Short-breaks (4 days or less) Corporate bookings House-swap
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car essential Nearest amenities: 6 km
Notes:
Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
A lovely 2 bedroom property set in a quiet rural area in the heart of Norfolk, benefiting from local ameneties such as Thetford forest, excellent horse riding, fishing, golfing and cycling opportunities. It is marked on the Ordnance Survey Map Explorer 237 grid 985001.
The Grounds
Master Bedroom
Sitting Room
Kitchen Diner Area
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/40259
The East Anglia / Norfolk region
Famous region noted for the countryside, forests, broadlands and big, sandy, uncrowded beaches. One of only a handful of counties remaining not to be cursed with any motorways. There are magnificent stately homes and National Trust properties and gardens to visit.
Hingham / Scoulton area
The Old Rectory annexe is surrounded by the farmland of Norfolk's best kept secret - bucolic Breckland.
There are walks and cycle rides aplenty through countryside that is evocative of a bygone age. Smock-clad, straw-chewing farm hands wielding pitchforks still tend the patchwork fields. The pace of life is slow, serene and contemplative - City stresses will simply ebb away.
Countryside activities abound:
Equestrian enthusiasts will make the pilgrimage to Eden Meadows Riding Centre, only 7 minutes away in Rocklands for a cross country hack or lessons.
Anglers will be in paradise, with Scoulton Mere 600 metres away and Rocklands Mere fishery 2 miles. Website: http://www.troutfisheryuk.com/
Walkers and cyclists have the world at their feet in Breckland, with the majestic Thetford Forest beckoning to be explored. The Peddars Way bisects the Brecks on the way up to the north Norfolk coast.
Golf fanatics shall not be disappointed - they will make their way to the Richmond Park Course in Saham Toney, or Barnham Broom.
For your children's recreation, education and amusement, Melsop Farm Park , 5 minutes walk away, is highly recommended. They can roam around mingling with all the beautiful animals such as rare owls, reindeer, sheep and rabbits and much more, with an outdoor adventure playground to burn off their energy, including softer indoor section for younger children.
Racegoers can enjoy a flutter at Fakenham Races, a fitting venue for the Sport of Kings.
Four miles away is Hingham. There you can find an excellent butcher, a tea shop and bistro and a newly refurbished pub with home made meals. There's also a wine merchant who stocks the very highest quality first growths and Burgundies as well as lovely but more affordable quaffing.
Watton is about 6 miles away - there are lots of shops, high street banks and supermarkets. The best baker in Norfolk specialises in Norfolk flatbread.
Historic Wymondham , appx. 9 miles away, is highly recommended for its Abbey. The sports centre has an excellent swimming pool. Waitrose supplies all the high end food and wine one could wish for. The scenic Mid Norfolk Railway line runs the 18 miles through the beautiful and unspoilt Wensum Valley to Dereham, with Santa specials at Christmas time, Easter specials as well as Summer tourist runs.
Attleborough, 6 miles away, boasts excellent dining out at the Royal Garden Chinese restaurant and The Mulberry Tree for modern European. Curry lovers - look no further than the Shipla Tandoori. There is a gymnasium to burn it all off and opposite that, a top class coffee shop.
Banham has a renowned zoo.
Snetterton racing circuit is 15 minutes away by car.
Norwich itself is a particularly fine city, classy but mercifully spares us the priggish, precious pretentiousness that can be so nauseating in certain other provincial cities. Followers of Association Football can book seats at Carrow Road to see Delia Smith's beloved Norwich City in action. Motto: "Come on - lets be 'avin yer!"
Norfolk is steeped in history and Breckland has particularly fine and interesting Churches to visit.
Also in easy striking distance:
Norfolk Broads Beaches of Norfolk and Suffolk - 40 to 60 minutes Blickling Hall and gardens - National Trust. Quite superb for a day trip. Holkham Hall - The Earl of Leicester's magnificent 17th century Palladian seat and estate in north Norfolk. Sandringham - The Royal residence Lakenheath Fighter Base Viewing Area - see the deadly beauty of F15 Fighting Eagles at close quarters!
For further information: http://www.visitbreckland.com/
History Of The Old Rectory
The Old Rectory is Grade II listed and the oldest part dates back to William and Mary, built around 1690 using local clay lump construction. A magnificent Georgian wing was completed circa 1835, with the Annexe itself added in the late Victorian era. The Holy Trinity church is about a mile away over the fields as the crow flies. The last Rector, JJ Morgan, was incumbent from 1899 until 1925.
Reverend Morgan's benefice ended when he shot himself to death in his bedroom, his family having deserted him a few years earlier.
The local Gamekeeper, Frederick Charles Perkins took residence and ultimately became the owner, and for many years it was a retreat for wealthy Londoners to do shooting from. Perkins sold it to the author Cressida Lindsay in 1966, in whose family it remained for forty years, until the present owners' acquisition.
During the Cressida Lindsay era the Old Rectory was a focal point of 60's and 70's alternative literary and pop culture, with hip Londoners and Norfolkers partying for days on end at the house and in the grounds. Indeed, it is part of local folklore that Jimi Hendrix was counted amongst the revellers.
Scoulton (All Saints)
SCOULTON (All Saints), a parish, in the union and hundred of Wayland, W. division of Norfolk, 3¾ miles (W. S. W.) from Hingham; containing 360 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Norwich to Watton; and comprises 2193a. 36p., of which 1488 acres are arable, 494 meadow and pasture, 29 water, and 153 woodland and plantations. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £10. 4. 2., and in the gift of John Weyland, Esq.: the tithes have been commuted for £450, and the glebe comprises 53 acres. The church has a low tower, of which the upper story is octangular.
Occasional Blog:
30.6.08
Summer is now here in full swing at last. The Moorhens are hatching their final broods on the ponds, while the three terrapins are topping up on ultraviolet to make vital vitamin D. An occasional heron visited last week, vainly attempting to nab some rudd. The housemartins look to be very busy still. The roses are at their best right now, a livid mix of blood red and old english white, especially beautiful against the whitewashed brickwork. The sheep in the field opposite are no more - gone for slaughter, to be replaced by a new family in the Autumn. The only sound to punctuate the peace is the odd report of the farmer's shotgun or the distant crump of field artillery on Thetford ranges.
3.7.08
A sudden heavy thunder storm has refreshed the lawns today, greening them up seemingly instantaneously, and clearing the air. The ponds remain low however.
5.7.08
A crystal clear afternoon following a short, sharp deluge at lunchtime took all the dust out of the atmosphere and kept it moist to the ground. Late afternoon I went for a 5 mile run along the old route of the railway (a victim of the Beeching cuts?) through Thetford Forest at Wretham, bisecting the medieval wetland swamp of Cranberry Rough. Once a prehistoric lake, it has silted up over the millennia and is now an eerie, wooded swamp, incredibly atmospheric. The digitalis purpura are at the end of their flowering spires now, having been quite spectacular when I last did this route 2 weeks ago. A small herd of red deer were an exciting sight 2 miles in. The landscape around here feels like England must have looked some 300 years ago, before modern agriculture.
23.7.08
Very hot indeed today. A big, blue and green dragonfly has been flitting about, 2 feet over the surface of the main pond all day.
The nearby wheat and barley fields have begun to ripen from green to golden seas as high Summer unfolds.
The same running route as 5.7.08 was notably different today: high ferns, some taller than a man, flanked the paths, thankfully inhibiting stinging nettles that hopelessly try to compete . The red deer herd were at the same field 2 miles in, up to their shoulders now in wheat.
27.7.08
A sweltering day spent most enjoyably at the Household Cavalry Open Day at Bodney Camp, the other side of Watton. This annual event is a must if you are in the area. The horses are beautiful and equalled by the skill of their riders. Jumping, jousting, racing; a horse and miltary fiesta.
The farmers are now harvesting the fields in earnest, creating geometric fields of cylindrical hay bales.
3.8.08
The Wayland Show at Watton showcased local livestock and country sports. Splendid weather in this otherwise disappointing Summer of leaden skies blessed the occasion.
8.8.08
Spotted a red damsel fly as well as the large dragonfly over the pond this afternoon. Last night my daughter and I saw a flash of iridescent turquoise on a fast flying small bird near the big pond, possibly a kingfisher.
10.8.08
The next village - Little Ellingham - staged a Ploughing and Thrashing Show this weekend, with many old fashioned tractors and steam engines on display and engaging in ploughing competitions. A steam thresher processesd the wheat harvested by a steam harvester. An extraordinary glimpse back to the golden age of English agriculture. My camera was working overtime.
24.08.08
Once the sun emerged after lunch, I ventured out into the garden, to be rewarded with seeing a lizard by the pond in the undergrowth and numerous tiny fry in the shallows. I hope they survive.
27.8.08
The fry may survive but the adult rudd are being preyed upon by a visiting heron that comes in the early hours around dawn. The herons can clear a pond in no time, which would be tragic.
3.9.08
We 've just acquired five chickens a couple of days ago and they laid their first eggs yesterday. No need for Annexe guests to worry about buying eggs anymore!
14.9.08
Went for a run around Thetford Forest this afternoon - and saw a grass snake slithering on the path near a reservoir. Snakes love water.
7.10.08
On cold mornings the mist clings to the floor of the fields, lending an eerie atmosphere. The leaves are just beginning to turn. A good sharp frost would switch the colours to Autumnal in a matter of days.
How to get there
A11 from London Fly to Norwich Airport (20 miles) or Stanstead (1 hour)
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Norwich: 26 km
Railway:
Attleborough: 9 km
Activities near Hingham
Sports: Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Cots (1), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 4, Sleeps maximum of 4
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Shared garden, BBQ, Trampoline
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: One double bed can separate to make two singles for children.
Further details outdoors: The grounds to the property extend to 2 acres and you share these with the Rectory owners. A barbecue is available, badminton, and a large, safety-netted trampoline. There are two ponds, one of which has natural fish and 3 sunbathing turtles that were released 20 years ago!
The ponds are DEEP and children will need to be supervised around them.
The view from all the rooms is quintessentially English: sheep gambolling in an adjacent field...
The skies are big and dark - astronomy enthusiasts are welcome and the owner owns several scopes and is delighted to demonstrate to guests.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
22 Aug 08
29 Aug 08
350£350
0-
0-
1 Week
29 Aug 08
5 Sep 08
335£335
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0-
1 Week
5 Sep 08
12 Sep 08
335£335
0-
0-
1 Week
12 Sep 08
19 Sep 08
285£285
0-
0-
1 Week
19 Sep 08
26 Sep 08
285£285
0-
0-
1 Week
26 Sep 08
3 Oct 08
250£250
0-
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1 Week
3 Oct 08
10 Oct 08
250£250
0-
0-
1 Week
10 Oct 08
17 Oct 08
250£250
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0-
1 Week
17 Oct 08
24 Oct 08
250£250
0-
0-
1 Week
24 Oct 08
31 Oct 08
225£225
0-
0-
1 Week
31 Oct 08
7 Nov 08
225£225
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1 Week
7 Nov 08
14 Nov 08
225£225
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1 Week
14 Nov 08
21 Nov 08
225£225
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0-
1 Week
21 Nov 08
28 Nov 08
225£225
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1 Week
28 Nov 08
5 Dec 08
225£225
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0-
1 Week
5 Dec 08
12 Dec 08
225£225
0-
0-
1 Week
12 Dec 08
19 Dec 08
300£300
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1 Week
19 Dec 08
27 Dec 08
350£350
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1 Week
27 Dec 08
3 Jan 09
350£350
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0-
1 Week
3 Jan 09
10 Jan 09
275£275
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1 Week
10 Jan 09
17 Jan 09
275£275
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1 Week
17 Jan 09
24 Jan 09
275£275
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1 Week
24 Jan 09
31 Jan 09
275£275
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1 Week
31 Jan 09
7 Feb 09
275£275
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0-
1 Week
7 Feb 09
14 Feb 09
275£275
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0-
1 Week
14 Feb 09
16 Feb 09
275£275
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0-
1 Week
16 Feb 09
21 Feb 09
275£275
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1 Week
21 Feb 09
28 Feb 09
275£275
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0-
1 Week
28 Feb 09
7 Mar 09
300£300
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0-
1 Week
7 Mar 09
14 Mar 09
300£300
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1 Week
14 Mar 09
21 Mar 09
300£300
0-
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1 Week
21 Mar 09
28 Mar 09
300£300
0-
0-
1 Week
28 Mar 09
4 Apr 09
345£345
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0-
1 Week
4 Apr 09
11 Apr 09
345£345
0-
0-
1 Week
11 Apr 09
18 Apr 09
360£360
0-
0-
1 Week
18 Apr 09
25 Apr 09
360£360
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0-
1 Week
25 Apr 09
2 May 09
360£360
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0-
1 Week
2 May 09
9 May 09
360£360
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0-
1 Week
9 May 09
16 May 09
360£360
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0-
1 Week
16 May 09
23 May 09
360£360
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0-
1 Week
23 May 09
30 May 09
360£360
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0-
1 Week
30 May 09
6 Jun 09
375£375
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0-
1 Week
6 Jun 09
13 Jun 09
375£375
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1 Week
13 Jun 09
20 Jun 09
375£375
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1 Week
20 Jun 09
27 Jun 09
375£375
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0-
1 Week
27 Jun 09
4 Jul 09
375£375
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0-
1 Week
4 Jul 09
12 Jul 09
375£375
0-
0-
1 Week
12 Jul 09
19 Jul 09
373£373
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0-
1 Week
19 Jul 09
26 Jul 09
375£375
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0-
1 Week
26 Jul 09
2 Aug 09
375£375
0-
0-
1 Week
2 Aug 09
9 Aug 09
375£375
0-
0-
1 Week
9 Aug 09
16 Aug 09
375£375
0-
0-
1 Week
511
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Availability
See below for next 6 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/40259
Contact details for home 40259
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Lesley Lord
Tel:
+44 (0)1953 851371
Mobile:
+44 (0)7825261959
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Contact Notes: Any time between 10am to 9pm
Advertiser joined: 24 Mar 2008 This property added: 24 Mar 2008
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