Last week we published the first in a series of "back to nature" accommodation recommendations in Norfolk, starting with "DIY" campsites. There's something so incredible about a trip away (or staycation) in Norfolk, immersed in nature; cooking over campfires under the stars by night and waking up to the sound of bird in the morning.
If the idea of DIY camping fills you with dread though, you’re definitely not the only one. Sleeping on a blowup mattress isn’t for everyone (it definitely wasn’t for me for a very long time!!) The good news though is that Norfolk literally caters to everyone and if you’re looking for a trip with a bit more luxury (and significantly less to pack) then these next four places are definitely for you.
👨👩👧 Family friendly
🐶 Dog friendly
Brakehill Barns, Carbrooke 🐶
Even the drive down the lane to Brakehill Barns makes your shoulders drop and the weight of the world feel so much lighter. Set on a farm in an orchard, this place really is beyond magical. You can pretty much chose any different camping / glamping style at Brakehill Barns. You can pitch your own tent, stay in one of the bell tents that sleeps up to 4 people or book out the shepherd's hut that sleeps two.
What Clare and Alex have done beautifully at Brakehill Barns is to integrate the farm buildings into the glamping site too. An old silo now houses a games room with a pool table and foosball table and the barns have a rustic kitchen that can also be used. They even have a woodfired pizza oven and if you let them know in advance, they'll make fresh pizza and salad ready for your arrival.
There's so much to do in the local area too that we've written a whole blog on it. We're booking to stay at Brakehill Barns for a few nights in July when we have a week off and we'll be doing literally everything mentioned the blog. It's going to be the dreamiest of staycations and we can't wait.
Glamp & Tipple, Great Ellingham 👨👩👧🐶
This 5 yurt glamping site isn’t just any glamping site; it’s award winning. Bagging Best Luxury Glamping Experience 2023 in LUXLife’s Travel and Tourism Awards and runner up in Muddy Stilletoes 2023 Best Boutique Stay, Norfolk.
….and it’s easy to see why. All 5 yurts are named after champagnes (love) and give you an exclusive and luxurious feel, just like sipping a beautifully cold glass of bubbles.
You could be easily lulled into thinking you’re in a hotel here. There’s proper king sized beds, all the yurts are heated and they all come with their own private hot tubs. There’s even electric and wifi.
The luxury doesn’t stop here either, as each yurt comes with its own outdoor covered kitchen with camping stove and combination BBQ/Pizza Oven. You even get your own fire pit and seating area and picnic table.
Every yurt has it’s own private heated bathroom with toilet, electric shower, hairdryer, towels and complimentary Norfolk Natural Living toiletries (my absolute fav).
Despite the luxury, you are still most definitely in nature though so can completely get the best of both worlds. Glamp & Tipple is set on a working farm and there’s an absolutely stunning farm shop there (Rookery Meadows) and there’s loads of beautiful local villages to explore.
Deers Glade, Hanworth 👨👩👧
Set in a stunning countryside location between Aylsham and Cromer, Deers Glade literally has something for everyone. You can camp here (or bring your motorhome or caravan) but where the site really comes into its own is with it’s range of different glamping options.
Like most glamping sites, it has bell tents (which are beautifully furnished inside with proper double beds and all the home comforts you’d possibly need) but the real unique feature of Deer Glade are their ‘pod’ accommodations.
Hidden away in their beautiful woodland, Deers Glade’s ‘pods’ are perfect half way house between camping and glamping. Essentially they’re a completely enclosed wooden structure that are lined with sheep’s wool for insulation (keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter). Basically camping without having to bring a tent and with much more privacy and protection from the elements (and noise).
Each of the pods are beautifully positioned to face into the woodland and have the most gorgeous outdoor areas that the glazed French doors of the pod open out onto. It’s like having you own exclusive woodland retreat. Sitting around the fire pit here in the evening must just be magical!
Standard pods are completely unfurnished so you need all the usual camping equipment (just not the tent obviously) and the Mega Pods are fully furnished with double beds, kitchens and toilets. You just need to bring your own bedding, cutlery and cooking equipment!
There’s even ‘shower pods’ right next door to both pod options so you have your own shower, toilet and handbasin within easy reach.
If camping doesn’t tickle your fancy but you feel like glamping isn’t quite right either, then I’d 100% give these pods a try! Or check out their Shepherds Huts too which are nestled right by the bell tents overlooking their beautiful lake.
(Note, dogs are welcome on site for camping, but the bell tents, shepherds huts or pods are all pet free).
Ashcroft Glamping, Hindolveston 👨👩👧🐶
If you’re looking for a small glamping site where you can totally relax and switch off but be in touching distance to so many amazing different parts of Norfolk, then Ashcroft Glamping is absolutely for you!
There’s only 4 bell tents here (and an amazing Vintage caravan which I’ll tell you about later) so it’s the perfect little hideaway if you’re wanting a quieter, off-grid, nature trip with the family. 3 of the bell tents are 6m and sleep 5 - they’re huge and so luxurious and the other one is 5m and sleeps 4.
The site itself couldn’t be more picture perfect. It’s set against a backdrop of ancient woodland and the areas outside each of the bell tents are just dreamy. There’s everything you could possibly need and they’re so beautifully done out inside too with proper kingsized beds and loads of gorgeous accessories. The interior on these is definitely the most beautiful I saw when it comes to bell tents. If you like beautiful interiors then this is definitely the glamping site for you!
Ashcroft Glamping isn’t just for families though. Of course, you could book one of the bell tents all to yourself as a couple, but for me, the dreamiest spot on the site for a couple’s adventure immersed in nature is “The Green Dream” - their retro vintage caravan. It’s super cool and has the most incredible views from the comfy double bed! Definitely a bit of a bucket list stay if you love nature and doing something a bit different.
Their website has lot of fab recommendations too for places to visit in the local area. There’s loads of gorgeous villages in walking or cycling distance and the North Norfolk Coast is only a short drive away. It couldn’t be more perfect.
North Norfolk Glamping, South Creake 👨👩👧🐶
Norfolk definitely doesn’t do thing by halves when it comes to amazing places to stay and for me, North Norfolk Glamping is absolutely up there as one of the most incredible “back to nature” places to stay on the North Norfolk Coast. It’s the absolute height of glamping luxury and standing on the veranda of one of their safari tents, you honest feel like you could be on actual safari in Africa.
Everything has been painstakingly thought through here. From the way the tents are situated to give you the upmost privacy and stunning views, to the way the accommodation merges into the outdoors and offers the ability to be immersed in nature whether you’re inside or out. And the interiors….they’re a 5 star boutique hotel dream.
I’ve talked a lot in this blog series about Norfolk’s night sky. We often lay on the grass in our back garden in summer, memorised by the stars. We’ve even downloaded the “Night Sky” app and frequently get it out on evening dog walks so we can identify stars, planets and constellations. Now imagine if I told you that one of the places you can stay at North Norfolk Glamping is a Stargazing Dome? I’ve been to some pretty amazing places in my time but this is something else. Imagine laying on a mezzanine bed, high in the sky looking out through the clear dome to an incredible display of stars and planets. Honestly, it’s beyond dreamy (especially when it comes with a private hot tub too).
The Safari Tents are also out of this world. Beautifully thought through in terms of how they connect with nature. Even the shower has the most stunning view of the North Norfolk Countryside. No matter where you are or what you’re doing whilst you’re here, you’ll find that happiness and joy from nature.
If you did want to venture out, you’re in for a treat too as Holkham is within walking distance of North Norfolk Glamping, along gorgeous public footpaths right from the site. And if you plan your stay well date wise, Creake Abbey (Norfolk’s most famous farmers market) is right on your doorstep too.
And if you don’t want to leave (and I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t), there’s plenty to do one site. North Norfolk Glamping has lots of farm animals (the most gorgeous alpacas, four pygmy goats and the cutest chickens and ducks). During school holidays, they even let you get involved with feeding them and meeting them up close. I don’t have kids but trust me, I’d be first in line for this. Just the cutest experience.
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The school holidays are fast approaching for most families, with some schools already broken up and these "back to nature" stays could be the perfect way to make some amazing family memories this year. Don't forget to tag us in your pictures on Instagram if you do end up booking and staying at any of these incredible places - @norfolkuncovered.
Next up in our "back to nature" blog series are:
Shepherds Huts
Totally unique stays
Which we'll be posting later this week so keep your eyes peeled 👀