Coming up next week is the launch of our summer competition that will give one lucky family a weekend to remember. On offer is the prize of a three-night family break at the five-star Potters resort on the Norfolk coast.
On offer is the prize of a three night family break at the five-star Potters resort on the Norfolk coast.
Our winning family will enjoy four meals a day, comfortable accommodation, a kids’ club, live evening entertainment, day time activities and inclusive use of leisure and sports facilities.
Editor JOHN ELWORTHY went along to Potters to find out what our winning family can expect.
Those crazy hazy days of summer eh? You mean a week by the British seaside where you can wake up to brilliant sunshine and grimace as the day gives way to cold winds blowing in from the North Sea interspersed only with sporadic rain and the urgent requirement for a winter sweater.
But then there is Potters.
Sprawling across several acres of Norfolk countryside outside the village of Hopton, the resort has traditionally been associated with bowling tournaments – and of a high order- and weekend music breaks.
However it is in reality an all year round, supremely well managed, inventive and quality family resort of the highest order.
The five day, four night package from which I’ve just returned was jam packed with some 750 guests, which seemed a lot, but in truth never seemed crowded. Potters secret, if it is such, is to ensure a diversity of entertainment that start early, finish late, and encompass just about every leisure pursuit you could imagine.
Quizzes, 10 pin bowling, Zumba dancing, kurling, skateboarding, face painting, an indoor army assault course and that was just in one day! Did I mention hoy bingo in the afternoon (look up the rules!) and evening entertainment in the theatre bar that produced changing shows nightly of extraordinary diversity and professionalism?
Late nights – and more live music and entertainment in the terrace bar- and you have all the ingredients for a fabulous holiday.
And then, of course, there is the food. The catering challenge is immense and I was fascinated to see how the resort coped with such numbers. I need not have worried.
The high ratio of staff to customers - I’m told Potters had some 550 working there during my stay - ensured not only amazing service but superb meals.
Potters does all inclusive and that means huge breakfasts, massive lunches, and gargantuan dinners and – yes I was tempted but only the once-to the hot midnight buffet.
Plenty of fish on the menu, as you would expect, from baked sea bass to soul to scampi and cod but hearty British favourites were there too – steak and ale pies, a different carvery every night, huge varieties of pasta and salads.
Desserts too were amazing with one traditional English favourite on offer each night alongside the gateaux and ice creams.
So thank you Potters for reminding me how good vanilla pudding truly is, how satisfying it was to recall a well executed treacle tart and, on my last night, scrumptious bread and butter pudding.
Potters has a variety of accommodation offers to suit both budget and preference and I stayed in the hotel complex which was both spacious, led out onto a ground floor balcony area, and was equipped to 5 star standards.
But the lodges, too, are a delight – spacious, well furnished and of impressively high standards.
• Find out more about Potters by visiting its website – click here.
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