The Old Rectory Catfield

I first had the pleasure of staying with Penny in 2023. On my return I couldn’t wait to re-book and my second stay will certainly be leading to a third! From the moment you pull into the drive, Penny not only makes you feel welcome, but special. The accommodation is stunning, the facilities unrivalled and Penny’s generous hospitality surpasses anything I have ever experienced. Nothing is too much trouble, the breakfast divine & the feeling that you are staying with an old friend is a rare gift to be cherished. All this amongst a stunning back drop & perfect location - what more could you want.

I first had the pleasure of staying with Penny in 2023. On my return I couldn’t wait to re-book and my second stay will certainly be leading to a third! From the moment you pull into the drive, Penny not only makes you feel welcome, but special. The accommodation is stunning, the facilities unrivalled and Penny’s generous hospitality surpasses anything I have ever experienced. Nothing is too much trouble, the breakfast divine & the feeling that you are staying with an old friend is a rare gift to be cherished. All this amongst a stunning back drop & perfect location - what more could you want.

We have been lucky enough to return to Penny’s each summer for the last three years. The house and gardens are wonderful. Penny is the most welcoming host, making one feel absolutely at home. We have a young son who is totally beguiled by the animals, amazing toy room and space to breathe. We can’t wait to return next summer.

Since returning home, The Old Rectory is feeling like a dream. Did the swimming pool and the tennis court really sit side-by-side with Gloria the goose, Ali and Arabella the gorgeous pet pigs and Ronnie the puppy? Yes, and our kitchen was stacked with alcohol, treats and chocolate we were expected to tuck into. Our three-generational girls' trip (aged 86, 46 and 13) was wonderful, all thanks to Penny, the woman behind it all, who really loved sharing her beautiful home and everything in it with huge fun and an unremitting dedication to ensuring we had a good time.

This is a beautiful, comfortable and calming place to unwind. Penny gave us a delightful welcome and her recommendations of where to visit and eat were spot on. We certainly hope to return on our next visit to Norfolk.

The most wonderful place we have ever stayed in England. Gorgeous house, beautiful grounds, wonderful breakfast. But what really makes it so special is the host, Penny. She made us feel as if we were old friends who had come to stay. She had all kinds of great recommendations for things to do, some of which we would not have done without her guidance and which turned out to be our favourite outings. Can't recommend this place highly enough. We hated to leave.

A delightful stay at The Old Rectory for a week to explore the Broads. Penny is a mine of information and prepared a plan of campaign each morning to help us, whether discovering the marshes or walking on the coast, visiting Norfolk’s beautiful churches or finding the best places to eat. There is a lot of unfinished business for another time.

This was our third or fourth stay at Penny's and once again it was heavenly. The house and grounds are beautifully maintained, the food is delicious, the animals are gorgeous, the pool is a perfect temperature, the facilities are fantastic but Penny is what makes this such a fantastic break. She is incredibly kind and generous and truly makes everyone feel so welcome. She is wonderful with the children, who all adore her and everywhere is so well stocked and organised that the mental load disappears as soon as I arrive! Couldn't recommend highly enough.

The Old Rectory is a beautiful Victorian vicarage next to a gorgeous old Norfolk flint church located near the small village of Catfield. It is a very welcoming family home, set in beautiful grounds with a swimming pool, tennis court, patio with fire pit and a host of animals. Definitely child friendly but also suitable for adults wanting to explore the Norfolk Broads and beautiful beaches in the area. Penny is an excellent and generous host and the breakfast provision was delicious. The set up works well for small groups of friends and family. We hope to visit again next year.

from Saskia [10 years old] I loved it here, playing with the dogs, feeding the pigs, swimming in the pool and Penny is very lovely. The last day I was there, I was very upset because we were leaving and I was allowed to eat with Penny and the dogs. This is my second stay at The Old Rectory. I would love to come back again next year.

We stayed with our 10 year old daughter. The Old Rectory has everything you need to enjoy your stay: comfortable beds, lovely grounds, a tennis court, farm animals, friendly dogs, a heated swimming pool and a fully equipped kitchen than you can use. It is located away from busy places, but by car, it is only a short drive to the Broads, to nice villages and towns and to the seaside (we loved the seals in Horsey Gap). To top it all off, Penny is a lovely host who made us feel very welcome and the breakfasts are fabulous. We like staying it so much that this year was our second visit in a row.

Saskia 10 years old: I loved staying at The Old Rectory, playing with the dogs, feeding the pigs and swimming in the pool. Penny is lovely and on my last day when I was a bit upset because we were leaving, Penny invited me to have breakfast with her and the dogs. This was our second visit and I really want to come back next year.

We stayed at The Old Rectory with our 10 year old daughter. The place was great, with comfortable beds, lovely grounds, farm animals, playful dogs, a heated swimming pool and even tennis courts. It is located in a quiet area, but in the car it s only a short drive to the Broads, or the surrounding villages or the beach (we loved the seals at Horsey Gap). Penny is a wonderful host, who made us feel very welcome and who provided a delicious breakfast. We loved it so much that this was the second year in a row that we have come to stay.

The Old Rectory was great, with large bedrooms, beautiful grounds, use of a large kitchen and sitting room. It's located in a quiet area, overlooking an old church and is a short drive to the sea, other villages and the Broads. Penny was a wonderful host, warm and welcoming, and provided a plentiful and delicious breakfast.

We had a lovely, restful few days staying at the Old Rectory and exploring the area. There's lots to do for active people in this surprisingly quiet corner of Norfolk - great walking, beaches and cycling potential on quiet, flat lanes. Then tennis and the spotless, warm pool back at the house... Penny is a welcoming and generous host, and her breakfasts are the best.

A Magical spot in Norfolk. 5 stars all round for the perfect relaxing getaway without having to deal with an airport. Breakfasts are legendary and the pool perfect. Can't wait to come back. Penny is the hostess with the mostess! Christo and Helena

We new Sawday's from our vsit to the UK in 2018 and we were very content with the description and the pictures of the accomodations, so we decided to book again, this time in Norfork at the Old Rectory, with Penny. The Georgian House looks like the quintessenial English country house. It is tastfully refurbished but the charme and the details of the original house are still present. In the vast garden or park you find a heated swimmingpool. Penny is the natural host serving a fantastic fully cooked breakfast. The room was large with beautiful views to the garden. A really recommandation.

Penny's warmth and hospitality exude from this beautiful house and the wonderful gardens. We stayed with our young daughter who loved everything, from the heated swimming pool and trampoline to the goats, ducks and gorgeous dogs. Penny's generosity meant we enjoyed hearty breakfasts, cakes with an afternoon cup of tea, and wine and beer of an evening. The guest kitchen makes it easy not to leave, however, there is much to do nearby if you want to explore The Broads, head to the beach, of try out the pubs in the villages close to Catfield. We can't wait to stay with Penny again.

We were bowled over by how amazing Penny’s b and b is. With a 3-year-old we expected to be back for sleeps and out all day but we hardly left. It isn’t just the house- it was a perfect mix of animals, hospitality and the other guests! Penny goes well out of her way to make sure you really love your stay (even making a slime kitchen for the kids each day) and you never feel like a guest in her home- you feel at home! I can’t recommend this place enough. We will be back!

Glorious. There is a real danger of this review turning into a soup of superlatives so I'm holding back and sticking with 'glorious' (can I add maximus?). During the entire stay I expected that surely one, small not so glorious aspect would show itself, but no, nothing. The house and grounds are spectacular, the rooms elegant and comfortable (oops, there I go....) and Penny is definitely Gloriosa maxima. We loved every moment at the old Rectory and cannot wait to go back. Our entire stay was magical. Thank you, Penny, huge thank you.