Wallowing in the blissful heat of a cedarwood-clad hot-tub, gazing at the wonder of the night sky, we felt a million miles from normal life.

Titchwell Manor is a glorious escape.

We had only travelled from Norwich, and did not realise we were escaping anything until a dab of sea shimmered across horizon.

The wilder stretches of the north Norfolk coast have an enchantment all of their own. Add the laid-back luxury of a properly hospitable fancy hotel, and it is easy to understand why the first conversation I heard as I walked through the doors of Titchwell Manor was guests booking extra nights to extend their stay.

Titchwell Manor. Photo: Titchwell Manor In the main house, once a Victorian farmhouse, fires were blazing in the bar and lounge. Our room was out through beautifully-tended lawns and borders, and facing a pretty courtyard herb garden.

Lavish, spacious and fabulously-equipped, it was decorated in calming natural tones. There was a vast bed, gleaming bathroom with drench shower and luscious locally-sourced toiletries, a sophisticated-looking coffee machine – and through glass doors at the back, the crowning glory, a diminutive private garden with steps up to a steaming hot-tub. With robes and slippers provided it was perfect for the chill of the evening and I’m sure would have been just as lovely on a balmy summer night.

Another luxury touch was the locally-made sloe gin, ideal to fortify us for a quick foray towards the sea to work up an........

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