The Victoria Inn is ideally situated just a few minutes’ walk from the golden sands of Holkham Beach and at the gates of my family’s Palladian ancestral home, Holkham Hall. It is perfectly placed for discovering the county’s windswept coastline, seaside t
It is arguable that our main attraction though is the food we serve in our restaurant. Our main themes are fresh, local and seasonal. The quality of our ingredients is paramount, whether it be shellfish, fish or samphire from the north Norfolk coast, beef from our farms on the Holkham Estate, lamb or pork from one of our farm tenants or soft summer fruit from a friend’s fruit farm along the coast and, in the winter only, wild game from our family shoot or venison from our herd of Fallow Deer.
We offer a small selection of hand-picked wines to complement your meal. Our bar offer consists of a limited selection of quality recognised brands from local and international suppliers to complement the experience at The Victoria.
All of the above would be for nothing if it were not for our staff, of whom I am immensely proud. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated and professional team. But perhaps their most alluring quality is their relaxed good nature, and it is that which is so important in welcoming you, our guests. I sincerely hope you choose to visit us, even if only for a pint after a brisk walk on Holkham Beach.
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I was much looking forward to lunch at The Victoria today. It's a beautiful building with original decor, and great food. But...like Holkham in general, it's now run for dog-owners and their often badly behaved dogs. I was sat next to a dog barking constantly, with 4 others at surrounding tables. It felt like a dog hotel. When did this become OK in really good restaurants? #jayrayner agrees. So I left. Perhaps a separate area for those of us who generally like well behaved dogs ( and since Covid 40 per cent aren't) ....but don't want to share our lunch with them? Would that work?
Unfortunately exceptionally bad customer service. Two of us arrived after walking from Wells to Holkham like we have done for many years to be turned away for a drink as non hotel guests.(a walk and final destination we had taken many times before.) We can understand that hotel policy ( cant really call this a pub anymore!)may have changed but we didnt need to be turned away in such a condencending way .(Member of staff repeating that rules changed 5 years ago like we were stupid infront of other guests...and that if we were not paying hotel guests we couldnt get a drink) ...not even a coffee/ soft drink. Because of this we didn't even entertain the idea of staying and asking if we could make a reservation for food or book a room. We were looking to have lunch but not after that experience. This particular member of staff was so rude that she made us feel quite humiliated infront of other guests so we would not recommend this establishment. Funny thing was that when we left we met 2 other couples who had experienced the same demeanor and vowed never to return like us. They too had been coming for around 20 years but not since the pub had changed hands It seems that since this place stopped being a pub( no signs outside to say you can no longer just have a drink here unless you are a hotel guest)was taken over 5 years ago they dont seem to care for locals nor returning guests who arent staying there. I suggest you start to put BLAITANT signs outside... if you get the passive aggressive turnaway once your inside you may aswel be factual and standoffish on the outside for all walkers / visitors) Keep it real! We decided to go and eat at the Hoste in Burnham market instead as we know that this is an extremely welcoming pub with great food ( everyone is welcome !)and couldn't believe it when guests at the bar overheard our story and also said that they had tried to get some lunch there the day before and a staff member of the same description was also rude to them!!!! So in short, our experience wassn't an isolaited case nor were we alone. Such a shame as we used to love coming there and locals/ other walkers always had such nice things to say...times have definately changed. Yes we could have looked online before we took our walk but this is a walk we had done many times before / and regardless of that it doesnt take much for someone in retail / customer facing role to be polite / friendly and welcoming regardless to people who come in to try to support them..we were clearly freezing cold and a long way from anywhere to get a coffee etc. I am embarassed to even have to write such a review but i'd hate for any other walkers to experience that after a long walk from wells in the winter weather. I dont want to be negative but i was very taken aback by the standoffish response.
The food, service and atmosphere are great. Friendly and helpful staff. The chef even comes out and talks through any special dietary requirements you or your party may have. Thoroughly recommended.
Our favourite place! Never falls short and always puts a smile on our faces. Visited last month for lunch and could have spent the whole day there sat by the fire. Food was superb and service matched. The Vic really is the gem of the norfolk coast…
We stopped in for a late Sunday lunch. Holkham Hall Info. told us it wasn’t possible to eat here if you weren’t staying there but that isn’t correct. We arrived at around 2:10 PM and were told they were full but we saw two couples leave and asked if their tables could be cleared and they accommodated us. Despite our ordering so late we weren’t rushed. The sea bass was lovely. The superfood salad could have been better balanced but was reasonable. Service very good. All fresh produce locally grown.
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