AN ESCAPE TO NORFOLK: THE WORKERS COTTAGE
If there’s two things we love about living in London it’s how easy it is to escape the city for a countryside break and how many different areas there are to explore within just a couple of hours drive. Our trip up to Norfolk back in early October was actually our first time visiting this northern nook of England. We feel as if we’ve been hearing more and more about Norfolk and the slew of city dwellers who have recently made the swap to the coast, so it was great to get a glimpse into what all the fuss was about.
Our home for 3 nights was The Workers Cottage. Originally owned by Her Majesty The Queen (!) until 1974. The cottage remained in the same family until 2020, at which time ex-Londoners Jolene and Jason took the helm to undertake a full renovation. And what a brilliant job they have done. From the moment we stepped through the door we immediately felt at home - albeit a slightly larger, impeccably clean and more luxurious home than our flat in London - there was even a delicious welcome pack waiting for us. Every detail has been finished beautifully, but the additions of the log burner and outdoor bath are what won us over. And while we took the opportunity to have a quiet romantic weekend it would work equally well as a location for a group of friends to stay.
For this particular trip we went car-free and stayed local to the Cottage, but we hope to get back up this way and explore more soon. If you do have a car , this would be a great spot to base yourself to see the best of what the region has to offer.
The Workers Cottage has a helpful info booklet with some suggestions of how to spend your time and we’ve also added our picks to a list below.
GETTING THERE
Driving from London to the cottage will take close to 3 hours
Alternatively the nearest train station is Kings Lynn. Trains run direct from Kings Cross and take just under 2 hours. A taxi from the station will cost about £30 and take 30minutes. Just make sure to prebook your trips - we used “Here and there” taxis but the cottage also has a list of suggested companies.
WHAT TO DO
Theres a hotel and local deli just a stones throw down the road which both serve food. The deli was great for stocking up on basics like milk, bread, cheese and wine, plus they did coffees and small meals too.
During the Summer months the nearby Bircham Windmill operates a bakery and tearoom, there are also bikes available for rent
Houghton Hall and Gardens is only a 10minute drive/ 1 hour walk away and would make for a great morning out (sadly it was closed when we visited) Built in the 1720s there is also a deer park here and frequent art exhibits. Check opening times before you visit as days vary
Explore the local area with a walk, the Cottage is in a small village surrounded but some nice roads and footpaths. There’s a map in the Cottage which will help you navigate around.
If you are in the mood for a country walk which ends at a local pub, try The Rose and Crown or The Dabbling Duck
If you have a car (or are prepared to pay for taxis) there are also some nearby towns and beaches that would be worth a visit - Holt, Sandringham (The country retreat of Her Majesty The Queen), Wells-Next-The-Sea, Burnham Market
GOOD TO KNOW
If you’re a little on the shy side pack your Swimming costumes so you can still enjoy the outdoor tub
The TV is equipped with all the apps you need for a good movie night, so remember to bring your Netflix password
The local deli should have most of what you need for a long weekend but make sure to book ahead at any of the local pubs so you don’t go hungry!
We were guests of The Workers Cottage, but as always our thoughts an opinions are our own
