Barn Drift

Let yourself in through the arched door – this lovely house was once a cattle shed, left to crumble when the cattle moved to new digs. Bedrooms are calm and filled with books, antiques and fresh flowers from the garden. Sink into squashy sofas in the drawing room for after-dinner drinks from the honesty bar.

The dining hall can seat up to 45, but is equally lovely for cosy dinner parties and folding doors give views over the walled garden, its mature olive and fig trees and many roses. The three linked walled gardens are full of birdsong and sun all day long, and lovely for wandering in and out; sprawl on neat lawns or read under the umbrella of the Persian ironwoods.

The well-equipped kitchen is a pleasure to cook in – with oodles of space for wine and all your supplies – and there’s a Big Green Egg for barbecuing. Spot seabirds and spoonbills on walks through the salt marsh to the beach for a morning dip; explore the delis and pubs of Cley, browse antiques in Georgian Holt.