Roses festoon this family and dog-friendly 17th-century pub with rooms, in a thriving village close to the RSPB's Snettisham Nature Reserve. 'Clean, comfortable, full of character and clearly thriving as a local', with 'charming and helpful staff' and 'delicious dinners', is how a reader sums it up. Bedrooms are pretty, cottage style, and done out in bright, sunny colours. They come with tea and coffee-making facilities (there's fresh milk in a fridge on the landing), books, magazines, Molton Brown toiletries, a welcome pack for four-legged guests and a toy basket for younger ones. On cold days fires burn in cosy bars. You can dine in the Cellar Bar, the Garden Room, or outside, from a menu of whizzed-up and staple pub classics – burgers, chicken leek and wild garlic puff pastry pie; pea, mint and Norfolk Mardler risotto. 'Delicious food – Brancaster mussels and "variations of cauliflower” one night, good old fish and chips in the bar the next. All excellent value.' Owners Jeannette and Anthony Goodrich take evident pride in their venture. Since adding a residents' lounge, they have installed a new beach hut serving street food in the garden, with the Merry Rose climbing ship. 'Outstanding breakfasts' include a Norfolk kipper, loaded croissants, eggs Benedict. (NM, HL, K and CN)