The lake at Greenbanks on a spring day, with trees reflected in still water and a small wooden jetty

Great Fransham · between Dereham & Swaffham

A quiet lake in the heart of Norfolk.

An old coaching inn with comfortable en-suite rooms, a warm indoor pool, a restaurant cooking Norfolk produce, and a lake full of wildlife a few steps from your door.

32°C indoor poolDog-friendly roomsAccess for allEV charging

9individual en-suite rooms
32°Cindoor pool, all year
5dog-friendly ground-floor rooms
Levelaccess, wet rooms & a pool hoist
30 minto Norwich or King’s Lynn

Welcome to Greenbanks

Once the Nelson coaching inn. Now a place to slow down.

Greenbanks began as an old coaching inn called the Nelson, where Lord Nelson is said to have stopped on his way to London.

Today it is a small, friendly country hotel. No two rooms are the same. There are twins, doubles and family rooms, upstairs and on the ground floor, with baths, showers or wet rooms, so there is something to suit everyone.

We have worked hard to make an old building accessible to all. Our team is always happy to suggest the best places to visit, whether you want to rest or get out and explore.

The green Greenbanks Hotel and Restaurant sign beside Main Road, framed by trees and yellow wildflowers — Main Road, Great Fransham, NR19 2NA

Hotel rooms

Nine rooms, no two alike

Every room has free wifi, a flat-screen TV, a hairdryer, tea and coffee and bottled water. Use the filters to find the right one.

Room 1: a double bed with an oak headboard, purple throw and patterned cushions

First floor · DoubleRoom 1

A double room with a 5ft bed and an en-suite bath, looking out across the field.

5ft doubleBathField view

Room 2: a cosy double bed under a sloping beamed ceiling with tartan cushions

First floor · Compact doubleRoom 2

A snug room under the eaves with a 4ft 6in double and an en-suite shower. Ideal for one guest.

4ft 6in doubleShowerGreat for solo stays

Room 3: twin beds pushed together under an oak headboard against a teal feature wall

First floor · TwinRoom 3

A twin room with an en-suite bath, plus an iron and ironing board.

Twin bedsBath

Room 4: a bright double room with exposed beams, pine doors and a writing desk

First floor · DoubleRoom 4

A light, beamed double room with a 5ft bed, an en-suite bath and views across the field.

5ft doubleBathField view

Room 5: a double bed with a floral cover and green cushions beneath wooden beams

Ground floor · Family suiteRoom 5

A double room and a small single room, divided by a walk-in shower room. Each bedroom has its own TV, and there is outdoor seating.

Dog friendlyFamilyWalk-in shower

Room 6: a spacious ground-floor twin room with red bedding and a red sofa

Ground floor · TwinRoom 6

Ideal for wheelchair users, with level access throughout and a roll-in shower. Fridge, microwave and outdoor seating.

Wheelchair friendlyRoll-in showerDog friendly

Room 7: a double bed under a red tapestry headboard, with a desk and lamps

Ground floor · DoubleRoom 7

A 5ft double with level access and a walk-in wet room. Well suited to guests who are less able.

Level accessWet roomDog friendly

Room 8: a double bed with floral cushions and a doorway through to a fitted kitchen

Ground floor · Self-catering suiteRoom 8

For a family of four. You enter through a fully equipped kitchen. There is a double bedroom, a small bunk room for children aged 12 and under, and an en-suite shower.

Dog friendlySelf-cateringSleeps 4

Room 9: two single beds made up together beneath a wide oak headboard

Ground floor · Our largest roomRoom 9

Made up as a 6ft super king or two singles, with an extra single on request. Stairs lead to a snug with a sofa bed. Level access to the walk-in shower.

Super king or twinLevel showerDog friendly

No rooms match that filter. Please call us and we’ll find something that works.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Only available when you book directly with us. Book your table when you book your room so you don’t miss out.

Breakfast

Served Monday to Saturday 08:00–09:00 and Sunday 08:30–09:30. You can pre-order a takeaway breakfast pack and collect it the night before.

Cots & extra beds

We can add travel cots, sofa beds and z-beds to some rooms for an extra charge. Please call us to arrange.

The timber Shed among leafy trees beside the lake, with a small veranda

£110per night for two, with breakfast

Shed & Breakfast · Spring to Autumn 2026

Glamping in the trees, with a full breakfast

Our Shed is set back in the trees around the lake. It has twin day beds, an electric log-burner-effect heater, tea and coffee, and soft bedding. You have the Water Shed just along the path, and a full cooked breakfast in the restaurant each morning.

The Shed

Sleeps up to 2
Log-burner-effect heater
Tea & coffee
Views across the lake

The Water Shed

Tin shack shower
Sink & toilet
Cloakroom space
Towels & toiletries

Toast marshmallows at the fire pit in the evening. For a bigger group, book the Shed together with the Barn.

Call to book · 01362 687742

Check-in is 16:00–20:00 and check-out is by 10:00. The pool costs £10 per session for two and must be booked in advance (up to 4 guests in the pool area). Please bring your own pool towels.

The Greenbanks Barn sign on timber cladding behind red and purple poppies

The Barn's timber-clad front with an upstairs balcony and table, framed by a large tree

Self-catering · Our Barn

Room for the whole family

Greenbanks Barn sits right next to the hotel, restaurant and pool. It has two apartments, each with twin beds downstairs and two more bedrooms upstairs that can be made up as twins or doubles.

2apartments

12guests if you book both

3night minimum stay

Ground-floor wet rooms for wheelchair users, with low-level baths and hoist access
Oxford hoist and shower chairs available on request (book in advance)
Upstairs main bedrooms have a balcony overlooking the fishing lake
Fully equipped kitchens with washing machine and dishwasher, plus level-access patios

Rent an apartment for two, four or six people, or book the whole Barn. The price depends on how many guests and rooms you need.

Call to book · 01362 687742 Access statement

The bright indoor swimming pool at Greenbanks with a poolside hoist and loungers

Swim · Sauna · Hot tub

A warm pool, whatever the weather

The indoor pool is kept at 32°C. The air conditioning holds the temperature the same all year round.

Checking opening hours…

Pool, sauna and hot tub opening hours
Monday – Saturday	07:00 – 22:00
Sunday	07:00 – 18:00

Access for all, with large changing rooms, a hoist and buoyancy aids
Sauna and hot tub next to the pool
Non-residents are welcome, and memberships are available
Please book ahead, as sessions are kept small

Book a swim Membership & pool info

Greenbanks Restaurant

The best of Norfolk, on your plate

Wherever we can, we cook with the best locally sourced Norfolk produce. Dishes from our evening menu include:

DinnerMon–Sat, orders 19:00–21:00

BreakfastMon–Sat 08:00–09:00
Sun 08:30–09:30

Have an allergy or intolerance? Our chef will happily talk you through the ingredients in any dish.

Reserve a table

Black and white photo of the Greenbanks chef smiling in his whites

A stack of macarons on slate being dusted with sugar

A dog standing at the edge of the lake among autumn trees reflected in the water

The grounds

Walk the lake. Bring the dog.

Wander round the lake among trees, wildflowers and wildlife, or try your luck with the roach, rudd and small carp.

Around the hotel

Everything in one easy walk

Tap a point to see what’s there.

Illustration, not to scale

Find out more

The local area

Coast, forest & market towns

Greenbanks is in the middle of Norfolk, so the whole county is within easy reach. Ask at reception and we’ll suggest the best spots for your group.

Coast

North & east Norfolk coast

Seal trips, piers, coastal walks and ice cream, all a short drive away.

Nature

The Brecks

Heathland, pine belts and big skies. A unique Norfolk landscape for walking and wildlife.

Forest

Thetford Forest

Miles of woodland trails for walkers, cyclists and families.

About 30 min

Norwich & King’s Lynn

Good shopping, history and places to eat, both about half an hour’s drive.

Close-up of bright pink wildflowers growing over a stone

Bring the dog

Rooms 5 to 9 are dog friendly, all on the ground floor with outdoor seating. The lake walk is a short stroll away.

A Tesla charging at the destination charger in the Greenbanks car park

EV charging

Tesla and EV destination chargers are available for residents. These are not rapid chargers, so it’s best to charge overnight.

Find us & get in touch

See you soon

Greenbanks Hotel
Main Road, Great Fransham
Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2NA

Call01362 687742 Emailinfo@greenbankshotel.co.uk DirectionsOpen in Google Maps

Facebook Instagram Read our reviews on Tripadvisor

A bright, airy double room with a purple throw, a desk lamp and a large window