By Leah Larwood
Toad Hall
If glamping in nature sounds enticing but you prefer the luxury of heated floorboards and a hot tub, magical Toad Hall offers the best of both worlds.
Located within a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site and surrounded by 9-acres of whimsical North Norfolk woodland, a stay at Toad Hall in Happy Valley really is both magical and nostalgic. Our micro-break here was ideal for a stay with our four-year old, however, because the property has a universal appeal and manages to combine luxury with pristine nature in an unfussy way, it’s suitable for all ages and tastes.
Getting there
Two and a half hours from London, Happy Valley in Grimston near King’s Lynn is a short drive to many of North Norfolk’s prettiest hot-spots, making it an appealing choice for an autumnal staycation. When approaching the site, the landscape suddenly changes from fields with villages on the horizon to a terrain that is rustic and still. Just a mile or so from the property, sightings of humans, cars or houses are soon replaced with birds of prey, wild hare and plenty of pheasants.
About Happy Valley
A family business owned by Katy and Scott Coe, it was Katy’s grandfather who named this part of the farm Happy Valley. He felt the charm here too, and passed down his knowledge of ancient burial grounds, natural springs, glaciers and the magnetic fields on the lay of the land, which begins to explain the unsaid magic about the place.
On the north bank of Happy Valley, a short distance from the owner’s working farm and cottage, there is a stunning woodland dotted with shepherd’s huts, tree temples, bell tents and a wood-fired hot tub. On the south bank, on the edge of another small woodland and overlooking rolling fields, is Toad Hall, Happy Valley’s jewel in the crown.
Toad Hall: Where nature pops up from everywhere
Wild nature literally surrounded our luxury woodland lodge. Toad Hall is technically a tree house, although not set very high off the ground. Think Wind in the Willows meets Grand Designs. You can still appreciate the vantage point being already situated on a small hill, giving you a great view of the fields, beautiful trees, sunset and surrounding valley.
Through the west-facing open gable you directly experience nature popping up from everywhere. This large window is akin to a live cinematic screen created for viewing the wildlife that confidently breezes up to the ‘hall’. During our stay, wild hare and pheasants stumbled in from the fields just a couple of metres away from where we enjoyed breakfast. The only sound other than birds is the gentle hum of a nearby tractor, which was the first and last thing we heard before we watched a magenta sunset followed by a tangerine sunrise.
The interior is stunning. It’s ‘glamping’ taken to another level, with king-size accommodation, a wet room, fully functional kitchen, air source under floor heating and a private hot tub. We felt very at home. There are two double bedrooms, a king on the ground floor and a standard double on the first floor. Nestled in the corner of the mezzanine hallway there is an open-plan space with a bunk bed. The top bunk is the size of a small single bed, and the bottom is a double - one that could happily sleep two children. Toad Hall also has a beautiful wooden decking, perfect for lounging, and its access is disabled and pram-friendly.
The property would indeed suit the entire family, generations in fact. Especially if you chose to commandeer the neighbouring yurts and shepherd’s huts. Toad Hall itself is a little like Harry Potter’s ‘Room of Requirement’ - it can be anything you want it to be: a bridal suite, a couples getaway, the location for family adventures, a disabled-friendly getaway and a writing or ‘me-time’ retreat. Just be sure to bring plenty of wine, and plenty of camera space.
FACT BOX
Things Included at Toad Hall
- A kitchen stocked with utensils, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery and basics such as tea, coffee, sugar, salt, pepper and oil for cooking.
- All water is filtered from a source at Happy Valley.
- Hammock, books, games, BBQ area and outdoor seating, private hot tub and fire pit. There’s also a play area and rope swings across the road at the main glamping site.
What to bring
- Towels, toiletries, woodland-friendly walking boots or wellies, food, bikes and a sense of adventure
Happy Valley is also host to family festival, Tribe Norfolk (every July). The venue can also cater to larger events including weddings, parties and retreats.
https://www.happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk
A stay in Toad Hall costs from £139 a night for 2 people
Call 01485 600719 or 07739892144
Instagram @HappyVNorfolk Twitter @NorfolkGlamping
Facebook: Happy Valley Norfolk
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