Redshanks in Norfolk by Audrie Lawson
This was my first experience of booking a holiday through Norfolk Cottages, which is part of The Original Cottages group. There are another twenty-three cottage companies within this group which all provide excellent information on their websites about the properties that they manage. The description of the property we rented, Redshanks in Northrepps, North Norfolk was accurate, as were the photographs, helping renters to make an informed decision on the accommodation that you are interested in.
We travelled down from East Yorkshire to Norfolk and arrived in Northrepps, finding the property easily with the directions provided. We accessed the bungalow after locating the keys from the lockbox – such an effortless way of being able to arrive and obtain entry, especially if you are delayed for any reason and not having to cause inconvenience to anyone.
On entry to Redshanks we were very pleased that the bungalow was exactly as described and furnished to a very high standard. You come to the two larger bedrooms first, after entry through the front door and hallway. They both overlook the crescent of houses and the green, a lovely grassed area which gives the front of the bungalow a spacious and airy feeling. The master bedroom is a good size with a lovely comfy bed, large mirrored wardrobes, a chest of drawers, bedside tables with lamps. There is an en-suite with a shower cubicle, loo and wash hand basin. Hand soap and shower gel was provided. It has been decorated to a lovely standard and was very clean. The other bedroom is opposite the master and has the same furniture layout. You find a storage cupboard further along the hallway and then the single bedroom, which is again decorated to a high standard. Then the house bathroom with shower over the bath and the usual other bathroom fixtures. Further along you enter the lounge which is beautiful and very comfortable with sofas, coffee tables and lovely lamps to enable you to control your lighting needs. There is a good sized TV with Sky HD provided, which was very useful for being able to record and catch up on your favourite programmes, if you were not ready to sit down as they started. There was also WIFI and a Blue ray player and an inset fire which you can just set on the flame setting to give you a cosy feel. At the back of the house is the kitchen diner which overlooks the enclosed lawned garden.
The kitchen is very well equipped with a drawer unit full of different sizes of matching plates, bowls, pasta dishes etc. which are all sparkling clean. There were also lots of pans in the drawer below which all looked to be in good condition. The other cupboards have cups, mugs and glasses – in fact everything that you could possibly need for a self catering holiday. The dining area overlooks the garden looking out through the patio doors, There was a welcome gift of a bottle of red wine and some bread sticks – thank you.
Cromer is a nice place to visit with its pier and promenade. There are shops to explore and a Morrisons and Lidl for provisions. Sheringham is a lovely old fashioned seaside resort with interesting individual shops and a Tesco.
We ventured along the A149 a few times during our week stay, which is a designated scenic road to Burnham. It has many pretty villages along the route. Also continued to Heacham, Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton. The walk along the promenade to Old Hunstanton and the lighthouse is a great walk. The beaches along this part of the coast are lovely. There are also lots of places to visit ie. Snettisham RSPB, Norfolk Lavender, Brancaster RSPB, Holkham Hall, Blakeney Point etc. Holt is also a lovely place with interesting shops set in different alleys and ‘ hidden away ‘ streets. The North Norfolk Railway runs from Holt to Sheringham, so anyone interested in steam trains will love to visit both of these places to watch the trains arriving/departing. Fakenham has a market on a Thursday which is worth a visit. We also went to Wroxham on the edge of the Norfolk Broads and there is a beautiful area at the side of the river with dozens of swans and boats meandering along. Again steam train enthusiasts will be in their element with the Bure railway from Wroxham to Aylsham.
This was our first visit to North Norfolk and we enjoyed it very much. Even though our holiday was late September/early October, the weather was kind to us and our stay at Redshanks made our holiday even more enjoyable.
Thank you to Wendy and Maurice for letting us share their beautiful home.
