Owl Barn - Norfolk

About this property

This beautiful holiday abode is in the heart of Breckland, one of the UK’s most distinctive landscapes that’s home to a huge variety of unusual flora and fauna. The area’s a dream destination for walkers, cyclists, and nature and wildlife lovers, with Thetford Forest a hub of eco-fun for all ages. Just 1 mile from your doorstep, Watton is an unassuming market town where you can shop for self-catering essentials. Alternatively, head north and Swaffham’s fine Georgian buildings provide the backdrop for a bustling Saturday Market and twice-monthly Farmer’s Market, while an EcoTech centre serves up superb views to those who ascend its wind turbine’s 300 steps. There are twice-weekly markets in Dereham too, along with the chance to ride on the vintage trains of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust – a regular service operates between here and Wymondham, famous for its magnificent abbey. For big-city retail, cultural and historic attractions, Norwich is less than 30 miles away.

Surrounded by countryside and set within grounds backed by an 18-hole golf course, this remarkable retreat has been lovingly created from a former storage barn and stables. The owners’ attention to detail is evident throughout – living their own dream as smallholders, they’ve created a high-end holiday home where guests can enjoy country life without compromise. Stretching the entire length of the building, a vast open-plan living space prioritises together-time, with underfloor heating and superfast Wi-Fi ensuring home-from-home comfort and convenience. With bar-style seating to one end and an island unit creating additional counter space, the kitchen is uber-cool and houses all the essentials for hassle-free self-catering. Just a few footsteps away, the dining suite is sturdy and spacious – load the dishwasher then linger with a board game or local guidebooks to plan your next day’s adventures. At the other end of this room, the lounge area has a huge L-shaped sofa and a Smart TV. A Sky package will help you keep up to date with your favourite box-sets but for the ultimate in wow-factor viewing, switch on to Nest-Flix – the owner's name for their multiple bird box HD cameras which convey live footage of owls, kestrels and other nesting birds to a tablet inside the barn! Fully glazed doors and windows on three sides allow natural light to flood into the whole of this open-plan living space, while on the fourth side there are doors into each of the three king-size ground-floor bedrooms, each of which has its own en-suite shower room and Smart TV. Two of the bedrooms have zip-and-link beds that can be converted to twin beds if required. A striking spiral staircase leads from the lounge area to a large mezzanine level where the fourth bedroom has a king-size bed plus an en-suite bathroom. Adding peace of mind for any guests with accessibility needs, wheelchair ramps, bed steps and guards, shower chairs, raised toilet seats and threshold steps are available.

Sliding patio doors lead from the lounge to the private and enclosed rear and side garden. The perfect spot in which to unwind, it has a luxurious seven-person hot tub and a bespoke seating area featuring a built-in firepit – wood is provided. When you want to stretch your legs, there are 11 acres of land featuring woodland and ponds to enjoy via rewilded pathways. Look out for the local wildlife as you wander – you could spot deer and birds of prey as well as the farm’s free-range chickens, whose eggs you can help collect. Four-pawed pals can let off steam in the 0.75 acre paddock, which is enclosed by a post, rail and stock fence for added security. If they usually live outdoors – or you’d like to enjoy a dog-free day out – a double kennel is available. Ensuring even the most pampered pooches feel at home, the kennels have heating, lighting and cooling systems, plus cctv cameras so you can check they’re settled. Equine family members can also be accommodated on a DIY livery basis and by arrangement with the owner.

4 bedrooms – 2 king-size zip-and-link (which can be made up as 2'6" twin beds on request), 2 king-size

4 bathrooms – 3 en-suite shower rooms with WC, 1 en-suite bathroom with shower over bath and WC

Electric oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, coffee machine, slow cooker, air fryer, coffee grinder, slow cooker, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer

Welcome pack on arrival for guests and pets

Travel cots and highchairs available

Underfloor heating via an air source heat pump

Smart TV with basic Sky package in three bedrooms and lounge, PlayStation 3

Enclosed garden with lawn, patio, outdoor furniture, gas BBQ, firepit, drinks cooler

Seven-person private hot tub heated via an air source heat pump

Private and enclosed 0.75-acre paddock for dogs to enjoy, with a post, rail and stock fence for added security

Access to 11 acres of farmland with woodland and ponds

Private parking for 4 cars

EV charging payable through the Tap Electric app

Pub 0.5 miles, shop 1 mile

Increased accessibility - Wheelchair ramps, bed steps and guards, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and threshold steps are available on request

Livery services available by prior arrangement with the owner (fees apply)