HOLT NORFOLK HOLIDAY COTTAGES NORFOLK

A simple guide to choosing one of the many Norfolk Cottages for your holiday.

If you want a holiday in one of the many Norfolk Cottages on offer it is probably best to start by deciding on the style of holiday you prefer. Norfolk is a big county by English standards and is also one of the least populated. However, taking an average view for such a large county can be deceptive and can lead to disappointment or discovery depending upon your luck and aptitude.

In terms of holiday attractions, and the general view of what holidays in Norfolk Cottages are expected to be, it can be best to think of the area of North Norfolk as within say ten miles or so of the coast. This is not to say you cannot happily stay at many Norfolk Cottages outside this area but rather that this is the area probably most geared to holidays and, perhaps surprisingly, on a year round basis.

Many people will think of Norfolk winds and shudder at the thought of winter but forget that many Norfolk Cottages providing holiday accommodation were built in the nineteenth century or earlier and as such were designed to keep out the worst weather with thick walls and low ceilings. When combined with modern heating and insulation and possibly an ultra efficient wood burning fire today’s Norfolk Cottages are the cosiest places, and you do not need to walk uphill to get home!

One thing to remember is that North Norfolk is not “on the way to anywhere” and to quote a local raconteur “we don’t have much to do with them there dual carriageways”. This says a lot for the comparative lack of traffic, tractors excepted, to be found here.

Turning back to the choice of Norfolk Cottages. The first consideration will be location. Some people start by thinking they want to be in an isolated country location “away from it all” but it is only when they get there that they find they are really away from it all with no shops, restaurants or much else within anything like walking distance. On the other hand you can find that the “quaint” olde worlde farm labourer’s cottage is now in an area long since drawn into the urban areas of Norwich, Kings Lynn or Yarmouth. Perhaps the ideal compromise is a market town such as Holt where just about all needs can be met from a wide variety of non-chain retailers, itself almost unique, and where there is an abundance of restaurants and similar in walking distance of many a Norfolk Cottage making the need for use of a car minimal. You really are away from the 21st century but not the world itself.

Norfolk Cottages is not a defined term and you will see almost any type of small or modest property under the description “Norfolk Cottages” from the 200 year old genuine traditional property, highly modernised or not, to the newly built, in traditional style or not, which means if you want something specific you need to see some pictures or even visit in advance. Individual property websites are probably best, or referral sites that direct you to these, as some general “Norfolk Cottages” sites might just have general rather than property specific pictures.

When it comes to the cost of hiring Norfolk cottages are much as anything and you do tend to get what you pay for. Prices will, or should, be related to the quality of the property and the facilities it offers and also location will, of course, be a major factor. In a somewhat contradictory way the most favoured locations are likely to have the best and worst in terms of property quality and equally wide variations in price. This can be explained to some extent. Owners who set out to provide the very best of a type can often afford to fit out properties in popular areas to a higher level as they can anticipate greater demand and longer letting seasons with premium rates justifying the extra cost. Perhaps also individuals who purchase in these areas are generally more affluent and may be looking to one day taking up residence or are operating properties in a really business like way to make use of the tax advantages available. Of course these benefits do not apply to just Norfolk cottages. On the other hand demand in such areas is very high making it possible to let almost anything, at least in high season.

The final words of advice are simply that when choosing from the many Norfolk Cottages offered be sure of what you want and make sure you understand what you are being offered.

Do remember if it looks cheap it probably is and, as always, if the offer is too good to be true it almost certainly is.

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