How to Slow Down Time with a Glamping Retreat at Happy Valley

Often one of the overriding feelings of getting older is a sense of panic that life is moving too fast. Children grow up too quickly, the holiday abroad didn’t last long enough, the weekend came and went. At what point can we stand still in our everyday life and say, “I am exactly where I need to be.’?

It’s not an easy thing to do and most of us may not ever master the skill, but at Happy Valley Norfolk we are committed to finding ways that we can all slow down time and feel content in our everyday. 

SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES

We are not experts but it seems that one of the easiest ways to slow down time is by spending time with friends and family. In this safe environment there's no need to do anything fast-paced or overly stimulating because time together is enough. A real chat around a crackling log burner while dinner is simmering on your woodland cabin stove, for example, is a wonderful way to feel the clock start to slow. Visit one of our family-friendly cabins; Toad Hall, Keeper’s Cabin, The Woodpecker or Moonshine Manor to indulge in family time and make memories to treasure.

ESCAPE INTO NATURE

Being in nature is another sure-fire way we can ensure time doesn’t get away from us. At Happy Valley Norfolk you are not only surrounded by woodland, you’ll be able to visit an enchanting little lake complete with bridged island as well as a Norfolk Wildlife Trust Site to gaze upon when staying in our brand new American-inspired Moonshine Manor. Toad Hall boasts 9 acres of wildflower meadow in front of it while every window in every cabin has something special to take in. Being mindful of our surroundings in this way helps us practice gratitude and in turn, take a breath.

INDULGE IN NEW EXPERIENCES

Photo by Alex Ellis, State of Love and Trust

I’m sure you’ll agree, dear reader, that as we age, time seems to speed up. Researchers have suggested that this is because when you’re young, everything is new! It’s as if we’re little aliens on a strange planet where everything is exciting. But as we get older, our experiences tend to merge into each other as we live certain years almost exactly as the one before. With fewer memories to decode, our brains trick us into thinking it was a shorter year than it actually was. A way we can combat this phenomenon is by having new experiences as much as possible; Learn a new language, master a new skill, set a goal for the year, engage in a new exercise, travel to somewhere you’ve never been before or try a glamping holiday for the first time. We’re biased but we think the last one there is the most effective!

Happy Valley Norfolk isn’t just a woodland glamping site - it’s a place where hearts and souls can gather and find energy in the most unexpected places. We want all our guests to experience that deep joy that comes from the slowing of time and feeling utterly content in the moment.


Come and visit us and try it for yourself

For other reasons to visit us here at Happy Valley Norfolk, read this blog post all about achieving a fulfilling getaway. 

Is it true that we get quieter as we age?

Is it true that we get quieter as we age?

American writer and author of,Quiet’, Susan Cain suggests that we all become introverts as we age in a process scientists call, ‘intrinsic maturation.’ Is this true? Are our personalities really changing as we get older or are we simply quieter because we are mellowing into old age like a fine wine? I’m no scientist but I’m tempted to suggest it’s the latter.

Maybe we are quieter because we have finally learnt to listen - to ourselves, to our loved ones and to the rhythms of the world we live in. At Happy Valley Norfolk we’ve created accommodation that fits perfectly with this conscientious way of living. Within Toad Hall, with its treetop balcony and sunset terrace, the sounds of nature are all-consuming. In Keeper’s Cabin, our hand-crafted log cabin in the woods, a wraparound veranda with rocking chairs, outdoor seating area and fire pit turn listening into an art. Let loved ones tell stories as you dine in award-winning bistros nearby or take a short drive to the Norfolk Coast, where the sounds of nature are sure to fill you up.

Maybe we are quieter because we’ve discovered that life is not a race, and we actually have all the time in the world. Time is our most valuable commodity. We understand that on the deepest level here at Happy Valley Norfolk, which is why we give you all the tools you need during a stay with us to revel in whatever it is that brings you joy. While away the hours in Moonshine Manor’s private air source heated hot tub. Fill your senses with the pages of your favourite book inside the domed ceiling of The Woodpecker, taking in sprawling countryside views with every page-turn.

View from a woodland cabin

Maybe we are quieter because we have earned the right to reflect; on our past years, on our greatest achievements, on our mistakes, on our relationships, on the big things and the little things. Reflection comes easily in the woods, where vistas are interrupted only by towering trees. Plush king size beds with comfortable bedding, fully-equipped kitchens and crackling wood-burning stoves make for the perfect backdrop to your thoughts. Touches of bliss are dotted around everywhere, with spa hot tubs at Toad Hall, Moonshine Manor, The Woodpecker and Keeper’s Cabin offering the chance to reflect in pure luxury.

Two chairs around a roaring fire pit

Maybe we are quieter because we’ve realised with silence comes the gift of gratitude; the ability to pause, take a deep breath and know what’s truly important. Social circles may get smaller as we focus on our most important relationships. We may seek out nature more than we seek out large social gatherings. We may have mastered how to let things go in order to make room for peace and wellbeing.

“If the task of the first half of life is to put yourself out there, the task of the second half is to make sense of where you’ve been,” explains Cain.

Find your quiet at Happy Valley Norfolk with a woodland glamping stay that feeds the soul and nourishes you on every level. It’s true - we do get quieter as we age, but we believe that with maturing years comes a maturing of spirit that should be explored and celebrated, (but not too loudly, right?!)

hot tub holidays norfolk forest

Prepare for your little ones arrival with a well deserved Babymoon

Pre-Parenthood Glamping at Happy Valley
We all know that the most important part of a babymoon is enjoying life while you still can giving parents-to-be a chance to really rest. You can stop scrolling now, because a luxury woodland cabin at Happy Valley Norfolk is the perfect place to pay homage to your pre-baby life and embrace the magic of what’s about to come.

So you’ve done the antenatal classes, you’ve bought the cot and the white noise machine, you’ve read the Hypnobirthing book your best friend gave you and you know exactly what to expect during the fourth trimester. Now it’s time you tuned into the meditative powers of rest and relaxation by booking a luxury glamping break in Norfolk and coming to experience the transformative powers of Happy Valley for yourself.

Rest comes so easily in Toad Hall that we’d recommend not staying too close to your due date…or maybe do! There’s no better way to indulge in that all-important oxytocin than with our most luxurious treehouse accommodation. It comes complete with sunken hot tub that your other half can enjoy on your behalf while you and Bump curl up with a book by the roaring fire pit or take in the views from the treetop balcony. Underfloor air source heating keeps mum-to-be warm while outdoor sunset decking is a lovely spot for some prenatal yoga. King-size accommodation lets you sprawl out to your heart’s content with or without your trusty pregnancy pillow. A television and private wifi bring some of the comforts from home too.

Pregnant mum reading a book on a bed

King Size Bed in Keepers Cabin

Mum to be looking at the view out of the window

Views from Keepers Cabin

Keeper’s Cabin plays host to a ground floor king bed with plush linen, just a stone’s throw away from a crackling log burner and sweeping glass windows that pull nature inside. Choose from a king-size bed downstairs or a cosy king-size bed in a beautiful upstairs mezzanine. This hand-crafted cabin is full of delectable details including twinkly lights, a DVD player and a selection of nostalgic DVDs, a wrap-around veranda, outdoor seating, rocking chairs on the veranda, an air source heated hot-tub and fire pit. Research shows that indulging in a nostalgic movie or two in the lead up to labour is perfect for encouraging oxytocin build up!

Woman drinking a cup of coffee on a wooden deck

Wrap around porch at Keepers Cabin

Pregnant woman looking out the window

Views from Keepers Cabin

Moonshine Manor enjoys a rural position on the edge of a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site. Bringing a touch of that idyllic American wilderness feel, Moonshine Manor is perfectly-formed for comfort and tranquility with a double bed and additional bunk beds downstairs. The view from every window is enough to banish any pre-parenthood jitters. Why not cosy up by the fire and request a foot massage - trust us, you’re allowed.

Pregnant mum standing in a woodland

Woodlands at Happy Valley Norfolk

Pregnant woman gazing out of the window next to wood burning stove

Views from Keepers Cabin

Perhaps this isn’t your first baby and you are well-seasoned babymooners. If that’s the case then The Woodpecker is a charming, family-friendly cabin that little ones love. Sleeping two adults and two children with in-built bunk beds, a family glamping trip may be the perfect way to cherish those memories before your next little one comes along. 

Pre-parenthood freedom is something that may go MIA after little one is here. A hotel room can never replicate the sort of freedom that glamping brings, especially when you’re surrounded by whimsical woodland. Seeking out peace is easy at Happy Valley, from the luxury cabin interiors to the meandering glades that surround you.

The Magical Merging of Cultures for this June Wedding in the Woods

On the 1st of June 2024, here at Happy Valley Norfolk, we had the absolute privilege of hosting the wedding of a very special couple.

Cara & Imran, met back in 2019 using one of the most popular modern ways to find a partner, Tinder. The two found the conversation flowed with the help of Love Island being the main topic of their conversation…who knew the reality show could lead to ever-lasting love in real life? Things for Cara & Imran developed effortlessly and when lockdown rocked us all, back in 2020, Cara & Imran saw an opportunity to dive head first into their life as a couple because when you know, you know! The pair moved in together during the pandemic and in their own words ‘we have never looked back!’

Anyone who knows Cara & Imran knows that their love for each other is larger than life, as is their thirst for fun! So it makes sense that for their engagement in 2022, Imran created a mini treasure hunt around Norwich City involving their closest family and friends. Significant places such as their first date spot and other special locations were included in the hunt. 

When it came to choosing a venue, it didn’t take the couple long before they knew Happy Valley was the perfect location for their day. In Cara’s own words ‘I had already fallen in love with Happy Valley after I saw an old friend attend a wedding there - so it was a very easy decision for us!!’ With some guests travelling from afar Happy Valley was also a great choice for Cara and Imran, with plenty of accommodation on-site, wedding guests were able to stay for the duration of the celebrations.

We absolutely loved how Cara and Imran wanted to honour their varied cultural heritage, celebrating their love and marriage on 3 separate occasions. The first being in May with a traditional Nigerian engagement, the engagement acts basically in the same way a wedding would here. However, it pays homage to some of the ways ancestors carried out the traditions, such as dowries, chanting in the native tongue of Yoruba and signalling by the talking drum player. The celebration itself is mostly the Groom’s family paying respect to the Bride’s family and showing how they are worthy of being able to take on another daughter. It is then down to the Bride’s family to accept and willingly pass their daughter over. The way these traditions are carried out has been adapted to more modern times. The day involves lots of dancing and singing. The attire is colourful and the event is a joyous occasion with lots of delicious food too.”  they then had a legal ceremony at the registry office and finally their more personal Wedding Weekend at Happy Valley Norfolk on the 1st of June. They opted to have three because they wanted to be able to honour the Nigerian traditions, whilst still having a wedding day tailored to who Cara & Imran feel they are as a couple. They decided to get legally married separately too so that they could have a very personal civil ceremony conducted by Cara’s Uncle, whilst still being able to include religious aspects for Imran’s family. 

The attention to detail that they put into their wedding day at Happy Valley Norfolk was fantastic. So much thought went into everything that would make their day theirs, and that would give their guests a wonderful weekend with them. Cara & Imran wanted their day to be as personal as possible - from choosing their favourite flowers and colours in their floral arrangements to choosing Imran’s favourite food (his greatest passion is BBQing and smoking meat) for their wedding breakfast and of course having beloved Timba the dog present for walking down the aisle and photos. They also had family members completing important roles, for example Cara’s wedding hair was done by her cousin, a very talented Auntie made the wedding cake and travelled with it from London! 

Special touches- honouring family members who couldn’t be there with them. They included a photo display by their guest book, which highlighted all of these wonderful family members as well as a nod to celebrate the love stories that came before theirs. Cara said, ‘this was also a great talking point for our guests as they looked back at memories and their loved ones.’ 

Another highlight of this very personal and fun wedding day was Wedding karaoke! Cara & Imran went back and forth about having a band or a dj and when deciding which option would suit them and their guests best came across a package from DJ Jak Ropa where karaoke could be added. This struck a chord with the couple as it reminded Cara of her first Christmas with Imran’s family where both sets of our parents sang karaoke! The karaoke was so popular amongst family and friends that what was originally scheduled for an hour ended up taking up most of the evening! 

At Happy Valley Norfolk we feel so honoured that Cara & Imran fell in love with our venue and we are so pleased they were able to have the personalised experience they dreamed of. We are sending you all the love in the world in your journey through marriage x 


A review from Cara & Imran - “Happy valley is beyond beautiful and the team go above and beyond for their couples. ❤️ We instantly knew it was the place for us as soon as we first laid eyes on it. The grounds are sensational and it just gets even more beautiful the more you look around. The spaces available allow you to really tailor your day to what you want, making everyone’s day totally unique, and that is super hard to come across. Katy, Hope and the team are fantastic too - by the end of it, they feel like friends and you know that they’ll do anything they can to make your day special. They were constantly beaming on the day and I wouldn’t have trusted anyone but them! Happy Valley made our dreams come true for our special day and I can’t wait to keep visiting and making even more memories there!”

Why choose Happy Valley Norfolk for your January getaway?

The warm summer months are known for being the busiest time of the year for UK staycations and lots of individuals, couples and families alike enjoy exploring different parts of the country when the sun is shining. However, the winter months are also a great time to book a getaway, especially one in Norfolk. 

Once you’ve taken down your Christmas decorations and the festivities have come to an end, you should think about booking your next getaway. There are so many benefits to spending a short break away in January to kick off 2025. 

Below we have listed some of the main reasons why you should book a getaway in Norfolk this January. 

Beat the January blues

January is known for being one of the most uninteresting months of the year and once the festive season is over, lots of people feel quite lethargic. Going on holiday is one of the best ways to beat the January blues and a staycation in the Norfolk countryside can lift your spirits and recharge your soul. A weekend away surrounded by nature will give you some time to reflect on the festive period and set some goals or resolutions for the new year, providing all the inspiration you need to kick-start 2025. 

Toad Hall

Sleeps 4 + 2 children

Luxury Lodge - underfloor air source heating, kitchen, king size accommodation, ensuite, treetop balcony, outdoor dining on the sunset decking - Television - Private Wifi - Part disable Friendly/Pram Friendly

Private Electric Hot-Tub

European Leader Grant contributed to some of the building materials for this lodge.

Relax and recharge after the festive period

It’s fair to say that December is an intense month, the majority of people will be very busy at work and also have several social events to attend, giving them no time to relax. If you have been entertaining family and friends over the festive period too, you will likely need a break and booking a January getaway is a great way to recharge your batteries. Spending some time walking through areas of outstanding natural beauty and reading a book by the log burner in our Woodpecker or Keepers Cabin will help you to de-stress so you can tackle whatever the new year brings. 

Sleeps 2 + 2 + 1

Hand crafted log cabin in the woods. King Size beds, fully functional Kitchen, indoor dining, log burner, heating, en-suite. Dvd Player. Wrap around veranda, outdoor seating and fire pit. Private Hot-Tub.

Some 4G coverage outside

Enjoy the peace and quiet

January is in the off-peak season in the travel industry and therefore, popular holiday destinations will be much quieter. It will be easier to book tickets for tourist attractions and tables at restaurants at this time of the year, and you won’t have to contend with lots of other holidaymakers. When you book a stay at Happy Valley Norfolk we provide various recommendations of areas to visit and places to dine that we have tried and tested. You can embrace the peace and quiet of the countryside, and enjoy the tranquillity of your surroundings without bumping into crowds of people. 

Sleeps 2 - Real King Size Bed

Cosy tree cabin

Kitchenette, King bed & wood burner. Indoor and outdoor dining options. Fire Pit. Private, heated, toilet/shower a short walk away

Some 4G coverage.

Explore new parts of the UK 

Lots of people have a holiday bucket list and booking a January getaway provides you with the opportunity to tick a location off your list. Going on holiday at a quieter time of the year will enable you to explore places you would usually avoid because they’re very busy or expensive in the warmer months. This time of the year is perfect to travel to new places in the UK and stay in areas you wouldn’t usually be able to visit. So why Norfolk? Norfolk is a diverse county with fantastic unspoilt coast and countryside, with great sights, visitor attractions and things to do. There’s also always plenty of events going on. With so much to do it’s hard to narrow down the long list of reasons to visit, so come and see for yourself! 

Weddings at Happy Valley Norfolk

Happy Valley Norfolk

Happy Valley is an enchanting woodland wedding venue located in a stunning part of the County just 15 minutes from King’s Lynn and within 1/2 hour from the beautiful coastline in North West Norfolk.

Boasting nine acres consisting of Woodland, open glades, open countryside and waterside options, this stunning Venue offers two event barns, an array of rustic & Luxury accommodation, and endless outdoor settings for special occasions. This family-owned-and-operated establishment offers comprehensive wedding packages and attentive service to make your day unforgettable.

Facilities and Capacity

As well as large, family gatherings, Happy Valley also has the perfect set-up for more intimate, micro weddings and elopements.

Happy Valley provides an almost endless amount of countryside settings for all kinds of wedding celebrations. From open glades to the shade of ancient trees, you and your beloved can choose to set your outdoor ceremony almost anywhere here. Willow Island, which is surrounded by a little lake and accessed via a footbridge, provides a secluded spot for heartfelt ceremonies. The smaller of the two event barns, the Hay Barn, is ideal for those that wish to exchange their vows indoors. This barn benefits from the warm glow of a wood burner and features a stripped-back, rustic aesthetic. The Hay Barn can comfortably accommodate 80 seated guests or over 120 standing attendees. This space also offers a bar area and festoon lighting, allowing your party to effortlessly transition to the drinks reception here after your ceremony. The Dutch Barn provides a spacious setting with an industrial ambience for your wedding breakfast and main reception. Here, up to 150+ seated guests can enjoy panoramic views across the breathtaking landscape as they drink, dine, and dance. This venue also offers onsite, luxury, glamping accommodation for up to 28 guests for those that wish to turn their celebration into a multi-day affair. Guests can choose from bell tents, shepherd huts, cosy cabins, and more for their overnight stay. Year-round hot tubs and fire pits are also available on the grounds for guests to enjoy.

Services Offered

Happy Valley offers both midweek and weekend wedding packages to choose from. Their mid-week option, from Tuesday to Thursday, includes two nights of exclusive use of the entire property. Their weekend package runs from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon. This venue can also supply a wide range of rustic and vintage wedding props, as well as a collection of vintage wedding dress options. The wedding events team here can recommend an array of tried and trusted vendors, such as caterers, florists, entertainment, and more, to serve your special day.

Find out more

To find out more about our offerings at Happy Valley Norfolk or to arrange a viewing email us today: weddings@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

@pearceweddingphotography

Photo Credit

@pearceweddingphotography

@auroragreyphoto

@carazagniphotography

@stateofloveandtrustale