Once a rectory in a former life, this handsome stone house surrounded by well-kempt grounds mixes rural charm with enough contemporary flourishes to make it palatable for 21st-century travellers. A wander about the home will show you exactly what we mean. There's an emphasis on old-fashioned warmth and cosiness in many of the spaces, from the snug complete with a wood-burning fireplace and the library with shelves packed full of books to the master bathroom with a freestanding bathtub. By contrast, the kitchen is all sleek surfaces and clean lines, save for the Aga. During the warmer months, guests have the option of heading outside and making the most of the wraparound garden, which has its own iron rose pavilion, a treehouse and a firepit by which to get toasty on summer evenings. The south-facing outdoor space is home to plenty of wildlife, which can be spotted using the telescope positioned by the library window. If you want to see some non-native species, Pettitts Animal Adventure Park takes just over twenty-five minutes to reach in the car. It takes a similar amount of time to get to both Gorleston-on-Sea and the city of Norwich, so there are days outs for all tastes here.