Find self catering and cottages that are great for a short break in East England

Willow Barn, Neatishead, Norfolk, East England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from: £1300

Self catering accommodation in Neatishead sleeps 12.

Features include: Hot Tub • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Detached • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Nestling in the pretty Norfolk countryside close to the heart of the Norfolk Broads, Willow Barn and single-storey Beech Barn are detached holiday properties dating back to the 1700s, situated in the grounds of the owner’s home. Providing a perfect retreat for discerning larger family groups, these converted barns offer spacious and comfortable accommodation boasting beamed interiors, wood-burning stoves and enclosed separate gardens with private hot tubs, and for a special meal or family celebration gourmet meals can be arranged with the owner. Beech Farm Barns are ideally located for all the family and for nature lovers there is an abundance of bird life. Within walking distance is Alderfen Broad, which is situated in The Broads National Park, a bird watcher’s delight. For the children there is BeWILDerwood Adventure Park with its treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges and boat trips, which all combined makes a great day out. Nearby is the attractive Broads village of Horning with its selection of tea shops, restaurants and pubs. A day boat can be hired directly from the owner, or book a trip on the Mississippi steamer. The sandy beaches of the North Norfolk Coast are only 10 miles away. Alternatively spend a day in the fine city of Norwich with its magnificent cathedrals, castle, museums, theatres, market and vast array of cafes and shops. There is a wealth of National Trust properties to visit in the area which include Felbrigg Hall, Garden and Park (one of the finest 17th-century country Jacobean houses in East Anglia), Blickling Hall (a magnificent house with woodlands and lakeside walks) and Sheringham Park (beautifully landscaped and renowned for its spectacular displays of azaleas and rhododendrons in late spring). Shops and pub 1½ miles.

Snoring Cottages - Owl Cottage, Great Snoring, Norfolk, East England

Sleeps 6
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Great Snoring sleeps 6.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Garden • Sleeps 6

Accommodation overview: Located just a short drive from the uncrowded Norfolk coastline, these Grade II listed cottages have been lovingly refurbished to provide comfortable holiday accommodation with much character, with Gable End even boasting its own outdoor heated swimming pool. Wells-next-the-Sea lies a mere 6 miles distant and Blakeney just 8 miles. Walsingham Abbey and Priory, Holkham Hall and Wells and Walsingham Steam Railway are all within easy reach. Shops 2 miles.

April Cottage, Banham, Norfolk, East England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from: £300 to £599

Self catering accommodation in Banham sleeps 2.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Easy Walking • Garden • Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview: This pretty adjoining cottage is tastefully decorated and renovated, full of charm and character with its own secluded enclosed courtyard garden. Standing within the grounds of Home Farm, (ref CWY), but retaining its own privacy, it is positioned close to the village green and opposite the church. The key attraction of Banham village is its zoo, which has up to 1,000 animals, ranging from big cats to birds of prey and 35 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens. The marked forest walks, wildlife hides and recreational facilities has resulted in a pleasant venue for visitors. The North Norfolk coastline with sandy beaches, nature and bird reserves within touring distance. The fine city of Norwich with its theatres, designer shops, cafes and cathedral, 20 mins away. Shop 100 yards and pub 1 mile.

Beamed living room with sofa bed (alternative sleeping). Beamed kitchen/breakfast room. Garden/dining room. Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower attachment and toilet.

The Barn, Ridlington, Norfolk, East England

Sleeps 10
Weekly prices from: £1300

Self catering accommodation in Ridlington sleeps 10.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Detached • Easy Walking • Sleeps 10

Accommodation overview: Offering a substantial holiday venue for discerning large family groups wishing to holiday together, this beautiful detached barn conversion is full of charm and character with brick and flint stone walls. It offers well equipped, spacious accommodation with modern day comforts and boasts a pool table and large enclosed courtyard garden with seating furniture. Tucked away in the quiet hamlet of Ridlington, lying just 3 miles from the uncrowded sandy beach of Happisburgh. Sea Palling (8 miles) for sandy beach backed with dunes and water sports (in season). Traditional seaside resort of Cromer (10 miles) boasts wide sandy beach, promenade gardens, pier with theatre hosting regular concerts and featuring visiting performers, an RNLI lifeboat station and museum, an 18-hole cliff top golf course and plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants. Popular events include Carnival week (held during the third week of August), and fireworks over the water on New Year’s Day (weather permitting). Neighbouring seaside town of Sheringham (15 miles) for sandy beach, North Norfolk Steam Railway, Splash Aqua pool, Sheringham gardens, regular market days, shops, cafes and restaurants. Within an easy drive of the famous Norfolk Broads for daily boat hire and river trips, riverside restaurants, cafes and shops. City of Norwich 20 miles away for excellent shopping, two cinemas and shopping complexes, theatre, castle museum, cathedral, bowling, many pubs and restaurants. Network of quiet lanes and footpaths offer good walking and cycling from doorstep. Shop 2 miles, pub 1 mile.

Spacious living/dining room with French doors to garden and beams. Spacious kitchen/breakfast area with range (for cooking), French doors to courtyard, pool table and beams. Utility. Double bedroom with 5ft bed and two additional single beds (for +2). Double bedroom with 6ft bed and en-suite bathroom with roll-top bath, shower cubicle and toilet. Double bedroom with 6ft bed, additional single bed (for +1) and en-suite shower room with toilet. Twin bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet. Shower room with toilet. Open tread stairs to mezzanine: Double bedroom with 5ft bed and dressing room.

Primrose Cottage, Gresham, Norfolk, East England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Gresham sleeps 4.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: Set in gentle hills minutes from the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, this pretty Victorian brick and flint cottage is the end of a row of three. Renovated with modern day comforts, it offers contemporary living whilst retaining its original character. The south-facing cottage garden has been designed for relaxing and open air dining. The area is a haven for bird-watching, walking, watersports and country pursuits. Places of interest include The Royal Sandringham Estate, Holkham Hall and the Norfolk Broads. Nearby are the market towns of Holt, Sheringham and Cromer. Shop and pub 3 miles.

Step to porch. Low door to beamed living room with wood-burning stove. Arch to dining room. Well-equipped kitchen. Step to separate toilet and bathroom with over-bath shower and shower attachment. Low doorway and steep stairs to first floor: Double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Oak, pine and tiled floors throughout.

Wheelwrights Barn, Walpole, Suffolk, East England

Sleeps 8
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Walpole sleeps 8.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Detached • Garden • Sleeps 8

Accommodation overview: Set in the pleasant Blythe Valley with attractive views over open famland, this converted detached barn has been refurbished to a high standard, yet still retains much of its original charm. Close to the market town of Halesworth, which has good rail links, an open air swimming-pool, golf club and a wide range of pubs and eating houses, the property is also well positioned for touring the coastal resorts of Southwold, Walberswick and Aldeburgh, as well as the RSPB Bird Reserve at Minsmere. Shop 1 mile.

Beamed living/dining room with wood-burning stove, sofa-bed (for +2) and wooden floor. Well-equipped kitchen with breakfast area. Double bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet. Separate toilet. First floor: Two bedrooms; one double and one twin, each with original barn beams. Bathroom with toilet. All bedrooms with TV.

Deben Vale, Waldringfield, Suffolk, East England

Sleeps 6
Weekly prices from: £900 to £1299

Self catering accommodation in Waldringfield sleeps 6.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Sleeps 6

Accommodation overview: Situated just 50 yards from the expansive River Deben estuary, this delightful cottage is attractively and predominantly furnished in antique pine, and stands as one of a pair – with its own secluded patio garden. It lies in the heart of a quaint village, buzzing with yachting activity and where boating trips, a friendly riverside inn/restaurant, a small sandy beach, children’s park, two tennis courts,18-hole heath golf course (visitors welcome) can be found. The attractive market town of Woodbridge (5 miles) is a popular sailing centre with a fine riverside park. Shop 3 miles (P.O. in village).

Bright and airy, pine-fitted kitchen/breakfast room with arch to inner hall. Characterful living room with wood-burning stove and doors to patio garden. Dining room. Shower room with toilet. First floor: Attractive double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with toilet. Second floor: Twin bedroom with river views. Rugs on rush matting or pine floors throughout.

Filby Hall - Copper Beech Cottage, Filby, Norfolk, East England

Sleeps 5
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Filby sleeps 5.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Garden • Sleeps 5

Accommodation overview: Set in tranquil seclusion, with views of the parish church, Filby Hall is a substantial property and offers a unique holiday experience for large families or groups. Dating back to the reign of Queen Anne, and displaying interesting architecture from this era, the Hall (see top photograph) offers modern comforts combining with the charm and character of years gone by; original panelled walls, ornate open fireplaces, large sash windows and a grand sweeping staircase. The lawned gardens approach eight acres, and provide a truly peaceful place in which to relax and unwind, and include some areas which have been left as natural wild habitats. The village of Filby itself is situated in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, and has its very own broad to explore (daily boat hire available). The wide sandy beaches of the Norfolk coastline lie within 6 miles, with the traditional seaside resort of Great Yarmouth offering a fun fair, a Sea Life Centre and live entertainment along its pier. The cathedral city of Norwich is just 12 miles distant, providing its visitors with an array of good shops and restaurants, museums and art galleries, and a magnificent castle. Excellent fishing, bird-watching, cycling, walking and golf are available locally. Shops, village pub with restaurant, ½ mile. Two restaurants on the banks of the broad, approximately 200 yards.