Where to Stay in Norwich: The Old Rectory, Thorpe St Andrew

I held my breath when our car turned off Yarmouth Road into the long driveway of the Old Rectory. It had been a long day and I was eager to settle into our accommodation for the evening. My heart began to soar when the grand façade of the Georgian house peeked through the long avenue of trees; the Grade II listed building is beautiful.

We met our host Chris in the reception and he showed us to the Deluxe Double room on the second floor. Ours were the two top-left windows in the photo below.

When we stepped into our room, we were immediately transported to a different era, a time of elegance, style and understatement. Almost as if they knew that this was to be a weekend of writing, the room was perfectly set up with desk and wingback chairs to accommodate my writing needs.

The Old Rectory is nestled in an acre of mature gardens and our room had a view of the impressive greenery below. The bathroom featured vintage porcelain fittings and I was thrilled to discover the corner bath. There was also a separate shower for those of us who need to shower in the morning.

After settling in, we decided that it was time to explore our surroundings.

Thorpe St Andrew is an old town. It featured in the Domesday book as ‘Torp’ (meaning village in Scandinavian) and there is evidence of Roman occupation in the area. Today it is a riverside village with plenty of river- and roadside establishments lining Yarmouth Road where you can eat and drink the night away. On a pleasant summer evening, you’re best advised to leave your car at your hotel and take a leisurely twilight stroll down the strip.

The Old Rectory itself was built in 1754 by the vicar for the Thorpe St Andrew church. It remained with the church for many years before being converted to a hotel.

After a long day of driving, exploring Felbrigg Hall and Retro Dining at Grosvenor Fish Bar, we finally fell into bed for a very deep and very comfortable night’s sleep.

We were up early the following morning for we had a full day of exploring and dancing ahead of us. I decided to take a tour of the grounds while Stephen relaxed with a newspaper in the drawing room.

 

Once I was certain that I’d built up enough of an appetite, we enjoyed a full English breakfast in the dining room.

Our stay the the Old Rectory was far too short and I would love to return soon. There is no shortage of things to do and places to visit in Norfolk the whole year round as you can see on the Old Rectory What's On page. I’d be especially interested in going back for their dinner, bed and breakfast offer for £210 for Valentine’s Day 2017.

The Old Rectory
103 Yarmouth Road
Thorpe St. Andrew
Norwich
NR7 0HF

We stayed at the Old Rectory during our visit to the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, one of the UK’s longest-running and largest international arts festivals featuring film, dance, contemporary music and a host of other events.

I’d like to thank Visit Norwich, Look Sideways–East and The Old Rectory for inviting me to stay at the Old Rectory. Our visit was complimentary and as always, all views, enthusiasm and nostalgia are entirely my own