Broadly brilliant: special places to stay near the Norfolk Broads
Explore the Norfolk Broads on criss-crossing channels, potter around sandy dunes, glimpse masses of birdlife on the salt marshes and watch grey seals loll about at Horsey Gap. Come for delightful walks, boating, canoeing and cycling, or simply soak up the vast skies and glittering light when you stay in our special places in Norfolk. We’ve picked a sleekly modern converted barn and elegant ivy-clad rectory, both offering generous breakfasts, and a couple of stylish eco builds if you prefer to look after yourselves.
Willow Barn, Great Yarmouth
Come to discover this southern part of The Norfolk Broads — not so touristy and a beautiful part of the county. The River Bure runs through the village and you’re only three miles from the start of their watery delights at Filby Broad. You stay independently in ultra contemporary spaces in one wing of a sleekly modern converted barn — take all three if you’re a group.
Breakfast is served in the large kitchen in the main part of the house, looking out over colourful gardens. Help yourself to muesli, yoghurt and fruit first, then a plateful of bacon, sausages, hash browns, eggs and vine tomatoes, finished with croissants, toast and homemade jam if you possibly can. Perfect to set you up for a day of Broads hopping. Return to sleep soundly in fresh-as-a-daisy rooms with greenery tumbling from shelves and snug armchairs.
“This is a truly stunning B&B. The bedrooms are clean, light, airy and beautifully decorated. There are teas, a coffee machine, a lovely waterfall shower and Bramley products to use too. Heavenly.” – Guest Ella
The Old Rectory Catfield, Great Yarmouth
This elegant ivy-clad rectory in the heart of the Norfolk Broads is just six miles from the sandy coastline of North East Norfolk. Come to enjoy flower-filled gardens (there are 20 acres to roam), splash in the heated swimming pool, play tennis. Penny, your easy-going host, loves to share her home with others making you feel more like a friend than a guest.
Breakfast usually includes fruit, yoghurt, homemade granola and a full English, enjoyed around the kitchen table or in the more traditional dining room – you choose. Settle next to the fire in the comfy sitting room and choose from piles of books and games, or watch a DVD in the TV room. In summer, there’s a bell tent you can sleep in with the stars peeping through the panels. There’s a field of friendly animals to meet, including pigs, goats, two horses and a donkey.
“Gorgeous house, beautiful grounds, wonderful breakfast. But what really makes it so special is the host, Penny.” – Guest Susan
Stay at The Old Rectory Catfield >
The Grain Barn, Winterton-on-Sea
You’re just three miles from the Broads National Park for electric boats, paddle boards, birds galore and a ten-minute walk will take you to Winterton-on-Sea for village shops, fish and chips, a tea room, pub and café. Five minutes more and you’re at the beach on the edge of the National Nature Reserve with a seal colony all year round and babies at Christmas.
You stay in a stylish timber frame eco build with an upstairs living space to make the most of the glorious sunsets and birds you may spot. It’s a generous place, arrive to a welcome hamper of Norfolk products, seasonal homegrown produce and eggs from the chickens you’ll meet. Cooks will be very happy in the kitchen and you’ll find a barbecue facing west, a lawn big enough for kicking a football and a shared games barn with a firepit plus a pool table for rainy days.
“We had such a brilliant week at the Grain Barn. Incredible views of the countryside come rain or shine. Emma and Neil are fabulous hosts and the location is brilliant.” – Guest Louise
Mill Farm Threshing Barn, Winteron-on-Sea
Two stylish eco barns in the grounds of the owner’s farm – Threshing Barn sleeps 8, Hay Barn 2 — on the fringe of the Broads National Park. It’s the ideal spot for boating, canoeing, walking and cycling with plenty of fabulous strolls straight from the door. Emma provides a useful guide to when you arrive. The big beautiful barn has heaps of space to spread out, views reaching over farmland and a big patio for children to play. Hay Barn is close by – snug for two (and space for a little one) with a wood burner and enclosed patch of garden.
Delightful Emma gives you a fabulous hamper (veg from the allotment, home-baked cake and more), logs for the wood burner. There are books, games, TV with surround sound, bikes to borrow and toddlers’ seats, and you can walk to the pub, fish shop, small store and beach.
“In a lovely spot, near the beach and close to the Broads, we spent an idyllic week at the cosy and comfortable Hay Barn. Emma’s very informative guide is highly recommended.” – Guest Wendy
Stay at Mill Farm Threshing Barn >
