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Hours
Sun
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Mon
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tue
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Wed
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thu
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$36.00 – $89.00
CUISINES
British
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
meals, features
Does this restaurant offer table service?
Details
About
The Vic's restaurant sits within an elegant British hotel on the north Norfolk coast, just moments from the golden sands of Holkham beach and the gates of Holkham Park. It is arguable that The Vic’s main attraction is the food served in the restaurant. The carefully curated menus showcase the very best locally sourced ingredients, whether it is fish, shellfish or samphire from the north Norfolk coast, beef from the estate farms, lamb or pork from one of Holkham’s tenant farmers, or vegetables from Holkham Walled Garden. In the winter, wild game from the family shoot and venison from the estate’s herd of Fallow Deer is served. The orangery offers magnificent views over the Holkham National Nature Reserve, whilst the restaurant provides a cosier feel. Enjoy a cocktail on the terrace in the summer and warm up by the log fire as the nights draw in. Please note, the restaurant and bar is open to hotel guests and pre-booked diners only.
PRICE RANGE
$36.00 – $89.00
CUISINES
British
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly
Contribute
4.0
478 reviews
Excellent
183
Very good
140
Average
79
Poor
46
Terrible
30
Silver Fox
Banham35 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We recently enjoyed a very early beach walk with our dog at Holkham in order to see the sunrise. After our walk we decided to pitch up the Victoria for breakfast and we were not disappointed. We enjoyed a super breakfast at a table near the fire where our dog was allowed to join us. After fruit and cereals I enjoyed eggs benedict and my dearly beloved opted for the full English, washed down with copious amounts of tea and coffee. The service was excellent as were the breakfasts - a really nice thing to do! Full marks to The Victoria - we haven’t been there for some time but we will be back.......
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James graves
Boston39 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
We popped in here after a wonderful walk around the stunning parkland of holkham hall estate. We found a table in the snug which seated 6 of us and three Labradors easily. The pub as always had a friendly relaxed atmosphere and we ordered lunch. My wife and I were both going to have fish and chips but on seeing the roast beef dinner coming through my wife changed her mind as it looked amazing. The beef was succulent and juicy with a great selection of vegetables and a large home made Yorkshire pudding. My only gripe with sitting in this room is the front door is on a latch which doesn't close very well and you constantly have to get up to close it because of the draft but otherwise everything was perfect
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoanneLewis1
Thank you for your kind review James, we are pleased you enjoyed your stay just before lockdown. We will look at addressing the issues with the door latch.
Written July 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adrian M
19 contributions
Jan 2022 • family
After a walk on Holkham beach we always pop by the Victoria for food. This visit we took some family members and praised the Victoria based on previous dining experiences.
We may need to re-think where we dine in the future in favour of the White Horse down the road. This is such a shame as we have previously had beautiful food at the Victoria.
We had super starters of the moules mariniere, my other half said it was one of the best she has had. I had game terrine, strong with garlic and succulent game meats.
The mains were shocking. I choose the pie and mash and my jaw dropped when it arrived, I considered it to be a child's portion or a starter at a push.. It made a pukka pie look like fine dining, The pastry was dry as the beef inside, oh dear. The spoon full of lukewarm mash was just an insult.
Others members had the partridge and said it was dry not pink and juicy as it should be served.
The only main that did not face criticism was the prawn, chorizo and cannellini stew which my uncle said was lovely.
I walked away thinking how the cookery was so bipolar considering how we all enjoyed the starters in relation to the mains also slightly embarrassed in recommending we eat at the Victoria based on previous experiences. We all know that when you visit the north Nofolk coast the prices reflect the area. As a non fine dining restaurant/ hotel the Victorias food needs to stand up to the pricing and this time or did not.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Many thanks for taking the time to give us your feedback on your lunch, we are saddened and sorry to hear that you left us feeling disappointed on this occasion - this is never something we would like our guests to feel. We are always very happy to receive feedback and really wish that you had told us of your disappointment at the time so that we could have resolved this for you. We will ensure that your experiences are shared with our kitchen team and do hope that we can welcome you back to The Victoria in the future.
Written February 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beverley D
450 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
We were excited to take my mother in law here for lunch , expecting finery - we received an average meal To be fair at an average price. We were told they had lots of Gins, my 3 choices they did not have - the starters were odd .. the pheasant starter looked similar to chicken nuggets, but tasted ok. The fish platter was ok , the gamekeepers platter was so dry and the fish and chips overcooked. I wanted a dessert .. but decided not to risk it - sadly will not return.
Sorry
Written November 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HolkhamEstate
We are saddened to read your review. We never like to hear that our lovely customers have left feeling disappointed and we wish you had informed us at the time so that we could have resolved this for you.
As part of a traditional country inn, our restaurant does not style itself on 'fine dining', instead offering a simple, fresh, local and seasonal menu.
We sincerely welcome constructive feedback and would be very happy to discuss your experience further - please do contact our General Manager, Ben Hunter-Watts at victoria@holkham.co.uk
Written November 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David T
Bury St. Edmunds73 contributions
Apr 2021 • friends
I have eaten at The Victoria many times and have always enjoyed the experience. However, today’s meal was so poor that I doubt if I will return. It was called street food but it was junk food sold at a premium price. I have had better food served on Aeroflot in the Soviet era. Drinks were served in nasty plastic containers, while the food itself was dished up in takeaway boxes, delivered in a brown paper bag, with wooden forks. Holkham has always prided itself on serving local produce: the quality of the ingredients suggested that it came from anywhere but Norfolk.
My companion’s beer was cloudy and undrinkable. No desserts were available. If The Victoria wants to lose long-established customers it is going the right way about it. The Holkham brand has been throughly tarnished by a dreadful management decision. Avoid.
Written April 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Thank you David for taking the time to write your review and we are grateful for your feedback. Due to the restrictions of outside dining only, we have not been able to offer our usual full menu and instead opted for a street food-style offer. We can see that this wasn't to your taste or expectations, however would like to reassure you that our full, local, tasty (and plated!) menu is set to return from Monday when the next round of easing takes effect and we can fully reopen. We hope you will give us another chance and fingers crossed we can welcome you back to the Victoria soon.
Written May 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tim C
Henley-on-Thames9 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We have been regular Summer visitors at The Victoria for some years as residents, for lunch in the Courtyard or just for a pint in the bar. It’s always been a relaxed and enjoyable experience, until today.
We arrived for a casual lunch to find the Courtyard closed even though it was a fine day. The only means of access appeared to be the main front door to the hotel which was closed and we had to ring the bell. We were then told by a rather stern young lady that only residents and those who had booked a lunch table were allowed in. When we questioned whether that was due to Covid she informed us that they had changed their business model. The new model seems to involve limiting access to the premises to those who have pre-booked and locking out anyone else. A curious way to run a hospitality based business and even allowing for some reasonable and balanced Covid measures seems excessive and designed to turn away any casual trade.
In contrast, we found the hotels and restaurants in Burnham Market and Wells fully open, operating pretty much as normal and extending a warm welcome.
We shall not be returning to The Victoria!
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Many thanks for taking the time to feed back on your recent visit to The Victoria. We are sorry to hear of your disappointment, but it may help if we explain our reasons for our offering. In the wake of Covid, and with the well-documented staff shortages across the hospitality sector, we have had to evaluate how best we can ensure The Victoria is a welcoming, safe, enjoyable and special place for our customers.
Heightened safety measures, lower staffing levels, full occupancy in our 20 rooms and our determination to maintain our usual high standards combine to dictate how many tables we can offer at any given time. We have found that during this booming staycation year bookings have been incredibly strong and during the height of the summer season we have not had availability to offer to walk-ups on the day.
Unlike Burnham Market and Wells-next-the-Sea, we are the only hospitality venue in Holkham village, and know from experience that the surge of casual visitors coming to The Vic from Holkham beach can be absolutely enormous in summer. Unfortunately this isn’t something that we are able to accommodate either in terms of numbers or the possible compromise to the safety of our residents and diners.
As we head into the shoulder season, and if the staffing challenges improve, it is possible that we will have availability for walk-ups, however we would always strongly advise pre-booking to avoid any disappointment. That we are only open for residents and pre-booked diners is all explained on our website plus on signage in both the car park and outside The Victoria.
Thank you again for your feedback, it is always helpful to hear from our regular customers. We hope our reasons for why you were turned away are helpful and we very much hope that you will visit us for lunch again soon.
Written September 6, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rosemary C
Lincoln21 contributions
Jun 2022 • family
We have just got back from a week in this area. Unfortunately our visit for lunch to the Victoria was the low point. It looks a lovely hotel from the outside but sadly that’s where the positive ends. We ordered a child’s hot dog from the children’s menu, 2 plates of fish cakes , a spinach and ricotta strudel, chicken skewers and 2 chicken schnitzels. The wait was a little long but not unacceptable but when the food was served one of the plates was absent we waited for this to turn up and when, after several minutes, it still hadn’t we tried to catch someone’s eye to point out we were missing a dish, all staff steadfastly avoided our signals. Eventually one of the waitresses came to take the next tables order and we tried to speak to her but were told to wait til she’d take their order ( fair enough to take the order ) other than by this time we had been waiting about ten minutes and the rest of the food was getting cold.
Sadly this was not the only problem we had. There was a lack of consistency of portion size. The fish cakes were on the starters menu, but the option to go large was offered and was taken by 2 of us. The portions when they arrived were tiny… 3 small fish cakes with a mass of salad on the plate to make it look as if it was adequate. The child’s chosen option of a hot dog was much larger than this supposedly adult plate. The waitress conferred with the chef and returned to tell us there was no mistake , it was what was considered to be the correct serving. No apologies, no offers of alternatives or additions. Basically it felt like “ that’s the food you have chosen, we’ll serve it to you when we aren’t too busy and we will charge you quite a lot of money for the privilege of eating in a quite nice place“.
If there had been any attempt to resolve these problems at the time I probably wouldn’t have placed a review.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Thank you so much for taking the time to send us your detailed feedback, we are really sorry you had a disappointing experience. This is certainly not typical of our team's high standards and the enjoyable experience we work so hard to give to all our valuable guests. We will ensure that your feedback is passed to the wider team to help us see what has happened here and how we can improve.
Written August 7, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
melaniej20
Watford86 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Great location and beautiful bar. We booked in for Sunday lunch. I think it was the best Roast beef we have ever had. My parents had stayed for the weekend and had a wonderful dinner on the Saturday. Four of us ordered the Roast beef to find it was served on a platter for us to serve our selves. Such a great idea. The beef was very tender and the vegetables cooked to perfection. Really worth the drive from London. I can not wait to return.
Written November 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written December 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SusieSoo6
Guildford27 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
As we'd been to Holkham thought we’d have lunch here. We’d looked at the menu and thought the kebabs sounded nice. We were firstly rather surprised to learn that the drinks were served in plastic glasses and the meal would be served in take-away boxes with awful disposable cutlery. I had the Holkham beef kebab - I only managed to eat a small amount as each piece contained so much gristle and sinew, and with the flimsy knife and fork was a real battle and I didn’t enjoy it at all or the experience. The food Is totally overpriced needless to say, we will not return.
Written May 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
We are concerned to read your review - we never like customers to leave feeling that they didn't have a good experience. We really wish that you had told us of your disappointment at the time so that we could have happily put this right for you.
Due to the impracticalities of outside-only dining, we made the decision to use takeaway boxes, because the good old British weather is often not on our side and diners don't have the option of dashing indoors when the heavens open. This way they can box their food up to takeaway when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Our usual, full menu returns with indoor dining from Monday and we would love you to give us another chance as we take a much bigger step towards being open 'normally'.
Written May 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
shelleybear0
Norwich10 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
I stopped at the Vic with my mum today for a quick meal. A bit confusing initially as the sign outside said the dining room was full and the door sign said ring for assistance or enter using room key. A lovely chap let us in and asked if we had booked which we hadn’t but they were happy to accommodate us with a table outside (my preference).
Mum ordered the whole baked sole with garden herb butter and sautéed potatoes which was absolutely lovely, once she figured out how to get the flesh off without bones, providing me with some light entertainment! Little did I know I was about to become the entertainment.
I ordered the Plat du jour roast beef. Now, the beef was cooked to perfection, just enough roast potatoes, carrots and cabbage to satisfy and the biggest damn Yorkshire I’ve ever seen! Now if I’d been served a well known brand Yorkshire pudding of non mutant proportions the amount of gravy or ‘jus’ as this is an upper end establishment, would have sufficed.
Now to eat a delicious pudding of York alone is a little dry hence the required ‘jus’, which I will say at this point was mouth watering. However, in order to eat the delicious combination of my beef and mutant sized pudding would have required enough ‘jus’ to float her majesty’s HMS Britannia. More jus please!
The building itself and the surroundings are lovely, very dog friendly, the staff friendly and polite, the same of which cannot be said of the local wildlife! While trying to eat my delicious beef and mutant pudding, I experienced what can only be described as an onslaught of tag team wasp action.
While trying to eat my delicious meal (at times one handed) I desperately tried to find my inner ninja. When all attempts at wild swinging karate chops failed I then resorted to a cross between Harry Potters ‘swish and flick’ and a general flailing using my crisp clean white napkin and probably looking like a demented Morris dancer as I desperately tried to defend my meal.
I’m sure I provided some other the other patrons a little entertainment but the moral of the story is to eat inside in the summer unless you intend to wear off your meals calories in self defence work, enjoy a challenge or are a well known double 00 agent.
Loved the food and the place and people, I will be back but perhaps eating inside next time or smothering myself in citronella.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marketing
Thank you for your rather amusing review - you've certainly made us smile. We are glad you both enjoyed your meals and we can only apologise for the wasps in the courtyard - they seem to have taken over Norfolk this year!
Written September 6, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daisy The Norfolk Broad
Norwich8 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
WOW.... is all I can say about my evening at The Victoria on Tuesday 31st August. From the moment we walked through the door until the end of the night everything was perfect. The staff were attentive and jolly without being over the top, the wine lovely and reasonably priced and the food was amazing. My friend and I had the Sole Meuniere, (which was the size of a dolphin) but perfectly cooked and very very yummy, and her husband had the venison burger which he said was incredible. The food was very well priced compared to a lot of restaurants around here and the atmosphere was spot on and dog friendly too! I just want to say a MASSIVE THANK
YOU to the Victoria, you've definitely got it !! xx
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
This is such a nice review, thank you! Comments like this make all the hard work that our team puts in so worthwhile and we really appreciate you taking the time to pass on your feedback. Please come back soon.
Written September 5, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ThomasLeicestershire
Stoney Stanton149 contributions
May 2021 • family
In difficult circumstances we have tried to support businesses who have opened & tried to offer a dining experience.
The menu was online so was fully aware of the food on offer which was average at best.The beef salad was very poor nice quality beef but a huge amount of green v meat.
The skewers were nice,vegan Mac n cheese tasteless & the stag chilli quite bland,service whilst friendly was not at all attentive given the quip evening we visited.
We visit Wells regularly would not hurry back to the Victoria Inn.
Written May 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Thank you for taking the time to write your review. While circumstances have been very different (and, yes difficult!), we never like to hear that our customers have not enjoyed their food. We do wish that you had brought this to our attention at the time, so that we could have very happily resolved this for you. We are so glad to now be able to open up properly for indoor dining from our brand new menu and would love to be able to welcome you back for the proper 'Victoria' experience. Any chance we can tempt you?
Written May 19, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael J
Wisbech233 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
to this rather excellent restaurant, after an extremely lacklustre visit to Wells. The booking system is innovative, being followed up by a confirmation text within minutes (you might wish to opt out of 'Open Table' though). Shown to our requested window seating upon arriving early, it was immediately obvious that care and attention to distancing is observed, with open windows for circulation. All waiters/waitresses were masked at all times. The food was very good, and presented promptly in a decorative style, by an affable and attentive staff. The bill came as a present surprise.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We make every effort to make our guests feel welcome and safe while enjoying delicious food, so are really pleased to read your feedback.
Written September 5, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mrselphillips
Daventry117 contributions
Apr 2021 • couples
Thought this would be a nice treat, booked way in advance, so was really organised and looking forward to the food. We were shown to a rubbish table, it was more bar stools than dining furniture, so was not comfortable and asked to be moved, no problem. Menu was small which was OK, I order the Kofta, my husband ordered the Fish and we ordered a side of chips covered in beef. All OK but my husband felt it wasn’t anything special.
I suppose the setting/location is the selling point?
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you found our service good. Due to the current temporary restrictions on outside opening only, our food offer is smaller and simpler than usual, being more 'street food' in style to enable us to serve both customers in the garden, and also takeaways. We have a brand new brasserie style menu ready to launch when we hope to re-open for indoor dining from 17th May, and hope that you will find this tickles your taste buds. We hope to welcome you back to The Victoria soon.
Written April 26, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SeriesIII
57 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
Have been quite a few times over the years and enjoyed it. The building and location are superb and perfect for a meal after a walk on the beach. And they allow dogs at the table. We usually have the fish and chips. When we booked today we were told that they no longer did fish and chips but decided to go anyway. The staff are lovely and provided dog water and biscuits. We ordered a seafood curry and the cut of the day. The curry was pleasant but not a large portion. The cut of the day came with Dauphinois potatoes which were a little disappointing. Both were priced at about £24 each so with one glass of wine and the service charge the bill was about £65. I wasn’t paying but the person who was (who is local) thought that he would be unlikely to return. When we got home we happened to have one of the old menus which showed the fish and chips priced at £12.50. So it has become considerably more expensive for a less satisfying experience. Also, my host said that he would usually leave 15% as a tip so they cheated themselves a little by adding 12.5%. The stern words about tables only being held for 15 minutes that we were given when booking are a little silly for a Tuesday in March. Likewise the follow up text.
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma B
Many thanks for your feedback, however we are naturally saddened to read of your disappointment. We are not sure when your old menu dates from, but it will predate the one we've found from 2014 when we had fish and chips on the menu for £12.75!!
We are sure that you'll appreciate that since 2014 there have been not only significant increases in our costs (including paying our lovely staff a living wage) but also a redesign of our food offer to make the most of the incredible local ingredients we have here in north Norfolk and to offer something different to other restaurants in the local area.
Please be reassured that the service charge is optional, we really would not be offended if anyone chose not to pay it. Most of our diners find it helpful to have this worked out for them and - as you've alluded - not suggested at a higher rate.
Thank you for your constructive feedback about the terms and conditions of your table booking - we believe it is helpful for all our guests to know these, but will see if they can be worded differently.
Written April 3, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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