Burnham Market

Burnham Market is a pretty, leafy village located around 6 miles west of Wells-next-the-Sea.

Long popular with second home owners with deep pockets, it has a well-earned reputation for upmarket boutique shopping, and boasts renowned restaurants including the historic Hoste Arms.

Nestled in the Norfolk countryside and close to the coast, the village is noted for its elegance and charm, and familiar faces sometimes join the well-heeled residents – celebrity sightings are not uncommon.

In the heart of Burnham Market lies the village green, with a mix of traditional and contemporary shops running along either side.

Surrounded by smaller villages – Burnham Overy, Burnham Thorpe, Burnham Norton, Burnham Deepdale – Burnham Market itself is the result of a merger of three smaller Burnham villages. All are presumed to have taken their name from the River Burn that runs close by.

The village is sufficiently large and wealthy to have retained a good mix of essential retailers such as a butcher (Arthur Howell), baker, fishmonger (Gurneys Fish Shop) and grocer, while providing plenty of recreational shopping.

There are several clothes shops, a well-stocked wine merchant (Satchells), home & lifestyle stores (Norfolk Living), art galleries (Fairfax Gallery), beauty spas, cafés, restaurants, hotels and inns.

Foodies can sample the delights of the Tuscan Farm Shop and Humble Pie Deli.

You can easily spend an hour or two wandering around the village green, perusing the various shops.

If you’re off to Fakenham Races’ Ladies Day, have a wedding to attend in the near future, or simply can’t pass a fascinator without trying it on, visit The Hat Shop, the largest hat shop in the country.

Anna stocks stylish womenswear, Jack Wills offers casual classics for men & women, there’s colourful clothing for the whole family at Joules and luxury country style at Gun Hill Clothing Company.

Refuel and recharge at one of the village eateries, The Hoste Arms being the most famous. Originally a humble coaching inn serving local ales and a few ports from a small hatch, now a pub, luxury hotel and spa with an award-winning restaurant.

A Michelin Guide restaurant, Socius serves tapas-style sharing plates and was named AA ‘Restaurant of the Year in England’ in 2022.

If you’re planning to stay for a night or two, No.Twenty9 is a stylish bar & restaurant with nine boutique rooms.

From Wells, take the A149 towards Holkham Hall, turn left onto the B1155 and you’re just 3 miles from Burnham Market.

Burnham Market has a pay and display car park located off North Street (PE31 8HG) just a couple of minutes stroll from the village centre. Parking charges and opening times can found here.

If you’re travelling by bus, the Coastliner 36 service connects Burnham Market to Wells.

In 2024, Burnham Market was named as one of the UK’s happiest places to live. The poll by Furniturebox, compiled the UK’s top 70 places to live, with Burnham Market claiming 42nd place.

Relaxed yet refined, with a warm & welcoming local community, this popular village is a world away from your typical town centre with its chain stores and predictable brand names.

A little Norfolk gem.