Flora Soames’s guide to North Norfolk
12th November 2025
The fabric designer and interior consultant, whose family home is in West Barsham and who has worked on residential and commercial projects in the county and beyond, talks to Harriet Cooper about craftsmanship, churches and reliving her childhood adventures
North Norfolk is very much part of my DNA. I grew up in West Barsham. It’s where my grandparents lived and farmed and now my parents too. Although I am based in Dorset and go between there and London, I have spent intervals living in Norfolk and hope to one day return.
When I can’t be bothered to cook, Eric’s Fish and Chips at Drove Orchards is a failsafe, especially with the children (www.ericsfishandchips.com). Also, Sculthorpe Mill is characterful. I’m not good with pubs that have gimmicky touches and this one is simple and clever (www.sculthorpemill.uk). At home we have Barsham Brewery where we brew our own craft ale and, in the summer, they do Street Food Fridays with live music and different food trucks offering Thai noodles to burgers. There’s a tap room and it’s all really laid-back (www.barshambrewery.co.uk).
If, like my husband, you’re a kipper aficionado, you can’t come to Norfolk and not go to Gurneys in Burnham Market. People cross the county for their fish and shellfish (www.gurneysfishshop.co.uk). I spend a lot of time in Cley-next-the-Sea, so I love the Picnic Fayre deli with its displays of fruit and veg and the ice cream kiosk (www.picnic-fayre.co.uk). I’ll go to Rutland Butchers in Melton Constable and buy three months’ worth of meat and take it back to Dorset – exceptional cuts, wonderful sausages (www.rutland-butchers.co.uk). As a child, Bakers & Larners was the ultimate treat. It’s like the Fortnums of Norfolk (www.bakersandlarners.co.uk).
Verandah in Holt sells work by Norfolk-based creatives including my great friend Annabel Grey, who is a very talented artist. You can find everything from ceramics to printed goods to cards – I’ve bought some wonderful Christmas decorations there (@verandahholt). And I’m a huge fan of Stiffkey Stores, which has a great curation of products – I always wish it was in my village (@stiffkeystores). I also browse Crabpot Books in Cley (01263 740218) and The Brazen Head Bookshop in Burnham Market (01328 730700). For flowers, Hannah Hunnam in Castle Acre really understands the wild, natural aesthetic (www.hannahhunnam.com). I’ve always worn clothes from Carrier Company, now based in Glandford; we did a collaboration together in 2024 (www.carriercompany.co.uk).
I’ve also overseen the interiors of Barsham Barns, a group of converted self-catering barns, some of which sleep up to 14. I very much decorate in a practical sense, thinking about the needs for cosiness in winter, for example. I work with local craftspeople – upholsterers, makers. Norfolk is a treasure trove in that respect, artisanally incredibly rich and diverse (barshambarns.co.uk).
I’m a bit of a hoarder at heart and I like the cross-section at Bayfield Hall Antiques & Interiors(bayfieldhallantiques.com). I buy from Richard Scott Antiques in Holt, which is run by Richard and his son Luke who also has Paffron & Scott (www.richardscottantiques.co.uk; www.paffronandscott.co.uk). I also do a lot with Davina Barber, who works with artists including Harry Cory Wright (www.davinabarber.com).
There is no other county where you can visit so many extraordinary old churches. St Peter and St Paul’s in Salle is a deeply inspirational place – also the church where we got married in West Barsham. I very much support The Norfolk Churches Trust (norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk). The charity organises Heritage Open Days, when you get to see places like a rectory next to a church. For me, it’s not only about celebrated interiors but also the day-to-day interiors, though North Norfolk does have many extraordinary houses to visit, whether Blickling, Houghton or Holkham.
Riding and walking at home is pretty optimum. One of my favourites is the hill at North Barsham. At the top, it’s the view of my childhood, where we used to ride and have picnics. The landscape is unchanging and it’s pretty unusual to be able to say that.
The Holkham Ropes Course is amazing for children – it covers all ages (www.holkham.co.uk) – and the funfair rides at Hunstanton (www.rainbow-park.co.uk). Christmas is a real trip down memory lane for me, the lights at Thursford (www.thursford.com), the Cromer Pier Show (www.cromerpier.co.uk) and seeing Father Christmas at Holkham (www.holkham.co.uk). But it’s also the arcades, the fish and chips, the crabbing at Burnham Overy Staithe…
North Norfolk in three words? Wild, windswept and totally true to itself.
