Links Hotel, West Runton

The Links Hotel is a 3-star hotel built in the Victorian era, located in the English seaside village of West Runton in the county of Norfolk, United Kingdom.[1]

The Links Hotel
The Links Hotel
Links Hotel, West Runton is located in Norfolk
Links Hotel, West Runton
Norfolk
Hotel chainMackenzie Hotels
General information
LocationWest Runton, North Norfolk, Norfolk, England
AddressStation Road
West Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9QH
Coordinates52°56′2.67″N 1°14′47.10″E / 52.9340750°N 1.2464167°E / 52.9340750; 1.2464167
Opening1899
Other information
Number of rooms49 en suite bedrooms
Number of restaurants2 restaurant
Number of bars3 bars
FacilitiesIndoor swimming pool
9 hole golf course
Tennis court
ParkingYes
Website
Hotel website

Location

edit

The Links is situated within 40 acres (16 ha) of coastal parkland and is surrounded by National Trust protected land and areas of outstanding beauty. It is a short distance south of the centre of the village of West Runton and its railway station. The nearest airport is in Norwich and is 21.1 miles (34.0 km) south of West Runton.[2]

History

edit

The village became part of the rail network of Norfolk in 1892 when a railway station was built. Seeing the potential this event gave to the village, a local land owner called James Renwick Abbs decided to build a hotel in the village. The site he chose was only 200 yards from the new station. It opened for business in 1899 and then had 34 bedrooms.

Golf course

edit
 
The Links golf course

Abbs also contacted John Henry Taylor the professional golfer. Taylor was one of the pioneers of the modern game of golf. He was also a significant golf course architect and Abbs asked Taylor to design a new golf course for his guests to enjoy, on the land adjacent to the new hotel. The nine-hole golf course opened in 1903. In 1906 Taylor extends course to 18 holes which circles around nearby Incleborough Hill. Finally in 1912 Abbs purchased a clubhouse pavilion from Sheringham Golf Club and this was erected next to the hotel.

World War II

edit

After the start of World War II in 1939 the hotel and golf course were commandeered by the British Army. Troops were billeted in the hotel and the golf course was used for final troop training and as a firing range. After the war the golf course was reinstated and Bobby Locke participated in the opening game.

References

edit
  1. ^ County A to Z Atlas, Street & Road maps Norfolk, ISBN 978 1 84348 614 5
  2. ^ OS Explorer Map 24 - Norfolk Coast Central. ISBN 0319217264.