Fido Family Friendly Places

Perfect for summer holidays or winter escapes, the warmest of welcomes awaits your arrival at Meadow Farm. Nestled in the countryside, close to the village with its shop and two inns serving food, this is the perfect location to explore the best of Norfolk with its amazing coastline and its famous Norfolk Broads. The barns, each boasting character, are over 200 years old, yet offer contemporary open plan living, and are well equipped and furnished to provide excellent comfort. These well-appointed adjoining barns each enjoy privacy, their own enclosed garden with seating furniture and private parking. The holiday properties are situated in a separate area of the owner’s grounds, which also has a small, members only, Registered Caravan Club site for five caravans, on the properties meadow.

Close by is Hickling Broad, with a nature reserve that links to the Norfolk Broad’s unique topography of reed-lined waterways, famous for their good coarse fishing, boating and rich variety of wildlife, especially waterfowl. Also 3 miles drive away, are the glorious sandy beaches of Sea Palling and Waxham, often visited by seals. Visit Wroxham (11 miles), the capital of the Norfolk Broads, with its waterside cafés, restaurants, shops and daily river trips available. Also catch the Bure Valley Steam Railway here for a wonderful trip to Aylsham. Daily boat hire is available at nearby Hickling Broad and Potter Heigham, ½ mile and 3½ miles away respectively. Quiet country lanes and trails are great for relaxed cycling and walking.

Nearby attractions include many National Trust properties including Blickling and Felbrigg Hall and Horsey Windpump. Visit the seaside resort of Cromer (21 miles) with a promenade and pier, and Sheringham (26 miles), home to the North Norfolk Steam Railway. The city of Norwich (21 miles), with its cathedral, castle, museums, galleries, restaurants, cinema, theatre and shopping with two malls and market square is within easy driving distance. For another great day out, visit Horsey Gap (National Trust) where you can walk on the sand dunes and see the seals and pups on the beach (November to February). Beach 3 miles. Two pubs serving good food, one with a small shop both within walking distance.

Wash Farm Holiday Barns are situated in a wonderful peaceful location, having shared use of the welcoming indoor heated swimming pool. They are nestled beside the award winning Banham Zoo, a 50 acre zoo, renowned for its excellence in animal care and conservation.

There are many prescribed footpaths from the doorstep, so be sure to bring your walking boots to explore and admire the Norfolk countryside. In the adjoining paddocks there are several iconic East Anglian Suffolk Punch heavy horses to be found, the oldest and rarest of the UK breeds. Please do ask if you wish to meet them. Within the grounds is the indoor heated swimming pool and is freely available for use by our guests. Please remember to bring your swimming pool towels. The water is maintained at a very comfortable temperature and is heated by an environmentally friendly ground source heat pump.

Granary Barn (UKC5405) is a delightful, romantic haven for a couple’s getaway and offers charm and character with a high standard of comfort. The living room has oak floors and opens onto its private south facing terrace, ideal for al fresco breakfasts and intimate evening repasts, and overlooking the mature gardens. The bedroom with en-suite facilities is reached via a spiral staircase, has a high pitched ceiling and a glazed gable wall with French doors and Juliette balcony, which provides elevated views of the garden and paddocks beyond.

The original hay barn has been re-built to create Cedar Barn (ref UKC5406). It has the added advantage of a mezzanine bedroom above, overlooking the extensive well-furnished living area. An open-plan kitchen adjoins the living area with high ceiling and exposed beams. The hallway leads to a well-appointed shower room. Ideal for two, Cedar Barn also lends itself to accommodate a young family making use of the additional sofa bed in the living area. This is a dog-friendly holiday barn accommodating up to two dogs.

New Buckenham has approximately 98 acres of common under the custodianship of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, providing a network of countryside walks. Bustling Wymondham offers lots of great places where you can eat and shop. Visit picturesque Wymondham Abbey, a magnificent Norman church established in 1107 as part of a monastic foundation. Shopaholics will delight with the medieval city of Norwich, 35 minutes’ drive, with two indoor shopping malls, boutiques, a market square, the finest standing example of a Norman castle in the UK, a magnificent Norman cathedral, museums, theatres, art galleries and plenty of eateries.

The surrounding countryside provides endless opportunities for cycling and walking. For a change of pace, head to Thetford Forest and High Lodge recreational site with walks, cycle trails, more challenging mountain bike trails and Go Ape treetop adventures. In just 40 minutes is Wroxham, known as the capital of the Norfolk Broads. Charter a day boat, a kayak or a paddle board, or simply join an organised river tour. Southwold is 35 miles away for a day at the seaside, with a Victorian pier, or even a spot of crabbing at Walberswick. The North Norfolk coast is an hour’s drive to explore many marvellous sandy beaches, the RSPB nature reserves and marshes. Visit seaside towns of Sheringham, Cromer and Great Yarmouth, offering traditional family attractions and glorious beaches. In the surrounding area are several National Trust properties, excellent museums, birdwatching activities, golf and fishing. Shop and pub ½ mile. These properties can be booked together to accommodate upto 6 guests.