The Gin Trap Inn

from £145
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Photo of The Gin Trap Inn
The Stables Suite
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The Garden
The Stables Suite
“Seriously stylish 350-year-old coaching inn close to the North Norfolk coast. As well as individually designed rooms and suites there are three dog-friendly bedroom cottages. All are done with bright contemporary style whilst keeping plenty of period features. Excellent food. Family friendly.”

Hotel review

Steeped in history, The Gin Trap has been serving farmers, traders, fishermen, and smugglers since 1668. Nestled in the heart of Ringstead, just a stone’s throw from the stunning North Norfolk coast, this historic coaching inn offers a warm welcome to locals, visitors, families, and dogs alike. Surrounded by the beauty of the English countryside, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the charm of both the pub and its picturesque village setting. The 17th-century coaching inn has been transformed into one of the best places to stay on the North Norfolk Coast. The team of staff are knowledgeable, polite, amusing, charming and they all clearly love their jobs. It is an unexpected delight to see a proper bar with the traditional cosy pub feel still intact — little nooks and a fireplace — filled with local banter most nights and such a great atmosphere too. The bar is dog friendly as are the rooms, though the conservatory restaurant is restricted to dogs at breakfast time only. The rooms will appeal to couples looking for a romantic hideaway whilst the stunning two bedroom cottages, complete with fully-equipped kitchen, sitting room and outside sitting area, are ideal for families or if you're looking for a little more privacy and independence. The welcome G&T's went down well and there's coffee, milk, tea and biscuits (for the dog too!) provided.

The food is delicious — and there are now two menus - the pub menu featuring British favourites including sticky toffee puddings and homemade pies which is served in the the pub and conservatory and the à la carte fine dining menu served in the restaurant. Executive chef Gareth Rayner is a passionate professional cook who is clearly relishing the opportunity to create one of the best places to eat in East Anglia. If the mouth watering sticky toffee pudding isn't on the à la carte menu, put in a request like we did, though the cheese board with the homemade crackers was hard to resist! The perfect short break for all ages, a place where memories are made.

Lulu Townsend
Lulu Townsend Review published: 10/21/2024

Recommended for

  • Foodies

    • Expect cooking over coals, working with local suppliers, fermenting/pickling to make the most of local ingredients year round

  • Families

    • As well as family friendly accommodations plus self catering options, there's a fab children's play area in the garden

  • Country Escape

    • North Norfolk is a hugely popular coastal destination and the Gin Trap is ideally located for an escape here

  • Birdwatching

    • This is prime birding country. Visit the reserves at Snettisham or Titchwell

  • Self catering to rent

    • There are three two-bedroom cottages with fully equipped kitchens to rent

  • Beach nearby

    • The beaches of the North Norfolk coastline are very close by

  • Sights nearby

    • Holkham Hall and Sandringham House are both an easy drive

  • Great walks

    • This is great walking country with paths on the doorstep

  • Golf

    • Nearby courses include Brancaster and Old Hunstanton

  • Historic

    • The pub has been welcoming guests since 1668!

  • Restaurant

    • The ethos here is local, fresh and seasonal

  • Full of character

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Family Suites

  • Charming

  • Child friendly

  • Village

  • Pet friendly

  • Inn

  • Chic

  • Boutique

Facilities

  • Rooms

    13 rooms in this hotel

  • Self catering to rent

    There are three two-bedroom cottages with fully equipped kitchens to rent

  • Bar

    Offering a raft of award winning ales and over 100 different gins to try

  • Garden

    Pub garden with treehouse, chute and swings for entertaining the kids

  • Suites

    Two suites both with indulgent free standing bath tubs

  • Restaurant

    The ethos here is local, fresh and seasonal

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Family Suites

  • Child friendly

  • Pet friendly

Activities

  • Birdwatching

    • This is prime birding country. Visit the reserves at Snettisham or Titchwell

  • Sights nearby

    • Holkham Hall and Sandringham House are both an easy drive

  • Great walks

    • This is great walking country with paths on the doorstep

  • Golf

    • Nearby courses include Brancaster and Old Hunstanton

Map & Location

See what they say

Why do your guests love staying with you?

They love the choice of beautiful & individual bedrooms, from self-catering cottages to characterful suites to en-suite bedrooms, all in the grounds of a beautiful 350 year old pub and only 1 mile to the wild beaches of North Norfolk. We hope they also enjoy our friendly and helpful personalities!

What is there to do in the area?

Beach activities, bird watching, golf, sailing, countryside or coastal walks, stately homes and plenty of great restaurants.

What kind of breakfast do you offer?

Fresh fruit, homemade granola, traditional full English breakfast, eggs benedict, waffles or smoked salmon.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?

We have a good reputation for the quality of our food, wine, gins & beers. Fish & Chips on the pub menu is always a very popular option, eat in or walk down to the nearest beach and eat it there watching the waves come in.

Which are your most popular room types, and why?

Our dog-friendly cottages are probably our most popular room types, as families or friends can share the cottage, relax in their own space or walk the 30 yards to a table in the pub or in the garden.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers?

We want to send every guest home with such happy memories that they can’t wait to come back again.

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