Address: Cromer Road, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 0HD.

Tel: 01692 403231.

Website: beechwood-hotel .co.uk.

First impressions: The Small Hotel of the Year in this year's Safeway Excellence in England Awards for Tourism is an old rectory, all red brick and Virginia creeper - an ideal setting for an Agatha Christie mystery. And guess what? It turns out that Aggie was a regular guest of the former owners - not rectors at all, but doctors. Photos in the lobby tell the family story.

What are the rooms like? Tapestry fabrics, furniture by a local craftsman, and the odd squeaky floorboard for period charm. Oh, and a decent CD player, too.

The bed test: Go for the four-poster option, close your eyes and think of olde England.

The bathroom test: Four-poster rooms come with freestanding 'Mae West' slipper baths. One thing missing though: champagne on tap.

The restaurant: Seriously outstanding table d'hôte, with ingredients sourced from within a 10-mile radius where possible. Expect mussels from Moreston, lobsters from Sheringham, kippers from Cley and Cromer crabs in season, accompanied by local asparagus and samphire. But save some room for the full Norfolk breakfast.

What is there within walking distance? You could leg the nine miles to the north Norfolk coast. But a mere three minutes' walk brings you to the centre of a working market town, complete with Nelson's old school (they still have his blazer and copy book) and a church whose massive but partially collapsed medieval tower is straight out of Tomb Raider III.

How much a night? Out-of-season breaks, including dinner and full breakfast, start at £98pp for two nights, sharing a small double. In season, the same deal in a four-poster room costs £160.