10 Top Stops on the Rebellion Way

Launched in 2023, The Rebellion Way is a long-distance cycle route around Norfolk – over 200 miles in length and taking in some of the county’s most scenic spots and most notable towns, villages and attractions. Named after the county’s tradition of nay-saying and generally stirring up trouble, the route remembers the uprisings of Boadicea during Roman times, and also of Robert Kett during the 15th century, but it mostly provides a gentle route around this rural, gently undulating and beautifully scenic part of the country. You can do the whole thing in a few days, or just dip in and out as you wish. But either way you may need need to somewhere to stay, and you’re certainly going to need somewhere to rest up, so here are ten fabulous Norfolk hotels and B&Bs that provide a welcome interruption en-route, either for an overnight stay or just a welcome and well-deserved pitstop!

The Maids Head

This ancient hotel claims to be the oldest in the country, and it enjoys one of Norwich city centre's best positions – right by the cathedral on the edge of the city's most atmospheric quarter, and very handy indeed for its shops, restaurants and pubs. It really is a unique place to stay, and quite rightly won the 'Large Hotel' award in the 2022 East of England Tourism Awards. It's also an extremely bike-friendly hotel, with storage for your bike and even its own stock of guest bikes for pedalling around the city centre, so makes an ideal place to start your Rebellion Way tour, offering a particularly excellent breakfast to set you on your way.

The Angel Inn

The Angel at Larling was Norfolk Pub of the Year a few years ago, and quite right too, for they get all the essentials right at this 17th coaching inn, which has been a great family-run country pub with rooms for years, run by passionate folk who couldn't make you feel more at home. They rent comfy upstairs guest rooms while serving hearty and wholesome pub grub in the bar and dining room and managing to maintain the function and feel of a proper village local at the same time.

The Bell Hotel

This historic coaching inn has been much expanded over the years and remains Thetford's most comfortable place to stay, with 45 rooms of all shapes and sizes in both the original Tudor period building and a 1960s extension. The best rooms are the ones overlooking the river in the modern wing, while those with the most character are the ones facing onto King Street, a couple of which are said to be haunted by the ex-landlady of the hotel! Decent, affordable food too, served in its bar or restayran.

Strattons

Tucked away in a courtyard away from what passes for the urban hum of Swaffham, Strattons is almost the epitome of the British boutique hotel, and indeed was one of the first, first opened more than two decades ago. It has an attractive historic building, a great restaurant and extremely comfortable rooms that are contemporary and welcoming, and a little bit quirky too, varying from the extravagant, Louis XIV inspired opulence of the Boudoir and Red Room to the funky lines of the Seagull room, or the Portico room with its bathtub and mermaid mosaic.

Congham Hall

Surrounded by the fields and meadows of the Norfolk countryside, Congham Hall is an elegant, very peaceful and rather homely boutique country house hotel whose spa has a good-sized pool with big windows that let the outside in, a steam room, sauna, experience showers, a foot spa and a hot tub on the terrace, and a selection of upstairs treatment rooms – all of which might be just the ticket after a hard day in the saddle. Its restaurant is good too, and it has various comfy lounges that are a perfect place to loll about and recuperate.

Cliff Farmhouse

Situated in a prime Hunstanton location, the guest suites at Cliff Farmhouse are definitely a cut above many of the others along this stretch of the North Norfolk Coast: beautifully furnished and very private and spacious, with their own private sitting room and spacious bedroom with super-king-size beds and spacious en-suite bathrooms and every other amenity you could need, including a fridge, toaster, and coffee and tea facilities (including a Nespresso machine), robes and environmentally kind toiletries, underfloor heating, wifi and USB charging, Roberts radios, and not one but two Smart TVs! All of which could be very welcome after a long cycle ride.

Titchwell Manor

Looking out over the coastal marshes, Titchwell Manor is about as comfortable and stylish a place to enjoy the North Norfolk Coast as you'll find – a bright and contemporary hotel, with a sunny coastal feel that's perfectly in tune with its seaside location. There are 26 guest rooms in all, divided between the main building and the u-shaped stable block 'herb garden' courtyard behind, but we particularly recommend the hotel’s 2 shepherds huts – double-bedded little cocoons of pleasure with a double bed, sofa and wood burner, shower room and a partially covered decking area with a Jacuzzi and views over nearby farmland.

The Globe at Wells

This lovely old coaching inn in the heart of the seaside resort of Wells-next-the-Sea serves up great food and luxury rooms and is perfectly placed for exploring the North Norfolk Coast – and they keep one single room for solitary hikers, bikers or birdwatchers. Our kind of place – and very accustomed to accommodating weary bike-riders touring the North Norfolk Coast

The Feathers

Holt’s an ideal place for a stop-off, not just because it has great, well-priced places to stay like the Feathers, but also because it’s a thoroughly likeable town, with plenty to keep you happy on a quick stopover.Bang in the centre of town, The Feathers has.a variety of rooms in the main hotel and an equally comfortable annexe around the corner, and serves really good, well-priced food in its cosy bar and restaurant.

The Ironmongers Aylsham

Overlooking Aylsham's market square, the very comfortable accommodation at The Ironmongers will be ready whatever you time you get here – it's basically a B&B without the 'B', a beautiful, 17th-century property where you pay for your room and source your breakfast at one of the many options nearby; there's no reception, just codes for the main entrance and your room. It's like arriving at your own holiday home in the country, with beamed and characterful rooms that are stylishly finished and have all possible modern comforts including lots of sustainable, eco-friendly touches.