Southwold

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Large groups looking to explore the expansive Norfolk landscape will love all that this stunning Georgian home has to offer. Located just a fifteen-minute walk from the charming village of Somerleyton, with its grand hall and traditional pubs, there's plenty to see and do in the area – walking, and cycle paths, boats for hire in St. Olaves. The nearest beach is a quick ten-minute drive away, while the lovely seaside towns of Gorleston and Great Yarmouth are approximately twenty minutes in the car. But we really wouldn't blame you if you stayed put at home. After all, the main house boasts a pool table, a large lounge, an impressive dining room and four elegant bedrooms. On top of that, guests can delight in sweeping views of Waveney Valley. Wander out into the sprawling picturesque garden, and you’ll find a rustic fire pit and wood-burning hot tub to pass the time in. There’s also a delightful shepherd's hut where two additional guests can stay, providing an intimate space to enjoy a little more peace, quiet and privacy close to nature. Reconnect with the countryside at this lovely retreat and explore the Norfolk Broads and Suffolk Heritage Coast.

Somerleyton

Escape for some fresh coastal air and bring your friends or family members along with you. It's a spacious and stylish apartment with plenty of seating, pops of colour and tasteful decor. Ideal for a small group, this contemporary home offers comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a sleek kitchen and a chic dining area – we especially love the Eames-style chairs and funky artwork. While this is a modern build, and a well-presented one at that, there's a warmth here with the vibrant scatter cushions, comfy throws and green houseplants that makes it feel like home right away. The real highlight of the apartment is outside space – complete with garden furniture, a barbecue and a tall wooden fence for added privacy – sitting out on the patio with a glass of chilled wine is a dreamy way to bookmark any day if you ask us. Perfectly placed, walk to sandy Great Yarmouth Beach in less than twelve minutes and be at Nelson's Monument and the lively town centre in under half an hour. We'd especially recommend a trip to the Merrivale Model Village if you're after a fun family day out – as with most of the popular attractions, it's well within reach here. 

Town Is By The Sea

A restorative family-home with stylish interiors in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. Located just a seven-minute walk from the charming riverbank village of Horning, you'll have easy access to all of the local inns, restaurants, small shops and tea rooms. Back inside, it's a modern, beautifully decorated house with all of the mod-cons needed for larger groups to enjoy a comfortable stay. The colourful, light-filled living room benefits from bi-folding patio doors that extend out to a crowd-pleasing garden that boasts a spa-style hot tub, bar area and outdoor seating, so you can spend lazy evenings dipping in-and-out of the jacuzzi, sipping drinks and swapping stories. On chillier nights, chum up and challenge your friends and family to a round of pool or foosball in the games room. Or break open a bottle of wine in the sleek, chef's kitchen and plate up the catch of the day – there's plenty of fishing opportunities nearby, so be sure to bring your rods. In fact, the best way to discover this achingly quaint holiday destination is by hopping on one of the daily boat trips that take you all the way down the river and are readily available from in the village. 

Swallowtail Summer

Searching for a countryside escape with all the comforts of home? Let us introduce you to this beautifully converted barn on the Suffolk–Norfolk border. Inside, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and a spacious open-plan living area create the perfect setting for family gatherings or getaways with friends. Step outside to your private courtyard garden for alfresco dining and barbecue evenings, or explore the on-site amenities, including a communal hot tub and fitness suite to a soft play barn and a farm shop stocked with local goodies. Peaceful, welcoming, and full of character, this home promises a truly relaxing rural retreat.

Golden Field

With farmland to the front and the owner’s beautiful private nature reserve behind – this gorgeous home, part of a cluster of mill buildings, is in an idyllic spot. 

Take a stroll through winding footpaths of the reserve that meander through meadows and forests of giant cedars and ancient oaks. In spring, you’ll see enchanting carpets of bluebells, primroses and daffodils, but whatever time of year you come, you’ll be treated to an array of wildlife, from chaffinches to woodpeckers. There are maps to find the footpaths going onwards to Snape Maltings, just over two miles away, and to the sea at Aldeburgh (or it’s seven minutes in the car). You can borrow some bikes too if you prefer to cycle.

You don’t have to go anywhere to get some fresh air, though. There’s a lovely old cobbled, sunny courtyard where clematis and wisteria clamber up the walls – it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the welcome hamper of breakfast goodies. There’s another patio area, too, with fragrant rambling roses – ideal for a glass of wine.

The home itself is a sympathetic conversion of a stable and grain store. We adore the character features inside, such as the traditional 17th Century Suffolk white brick flooring, wood-panelled walls and old oak floorboards. Part of the original manger has been incorporated into the wall dividing the kitchen and the living space area – a lovely touch. Open the stable doors here and listen to the blackbirds singing at dusk. Furnished with antiques, this cottage will appeal to couples and pet owners looking for a luxurious country bolthole.


Blackbirds Singing At Dusk

Perched a five-minute stroll away from Caister-on-Sea Beach, this spot offers an idyllic setting for a family to come together for a refreshing break by the sea. Inside the home, a vast open plan living area, furnished with timeless furniture and decoration offers a sophisticated space to relax all year round. Whether you visit during the sunny summer's months or in the chill of winter, this home remains a warm, welcoming and tranquil place to retreat to when seeking an escape from the mundane. From the living space, large glass sliding doors invite in plenty of natural daylight from the outside patio – perfect for relaxing amidst the sea air. Fire up the barbecue or chill with a book in hand on the corner sofa, before heading down to the beach to catch the sunset. And if you head upstairs (and stand on tiptoes), you can catch a glimpse of the sea from the attic window – the beach is just 300 metres away after all. After a day on the beach, call into the village to nosey around the local shops and boutiques followed by a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants or cafes. With everything within walking distance, there is little need to travel by car when you don't feel like leaving Caister-on-Sea. But if you do fancy a little drive out, Great Yarmouth is only ten minutes down the road and well worth a visit. 

'Tis the Sea-Sun

Tucked away in Rendlesham Forest, this quintessentially English cottage is as dreamily secluded as it is beautifully striking. The brick-and-stone facade contrasts with the modern extension. Lofty windows capture sweeping green views of woodland and rolling fields, and fill the home with glorious light. These views are best seen from the master bedroom where you'll find high ceilings, decorative beams, and a modern country aesthetic. This home has a farmhouse feel - window sills and kitchen cupboards are painted a cool sage green and you'll find a wood-burning stove in the sitting room. Cooking in the stunning rustic kitchen is easy with its modern amenities, and the exposed brickwork, colourful rugs and elegant dining space make for an idyllic socialising spot. Nature is so easy to access here as the back gate opens directly onto the forest. You can walk for miles or take the 15-minute drive to the beach at Shingle Street for a day at the seaside. This one's definitely a keeper.

The Keeper's Cottage

A rural retreat with an almost embarrassing amount of charm, this thatched home dates back centuries and represents the best of Norfolk's architectural style. Carefully modernised and curated with stylish wall colours, art and a mix of antique and contemporary furniture, it's a fabulous space to unwind in unique surroundings. As well as a stunning historic home, it boasts a large, enclosed garden and a summer house to die for.  

Inside, the stripped-back, authentic character of this place is evident in the ancient beams, brick floors and inglenook fireplace. A comfy velvet sofa provides a modern twist but otherwise, the living room is dressed like it would have been a hundred years ago or so. Elsewhere there's a delightful country kitchen, a casual dining room and a midnight-blue TV room, along with a useful utility room and three gorgeous bedrooms.

And outside you'll find pretty gardens, along with a greenhouse and a deck for enjoying the sun. Step inside the summer house for the biggest surprise though. A lovely space for friends and family to socialise and eat together, it comes with a Scandinavian-style indoor barbecue cabin. 

Around half an hour's drive from both Diss and Norwich, you'll be deep in the country here so a car is essential, but there are great walks to be had nearby and the coast is around forty-five minutes away. Visit Southwold, Lowestoft and more for days out by the sea.



Reedgrass & Tallow

This quirky converted church makes for an ideal creative countryside retreat. The open-plan downstairs, where the pews used to be, has been given over to create a vast double-height space with one double bedroom leading off it and a single and master bedroom found upstairs. The building was originally constructed as a Methodist chapel, and it retains some of that spiritual atmosphere, with a piano, drum kit and guitar – plus a fully equipped kitchen – at hand for whenever musical or culinary inspiration strikes.  Located in the village of Briston and just fifteen minutes from the coast, it's a great base to explore the natural beauty of the area and charming towns like Holt and Cromer. The butcher, baker and greengrocer (no candlestick maker, unfortunately), plus a Co-op, are only around a hundred metres away. At the same time, the local pub serves good food and is only a short walk away. If you'd like to see how the other half live, there are many stately homes and gardens to visit nearby, including Sandringham, the Blickling Estate and Holkham Hall, all within a thirty-five-minute drive.


Oh, Happy Day

Surrounded by over 500 acres of woodland, lakes and ponds, this Grade II-listed farmhouse makes a big impression. Rooms are spacious and comfortably modern, though taller guests might want to watch their heads on some of the sloping ceilings. The manicured garden stretches around the outdoor seating, making it easy for parents to supervise kids playing on the lawn whilst they enjoy a sunset drink. There's also a tennis court, gym, squash court, play set, and table tennis to keep everyone busy, but the lake is our favourite. With a jetty and small rowing boat, you can get out on the water whenever you need a peaceful moment. 

Suffolk's Delight

Experience a rare treat – a stay at a truly grand stately home, nestled in the middle of a beautiful country estate, steeped in history and offering more than a taste of luxury. A filming location for Netflix’s uber-popular hit, The Crown, this home will make you feel like royalty from the moment you arrive. 

Dating back to the Saxon times, the house as it appears today was created during the reign of Queen Victoria, with the help of the visionary architect, John Thomas and renowned landscape designer William Andrews Nesfield. As you arrive you’ll be dazzled by the spectacular gardens, known as one of the finest in the country – guests will be able to spend hours wandering through the enchanted alleyways, exploring the maze and the parkland and cooling off in the wild freshwater pool. 

The main Hall will welcome you in lavish style – great rooms with grand pianos, a library with rare, gilded books, and dining rooms with long tables for the group to gather and celebrate special occasions or delicious family feasts served in true style. You'll be able to sample those unforgettable menus, created by a team of chefs who use only the best local and sustainably sourced produce. Each of the twelve bedrooms retains the character of a Victorian mansion with a collection of antique furniture that’s seen many esteemed guests stay here over the home's long history. If only these walls could talk! 

Outside, this family-run estate offers everything from bike trails, horse stables and woodland walks, to cocktail classes, wine tastings and foraging. The grand rewilding project has seen 1,000 acres become home to an abundance of wildlife, making a stay here a unique experience for nature lovers too. 

Lords & Ladies

Set within 100 acres of parkland, these former stables put open countryside walks and wildlife on your doorstep. Wander across the fields to the deserted medieval village of Godwick, where a ruined church tower juts out from the ground. It’s also a half-hour drive to Wells-Next-the-Sea, a pretty seaside town in the Norfolk Coast AONB. The 19th-century stable block has been transformed into a cosy country bolthole for a family or group of friends. You can spot the village’s old church tower from your private garden, where a patio provides a place to sit in the sun and fire up the gas barbecue, and a vast lawn stretches before you. Or, head inside to the sunny kitchen diner where dining is set for the whole group. Scandi-chic interiors make for a relaxing living room, set around a traditional wood-burning stove should the weather turn chilly. Bedrooms blend in with the estate’s wonderful ladscape, with autumnal tree motifs on feature walls lulling you off to sleep. The only sounds around here are the swish of towering trees and birdsong in the morning. 

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