Location
69 The Street, Helhoughton, NR 21 7BP
Travel access options – rail, road, coach, flights etc
Normal and easiest access is by car which you will need here.
From Cambridge via A10/A148
There is a railway station at Kings Lynn and infrequent buses from Fakenham
Nearest Town(s) Kings Lynn 19 miles
Fakenham 4
Norwich 29
Holt 17
Helhoughton is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and is a tiny unspoilt rural village SW of Fakenham on the edge of the 7,000 acre estate of 17 C Raynham Hall,2.6 miles.
Hope Cottage is in the centre of the village a few houses beyond the village sign/ crossroad on the same side of the road as the ancient church flanked with its giant Horse chestnut tree
Local Area
Whilst hidden away in the green countryside the cottage is only 4 miles from Fakenham with its supermarkets (Tesco/Aldi/Morisons/Lidl/Post Office/chocolate factory shop/cinema/library/Thursday market and auction rooms.
At East Rudham (3.5 miles) there is another one of the 8 churches in the benefice/ a friendly pub/cafe/ gift shop/butcher and general store. At picturesque Great Massingham (6 miles) we have the award winning Dabbling Duck looking over one of the village ponds. Houghton Hall (7 miles) one of the great Palladian mansions of Norfolk, built for Sir Robert Walpole, with its splendid interior 5 acre walled garden, white deer park, cafe, and the largest toy soldier museum in Europe. Walsingham (7 miles) with its shrines, ruined Augustinian Abbey and spring snowdrops.
Other attractions include The Queen’s estate of Sandringham (13 miles) Cogham Hall luxury hotel and spa (13 miles) Burnham Market (14 miles) and Holt (17 miles) both provide an array of shops ,pubs and cafes. For the adventurous there is Extreme woodland high Rope Adventure course (8 miles) and for younger children and bird watchers there is Pensthorpe Natural Park (8 miles). More for bird lovers at Sculthorpe Moor with the Hawk and Owl Trust. Heacham (16 miles) is home to the Norfolk Lavender Centre. National Cycle Routes 1 and 2 in the locality and for walks, beyond those in the village 46 miles of Peddar’s way a route to Hunstanton along the old Roman Road. Perhaps above all you have very easy access to the beautiful North Norfolk coast, Wells next to the sea (13 miles)to buy crab and a stick of rock and a few miles further along the coast in Holkham beach through the pine woods there is one of the widest loveliest sandiest beaches in the UK – all sea and wide sky and for a good lunch the Victoria Inn .
Facilities
The cottage is of typical Victorian period style, and was originally two. The characterful south end is now available to rent. It has a separate entrance with storage porch leading to very well- equipped kitchen/ diner with seating area and wood-burner at one end and a table seating 6-8. A latched door leads from kitchen/diner into a drawing room with beamed ceiling, 2 sofas, TV with basic Sky/ DVD/VHS player and wood burner. Open wooden staircase to second floor.1 double bedroom en-suite roll top bath with handheld shower/WC. Twin bedded room with en-suite and electric shower / WC. Third bedroom set up for children with one cot sized bed and one 7 foot bed. Travel cot available. The house is comfortable and relaxing rather than luxurious with plenty of books/ rugs / flowers. Broadband/ wifi but weak mobile phone reception. There is plenty of parking space in the gated driveway. No dogs or smoking anywhere on the property please.
The nature of the open staircase, the water at the bottom of the garden and the height of the tree house are not conducive to relaxation for visitors with small (walking) children until they are about four years old. There is a travel cot for a baby, and a pushchair and plenty of toys/ books DVDs/ buckets / spades for older children.
The garden of one third of an acre is very pretty and well stocked. One half, beyond the wooden decking and tree house, is re-wilded with paths mown through the long grass/ wild flowers to the fruit cage and strawberry beds. The other half is more formal with lawn/ paved patio seating area with Weber BBQ and parasol.
Regrettably the cottage is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Additional Photos
Costs
You have the choice of 3 different kind of bookings.
- Discounts – e.g. Clergy and Church staff. As part of my Diaconal ministry I offer readers of this site rates considerably below the commercial price.Sole use of the South end /Self-catering weekly. £920 May/June/July/August. £780 Rest of the year
- Bed and breakfast basis £75 per room per nightSleeping use of each additional room £15
Fine and free of course for baby in cot/ use of shower/ hanging spaceGood hearty breakfasts/ full English/continental/ healthy option/ vegetarians and Vegans understood.Use of drawing room with log-burner and TV and afternoon tea on arrival all included. - Lower rates for extended stays e.g.retreat /Sabbatical. And those wanting place/space due to personal circumstances.Price negotiable/flexible personalised response offered / various housekeeping services, including laundry, by arrangement.
Energy Provision
This includes all energy costs/ logs / linen/ house towels/ and final cleaning.
For self catering kitchen basics supplied and a substantial welcome hamper with local and homemade produce to greet you.
Availability
Availability most of the year. All enquiries welcome. Change over usually Saturday but often flexible.
Hope Cottage is very popular so to avoid disappointment please try to book well in advance, but also worth trying last minute in case of cancellations.
Inclusion of Pets
No, sorry
Contact the Owner
If you are interested in making a booking, or you would like further information, please get in touch using the following details:
Name: Virginia Darling
Phone Number: 01485 528292
Email Address: hopecottageholidays@gmail.com