Christian Holiday Barn, Norfolk – Calm, Charming, Sleeps 8

Christian Holiday Barn, Norfolk — Farm Life Near the Broads

North Farm is a genuine Christian holiday barn, Norfolk, break: two lovely barn conversions, Kingfisher and Barn Owl Cottages, each sleeping four and rentable together or apart, plus a separate Shepherd’s Hut with its own woodstove and fire-pit for larger groups. Set on a working farm at Burgh Next Aylsham, guests are free to explore the water meadow, meet the resident potter and stone-carver working from converted outbuildings, and watch for the barn owls and kestrels that share the site. It’s a genuinely restful base for exploring the wider Christian holidays in the East of England, whether that’s a family week or a quieter break away from parish life.

Norfolk naturalist Ted Ellis once called The Broads a “breathing space for the cure of souls”, and North Farm sits right on their doorstep. Though not a National Park in name, the Broads carry the same protected status, with over 200 kilometres of lock-free rivers and lakes to explore by boat, foot or bike, and some of the darkest, widest skies in England. Nearby Coltishall, at the highest navigable point of the River Bure, is known locally as the Gateway to the Broads, its old malthouses and riverside pubs a reminder of centuries spent shipping grain and timber down to the coast.

Aylsham itself, a mile from the farm’s own steam railway halt, is a market town with roots back to before the Domesday Book, once a centre of the medieval cloth trade supplying royal households. Its parish church of St Michael and All Angels dominates the market place, spire visible for miles, while the Black Boys Inn nearby dates from the 1650s behind a later Georgian front. Today the town is recognised as a Cittaslow ‘slow town’, known for its farmers’ markets and food producers, alongside a market that has run since the 13th century. The narrow-gauge Bure Valley Railway begins here, tracing nine miles of countryside down to Wroxham through the Broads.

Just outside Aylsham stands Blickling Hall, a National Trust-run Jacobean house built for Sir Henry Hobart by the architect Robert Lyminge, its dramatic symmetrical front flanked by tall yew hedges and set within a moat. It was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn before she became Henry VIII’s second queen, and its gardens and parkland are open for visits year-round, making an easy half-day out from the farm. Closer to home, the Bure Valley Path runs alongside the railway line for nine miles, giving walkers and cyclists a gentler, off-road route through the same stretch of countryside.

Between the two cottages and the Shepherd’s Hut, this is a flexible base for a larger family gathering or two households travelling together, with all the equipment for young children provided free of charge. A 10 percent discount is available for those in ministry, and staggered payments can be arranged to help spread the cost across the year. With Norwich, the sandy North Norfolk coast and the traditional seaside town of Cromer all within easy reach, North Farm makes a properly restful, well-rounded base for a longer stay away from parish demands.

Perfect for:

Families or groups wanting two cottages plus a Shepherd’s Hut on one site
Those in ministry, with a discount and flexible, staggered payment options
Nature lovers, with a water meadow, bird hide and resident barn owls on the farm
Walkers and cyclists, with the Bure Valley Path and Broads National Park nearby
Younger children, thanks to free-of-charge travel cots, bedguards and ride-on tractors
Anyone wanting a quiet, creative corner of Norfolk away from the coast’s busier spots
Larger gatherings, with both cottages and the Shepherd’s Hut available together

Location

Kingfisher and Barn Owl Cottages and Shepherd’s Hut, North Farm, Burgh Next Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6TW

How to get here:

You will need a car as the farm is not served by public transport, although it is in walking distance of the Bure Valley Steam Railway (approx 1 mile).

Nearest Town(s): Aylsham, Coltishall, Cromer

Facilities

Kingfisher and Barn Owl Cottages are two lovely barn conversions, each sleeping four people. They can be rented separately or together and are all on one-level, making them very suitable for those with mobility problems.

The cottages have been converted to a high standard and are well-equipped, from the kitchens to the book collections! Each has a well equipped kitchen-diner, sitting room with home entertainment system, double bedroom, twin bedroom, bathroom and separate WC. All towels and linen are provided along with a welcome pack and wi-fi is available throughout the property.

Each cottage has a private enclosed garden and the farm is situated in open country which guests are welcome to explore. On the farm, there is a water meadow, bird-watching hide and many places to escape and relax!

To make travelling easier for families, a wide range of equipment from travel cots to ride-on tractors, bedguards to bumbos can be provided free of charge.

For an alternative break, the hand-made Shepherd’s Hut is located on the water-meadow, providing a tranquil retreat from the pressures of modern living. Equipped with a woodstove, outdoor fire-pit and wood supplied from coppicing on the farm, the site is shared with the resident barn owls and kestrels. Guests have exclusive use of a newly refurbished bathroom and kitchen area in a converted barn nearby. For a larger family stay, this can be rented alongside the cottages.

All guests are welcome to play in the gardens, tour the farm-yard, explore the water meadows as well as visiting the artists’ studios which operate from converted outbuildings on the farm.

If you want to know more, there are many excellent reviews on our website northfarm.info.

Additional Photos

Click to enlarge

A fenced back garden with green grass, a wooden house reminiscent of a classic Norfolk retreat, a play area with a slide, and a picnic table under a clear blue sky. Trees are visible in the background, evoking the peaceful charm of a Christian holiday barn setting.

Bright living room with glass doors leading to a sunny patio, a green armchair, wooden TV stand with a flat-screen telly, and a striped rug on a wooden floor. Light streams in, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere reminiscent of the cosy interiors found in a Norfolk Christian holiday barn.

Cosy living room with a light green sofa, patterned cushions, a wooden side table with a lamp, glass-fronted cabinet, brown armchair, and a striped rug on a wooden floor. Sunlight streams in through an open doorway, creating a tranquil retreat perfect for relaxing after exploring Norfolk or returning from adventures at your Christian holiday barn.

A cosy kitchen in a Norfolk Christian holiday barn, featuring a wooden table and two chairs with red cushions, a tea set, flowers, a map on the wall, checked curtains, and a glass door leading outside.

A simple bedroom in Norfolk with a white bed, a red and gold runner, a small window with wooden trim, a shelf, and a picture on the wall evokes the cosy charm of a Christian holiday barn.

A wooden-framed mirror reflects a cosy room in a Christian holiday barn in Norfolk, with two single beds, each with white bedding and green throws, a small bedside table, a lamp, a window, and a wooden ceiling beam.

A charming wooden cottage with a red tiled roof, several doors and windows, a grassy garden, and a wooden picnic table on a stone patio under a clear blue sky—perfect for experiencing the relaxed atmosphere of Norfolk or enjoying memorable moments in this delightful Christian holiday barn.

A single-storey Norfolk house with a red tiled roof, wooden doors and windows, a bench, a small garden with flowers, and a grassy garden under a clear blue sky—perfect for enjoying peaceful moments or celebrating together in this charming Christian holiday barn.

A small wooden shed on wheels sits on grass with a window, open door, and steps leading inside. Sunlight shines through the door, giving it the welcoming charm of a Christian holiday barn. Trees and bushes are in the background, suggesting a peaceful Norfolk setting.

Small rustic kitchen with exposed brick walls, a sink, dish rack, mugs on hooks, a microwave, and kettle on a wooden counter—perfect for your Norfolk Christian holiday barn retreat. Plates are stored below, while a rubbish bin and tea towel hang nearby. Natural light brightens the space.

A cosy wooden cabin interior inspired by a Norfolk Christian holiday barn, with a bed, checked blankets, two wicker chairs, a small table draped in a floral cloth, shelves lined with glassware, and a small window letting in natural light.

A wooden gate with a sign reading FOR SHEPHERDS HUT USE ONLY opens into a rustic stone and brick building with a red tiled roof—a charming Christian holiday barn nestled in the heart of Norfolk. One wooden door is open, and a wall light is fitted nearby.

Costs

Weekly rate between £545 and £925 for the cottages. The Shepherd’s Hut is £150 for two nights, with discounts for longer stays

Discounts

10% discount available for those in ministry. We are very happy to discuss staggering payments for your holiday to avoid a big expense in one month.

Energy Provision: Included

Availability

Open all year

Arrival and Departure times: Check in/out times are generally 10am and 4pm although this can be varied by arrangement.

Booking Arrangements: Check in day is usually Friday or Monday although this can be varied outside peak season.

Pets: One pet is accepted in Barn Owl Cottage. Additional £25 charge per stay plus £75 refundable deposit.

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: Flick Hindley
Phone Number: 01603 737974
Email Address: info@northfarm.info
Website: northfarm.info

North Farm, Burgh Next Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6TW