English country cottages in The East of England
holiday cottages in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, Lincoln, and Essex
Norfolk
Most people, when you mention Norfolk, think solely of the Broads, the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas, and maybe Norwich City F.C. and Delia Smith. Instead look at Norfolk in a different way. Although it is not the most accessible of counties this is by no means a detractor as this has allowed it to by-passed by the Industrial Revolution and so develop its own distinct character with a wide range of activities to keep you busy, including cycling, sailing, boating, offshore fishing, and with a diverse amount of holiday cottages to rent, farms to stay on, and B&Bs, so with such a lot to do this is an ideal county to explore. Norfolk was one of the richest counties in England in the Middle Ages due to the production of wool and the subsequent trade with Europe, and this affluence can be found throughout the area in the abundance of churches. Self-catering cottages in Norfolk are some of the most picturesque in England - they range from houses to rent in Norwich, cottages by the sea near Great Yarmouth, holiday cottages on the Norfolk Broads, seaside retreats in Cromer, Blakeney cottages to hire, seaside cottages to let near Wells-next-Sea, vacation homes in Fakenham, rental homes near Thetford - these are often thatched Norfolk cottages and provide wonderful places to stay for a great holiday or short break in Norfolk.
Norwich
The splendid Norwich Cathedral (with its 315ft spire and two storey cloisters) can be seen from miles away and is a spectacular landmark which draws you to the centre of Norwich, and is a great place to base yourself for a self-catering holiday. Norwich balances the medieval parts of the city with the more modern aspects, but not so modern that most of the city is closed on Sundays. From the castle and the intricate winding streets of the old town, to the Sainsbury Centre, and the newest addition, The Forum, and to relax, a peaceful walk along the river. Norwich offers a wide variety of Bed and Breakfast and excellent self-catering accommodation in a variety of locations and architectural styles, and many are dog-friendly, a trait you will find throughout Norfolk. The University of East Anglia offers various holiday courses so the chance to match your holiday with some learning is a bonus. Norwich also has a major event each month of the year, and the Literary Festival and the CAMRA Beer festival are just two. Norwich is a great place for a short break or renting a self-catering holiday home for a vacation in Norfolk.
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth was thought by Daniel Defoe "far superior to Norwich". Although originally a 14th century port it now caters more for the bed and breakfast and hotel market, and draws holiday crowds to the Pleasure Beach, amusement arcades, and numerous other attractions including a Nelson Museum, and Amazonia - World of Reptiles! However in the centre of the town you will find 69 narrow alleys, or Rows, that run parallel to the river Yar and some of the cottages have been maintained as museums. To the north of the town you will also find a race-course, much loved by the racing fraternity for its provincial charm and friendly atmosphere. If you don't like horses there is a dog track as well. If you want to rent a holiday cottage in Great Yarmouth then there is plenty of choice of luxury self-catering homes to rent here.
Norfolk Broads
Going north from Great Yarmouth you are into the Norfolk Broads, and you will find charming little villages almost untouched by modern society and the opportunity to rent a cottage in one of these, rather than staying on a boat, is a chance not to be missed. There is an extensive network of footpaths, cycle trails, and numerous bike rental posts. The Weavers Way is a 56 mile walkway that runs through the Broads between Yarmouth and Cromer, and on the way you can stop off and take a boat trip to view the wildlife. The Norfolk Broads are one of England 's hidden gems - idyllic waterways which offer a slow pace of life and are an ideal place to find a luxury holiday cottage to rent for a holiday in Norfolk - the bird life here is amazing and many people stay near the Norfolk Broads for a bird-watching holiday in England.
North Norfolk Coast
The town of Cromer is famous for its crabs and other seafood, and you can watch the local fishermen unloading their catches from a holiday cottage on the Norfolk Coast. Also worth visiting are the newly restored pier and pavilion, which put on a memorable end of season show, and a short distance out of town you will find the Lighthouse, and also a rather good golf course. Renting a self-catering cottage in Cromer or a luxury holiday house near North Walsham are idyllic places to stay in Norfolk.
South of Cromer is the market town of North Walsham, where you can visit a lovely house, which was once the Norfolk hide-away of Agatha Christie. Also in this pretty market town is the stunning Stow Mill, a 17th century 4 storey Tower Mill.
Further along the coast at Sheringham you will find the North Norfolk Railway, one of several steam railways in the county, and the start of the Peddars Way, a dramatic coastal walk and cycle-route which takes you all the way along the coast, and then south to the edge of Thetford Forest. One of the best times of year to visit this charming seaside town is July when you can enjoy both the Lobster Potty and Beer Festivals.
If beaches are more your thing there is an almost unbroken line of sand from one end of the north Norfolk coast to the other, some of which, such as Winterton Dunes, are Nature Reserves. A cottage to rent at Sheringham or anywhere on the Norfolk coast will provide a wonderful English country cottage for a holiday rental.
Holt, to the north-west, is another town with many attractions, and a lovely spot to base yourself and explore this beautiful part of England. The accommodation options are numerous, with pretty and secluded self-catering cottages in the area and also the chance to stay on working farms. In Holt itself, there is the well regarded Picturecraft Gallery, which has a wide range of contemporary arts and crafts, and just outside is the working Letheringsett Watermill. In the village of Letheringsett you will find a charming family-friendly pub, with a substantial play area in the garden for the children, while inside the adults can sample from a large selection of locally brewed ales, such as Elgoods, Woodfordes, and Wolf. A real treat for all the family.
Out on the coast is the Blakeney Point Sailing School, where you can learn to sail dinghys, and be instructed how to drive a powerboat. Also from Blakeney you can take a boat trip out to visit the seals basking on the sands, and see all types of wading birds. After this you can relax in the with a glass of local ale, and play some old-fashioned pub games, before feasting on the reknowned local seafood.
If you want to rent a cottage in Blakeney itself, there are lovely pebble covered cottages that run along the quayside, and there is a Spa with an indoor pool, and billiard room which might be somewhere to ease the muscles after the exertions of the sailing lessons or the relief of climbing off your bicycle after a long ride.
To the east you come to Wells-next-the-Sea, another picturesque Norfolk market town, with a large variety of things to see and do in the immediate area. Originally it was next-the-sea and in Tudor times it was one of the greatest English ports, however the sea went away, but it did leave behind Straith Street which has the most wonderful selection of shops, catering for all tastes. For the railway enthusiast there is the Wells and Walsingham narrow-gauge steam railway, for those who like stately homes try the Palladian-style Holkham Hall, with its severe exterior, but fabulous Marble Hall, rich and sumptuous apartments, paintings by Poussin, Van Dyke, and Rembrandt, farm museum and many other attractions, and these are just a few. Try going up the 80ft high obelisk, from the top of which you can see the sea to the north and the Triumphal Arch to the south. Holkham beach is one of Norfolk's finest and is a perfect place for bird-watching. In Cley-next-the-Sea there is a great chance to try your hand at pottery and some fine holiday cottages in the area.
If you take the steam train to Walsingham, make a Pilgrimage to Little Walsingham, as so many have over the last thousand years and visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. This site rivaled Canterbury in popularity and was a 'must do' for all Monarchs up until the Reformation, even completing the last mile barefoot. The town square is beautiful, and half-timbered, surrounding the town well.
It is just a short hop from here to Fakenham, the centre of this farming area, and there are plenty of farm cottages to rent on working farms, as well as Bed and Breakfast at the farm house itself. This is a wonderful chance for children to see how a working farm goes through its daily routine. To the east of Fakenham there is the splendid Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, with 500 acres of trails through the fens, woodland and lakes. To the south of the town there is a National Hunt and Point-to-Point Racecourse, and to the east a new phenomenon, the South Creake Maize Maze, somewhere to lose yourself after a long day. On Thursday mornings Fakenham holds its weekly Flea Market, and is well worth a visit.
Burnham Market is a lovely Georgian village and just the place to stay for anyone interested in Lord Nelson, who was born only a couple of miles away in Burnham Thorpe, where the local pub serves an excellent pint of Nelsons Revenge, and an unusual rum concoction called Lady Hamilton's Nip. There is a handsome B&B on the green with good seafood, and log fires, and the speciality of the area, Brancaster Mussels. For the Nelson fan, the lecturn in the local church has been fashioned from timbers from H.M.S. Victory. Just to the north are the marsh-flats that attract bird-watchers from all over the world to this area of coastline, which stretches from Holme-next-the-Sea in the west to Blakeney Point in the east.
The area to the west is mainly farming country and the only significant tourist attraction is Houghton Hall, the home of the Sir Robert Walpole another magnificent Palladian house which has beautifully appointed State Rooms, a walled garden, and shops for all tastes.
South-west of Houghton is the second town in Norfolk, King's Lynn. Originally a medieval port, the source of its wealth as a trading port with the Hanseatic League, it has retained many of the features from this period of its history, from narrow streets and warehouses in the old town, especially the Dutch Customs House and St George's Guildhall, to museums celebrating the history of the area. There is a Festival or event taking place nearly every month of the year, so when you arrange your accommodation, self-catering or otherwise, make sure that you book early. The town has three good and diverse museums, three weekly markets, and various art galleries to keep you amused during your stay.
To the south is Sandringham House, the Norfolk retreat of the Royal Family, which is open for much of the year, and you can visit the House, Museum, and the Grounds.
West from here on the coast is the town of Hunstanton. Originally a Victorian sea-side resort, and now a little like Great Yarmouth with its amusement arcades, it does have one of the cleanest beaches in the Country, which is backed by strangely stripy cliffs. It also has the largest joke shop in Britain.
South, and close to the Suffolk border, is Thetford. This was the 11th Century seat of the Kings and Bishops of East Anglia, and there has been a town here for 2000 years. Evidence for this can be found in the timber-framed Ancient House Museum, where replicas of the Thetford Find of 1979 are on display, a superb collection of Roman gold and silver objects. Many of the cottages are built of flint, probably mined from Grimes Graves, at 4000 years old these are the oldest known workings in Europe. Thetford Forest has miles of trails for hiking and cycling, and plenty of wildlife hides.
Throughout the whole of Norfolk there are numerous opportunities for finding an idyllic cottage to rent, whether it be for a romantic hideaway weekend or a family break. From one to two people, up to places of country house proportions, from staying on a working farm to secluded self-catering, you'll find it here.
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