cleverly placed colour-change lighting (the bed looked ready for liftoff!), but it was in daylight that the cabin really came into its own. With its inviting Visprung bed facing a full wall of sliding doors, we woke up to stunning countryside views fringed with woodland.

Binoculars provided for deer and bird spotting are just one of many thoughtful touches. You’ll also find everything you need to light the woodburner, marshmallows for toasting, homemade mini cookies, fresh milk and decent coffee, lush Norfolk Natural Living products, and fluffy towels, blankets, robes and slippers to wrap up in after a spa session.

A riot of colour from the hand-painted feature wall through to the soft furnishings, the decor gave me Austin Powers vibes. Our little love shack even had a mirrored roof lantern in the bathroom for stargazing. Romantic! Yeah, Baby. By the way, we can confirm that the slatted blinds and curtains block out any light at night. Pure bliss.

Whilst it was a treat to enjoy an adults-only visit, the family friendly rooms held such appeal that we may just bring the kids next time. Upon checkout we had a little peek at a selection of rooms, including the Bunksuite featuring a private terrace and outdoor bathtub, and The Hayloft with its adjoining den and jaw-dropping William Holland copper bathtub (worth a Google for the uninitiated). Both are ideal for families or would be fun for groups of friends.

DOG FRIENDLY

Four Standard Rooms, a Courtyard Room (no. 15) and a Bunksuite (no. 21) are dog friendly. Dogs are allowed in all parts of Ffolkes: lounge area, bar, restaurant, garden, golf, etc.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

A Courtyard room (no. 12) is adapted for disability access. The room is on the ground floor with a higher-level toilet, lower bathroom sink, toilet with grab rails, and widened doorways for wheelchair access. The ground floor Standard and Courtyard Rooms are good for people with limited mobility but not wheelchair friendly.

OUT & ABOUT

Whilst there aren’t any choice walks straight from the door, hop in the car and within five minutes you can be exploring the glorious grounds (and fab woodland play area) of the Sandringham Estate (above). More stately homes – Holkham and Oxburgh – are within a 30 minute drive, and Ffolkes is also a great base to explore Norfolk’s sandy shoreline; the closest beaches being Heacham, Hunstanton and Brancaster. RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve, Castle Rising and the ruined priory of Castle Acre are all worth a visit and fun for kids too. The shops and attractions of King’s Lynn are within easy reach as are the chic boutiques and glam gastros of Burnham Market.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: All types of staycationers – couples, families, groups. It’s a great family pitstop with lots to keep the kids occupied, but it also has plenty to offer those seeking a fun date night venue or romantic getaway. The container golf was an unexpected highlight for me (note my cup!). With guest DJs at the weekend, the restaurant is a lively, buzzy place, but during our stay the lounge was a peaceful retreat for quiet conversation, reading a book or a post-prandial slouch!

Not for: Traditionalists after a classic country pub or those looking for gastropub fare. The pies are as close as it gets to good old-fashioned pub grub. If you’re looking for serenity and peace, the weekend party vibe in the restaurant may not appeal.

The damage: Affordable. Mains are approx £11, desserts £8 and unlimited brunch is £16 (£5 for under 12s). The kids’ meal deal is £7.50 (including drink and dessert). Get yourself a Norfolk Passport (free to apply) for 10% off your bill. Currently you can stay Sun-Thu for £90 per night in a standard double (£120 Fri-Sat) through to £275 per night in the Hayloft (£375 at the weekend). Spa cabins currently range from £295 per night Sun-Thu to £350 Fri-Sat. Room rates include unlimited brunch. The Unlimited Golf package (£20 for two people) allows you to play as much golf as you want during your stay. There’s a winter deal of £25% off a two-night stay until end of March.

Ffolkes, Lynn Road, Hillington, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6BJ. Tel: 01485 600210.

Review: Ffolkes, Hillington, Norfolk

You may also like