The moment you set eyes on the splendid oak staircase at The Dales, you know that someone took a great deal of care to create a house of substance and style. Commander Henry Douglas King, MP acquired the Victorian rectory in 1910 and set about creating the splendid oak panelled interior and comfortable surroundings that we see today.

Throughout its history, The Dales has been a comfortable retreat, taking advantage of peace and seclusion in its 4 acres of grounds. Commander King allowed the house to be used as a convalescent home for soldiers wounded in the First World War. After his death, the house became the family home of the Spurrell family until 1948 when it was later acquired by Norfolk County Council as a residential home.

When the residential home closed in 2000, Mark and Liz Mackenzie realised that The Dales could make a unique place to stay. So they set about bringing their passion for hotels and eye for detail to The Dales, retaining the character and much of the original features while adding the comforts of a modern hotel.

So alongside the mullioned windows and stained glass you will find comfortable beds, state of the art televisions and DVD players. But, as you play croquet on the restored lawns or listen to a jazz band playing in the bandstand, you can almost imagine yourself as a weekend guest of Commander King.