Being one of my absolute favourite places to visit and stay, It was such a pleasure and honour to be asked to collaborate with The Gunton Arms - I couldn’t be more proud of this design. We stock them with a range of bespoke room amenities, using our naturally botanical ingredients - all hand crafted in our workshop in Norfolk.
Tell us about the beginnings of The Gunton Arms and the inspiration behind the amazing interior?
The beginnings of the Gunton Arms were very much humble back of a cigarette packet planning, we were three likeminded individuals who wanted to create a traditional pub in the Norfolk landscape bringing Ivor’s love of art, plus Stu and my backgrounds working in some of London’s best hospitality venues to create a really special place. Ivor’s close relationship with Robert Kime meant that we were lucky enough that he designed each of the rooms individually using his signature mix of soft furnishings, wallpapers and finishes to create a comfortable country home feel.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Eating fish and chips at our beach hut on Mundesley beach watching the sunset.
How to spend a weekend in Norfolk?
Switch your phone off, breath in the sea air, explore the antique shops and art galleries of Holt or Blakeney. Walk out to the marshes from Blakeney or the coastal path the see the Woolley mammoth at West Runton. Norfolk is lucky to have a plethora of great pubs, independent restaurants, bars and great food trucks. Obviously you can’t beat a sundowner in the beer garden at the Gunton Arms watching the deer roam around, on a warm evening you could be mistaken for thinking you are in the Serengeti!
What's your favourite Norfolk Natural Living Fragrance and why?
En Plein Air – I purchased this just before a holiday to Crete last year so now, I reminiscent of warm relaxing days in the sunshine.
Tell us more about Suffield Arms?
Where the Gunton Arms is a county escape the Suffield Arms brings a city restaurant to rural Norfolk. The pub follows the tradition it has always held off being a locals bar but the restaurant transports you culinary to Spain, Italy and further across the Mediterranean. The restaurant in contrast to Gunton is a light bright space with the focal point being a beautiful marble dining bar. Upstairs there is a sumptuous cocktail lounge where many an hour can be lost enjoying our signature tipples.
What are you most excited about for 2024?
As always we look forward to seeing our seasonal returning guests and the joy of meeting new faces soon to become new regulars. We also resurrected the Victorian walled garden at Gunton in 2022, its been a bit of trial and error while we figure out what produce grows well, having just about finished renovating the old glasshouse I am excited to see what produce we can continue to grow all year round bringing it to the plates of our guests. We also have exciting expansion plans for both sites so not much rest!