Location

Escape to Rural Norfolk

Kerdiston is a tiny hamlet far away from the crowds in a peaceful, rural part of Norfolk. The barn is surrounded by pasture and arable farmland and is alongside a 20 acre organic orchard. The 12 acre meadow in front of the barn has been converted back to a species rich wild flower meadow aided with the use of green hay taken from a local wildflower meadow. The area is home to an array of wildlife including barn owls, herons, little egrets, kestrels, buzzards, peregrine falcons, little owls, tawny owls, swallows, swifts, goldfinches, wagtails, yellow hammers, jack snipe, moor hens, Great crested newts, toads and frogs. In 2022 Norfolk Wildlife Trust awarded the land at Old Hall Farm County Wildlife Site status, known as Kerdiston Old Hall Meadows.

Kerdiston

The barn is situated just over 1 mile out of the market town of Reepham, along a quiet single track country lane. Reepham has grocery shops, a newsagent/ Post Office, a deli, a farm shop, a pharmacy and a butcher.

© This work incorporates historical material provided by the Great Britain Historical GIS Project and the University of Portsmouth through their web site A Vision of Britain through Time

There are also some good options for eating out:

  • The Dial House in Reepham is a quirky foodie hotel that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • The Kings Arms also in the square in Reepham is a 17thC CAMRA pub that does good home cooked food.
  • The Earle Arms at Heydon is a great little pub with lots of atmosphere that also does dinner by candlelight on winter evenings.
  • Further afield there is the Gunton Arms, The Walpole Arms at Itteringham and Morston Hall; all excellent local places to eat and drink.

Local Area

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The National Trust estates of Blickling Hall and Felbrigg Hall are nearby. Both have atmospheric historical houses and large grounds to explore. The woods at Felbrigg are magical and Blickling has one of the best secondhand book shops in the country.

Castle Acre Castle and Priory are also within easy reach.

The English Heritage site of the ruins of Baconsthorpe Castle is free to visit, always open to the public and dogs are allowed. It is an atmospheric place to wander about at any time of year. Warham Iron Age Hill Fort is always an exhilarating place for the kids to run and roll down the mounds.

The Norfolk coast is a birdwatchers’ paradise. Dedicated reserves include RSPB Titchwell Marsh and closer to home the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley and Salthouse Marshes. There are plenty of spots for crabbing from Morston to Wells-next-the-Sea and Blakeney.

Pensthorpe is a 200 acre nature reserve that is worth spending a whole day visiting. It also has brilliant outdoor and indoor play areas for kids.

The broads are within 30 minutes drive, with boat trips, boat and canoe hire available from several locations including Wroxham and Hoveton.

Rural Norfolk

We are tucked away in peaceful, less visited part of rural Norfolk. There are some great country walks from the doorstep with the Marriott’s Way directly accessible through our meadow. The rivers Wensum and Bure are a short drive away and have some lovely walks.

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The barn is within an easy drive of some amazing coastline from Holkham, a huge expanse of sandy beach and sand dunes backed by woodland to the enchanting creeks and salt marshes of Blakeney, Stiffkey and Morston.

Nearby is the harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea with its colourful beach huts on the sandy beach.

West Runton beach between Sheringham and Cromer has fantastic rock pools at low tide.