Happy Valley Believes

We’ve watched the world from our window seat. Seasons have rolled in and out, like waves lapping against the shore. Time has played tricks on our mind, with long stretches of inactivity laid out before us and then a whirlwind of chaos flurrying in. With the uncertainty we all face, Happy Valley is hanging onto the hope of Christmas.

The warmth of hot chocolates and mulled wine by the fire, the enchantment of hearing sleigh bells jangle overhead and the sparkle of lights on in windows, brings this winter season to life. Looking out into the abyss of darkness, the vast landscape rolling out in front of the night sky – just when you think you’re all alone, you see a candle come on, a lantern light up and a fire glow in the distance.

At Happy Valley, we believe in community coming together, we believe in the hopes and dreams of others and we most definitely believe in the magic of Christmas.

Our Happy Valley elves have been busy preparing for the festivities and our cabins have been spruced up, ready to welcome you back this winter. Secret Santas have climbed up on their shelves, angels have taken position overhead, garlands have lovingly wrapped themselves around the beams and the baubles have bounced into position.

If you’re wondering where to go on holiday in the UK this Christmas then why not try beautiful North Norfolk. Surrounded by wide open spaces, beautiful off road walks, stunning award winning beaches and plenty of fresh air to keep you healthy.

What better way to celebrate each other this year than to take a staycation in the beautiful county of Norfolk.

Our cabins:

Toad Hall – a sumptuous treehouse, sleeping four adults and two children. This comes with a private hot tub, wheelchair accessible ramp, wetroom ensuite, open plan kitchenette, wine cooler, and outside decking area.

Woodpecker – a magical bell temple, sleeping either four adults or two adults and two children. This is an open plan room with king sized bed, adult-sized bunk bed, log burner, dining area, DVD player and ensuite shower room.

Denver Rest – a shepherd hut amongst the trees, sleeping two adults. This cosy hut comes with an outdoor kitchenette, a fire pit, and a shower room a short walk away.

King Nutkin – a love nest for two, sleeping two adults. This comes with a log burner, indoor kitchenette with a shower room a short walk away.

Christmas Cabin - yet to be named, our latest log cabin is coming along a treat and will make for the perfect Christmas surprise. Sleeping four adults (with the potential of two children), it comes with an ensuite shower room, open plan kitchen and living room, two bedrooms, a wrap around porch and a private woodfired hot tub.

Our current availability: availability can change quickly as we have instant booking on other sites.

Toad Hall – Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Woodpecker – Friday 4th December – Monday 7th December, Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Denver Rest – Friday 4th December – Monday 7th December, Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

King Nutkin – Friday 4th December – Monday 7th December, Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Christmas Cabin - Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Our safety measurements:

We take your safety very seriously which is why:

·       Each cabin is deep cleaned before and after your stay - no late check outs or early check ins allowed.

·       Christmas decorations are cleaned with covid antibacterial spray

·       Hand santisers throughout the venue and in all cabins, on the Hay Barn door and dotted around on some of the trees.

·       Each guest is required to fill out our Covid health questionnaire prior to arrival.

·       Guests are encouraged to regularly wash hands and are asked to wear masks when out and about in the local area

·       We ask every guest to scan the QR code onto their NHS app

·       There are nine acres to enable successful social distancing

·       Happy Valley has been a super host on Air BnB for five consecutive years due to excellent cleanliness

What 2020 guests have said about us:

“Happy Valley have gone to great lengths to follow COVID guidelines and have done a fantastic job. If you want clean accommodation and easy social distancing in these current times, this is the place for you”

For more reviews, please see:

·       https://www.happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk/glamping-reviews

·       https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1646534-d12723987-Reviews-Happy_Valley_Norfolk_Venue_Glamping_Retreat-Grimston_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html#REVIEWS

·       https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/26943531?source_impression_id=p3_1605182948_DFCeFZM%2FILv6UUl3&guests=1&adults=1

Happy Valley believes in the magic of Christmas, do you?

With love,

Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

To book our accommodation, please click here or contact hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Halloween at Happy Valley

Follow us behind the scenes to a Halloween Week at Happy Valley. As Hallows’ Eve falls on the week of October Half Term, it is no surprise that our mini mascots are employed to take part in the mischief and mayhem.

The sun has dawned on Summer and now the moon, wide eyed in wonder, looks down at the scene unfolding. Tiny dew drops of rain can be seen building up on cobwebs of woven silk; nature plays its part as spiders and bats are ready to take their role in this spooky festival.

As the cold air lingers and a foggy mist descends, Annie and Barnaby step into their positions magnificently by brewing the potions (tea and hot chocolate!) and preparing the cauldron for a family feast (pumpkin cookies!). With no cat or ghost in sight, Timber the dog is roped into the day’s ritual and as pumpkin is going spare, he is happy to oblige.

Our first call to arms, is to find our coats, wrap up in a layer of protection from the howling winds, and step into the woodland of whispering trees to find the perfect chestnuts and conkers for our collection. We place these and the acorn leaves into the magician’s hat and utter a chant or two.

With spoons and (adult-supervised) knives at the ready, we carve out some fun by etching into the round, plump, pumpkins at our feet. Scraping out the fluffy, orange innards, we scoop this into our pot and place to one side (this will be noted on our post-Halloween-pumpkin-blog). Our future architect and nine-year-old carpenter, picks up his drill and creates a fiery sky of stars by drilling holes into the pumpkin’s thick skin.

Adorned with a witch’s hat and magic at her fingers tips, Annie brings a glimmer of sparkle to nature as leaves and conkers are coated in gold. The shimmery glow coming from the puddle below hints at the evening to come and a cackle echoes in the air, reverberating throughout the land. It’s almost time.

The candles are lit, sparklers ignite, pumpkins are placed, with fairies and sprite. Our two, adorable children transform into Witch and Magician. Skulls’ eyes are aglow and to the new, log cabin we go. Come friend, come foe, come ghost, come all, this year’s Halloween will be the best of them all!

If you would like to join us for a weekend of magic and fun, we have some last minute availability due to a local lockdown for our unfortunate guests:

Availability: Friday 30th October – Monday 2nd November 2020

Cabins: Woodpecker (£395) or Denver Rest and Tawny Hut (£320) - NOW FULLY BOOKED

To book, please contact hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk / 01485600719

With love,

Katy and Kirsty xx

Turning Over a New Leaf at Happy Valley

“The heat of autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens the apples, the other turns them to cider”.

~ Jane Hirshfield

The heavy heat of summer is giving way to a gentle breeze, pushing us onwards, towards cosier nights and the flicker of candlelight. There is comfort to be had when the feeling of sunlight on your skin, is then layered with the protective hug of a cashmere jumper or woollen shawl. It is as if Nature knows this is its swan song, its final chance to take flight and display its brilliance, for one last time.

Dancing like flames in the sky, the burnt oranges, and hues of yellow and brown offer up a firework display of leaves. The trees shake off their old coats and stretch out their branches to welcome a new season and with it, new adventures.

At Happy Valley, though the landscape changes, its beauty remains. Ripples in the lake and beads of sweat on your brow is being replaced with images of wellies splashing in puddles and fresh dew drops forming on blades of grass. Though darkness closes in, there is a sense of togetherness as we huddle for warmth and head towards the woods, to lose ourselves in the magic of an everchanging canvas of colour.

Your soul, as light as a feather, may be carried in the wind and with it, all your cares give way, to a beautiful, autumnal dream. The air crackles with anticipation, the leaves crunch underfoot, and conkers are ready for the taking. There is no feeling of sadness or loss, only the spirit of curiosity and yearning for a new journey into the unknown.

Here at Happy Valley, we invite you to come Autumn Glamping in the goldilocks of seasons - not too hot, not too cold but exactly right for some fun and creativity. With pencils sharpened, uninform pressed and blank exercise books waiting to be inked with inspiration, parents can escape for a term-time get away with individual glamping available during the week. Exclusive hire of the grounds, facilities, hot tubs, hay barn and all accommodation is available at the weekends, so you can capture the magic of this place with others or keep it all to yourself.  

Happy Valley cannot wait to celebrate the highlights of the Autumn season with you and raise a glass to friendships and fresh starts. Bottoms Up!

Happy Valley’s Twist on a Marylebone Halloween Marvel

• 35ml Vanilla Flavoured Vodka

• 12.5ml Pear Flavoured or Pumpkin Flavoured Liqueur

• 10ml Pumpkin syrup

• 25ml Pumpkin purée

• Pinch of ground nutmeg and cinnamon

• Top with Champagne (or prosecco, we won’t judge!)

• 3 ice cubes

• Slice of dried pear

With love,

Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

Explore the different cabins in the woods for some North Norfolk Glamping this Autumn.