Guests say
Far Barn in Norfolk offers a tranquil and picturesque setting with a duck pond, providing a delightful rural escape. Guests appreciate the property's charm, quality furnishings, and the enclosed garden, which is safe for pets and children. The location is praised for its proximity to local attractions and the coast. While some guests mention issues with cleanliness and maintenance, the overall experience is seen as cosy, comfortable, and well-equipped for a family stay.
Cleanliness has received mixed feedback. Several guests have praised the property's presentation, while others have reported the need to clean upon arrival and mentioned issues such as dust, dirty appliances, and marked linen. However, improvements seem to have been made following earlier feedback.
The location is highly regarded, with guests enjoying the peaceful setting and proximity to beaches, towns, and attractions like Norwich Cathedral and Thursford light show. The central location in Norfolk makes it a convenient base for exploring the area.
Guests find the barn cosy and the living spaces comfortable, with efficient heating and a log burner adding to the ambience. Some guests have noted the beds could be more comfortable, with a preference for firmer mattresses and larger sizes.
The barn is well-appointed with high-quality appliances and thoughtful touches like toys and games for children. However, some guests have noted wear and tear on furniture and issues with maintenance such as a non-working PlayStation and the need for better ventilation in the mezzanine bathroom.
Many guests have expressed appreciation for the thoughtful welcome packs and gestures like a Christmas tree and dog treats. While these are well-received, it is important to note that such personal touches, although likely, are not guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
Located on the outskirts of Fakenham market town, with the cultural city of Norwich in striking distance, Far Barn is a Grade 2 listed former Hay Barn which has been beautifully converted allowing couples and families with or without your canine friends to explore North Norfolk. Tucked away down a quiet village road, Far Barn over looks a Green enclosing a large pond which is teaming with ducks, rabbits and wildlife. Accessed via the main country roads, this attractive property sits at the end of a private driveway, with its very own enclosed garden and off-road parking space. You will be welcomed into the open-plan living room, which oozes character and has plenty of space for enjoying your down time. Scrumptious meals can be prepared in the kitchen, before you all get together around the dining table and chat about times gone by, as you enjoy the views out over the pond. There is an electric woodburner-effect stove in the sitting area, pleasantly taking the chill of a cool winter's night as you relax and discuss further plans for the rest of your trip. When the night draws in, choose to retire to bed upstairs where you will find the master, mezzanine double bedroom resting under the eaves, with a roll-top bath tub, basin and WC behind a screen, giving you some added privacy. Alternatively either the bunk room or the double, both located on the ground level and accompanied by a wet room, which has a large walk-in shower cubicle.
To the outside, your private enclosed garden awaits, allowing the children to play safely while you prepare a meal to have alfresco-style on the patio or even barbeque on the decking whilst enjoying the summer evenings. This is a superb location with lots of attractions nearby, including the Pensthorpe Natural Park, Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve and the whole of the Norfolk coast AONB. Fakenham town centre has a plethora of shops, pubs and restaurants as well as a Farmers' Market and interesting side streets to explore. You are also only eight miles from the village of Thursford, where the annual Christmas Spectacular regularly draws audiences throughout November and December. Just on the doorstep of this property is Fakenham Golf Club, this 9 hole par71 course playing back equalling 18 holes is perfectly situated because of its coupling with the racecourse and sports centre. North Norfolk is renowned for its spectacular coastline, with miles of glorious beaches, seaside communities and a beautiful hinterland of rolling countryside and picturesque market towns and villages. North Norfolk must be the birdwatching capital of the UK and is blessed with a multitude of bird watching areas with diverse habitat that includes reedbeds, saltmarches and fresh water lagoons, and you can even take a boat trip if your feeling a little more adventurous to see our seal colony at Blakeney Point. A must visit location with plenty to do for couples, families and children. Ideally located just 10 minutes from the coast in the rural village of Sculthorpe Far Barn is just minutes away from both Fakenham and Burnham Market. The cultural city of Norwich is less than 40 minutes away with easy access to Cromer to visit the historic Pier, Sandringham for a Royal visit or Holkham Hall where families can cycle, picnic and enjoy the stunning grounds. Wells-Next-the-Sea homes a beautiful blue flag beach, voted one the best beaches in Britain to paddle in the sea, build sand castles and see the characterful beach huts. Wide sandy beaches offer extensive bird watching panorama across The Wash. This is a superb cottage for a varied holiday in Norfolk.
Fakenham is famous for its horse racing and offers a series of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Often referred to as the Gateway to Norfolk this town is ideal for exploring this beautiful county. Wells-next-the-Sea, Holkham and Burham Overy are close by, for a lovely day out to the coast, with beaches, birdwatching and miles of pine forests.
Accommodation
Over two floors.
Three bedrooms: 1 x ground floor double, 1 x ground floor adult bunks, 1 x mezzanine double with en-suite bath, basin and WC.
Ground floor wet room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Open-plan living room with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove.
Oil central heating with wood burning stove and electric fire.
Electric range cooker, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine.
TV, DVD player, Playstation, WiFi and hairdryer.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for one car.A second car can be parked just outside the main gates on some communal space by the pond Lockable bike shed.
Enclosed garden with decking area, BBQ and patio furniture.
Two well-behaved dogs welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 0.8 miles, pub 0.4 miles.
Note; There is a Good Housekeeping Bond of £125 for this property
Reviews (51)
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Anne
Also buried in the shed was a Henry vacuum cleaner but without a floor attachment and tube. As conscientious dog owners we wanted to clean up hair and debris a couple of times during the stay. The upstairs mattress was very comfortable but the downstairs ones were less so. The larger sofa was quite saggy and low making it trickier for older guests, and far too many cushions everywhere that required dumping on the spare bunk! Otherwise all was lovely. We found neither of the fire lighters worked and no matches to be found so we went without the fire on the first evening. Luckily we do carry a dog guard when we travel but it may be useful to mention one may be needed to prevent them getting upstairs. On the whole a lovely place to stay, so easy for so many beaches and a very secure garden.
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Beth
Well appointed and stocked with everything you need to cook if you wanted to. Garden is a great sun trap and glad there was a BBQ to make the most of the outdoors. Only small draw back was the extension lead with lots of wires would have been a hazard for small children but as we didnât have any with us it was not a problem
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Tracy
This is the main reason we decided to book again. Itâs a beautiful place, very cosy & comfy, light & airy & has everything you need for a happy holiday. It was cleaner than last time, which was a bonus, as we did have a few issues with the cleanliness after Covid. Pleased to see that they have sorted that problem out. Itâs a lovely part of the country to visit, plenty to do & the dogs love the barn & the garden. The neighbours are very friendly & helpful, one of them even gave us some duck food, as none had been left this time. We all adore feeding the ducks, thatâs one of the attractions for us, they even eat out of your hand, itâs really fun & the dogs love watching their hilarious antics. The beds are very comfy, the weather was a bit cold so we had to put the heating on, but it soon warmed up. Our daughter & her husband stayed for the weekend as well & were taken up in the magic of this converted barn. We usually rent a detached property so we don't have any noise from the neighbours, this is attached at one side to a very lovely couple & because the wall between the property is so thick, you donât hear a thing. Would recommend this to anyone & everyone, if you want a holiday home thatâs safe for the children & as in our case the dogs, then this is the place for you, youâll love it. Very happy customer, Thank you. We will be back!!