Dandelion Delight, Stradsett

Norfolk. Sleeps up to 7

This converted stable block is rich in history and thoughtfully designed into a modern home perfect for families and sleeping up to eleven guests. With a well-stocked games room, ample enclosed garden and Harry Potter-themed bunk room, the ingredients are there for a memorable group holiday in the heart of Norwich.

Once a stable block to Crimplesham Hall, the original design of the house was by Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed the National History Museum in the same year! Enter through a spacious lobby with high ceilings and plenty of welly space! A well-stocked kitchen and lovely dining room area with a ten-seater table ensure delicious meals can be prepped and enjoyed together every night in this sociable space. The kitchen has all you will need to make things easy during your stay, from dishwasher to washing machine, with a convenient kitchen island for breakfast time and an additional four-seater table.  

Relax on a comfy sofa in front of the fire in the cosy living room space, which is ideal for keeping warm in chillier months, or hunt down the secret doorway (hint – it’s via the bookcase) that will lead you to an amazing games room.  Spend your evenings here over a friendly game of pool or a highly competitive table tennis match! A games console, TV and DVD player ensure that young members of your family will be kept happy and entertained throughout!

The sleeping accommodation can be found on the top floor with an excellent Master Bedroom with plenty of wardrobe space and tasteful décor throughout. A double with en-suite and a further double room comes with wooden flooring and panelled walls with all bed linen included, ensuring all you need to worry about is a good night’s sleep. A further single room and a fantastic kid’s room with two bunks complete the floor. The bunk room is accessed by a Harry Potter-themed Diagon Alley, which kids will delight in, whilst, for adults, the shared family bathroom has a fantastic roll-top bath which is perfect for a candlelit bath to unwind in the evening.

Outside, the south-facing garden is enclosed for your privacy and is a brilliant space for hosting a BBQ on the outdoor garden tables while the sun shines and the children play. With private parking and easy access to a range of Norfolk activities and attractions, Dandelion Delight serves as a great space to unwind and relax after a day out, exploring the beauty of the local area.

Perfectly placed near a range of Norfolk highlights, the house has easy access to Downham Market’s variety of pubs and restaurants. As one of the oldest market towns in Norfolk, you can spend hours pottering through the town in order to explore the Saxon heritage and historical buildings whilst taking advantage of the bustling craft markets held on Fridays and Saturdays in the town square.  

A visit to nearby Ely is a must, and be sure to check out the impressive Cathedral, considered to be one of the wonders of medieval engineering with its Octagon Tower. Daily tours take you up the tower to explore its unique structure and wooden lantern suspended over the Cathedral. Perhaps afterwards, you can take a boat trip on the River Ouse aboard the narrow boats offering self-drive or guided cruises.

Wildlife fans may want to take a visit to the local bird-watching site of RSPB Snettisham, which provides spectacular year-round wildlife, from pink-footed geese to avocets and beyond. It’s a lovely spot to take a guided walk or explore the many nature trails with sweeping views across saline lagoons, salt marshes and mudflats.

Head to the coast, just over an hour away. Cromer offers the traditional seaside resort experience; visitors can build sandcastles on the beach, surf the waves or visit the numerous museums, attractions and eateries available.

Take a trip to Cromer Pier, an enduring example of Victorian architecture, boasting a lifeboat station and Pavilion Theatre that is home to the UK’s only remaining stalwart of the seaside, the End of the Pier variety show, which takes place each Summer and Winter and delights visitors and locals alike. The seafront has been given a modern twist with the addition of Banksy’s Great British Spraycation artworks found at East Beach, which are well worth a photo opportunity.

Water babies are advised to hit the water with your snorkelling gear to experience the wonder of the Cromer Shoal Chalk Bed, a 20-mile-long stretch on the seabed dating back to the Mesozoic Era, dubbed Britain’s “Great Barrier Reef.”