Morston Hall

Name: Morston Hall
Telephone: 01263 741041
Price range: Over £80
Rating: 7

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Website Call01263 741041 Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7AA

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Overview
Menus
Location
Reviews

SquareMeal Review of Morston Hall

Gold Award

“A Michelin star without the pomposity!” declares a fan who adores this class act on the north Norfolk coast. Hotel Morston Hall may boast high walls and a stately Jacobean facade, but the mood is low-key, laid-back and personal, with TV chef/proprietor Galton Blackiston and his attentive team creating just the right mood for celebrations large and small.

With help from his head chef, Blackiston maps out a no-choice dinner menu, which changes every day and is served at just one sitting – a limited offer, but the results are presented with “real innovation and panache”. Included in the seven-course tasting menu, which costs £90 per person, you can expect a selection of pretty canapes served to you in the hotel’s comfortable lounge before you move through to the restaurant at 8pm for dinner. Introductory items might include a taster of Earl Stonham Wagyu beef with bordelaise sauce or roasted Jerusalem artichokes with goats’ cheese mousse, while the centrepiece could be Holkham venison with salt-baked beetroot, cabbage and white pepper jus or Dover sole with a Beaufort cheese crust and salsify purée. Exotic granitas refresh the palate, while dessert could bring hazelnut bavarois with chocolate sorbet. For those with a savoury tooth there’s the option to add cheese from a trolley which showcases high-end choices as well as all the expected accompaniments.

Although Morston Hall’s culinary reputation hinges on dinner, Sunday lunch also offers great value, and there’s an afternoon tea spread served at 3pm and 5pm which is not to be sneered at either. Across all areas of dining at Morston Hall genial staff are as local as the ingredients on the plates, and the wine list is an impressive worldwide compendium.

Because of the single time slot each day tables here do get booked up, so we’d advise calling ahead to make sure you are able to secure a spot.

Good to know

3.5 based on 11 Reviews

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Average Price

££££ - Over £80

Cuisine

Afternoon tea, British, Gluten-free options, Modern European, Vegetarian friendly

Ambience

Cosy, Fine dining, Luxury, Traditional

Awards

One Michelin star

Food Occasions

Breakfast, Dinner, Late night dining, Lunch, Sunday roast

Special Features

Wheelchair access

Perfect for

Birthdays, Celeb spotting, Celebrations, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions

Food Hygiene Rating

About

Morston Hall, located on the north Norfolk coast, is a country house hotel offering a blend of luxury accommodations and fine dining. The property is known for its relaxed atmosphere, set within the peaceful Norfolk countryside.

The restaurant at Morston Hall was famously led by chef-patron Galton Blackiston, who first won the restaurant’s Michelin star in 1999, making it one of the UK’s longest standing Michelin-starred restaurants. In 2025, Blackiston handed the reins over to chef Phil Kearsey, who now oversees the cooking at the restaurant.

The menu focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with an emphasis on high-quality Norfolk produce. The restaurant serves a tasting menu that is assembled daily, depending on local produce that is in season. Local produce arrives at the kitchen door, and chefs head out into Morston Hall’s kitchen garden to take vegetables and herbs for the day's cooking.

Accommodation at Morston Hall includes a selection of rooms and suites designed for comfort and relaxation. The rooms are decorated in a traditional style, with many offering views of the hotel’s gardens or the surrounding countryside. The property is designed to offer a peaceful retreat, with a quiet and serene atmosphere.

In addition to the restaurant, Morston Hall offers a range of services for guests, including private dining options, wine pairings, and the ability to arrange tours of the nearby coastline. The hotel is situated near the Morston Marshes, providing opportunities for guests to explore the natural surroundings.

Morston Hall is primarily known for its combination of high-quality dining and comfortable accommodations, making it a popular choice for those looking for a tranquil getaway or a venue for special occasions. Its location in Norfolk, along with its focus on local produce and seasonal menus, further enhances its appeal to visitors seeking a distinctive and memorable experience.

Menus

Afternoon Tea Sample Vegetarian Discovery Vegetarian Journey Menu Discovery Menu Journey Taster Menu

Menu Highlights

A la carte

Selection of Home Baked Scones - £0.00

Smoked Salmon & Crème Fraiche - £0.00

Fresh Brioche & Egg Mayonnaise - £0.00

Guinea Fowl Scotch Egg & Truffle Emulsion - £0.00

FAQs

Does the restaurant have a Michelin star?

Yes the restaurant has one Michelin star.

Helpful? 0

Meet the team

Phil Kearsey

Executive Chef

Phil Kearsey brings 18 years of Michelin-level experience to Morston Hall, having trained at a variety of venues throughout his career, including The Waterside Inn in Bray, and The French Laundry in California. Most recently, Phil spent time working as the Executive Chef at Michelin-starred Pied à Terre in London. Phil brings a produce-led approach to his dishes, making the most of the on-site kitchen gardens, as well as Norfolk’s local produce, to form the foundations of Morston Hall’s daily-changing tasting menu.

Farrel Hirsch

Head Chef

A South African born chef, Farrel Hirsch brings a wealth of experience shaped by some of the world’s most respected kitchens. Trained in the UK, he began his culinary career under Leroy Allen at Tonic, before returning home to work with Peter Tempelhoff at The Greenhouse and Luke Dale-Roberts at The Test Kitchen. His career spans The Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Finn Lough’s The Barn, and head chef and executive roles at Kudu and Jason Atherton’s Three Darlings. Taking the helm as head chef at Morston Hall, Farrel offers a global perspective and a deep commitment to technique.

This venue also offers

Private Group Dining

Morston Hall

Event Party Venue

Morston Hall

Details

Location

Morston, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7AA

01263 741041 01263 741041

Website

Opening Times

Afternoon Tea

Mon 12:00-16:00

Tue 12:00-16:00

Wed 12:00-16:00

Thu 12:00-16:00

Fri 12:00-16:00

Sat Closed

Sun Closed

Dinner

Mon 18:00-23:00

Tue 18:00-23:00

Wed 18:00-23:00

Thu 18:00-23:00

Fri 18:00-23:00

Sat 18:00-23:00

Sun Closed

Bar

Mon 14:00-23:00

Tue 14:00-23:00

Wed 14:00-23:00

Thu 14:00-23:00

Fri 14:00-23:00

Sat 14:00-23:00

Sun Closed

Reviews

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11 Reviews

Food/Drink

Service

Atmosphere

Value

Louise W

27 February 2025

Food & Drink 5

Service 5

Atmosphere 5

Value 5

Faultless.. No more to say.

Another culinary experience at Morston Hall. Exceptional food, friendly staff and value for money for the 7 course tasting menu. First class ingredients treaded with care to let themselves shine. Can't wait to return again.

Phil W

15 February 2025

Food & Drink 5

Service 5

Atmosphere 5

Value 5

Absolutely superb meal

Brilliant evening. We have stayed several times - always great, but last night's meal was absolutely superb; highlights included a fabulous Beef Wellington (to share, carved at the table) with an incredibly intense, delicious sauce, and my favourite was a perfectly cooked piece of Halibut with cheddar and herb crust - this was phenomenal, absolutely delicious.

The wine pairings were well chosen (and I was glad to see this was back, as it wasn't available last time we stayed). The Pavilion rooms are spacious, comfortable and well equipped. Highly recommended.

Lesley P

15 February 2025

Food & Drink 4.5

Service 4.5

Atmosphere 4.5

Value 4.5

Valentine overnight stay 2025

Just came back from a Valentines overnight, and what a perfect way to spend the evening with ones loved one. No only was the meal perfect, the Beef Wellington was to die for, carved and served by Chef Galton himself. The staff were as always, attentive, friendly, nothing too much trouble for them. Already booked a return visit.

Liz B

Stayed here for a special birthday treat, had the 7 course tasting menu on two consecutive days, what a flavour explosion, cant wait to return.

Maggie P

Excellent every time.

Julia S

What's not to like? Amazing!

Paul A

Food & Drink 1.5

Service 3

Atmosphere 3

Value 1

Complete let-down

My wife had been wanting to visit this restaurant for years, as much on the basis of the public face of the patron as anything, so it would have been almost impossible not to make an excursion to the North Norfolk coast when we were more or less in the area. We were suitably impressed with our room in the modern annex, which would be considered sizeable enough and comfortable enough to be a luxury bedsit, and we are not in principle against a set menu for the evening, but we had reservations in advance about everyone being obliged to eat at the same time, refectory style. However, in the end, Morston Hall's ratings and the head chef's reputation persuaded us to partake (although Galton Blakiston was not actually in the kitchen that evening). The conservatory dining room was pleasant enough with a good amount of space between the tables, and the day's menu looked promising, the wine list had a good Condrieu to match the food, so we settled down in expectation of an experience to remember. And so it proved. The venison tartare with a chocolate sauce and the cornflour goujons wih Lincolnshire poacher cheese were fine canapés, and these were followed by an amuse-bouche of very discreetly- smoked haddock mousse, which was more foam than mousse, and shallot rings, the whole dish underseasoned and served cold. Then came a tiny portion of very good middle white pork supported by dried pork skin puff, a dash of fresh truffle mousse, a few compressed apple cubes and some grain mustard. The next course consisted of some good brown shrimps with what was supposed to be the main element, namely a buttermilk mousse (yet more mousse!) and whey jelly cubes that added nothing to the dish. We thought this was pretty much underwhelming, but the braised turnip dish which followed, comprising two mini-turnips with some chive oil, a tiny deep-fried half-potato skin, some raw turnip rounds and a touch of lemon purée, was even less convincing and frankly less than we thought we had a right to expect given what we were paying for this tasting menu. It could all have been redeemed by the locally-caught wild sea bass which was served on top of some spinach and with deep-fried parsley and what passed for bubble and squeak, but the ungenerous portion of fish was seriously underseasoned and we had to resort the salt cellar thoughtfully, and necessarily, provided on the table. A pre-dessert of chocolate mousse, which again was more foam than mousse, with some rather passé popping candy and just about detectable mint oil brought us to the dessert proper, a warm banana soufflé with a butterscotch pouring sauce, which in my wife's case was mostly lost onto the plate through a gap in the crust on the soufflé, and a fairly neutral milk sorbet which did little to counter the over-strong banana flavour. Jelly, marshmallow and chocolate petits fours closed out this disappointing effort which we hoped to be able to discuss with the head chef but were unable to as he had disappeared immediately after service ended, apparently too stressed-out to speak to the diners. Given that so much of so many of the dishes must have been pre-prepped to leave the actual cooking at a minimum, this came as something of a surprise and disappointment. Small portions of mainly inexpensive ingredients seemed to be the order of the day, and it would be interesting to see a breakdown of the costs against the menu charge. We certainly did not consider this meal to be value for money.

gerald B

Food & Drink 4

Service 3

Atmosphere 3.5

Value 4

Eaten here a couple of times. With the unusual arrangement of serving a set menu (a la Sally Clarke) at a set time 8pm, with (effectively) oligatory pre-dinner drinks and canapes at 7-30pm, it is never going to be a standard restaurant evening. Everyone is shown through to their tables within minutes of each other – a formal procession being presented to the head(chef) !? Service was reasonable, efficient and pleasant. However, it noticeably lacked the sophistication or refinement of the dishes, or what you might expect at Mich star level and prices. The simultaneous food service also constrains any enagagement with serving staff. On one occasion, at the end of the evening, staff disappeared pretty rapidly, and we had to hunt out someone so that we could pay our bill and leave. The “weakest link”. Our meal included quails egg, asparagus soup, gaspacho, deep fried cod and duck. All was very well cooked and tasty, with some dishes being more imaginative than others. Good or very good, but other than our duck, nothing special. The duck was really excellent, and beautifully undercooked, so very tasty. As a “cheese-ophile”, I was a little disappointed at the cheese serving. Wine choices good and fairly priced. £55 /£60 per person seemed fair value, although London prices. With wine and pre-dinner drinks expect a total of circa £200 for 2. Overall, a good experience and definitely worth trying if you're in the area. Having eaten at most good restaurants and gastropubs along the north Norfolk coast several times, Morston is clearly the best. However, the slightly annoying pre-dinner seating and drinks, set menu and set service time are clearly for the benefit of the restaurant, and of no possible value to customers. Whilst it remains the best restaurant along this coastline, like others, we will return.

Chris-MPC

Food & Drink 4

Service 3

Atmosphere 3

Value 4.5

Following the current vogue for ‘staycations’, we decided to have a week in Norfolk and as luck have it (ok maybe a little engineered) we stayed near to Morston and more importantly Morston Hall as they are quite proud in boast the only Michelin restaurant within a 50mile radius. Dinner is at a set time, arrive for 7:30 for canapés and dinner is served at 8pm, there is no choice except the set menu, which I could see causing difficulties especially for those with sea food allergies. On arrival we shown to the conservatory for drinks, which was accompanied by (3!) canapés including a delicious tempura lobster claw. We were then shown to our table in another conservatory, the tables were well spaced throughout the restaurant so you were neither on top of each other or having to listen to some boorish conversation on and adjacent table. We went through about 8 courses including, crab salad, sea bass in broth, quail egg scotch egg and roast quail (the best course for me), roast pork with super crispy crackling, rhubarb mousse and rhubarb soufflé. All of which was perfectly cooked and tasting very well. The wine options were also very good and reasonable, a sheet of bin ends for £20 and recommend wines at £25 were pushed over the wine list of more costly wines. The service was a little hit and miss, whilst quite attentive and efficient I am not sure I liked the thought of the waiter holding the next table’s dinner as they introduced the course to our table a bit to canteen style for my liking, we missed the bread coming around due to a lavatory visit and had to ask for the return of the bread waiter and petit fours were meant to be served with our coffee and when we asked for ours that had been forgotten we were initially told they had ran out but when we explained none had been served yet they miraculously did have some after all. On the plus side, when they noticed my wife didn’t like the rhubarb mousse a couple of strawberry ones quickly appeared, so double mousse course for me! All in it was a very good experience and if in that part f the world again I would revisit and not just because of the 50 miles to the next Michelin restaurant. It was £169 all in with a £25 bottle of wine, being used to London prices it was in my opinion very reasonable.

paul S

Food & Drink 0.5

Service 0.5

Atmosphere 1.5

Value 0.5

I have been to morsten hall on a few occassions now, it was never consistent, but i can safely say my most recent visit, it was truly awful. These guys have got greedy. What was once an intimate dinning room has now extended in to the conservatory and reminded me a a cafeteria, sloppy service, with plates sitting for up to 15 mins in front of you was poor, when my wife complained the waitress awnswer was “thats how we do it” sitting in the lounge on arrival we were offered a crappy cananpe , used to be 3, obviously profit margin is more important now. As for the food is was pretty awful, bland and underseasoned. The desrt was a kind on blamange , which heston said he had copied from the waterside inn in bray…please..if u cant come up with your own deserts dont bother, we left it , it was awful and i think would be a huge insult to mr roux's establishment! unfortunately like most restuarants mr galton has become greedy, more is less is my mind, i will never go here agagin, i said to my wife at the end of the meal, “ we should have gone for a curry”!!! for £55 a head it was totaly overpriced portions were tiny, i was starving after!!