Bursts of pink and blue hydrangeas, salt-weathered cedar and a soft, lived-in luxury — rarely is a place so synonymous with an aesthetic as Nantucket. More than a summer hotspot, the Massachusetts island around 30 miles south of the coast of Cape Cod has become a defining reference point for American coastal style.
Nantucket Island feels like a Nancy Meyers set. Wild roses climb grey shingle cottages with white picket fences; pastel-toned beach cruisers are propped outside ice cream shops, their baskets filled with picnic essentials; independent bookshops and galleries line the cobbled streets of its 17th-century town. It's New England at its most idyllic.
But you don't need to travel stateside to experience this particular brand of elegant coastal charm, argues Lydia Millen.
The celebrated lifestyle creator is in the midst of renovating a 200-year-old fisherman's cottage in the heart of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape and has dubbed her new summer home the UK's answer to Nantucket.
Despite being separated by the Atlantic, the Norfolk coast and Nantucket share plenty of similarities. Both are defined by their deep maritime histories and commitment to championing independent business — not to mention wild, untouched beaches, picturesque harbours dotted with colourful fishing boats and vast starry skies.
We sat down with Lydia to find out why she feels the Norfolk coast is the UK's answer to Nantucket, with tips on how to explore this beautiful corner of the English coastline and the best places to stay if you're looking for a cosy, laid-back luxury retreat.
"During my last visit to our little coastal cottage, it suddenly struck me just how much Norfolk’s landscape mirrors the pared-back elegance of Nantucket," Lydia tells Country Living.
Lydia's cottage, a renovation project she started earlier this year, is situated in a quiet spot along the Norfolk coast, not far from Cley-next-the-Sea, a peaceful village with an old-world character.
"Norfolk has such a familiar feel; that sort of coastal effortlessness, alongside such an earthy, authentic charm," Lydia continues. "It feels untouched, almost unspoiled. I think that is something quite magical, and difficult to find nowadays... especially in England."
A slower pace of life
Nancy Meyers’ signature country aesthetic has been a long-standing influence on Lydia, who draws parallels between Nantucket’s vintage charm and Norfolk's peaceful atmosphere.
"To share a little bit of a backstory, I am the biggest Nancy Meyers fan and have been for so many years," Lydia explains. "That love of beautiful living and interiors that is so woven into Nancy’s stories led me to discover the magic of Elin Hilderbrand’s books too.
"When I first read Elin’s book 28 Summers, I became absolutely fascinated with the beautiful Nantucket, which I have always wanted to visit. The Daffodil Festival they hold, in particular, is such a bucket-list event for me to attend.
"However, in my book, Evergreen, I very much so write about finding the joy in where you are and where you live. What we have in England is so beautiful, which never fails to amaze me. This really got me thinking about what we already have on our own doorsteps.
"Norfolk boasts such beautiful beaches and stunning beach huts, as well as small coastal businesses and restaurants, such as The Dun Cow in Salthouse, which quite literally feels like you’re experiencing that old English ambience. I believe that, more and more, that sort of beauty and picturesqueness emerge more frequently when people pour their heart and soul into places by the sea.
"There aren’t many places left that are a little ‘behind the times’ — I say that in the kindest, most appreciative way possible," she explains. "From having to plan taxi rides a week in advance to almost non-existent phone signal, it truly is such a slower, calmer way of life, which can bring so much peace. In this fast-paced world, it is such a treasured thing to be able to switch off and take in the present moment."
What to do in coastal Norfolk
Live the Nancy Meyers fantasy with a slow-living itinerary in coastal Norfolk. Wild landscapes and native wildlife take centre stage on the Norfolk coast, but you'll also find independent shops, candle-lit restaurants and fresh seafood stalls in between pastel-hued holiday homes filled with stacks of cookbooks and rattan accessories.
Enjoy fresh seafood and seasonal produce
Along the Norfolk coast, you'll find some of the most delicious seafood in the country. Try Wells Crab House, an intimate dining space serving locally landed crab, lobster and oysters in Wells-by-the-Sea. For balmy summer evenings, The Dun Cow has a huge beer garden, with log burners in place for chillier evenings.
To embrace your inner Nancy Meyers heroine, book a holiday letting with a spacious kitchen and head to one of the many farmers' markets along the coast (highlights include Creake Abbey Farmers' Market and the vibrant Holt Sunday Market) for fresh, seasonal produce to cook at home. Comfort food and background jazz are the order of the day.
Take a leisurely walk along the beach
Don some white linen and take a stroll along one of Norfolk's incredible beaches. Holkham Beach has been voted the best beach in the UK multiple times, praised for its seemingly endless golden sands framed by pine forest.
Head to Wells-by-the-Sea for candy-coloured beach huts and classic British seaside charm — and don't forget to pack a picnic hamper (preferably gingham-lined and packed with local produce).
Browse thrift stores and antiques in Burnham Market
There's no shortage of boutiques, treasure-filled thrift stores and antique shops in Burnham Market, dubbed Chelsea-on-Sea. This elegant, 17th-century Georgian village is located two miles from the North Norfolk coastline, housing some of the area's best restaurants and independent galleries.
Shop fashion and local crafts at Collen and Clare, quirky home and cookware at Uttings, before stocking up on fresh seafood at the famous Gurneys Fish Shop. To bring a piece of coastal Norfolk back home, pick up oversized vintage serving bowls and unique artworks in second-hand stores.
Where to stay
The Harper
Situated just a few miles from the North Norfolk coast, The Harper is a boutique, adults-only hotel that perfectly encapsulates laid-back luxury, housed in a converted old stable block, with an on-site spa and acclaimed dining at Stanley’s restaurant.
Housed in a former glass-blowing factory, The Harper fills its lofty, light-filled spaces with retro leather Chesterfield sofas, plush furnishings and tasteful chandeliers, with nods to its roots in the restaurant and lounge where you'll find beautiful stained glass windows.
North Norfolk cottage on the coast in Cley
In the heart of Cley-next-the-Sea, this pretty Airbnb is housed within a converted old stable block within walking distance of the beach and other coastal villages of Blakeney, Wiveton and Salthouse. There's ample room for cooking and entertaining in the open-plan living area, which feels particularly atmospheric thanks to its exposed beams.
2 Coastguards cottage
This kitsch cottage is set in Burnham Overy Staithe, a tiny coastal village with just one pub and a bus stop — slow living is a way of life here. Painted in pastel colours, full of books, floral throws and patterned rugs, this romantic property will set the scene for a dreamy escape to Norfolk.
For those drawn to the laid-back luxury and easy coastal charm of America's East Coast, consider a trip to Norfolk for your next staycation. As Lydia puts it: "I would still love to one day visit Nantucket and to tick it off my bucket list, but how magical that we don’t always have to go in search of something that we have right on our doorsteps already?
"I can experience the most beautiful Sancerre or Vermentino wine, right on the coast with freshly shucked oysters; it already exists in England."
Staycation Essentials
British Boxers Women's Brushed Cotton Pyjama Set – Powder Pink Herringbone
Venus Seychelles Sylvie May Swimsuit in White/Khaki/Charcoal
Carriage Trade Personalised Bookmark
Undercover Cosmetic Bag with Personalised Leather Detail
