Why isn’t everyone talking about North Norfolk? After walking the vast sands of Holkham beach and a feast of local seafood, you’ll insist your friends come next time. But please, restrain yourself. What makes North Norfolk so special - besides flinty villages stuck in the 1930's, and disarmingly friendly locals - is the near-empty beaches. There's wildlife from waterfowl to seals, it’s stunningly unspoilt.
The six Barsham Barns are ideal bases for exploration: beautifully secluded, and brilliantly designed by local architect Anthony Hudson with clean lines and dramatic spaces inside, which match (but never outshine) the grand skies outside. Set in North Barsham, near Walsingham, all share a serene aesthetic: open-plan with walls of deep teal, exposed stone, or aubergine, set against carefully chosen Moroccan treasures or crisp Swedish dressers. Wide windows cut into long walls make paintings of the rolling landscape. They’re cosy in winter, with underfloor heating and wood-burning stoves, and glorious in summer, with seating and barbecues in private gardens. Come for a week, and don’t tell a soul.
Highs
- In peaceful countryside, just 15-25-minutes' drive from the coast
- Gorgeous contemporary design: not offputtingly cool; supremely comfortable
- Great for a party with flexible accommodation: hire all 6 (or some) for an unforgettable bash or weekend with friends
- Super for children: safe outdoor spaces for running around; twin bedrooms; a games room
Lows
- If all the barns are full, you might be aware of fellow guests, though each is cunningly designed to minimise sight of others, and there's a zero-tolerance noise policy after 11pm
- A car is essential. There’s no shop or pub to walk to, and you'll need to drive for eating out (10-20 mins). There’s lots to do nearby, but it’s all at least a short drive away
- A 3-night minimum stay
- Travel cots for under 2s
- Booster seats
- Highchairs
- Sterilisers
- Bed guards
- Listening monitors
- Baby alarm
- Baby bath and rubber bath mat
- Sink step
- Changing mat and nappy bin
- Potty
- Night light
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
By arrangement
- The barns share a games room with ping-pong table and table football
- DVD players for the evenings and wet weather
- Banham Zoo, Nr Attleborough: big cats, birds of prey and hundreds more, in 35 acres of parkland
- The Thursford Collection, nr Fakenham: traction engines, mechanical organs, Wurlitzers, fairground rides
- Railways: steam trains from Sheringham to Holt, a narrow gauge steam railway from Wells
- Dinosaur Adventure Park, Weston Longville: life-size dinosaurs hiding in the undergrowth
- North Norfolk Riding Centre, Walsingham: lessons for all ages from beginners upwards and hacking in beautiful countryside
- Bewilderwood, an outdoor treehouse adventure park for families in Horning (zip wires, jungle bridges, boat trips, marsh walks)
- Barn Rentals
- 6 barns for 4-14
- Self-catering
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
- Games room
Rooms
Welcoming open-plan living spaces have luxurious deep squishy sofas, carefully curated classic furniture and original paintings. High standards, from kitchen equipment to linen, ensure you’d be comfortable for a week or more. French doors open onto private patios with tables and chairs, gardens extend toward the landscape beyond, and a few have their own hot tubs. Lounges have wood-burning stoves and DVD players for cosy winters. Sleeping quarters have top-notch bathrooms (soap supplied), bedrooms exude a chapel-like serenity.
Stunning Great East Barn (up to 14) and High Barsham (max 12) are popular for party groups. Long Meadow and Grey's Court are good for two families holidaying together or an extended family (8-10); Little Barsham (where we stayed) is lovely for a couple or small family (4), as is the smaller (and newest addition) Loose Box. For those who need an extra bedroom if staying in either Grey's Court or Little Barsham, you can book the Shepherd's Hut which sleeps 2 in either a double or bunks configuration.
Features include:
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- DVD player
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Iron
- Radio
- Tumble dryer
- TV
- Underfloor heating
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Rarely have self-catering properties made such excellent provision for guests: we enjoyed cooking in carefully designed open-plan kitchens, adjacent to dining areas. You get high-quality equipment including a food processor and good knives; there's a dishwasher (tablets provided), ample crockery, cutlery, pots and pans. Thoughtful touches include a tray of tea / coffee-making things and cake; tea, coffee, sugar, and milk are supplied. Oak dining tables invite lingering over gourmet feasts. The barns also have outdoor furniture for alfresco meals, and a barbecue each.
A long list of local suppliers, take-aways and eateries is provided. There's an excellent farm shop in Little Walsingham (3km away) - you receive a £20 voucher for booking through i-escape, and supermarkets 8km away (most of which will deliver, too). Outside catering can be organised: dinner parties, paellas, barbecues. Alternatively, drive to good gastro-pubs 15 mins' away; Burnham Market, Wells-next-the-Sea and Holt have great places to eat.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Meal delivery service
- Microwave
- Oven
- Toaster
Activities
- Explore the Coast. Local beaches vary from the stony and open (Cley) to the vast and sandy (Holkham) to the more traditional seaside resort (Sheringham, Mundesley and Cromer). You can sail and windsurf at Wells-next-the-Sea or Brancaster Staithe.
- Birding. The whole coast is terrific for bird-spotting, we suggest Cley Marshes and RSPB Titchwell Marsh
- Light railways from Sheringham to Holt and Wells to Walsingham still run atmospheric steam trains. Highly recommended
- Fabulous country houses abound in Norfolk. Our favourites are Holkham Hall, Blickling Hall, Houghton and Felbrigg
- See the seals on Blakeney Point - take a boat from Morston (the companies Bean’s or Bishop’s Boats are recommended). Booking is essential in summer school holidays
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Golf
- Historical sites
- Sailing
- Table tennis
- Well being
- Wildlife
- Windsurfing
- Wine tasting
Best Time to go
Come in the autumn, early spring, or even the depths of winter, when Norfolk is wonderful: the beaches are always spectacular and the skies immense (fabulous stargazing!). There’s no one at all on the beaches, and you’ll have all the amazing local restaurants to yourself. An ideal retreat.
Our Top Tips
Avoid visiting the pretty towns of Wells, Holt and Burnham Market in the peak of summer, when they are very busy and parking is a nightmare, head to lesser known towns and beaches instead. Stock up on provisions and revel in the peace and quiet in your barn.
Location
The barns are in North Barsham, near Walsingham, which is close to the western end of the north Norfolk coast. The site is about 2.5-3 hours’ drive from London.
By Air
Norwich Airport is closest, but this is mainly a domestic hub so most fly into London Stansted, then hire a car or take a train; it's a 2-hour drive. Although you could take a taxi from the airport, we'd recommend having your own vehicle.
By Car
You will need a car to explore North Norfolk, see our car rental recommendations.
By Train
If some of your party are coming by public transport, trains from Liverpool St Station in London reach Norwich in 2 hours (Haveringland). Or travel from London King’s Cross to King’s Lynn in 1.5 hours (Barsham Barns). From the north of the country, you need to change at Peterborough via Ely for King’s Lynn or Norwich.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Norwich 43.0 km NWI
- London Stansted 138.0 km STN
Other:
- Beach 8.0 km
- Shops 6.0 km
- Restaurant 1.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape