Get close to nature and enjoy a glamping holiday at Happy Valley Norfolk; a whimsical woodland spanning across 9 acres and sitting on the edge of a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site. For those looking for a place to relax where you can also be free to engage in your passion projects like photography, cycling or wild swimming, Happy Valley Norfolk is the place for you. Whatever your interests may be, our serene woodland setting will clear your body and mind, helping you relax enough for inspiration to strike. After all, isn’t that what life’s all about?
BIRD SPOTTING
If you didn’t know already, Bird Song can help significantly with calming the nervous system. It’s an evolutionary response ingrained in our DNA as the only time you’d hear the sound of bird song is when the environment is safe. With an abundance of bird species from the Red Kite, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robins, Stonechat, Curlew, Woodlark, Nightjar all on our doorstep, Happy Valley is a magical place to explore this rewarding and calming hobby.
Titchwell Nature Reserve is a bird-lovers paradise with bird-filled reedbeds, lagoons and marshes just waiting to be explored. Around 30 minutes from us, it’s a perfect morning excursion. Avocets, Bearded Tits and Marsh Harriers nest in the salt marsh and freshwater lagoons of the reserve, making for a wonderful sight. At the end of the reserve, enjoy a walk on the vast natural sandy beach before heading back to your Happy Valley cabin to recharge.
RSPB Nature Reserve in Snettisham lets you look across the vast and dramatic Wash and spot thousands of bird species take to the air. You will be treated to panoramic views across brackish lagoons, salt marsh and a vast expanse of mudflats. From late summer, tens of thousands of wading birds gather on the mudflats where they roost overnight. If you’re lucky, you may be able to watch the, ‘whirling wader spectacle’ - a special event caused by particularly high tides that cause vast flocks of Knot, Dunlin and Oystercatchers take to the air en masse.
BEACHES
The Norfolk Coast is 90 miles of glorious coastline, from stunning beaches and pristine sand to awesome cliffs and shingle spits, salt marshes and estuaries. Including an area of outstanding natural beauty, it’s easy to find treasures around every corner. Heacham and Hunstanton are less than 25 minutes from Happy Valley by car and offer an abundance of activities for those 50 and over. Heacham features a charming cafe and fish bar whilst Hunstanton beach, known the locals as ‘Sunny Hunny’, is a sandy stretch of beach backed by famous striped cliffs.
Slightly further afield, around 40 minutes from Happy Valley, Holkham Beach is a wide, sandy beach renowned for its natural beauty and vast open spaces. If you’re looking to experience the magic of our big Norfolk skies, then Holkham Beach is the one for you.
Snettisham beach is a shingle beach only 20 minutes from Happy Valley and is a hive of activity for nature-lovers. A perfect beach for bird-watching or walking, it is quiet and undisturbed and sits adjacent to the RSPB Nature Reserve.
CYCLING
If cycling is a passion you wish to explore in Norfolk, check out this blog post for a detailed list of easy, intermediate and expert cycling routes near us. Great Massingham is 5 minutes down the road from Happy Valley, and from there cyclists of all fitness levels can enjoy an easy route of 12.8 miles across mostly flat terrain whilst taking in lashings of breathtaking scenery.
For experts, The Norfolk Coastal Cycleway covers 59 miles from King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth via Cromer. It passes through a dramatic National Trust landscape and allows passionate cyclists to take in the full beauty of the Norfolk Coast along the way.
PHOTOGRAPHY
TULIPS FOR TAPPING
With views to rival the flower fields of Amsterdam, Tulips for Tapping in King’s Lynn is an incredibly sought after spot for anyone visiting North Norfolk. As the UK’s only tulip field that’s open to the public for two weeks per year, Tapping House Tulips supports the Hospice with all proceeds directly funding care for people who are living with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones. Tickets often sell out very quickly, so we recommend getting ahead of the crowds!
WATATUNGA WILDLIFE RESERVE
170 acres of breathtaking woodland, grassland and lakes, the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve offers a rare opportunity to experience a safari tour in the UK. Explore the reserve in a guided buggy tour and catch glimpses of the world’s most endangered species of deer, antelope and birds. Animal welfare is at the centre of the visitor experience, and the site’s conservation efforts are vital to the future survival of these beautiful animals. Photographers will revel in the chance to capture such beauty in the UK.
WATERSPORTS
Bawsey Bay is a mere 15 minutes from Happy Valley Norfolk and covers everything from water activities to private lessons right on our doorstep. Just outside of King’s Lynn, you can try your hand at sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and more. A great day out for those of all abilities, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this picturesque bay in North Norfolk. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill under the experience of qualified instructors or get out into the water with a group of friends, you can book online to enjoy a day out on the water and head back to your Happy Valley cabin at dusk to cook dinner on the firepit and soak in the hot tub for the evening.
WALKING
If walking is your passion project, there’s no better place for it than here. On site you’ll find over 200 acres of woodland to explore and just down the road you’ll find Roydon common, one of the largest surviving open heaths in this part of Norfolk. Roydon Common circular walk is a 5.5 mile amble over the open heath land, perfect for beginners and experts alike. Take in the views or take a picnic and enjoy the astounding array of wildlife.
Dersingham Bog is part of the Sandringham Estate, a mere 10 minute drive from Happy Valley Norfolk. It includes the largest, most intact example of an acid valley mire in East Anglia.
Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve is a classic example of a Dynamic Offshore Barrier Island. Walkers and wildlife lovers can explore some of the best examples of coastal habitats in the UK; including shingle, dune and salt marsh alongside its associated flora and fauna.
HISTORY
Castle Rising is one of the most famous 12th Century Castles in England. Well preserved and full of elaborate decoration, it’s a must-visit for history-lovers. Take a walk through the castle ruins, climb the steps to the gate house, take in the elaborate decorations, explore the Great Hall and visit the remains of Queen Isabella’s apartments. Building of the castle was begun in 1138 by the Norman lord William d'Albini for his new wife, the widow of Henry I.
Castle Acre Priory offers history-lovers the opportunity to see beautiful architectural decoration in a 12th-century priory church. The extensive remains of the cloister and monk's’ living quarters includes a two-storey, 24-seater toilet block!
Creake Abbey and its beautiful flint-walled ruins is set in tranquil surroundings just 40 minutes from Happy Valley Norfolk. It tells a sad story of a monastic disaster, and remains an interesting and humbling place to visit. Complete with a cafe and a few locally-owned shops, the abbey makes for a wonderful day out.
STARGAZING
We are lucky enough to enjoy little to no light pollution here at Happy Valley Norfolk, making our site perfect for stargazers. Enjoy the dazzling night sky from the comfort of your own private hot tub when staying in Toad Hall, Moonshine Manor, Keeper’s Cabin or The Woodpecker. Alternatively, amateur and trained astronomers are welcome to bring equipment from home to really make the most of the beauty of those big Norfolk skies.
We are so lucky in North Norfolk to have such a wide variety of art, culture and wildlife to explore and indulge in. It’s one of the reasons we love sharing our little slice of heaven with you. Come and enjoy the peace and quiet in your own private woodland cabin and give your passions the chance to come to the surface again. When the body relaxes, the mind can finally let go of outside pressures and dive deep into what makes you you. We can’t wait to welcome you to Happy Valley Norfolk soon!
