Towns & Cities
The beauty of staying at Westbrooke Barns for your rural holiday is that despite being located deep in the heart of the Norfolk countryside, there are several major towns and cities within a reasonable drive. We are located centrally between Dereham, Watton and Swaffham, each being about 10 minutes drive. Kings Lynn is about 30 minutes, Norwich is about 40 minutes, and Bury St Edmunds about 50 minutes.
Dereham
With Dereham being just 8 miles from the barns, you have easy access to all the facilities you would expect in a modern town, including all the major banks and building societies, large supermarkets, a wide range of churches and many independent local shops. For relaxation there is a cinema, golf-course, swimming pool, tennis courts and a 10-pin bowling alley. There is also a thriving traditional market on Fridays and a local farmers' market on the 2nd Saturday of each month. For eating out, there is a range of cafes and pubs from trendy to country style, consider Darby's at Swanton Morley, or the Windmill at Great Cressingham. Not far from Dereham you will find numerous golf clubs, including Barnham Broom, Wensum Valley and Reymerston.
Norwich
The fine city of Norwich is just 20 miles away and boasts many attractions including the cathedral, castle, Sainsbury Centre and The Forum. Within the Forum is Origins which is an interactive exploration of 2000 years of Norfolk's history (more details on the Forum's website).
Gardens
| Right on our doorstep (literally easy walking distance) is Bradenham Hall a fine garden and arboretum which extend to 27 acres around a fine early red brick Georgian House (not open to the public). Close to the traditional seaside resort of Sheringham is Hoveton Hall Gardens a delightful 15 acre garden mixing both formal and informal planting across the seasons. In north east Norfolk there is East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens, "it is an oasis of beauty and natural order set in a prairie landscape". If you like lavender then visit "England's lavender garden" at Norfolk Lavender on the north west Norfolk coast at Heacham. |
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The Norfolk Broads
Head to Wroxham, 8 miles north east of Norwich, for the famous Norfolk Broads. The Broads were formed by medieval peat diggings which became shallow lakes joined by cuts and dykes to the rivers of the areas including the Yare, the Bure, the Wensum and the Waveney. Visitors can take a boat from Wroxham, Potter Heigham or Martham and explore the peaceful waters, stopping off at one of the friendly riverside pubs on the way.
Other Attractions
At the Thursford Collection you can enjoy a traditional old-fashioned fairground and listen to numerous mechanical organs.
A few miles west of Fakenham is Langham Glass and along the coast, west of Sheringham is Britain's largest privately owned working military museum at Muckleborough.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham extends a welcome to everyone. This fascinating village in North Norfolk has been described as England's Nazareth, it is a holy place held in high regard by Christians.
| About five miles from us your will find the marvellous Saint Mary's Church at Hougton-on-the-Hill. Built over the remains of a Roman building, the church has stood here for at least 1,000 years but it was rarely used after the 1930's with the last service being held in 1944. However it has recently been lovingly restored and is now open daily for visits, but view the website to make arrangements. |
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Just 20 minutes from Westbrooke Barns is the popular Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse. Built in 1775 as a workhouse, at its peak in 1801 it housed 670 ill or destitute people from local parishes. Today it contains Roots of Norfolk, providing visitors with vivid experience of life in years gone by. Adjacent is Union Farm, still run today in the style of a farm from the 1920s. |
Walking
| You will be spoilt for a choice of walks when staying at Westbrooke Barns. For serious walkers, the 46 mile Peddar's Way starts from near Thetford and stretches up to the beautiful beach at Holme-next-Sea, where it joins the 45 mile Norfolk Coastal Path whcih follows the coast round to Cromer. The 34 mile Nar Valley Way starts at the Gressenhall Farm and Work House and mostly follows the River Nar to the historic docks at King's Lynn, taking in the pleasant Castle Acre en route. |
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If you fancy a gentler stroll, the Norfolk countryside is scattered with footpaths for you to enjoy. From short, circular paths along the coast, to the Pingo Trail near Watton, the choice is immense. Then of course there are numerous trails through the Brecks and the vast Thetford Forest where you can encounter Grime's Graves. Norfolk is literally full of circular walks and guided walks are available along the Bittern Line. |
Cycling
| Norfolk's terrain helps make it ideal for enjoyable cycling. The National Cycle Network has two major cycle routes in the heart of Norfolk, with the 54 mile Thetford to Fakenham Route 13 passing near Brandon High Lodge; this takes in some of Peddar's Way on the journey. The 370 mile Harwich to Hull Route 1 has many circular options within Norfolk and passes through areas such as Norwich, Gately, Wells and Holkham. It joins with Marriot's Way along part of its route. The entire length of Peddar's Way is also suitable for cycling. |
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Country Homes
There are ample country estates to visit in Norfolk, including the Queen's in Sandringham, birthplace of Diana, Princess of Wales. Others to visit are Holkham, Blickling, Wolterton Park, Houghton Hall (home of Britain's first Prime Minister), Oxburgh Hall and Felbrigg Hall.