A biggish birthday (they’re all big numbers now…ed) saw us lodge at The Neptune, Hunstanton, a Michelin starred restaurant with rooms much beloved by some dear friends. We’re here for three nights, two eating in (tasting one night and a la carte the next), plus an evening away at Socious. 

We’re reliving former family holidays from when our children were small (4 and 2) staying in Wells-next-the-sea and (very trendy) Blakeney. Nothing has changed. The whelk stall is still there at the back of the National Trust car park at Blakeney, with families sitting on the quay dangling their crab lines in the water. They probably catch the same crabs each day. We did. 

We walk from the Norfolk Wildlife car park outside Cley [pronounced to rhyme with ‘spy’] along the shingle towards Blakeney point. It’s high tide and we should have waited – it was much easier walking back along the firm sandy beach.

The Neptune has been run for 18 years by Kevin and Jackie –  no help – just the two of them, serving perhaps 14-16 covers each night. Most people have the tasting menu, which makes life a little easier – though we had the excellent à la carte on our second night. It’s a clever tasting menu, with the majority of the courses prepared in advance, only the fish and the lamb requiring last minute cooking. And very good it is too.

Kevin gives us some tips about one or two things – yes, we’ll be trying these at home. Very comfortable room – they have 7 but we were they only people staying for a couple of the nights.

Restaurant with rooms The Neptune Hunstanton

PS although recommended by old friends and neighbours, by sheer chance we also know the people that Kevin and Jackie bought it from. Small world. Look them up…

PPS with a recommendation from Kevin we had lunch in Norwich at Bennoli, a surprisingly large italian restaurant. Excellent home-made pasta, salad, a couple of glasses of Scilian red, water and coffee. OK, £100…