Halesworth

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Perched on the edge of Blickling Hall Estate and fringing the chocolate-box village of Oulton, the setting for this adult-only hideaway is dreamy. All the cottagecore essentials are ticked off with original beams, a wood-burning stove, and a pretty, south-facing garden to call your own. Although it’s worth noting the home’s low beams and restricted head height might not suit the vertically blessed. With no amenities within walking distance, you’ll need a car here. Head to Holt for a dose of sea air (a twenty-minute drive). Or, closer to home, nearby Aylsham for a taste of market town life.

Driftwood Garden

If you're after a home that's got space for you and your beloved pooch(es), we've found one that's just 'paw-fect' (we can't promise that won't be the last dog pun). A gorgeous barn conversion close to the wind-whipped Norfolk coast, this home has been set up with dog lovers in mind. There's enough space for up to four of your furry friends to join, with a lavish fleece-lined bed for each, throws for those that just won't stay off the sofa, an enclosed garden and a special dog hamper to welcome them. Two-legged guests will love the open-plan living and dining area, the AGA in the kitchen, comfy sofas and plenty of games. You'll definitely want to keep the dogs out of the bedrooms, though, as the Egyptian cotton bedding is far too sumptuous to share. Nearby there are lots of dog-friendly woodland and beach walks, and local pub The Star Inn will be happy to welcome you and your tail-wagging companions. After a day out exploring the best of the north Norfolk coast, treat yourself to a soak in the hot tub looking out over the surrounding fields. If you want to explore further afield, head twenty miles north to Cromer, known as 'the gem of the Norfolk coast'. We think it makes for the 'ulti-mutt' escape.

It's A Dog's Life

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

Life is but a dream at this lovely cottage set on the sprawling estate of Worlingham Hall. Completely secluded from the Grade I-listed Georgian manor at the heart of the grounds, this home is a unique blend of country charm and plush extravagance. From the snug study – complete with a leather-topped desk and high-backed office chair – every room here feels warm, cosy and just a little bit decadent. Host Tommaso has a passion for antiques – mainly British, Chinese and Tibetan furniture – which only adds to the stately atmosphere. After a day spent wandering the 448 acres of private woodland in your backyard, pop a bottle of bubbly and idle away lazy summer evenings in the lush private garden. In winter, snuggle up on the sumptuous leather sofas with an engrossing book and a fire roaring in the brick hearth. Worlingham lies between Norfolk and Suffolk – an ideal spot for exploring both the idyllic countryside and stunning coastline – while Beccles, a pretty market town boasting an array of quaint tea rooms, charming pubs and independent shops, is just a short thirteen-minute drive away.

Worlingham Cottage

This is an extra-special home in the grounds of an award-winning boutique vineyard. It’s been carefully curated to offer everything you might need during your stay, and for you to enjoy your visit in the lap of luxury. 

The home is a contemporary villa with vast windows looking out onto the vineyard and the rolling countryside that surrounds the property. The open-plan living and dining space is perfect for chatting over food and sipping wine – there’s even an honesty box wine bar for you to sample the wines produced by the vineyard. A striking nickel bar – like at The Ivy – has pride of place in front of the huge picture window overlooking the vineyard. There are also full height glass patio doors which open onto a wonderful private guest garden and patio.

Outside, pop open a bottle of chilled white or rosé wine and sink into the jacuzzi while the barbecue heats up. When the weather is fine, you won’t want to be anywhere else – there’s a comfy sofa and loungers, ideal for relaxing, and a tennis court if you want to work up a sweat. Dining outside with beautiful views laid out before you is utterly idyllic, especially when the sun starts to sink in the sky. 

If you feel the urge to explore, there’s plenty to see and do in the vicinity. The villa is a four-minute drive from Toppesfield village, where you can enjoy a meal in the community-owned pub. Finchingfield, the most photographed village in Essex is 10 minutes drive. For history enjoy a stroll around Castle Hedingham with its thatched cottages and amazing Norman castle. Saffron Walden, a medieval town – is thirty-six minutes away. There you’ll find a wealth of independent shops, cafes and restaurants around the buzzy market square as well as beautiful historic buildings, gardens, museum and art gallery. 

This is a memorable home for romantic visits to this picturesque area on the Essex/Suffolk border. Make sure you take a bottle of the vineyard’s award winning wine home with you – it’s the perfect memento.


An East Anglian Vineyard

If you're looking for somewhere that embraces slow country living yet has all the little luxuries you'll need for a getaway, this converted goat shed is sure to do the trick. Situated on the grounds of a family-run farm dating back as far as the 1300s, we think it's the perfect bolthole for a romantic, restful weekend in the great outdoors.

Inside, vaulted ceilings sport original wooden beams, while enormous glass walls flood the space with sunlight. Books and board games line the shelves, cushy sofas are perfect for snuggling and a delightful wood burner keeps everything toasty warm on chilly evenings. We love the small but well-equipped kitchen – you'll have everything you need to rustle up dinner – and the sumptuous bathtub is just the ticket after an invigorating walk through the countryside. On summer days, take your relaxing onto the private courtyard garden, gathering around the fire pit and firing up the barbecue for an alfresco feast when you grow peckish.

Spend sunny afternoons strolling around the farm, admiring the prehistoric ponds – they're some of the last remaining ones in the country. This home is nestled in the heart of the Brecks, where wild forests, craggy heaths and twisted pines are rife for rambling. It sits along the Peddars Way – ideal for walkers, cyclers and horseback riders travelling along the ancient route – plus it's within easy reach of Norwich and an hour's drive from Norfolk's stunning beaches when you fancy a day by the sea.

The Goat Shed

If you’re looking for a real away-from-it-all retreat that’s truly one of a kind, then look no further than this home on the Norfolk Coast. Featured on Channel 4's Homes by the Sea, it’s located right next to the dunes at Winterton-on-Sea, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A former working lighthouse, it’s perfect for a peaceful stay with a surreal fairytale quality. When we visited, we were particularly impressed by the unusual round rooms that stack up on top of one another. Once filled with nautical equipment, these are now well designed spaces with beautiful furniture and objects, including an impressive library, bunk-bed room for kids, living room, and finally a lofty viewing platform bedroom (not for the faint hearted). Down on ground level you’ll find a contemporary open-plan space where you can cook in the shiny stainless steel kitchen or bask in the warmth of the wood burner as you eat dinner in the relaxed dining area. Folding doors give access out into the small garden for picnics or al fresco breakfasts. Families in particular will love the easy access to seaside life, including great fish and chips, good local pubs, parks and boat-trips. The Norfolk Broads is also nearby; the UK's largest wetland area, it's perfect for boating, cycling and walking. In short, this is a great home for those who want to experience everything a Norfolk staycation has to offer, while staying somewhere with real wow factor. 

The Norfolk Beacon

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

Created by an award-winning visual artist, these converted grain silos caught our eye for a number of reasons. There’s the industrial exterior which made us question how cosy it would be, but once inside it’s everything you’d expect from a charming rural retreat. You can admire beautiful views across the Suffolk countryside or be inspired by the artwork whilst sitting by the log-burning fire. Outside, you’ll find a little table and barbecue, plus there’s a wonderful sense of privacy and seclusion here. It’s also just a short drive from the pretty market town of Framlingham, with plenty of walking trails within easy reach.

Artist’s Residency 

Step back in time at this meticulously restored Regency cottage. Your hosts have poured their time and energy into sourcing period-specific reclaimed materials and equipping the home with antique furnishings to create a cosy and charming English escape that offers the very best of coast and country.

All that effort has clearly paid off, as evidenced by the beautiful interior. From the Victorian roll-top bath to the eighteenth-century range and the wainscotting on the walls – every effort has been made to make it feel as authentic as possible. Even the mod cons, such as the TV, are hidden away inside bread ovens that are built into the chimney so as not to shatter the illusion.

At the top of the narrow staircase is the twin bedroom, through which you enter the main bedroom – a pretty common arrangement for houses of this period.

Step outside, and you'll find a beautifully maintained nature reserve right on your doorstep. Your hosts bought it in 2015 and have spent the intervening years slowly restoring and exposing its beauty, with winding footpaths leading to conveniently placed benches, soaring Scots pine trees and ancient oaks – perfect for a reflective moment in nature or a ride on the supplied bikes.

For adventures further afield, you'll find maps detailing footpaths that run to the world-class concert hall at Snape Maltings, two-and-a-half miles away, and continue through forests and past lakes, leading all the way to the sea at Aldeburgh. 

The Miller's Cottage

Just a ten-minute walk from the beautiful Overstrand Beach sits a charming bungalow like no other in the area. With its Palm Springs-inspired design, complete with copious amounts of lovely wood panelling, furniture Tarantino could only dream of, and desert plants outside, you’ll need reminding that you’re just a short distance away from the North Sea.

The peaceful location will let you unwind and feel rejuvenated, as you enjoy your morning coffee in the mini-desert garden. Unleash your competitive side as you play a quick game of pool before you head out to explore the charm of Cromer, including taking a walk down its Victorian pier before indulging in some fish and chips. 

Whether you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life or simply want to experience something new, this property provides a blend of subtle luxury and relaxation. With its unique design, peaceful location, and close proximity to the charming town of Cromer, this is a trip you won’t forget in a hurry.

Cromer Springs

Just outside the village of Little Bentley, a five-minute walk from the local pub and a ten-minute drive from Colchester, this rustic barn is nestled on a working farm. Previously a popular children's café with fun play areas both indoors and out, it's an ancient barn that retains a great deal of rustic charm. 

Quirky and imaginative, it's a family home with an emphasis on keeping the little ones entertained (and safe – it's fully child-proofed). The huge living space is dominated at one end by a log burner, with aged leather sofas and throws perfect for cosying up on winter nights, while the other end features a super cool, Scandi-style kitchen – complete with a professional café coffee machine that's been left in situ so you can play barista. Fun things about this room include the chalkboard wall, a movie projector for film nights and an indoor hammock chair.  

One of the bedrooms is aimed at kids, with twin beds, funky lights, chalkboards, toys and books. But as if that wasn't enough, they have a whole play area in the main space, where imaginations can run wild thanks to a wooden teepee, a wooden shop and a range of homemade superhero capes to choose from. There's more outside with a willow tunnel and mud kitchen. As the sun sets, toast some marshmallows around the fire pit before heading to your cosy beds.

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