Out & About
Great Massingham is an ideal base from which to explore all that Norfolk has to offer. Whether your interest is visiting the stunning Norfolk beaches, some retail therapy, historic houses or a spot of bird watching, you’ll find you run out of time before you run out of things to do and see. Here’s a few ideas to inspire you and help to plan your visit, and if you’d like even more inspiration we recommend the Visit Norfolk website.
The White Swan Pub – Gressenhall
The White Swan - Gressenhall A fabulous new addition to our recommended list of places to eat is The White Swan in Gressenhall. The pub has stood on the green in the heart of the village f [...]
Jubilee Trail – The West Acre Way
The West Acre Way - Jubilee Trail Creating 5 new trails with the aim of improving accessibility to the natural world, encouraging exercise and the enjoyment of the outdoors was Norfolk's w [...]
The Snug in Holt
The Snug Cafe/Bistro - Holt At last a new find to add to the repertoire of great places to eat. It's tucked away in a quiet corner in Holt and you won't necessarily stumble over it by accid [...]
Stody Lodge Gardens
Stody Lodge Gardens - Melton Constable An absolute feast for the eyes awaits you here, with a stunning collection of rhododendrons and azaleas set in tranquil woodlands surrounding the Lodg [...]
Duration Bewery – West Acre
Duration Brewery - West Acre For those who have a passion for beer, Duration Brewery is an absolute gem. Nestled in woodlands midway along the Nar Valley Pilgrim Trail, the brewery sits in [...]
West Heath – dog-walking heaven
West Heath - heathland walks made in heaven There's many miles of fabulous walking across natural heathland right on our doorstep. It's always been stunning but it gets better by the year. [...]
The Cartshed Tea Room – Great Massingham
The Cartshed Tearoom - Great Massingham At last we have a tearoom of our own in Great Massingham - wonderful to see Massingham Post Office and Stores extending their repertoire to open a l [...]
Natural Surroundings – Nursery, Gardens and Cafe
Natural Surroundings - Nursery, Gardens and Cafe This is little gem on the road between Holt and Blakeney and the perfect woodland stop-over as you move from retail therapy to beach bliss. [...]
East Ruston Old Vicarage
East Ruston Old Vicarage If gardens are your thing this is a must visit - a bit of a drive from West Heath Barn but a lovely relaxing one, through gorgeous countryside and hardly another ca [...]
The Old Town Beach Cafe at Hunstanton Beach
The Old Town Beach Cafe (aka Lifeboat Station Cafe) We love this place! After a bracing (or maybe just breezy) walk on Hunstanton beach, make sure you allow enough time to stop off at the c [...]
Walsingham (and its snowdrops)
Walsingham (and its snowdrops) If you want to take a step back in time we recommend a visit to Walsingham, colloquially known as the Nazareth of England. In medieval times Walsingham rival [...]
The Bell at Brisley:
The Brisley Bell: Set in stunning Norfolk countryside, a fabulous 17th century pub which is so worth a visit. Lovely location, beautiful grounds, stylish interior, fabulous food and great s [...]
Stow Hall Gardens
Stow Hall Gardens, Stow Bardolph: These are a delight and just half an hour's drive from West Heath Barn. The old hall is no longer standing but the gardens date back to Elizabethan times a [...]
Nar Valley Way
Nar Valley Way - Castle Acre and West Acre: If you fancy a change from wonderful walks on the North Norfolk beaches, then you can't do any better than take a walk along the Nar Valley Way w [...]
Gooderstone Water Gardens
The Water Gardens at Gooderstone: An enchanting and peaceful water garden set in the middle of nowhere just over 25 minutes drive from West Heath Barn. Created in 1970 by a retired farmer w [...]
Brancaster
Brancaster: This is the most popular choice for guests staying at West Heath Barn – a vast sandy beach backed by dunes and almost untouched by the commercial world. There’s a small kiosk s [...]
Alpaca Walks
Alpaca Walks: For something a bit out of the ordinary, join us as we take Oscar, Huxley, Hemingway and Charlie for a stroll up Peddars Way. They are still in training so can be a little stu [...]
Great Massingham Tennis Club
Great Massingham Tennis Club: Whether you’re a tennis pro or a novice, guests at West Heath Barn are welcome to use the courts at the village tennis club and to join in club sessions too. V [...]
The Duck at Stanhoe
The Duck: The 2017 Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year for the East of England, The Duck is set in picturesque Stanhoe. This is our favourite venue for Sunday lunch but make sure you ski [...]
Wells-next-the-sea
Wells-next-the-sea: The quintessential British beach, studded with colourful beach-huts and with sand stretching away towards an often distant sea, Wells was deservedly voted beach of the y [...]
The Dabbling Duck
The Dabbling Duck: The closest pub to West Heath Barn (2 minutes drive or 25 minutes walk) and what a gem to have on our doorstep! This gastro-pub has an excellent reputation, not just for [...]
Local Walks
Local Walks: If Peddars Way sounds too much like hard work, there are dozens of great walks right on the West Heath Barn doorstep. The local rambling club, The Massingham Strollers, have co [...]
The Rose & Crown, Harpley
The Rose & Crown: Another popular choice with our guests and less than 10 minutes drive from West Heath Barn, The Rose & Crown offers great food, friendly service and a good selecti [...]
Wittles Cafe, Castle Acre:
Wittles Cafe: Wittles has moved into the spot vacated by the tearoom opposite the village green and has brought a fresh new look and taste with it. Offering eat in (restrictions permitting) [...]
Sealife, Hunstanton
Sealife: An amazing indoor aquarium, with a seal hospital and rescue centre, penguins, otters and even the opportunity to feed Ernie the green sea turtle. This is a perfect fun day out for [...]
Eric’s Fish & Chips
Eric's in Thornham: What better way to end the day with arguably the best fish and chips in Norfolk. You can either eat in the rather funky restaurant (think posh cafe with loads of atmosp [...]
South Asia Collection – Museum and Shop in Norwich
South Asia Collection (aka Country and Eastern): I don't know where to start with this gem - a shop, a museum, a stunning architectural delight? Whatever descriptor, it ticks the box as an [...]
Horse Trials & Events
Horse Trials & Events: For those who are more into horses, Norfolk plays host to many Horse Trials and Events throughout the year. Whether it’s dressage, cross-country, show jumping or [...]
Field Trials and Country Shows
Field Trials & Country Shows: For dog-lovers there is a host of field trials and country shows on offer throughout the season. You can wonder at the skill and agility of the competitor [...]
Horse-racing
Horse Racing: Fancy a day at the races? Fakenham Race Course offers a great informal, family day out with around 12 fixtures annually. It prides itself on its friendly, casual atmosphere a [...]
Great Massingham
Great Massingham: Of course we are biased but few could contest that Great Massingham is definitely one of Norfolk’s most attractive villages. At it’s heart is one of the most impressive gr [...]
Norfolk Wildfowl Trust
Norfolk Wildfowl Trust, Cley-next-the-sea: This is Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s oldest and best known nature reserve. It was purchased in 1926 to be held 'in perpetuity as a bird breeding sanct [...]
Snettisham RSPB
Snettisham RSPB: A must-visit destination for birders, this is the place to witness two of the UK's great wildlife spectacles. On big tides, as water covers the vast mudflats of The Wash, t [...]
The Norfolk Broads
The Norfolk Broads: A bit further afield, but definitely worth the trip! Norfolk is possibly most famous for the man-made Broads, a National Park with over 125 miles of navigable lock-free [...]
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve: Pensthorpe is a gardener’s dream, boasting 4 spectacular and unique gardens, including the Wildlife Habitat Garden, the Wave & Wave Line Garden, the Millenniu [...]
Guided Birding Walks
Guided Birding Walks: Local bird guide, Gary Elton, provides his expertise worldwide but is equally happy to share the delights of birdlife in The Brecks, The Broads and along the North Nor [...]
Kings Lynn
Kings Lynn: Historically one of England’s most important ports dating back to the 12th century, Kings Lynn’s maritime history is still much in evidence. Fine merchants houses stretch down t [...]
Castle Acre
Castle Acre: This pretty village takes its name from the walled castle built in the 12th-century by the Normans. It lies four miles north of Swaffham at the point where the river Nar is cro [...]
Oxburgh Hall
Oxburgh Hall: You won’t forget your first sight of Oxburgh Hall, an elegant and romantic manor floating on its moat. Built in 1482 by the Catholic Bedingfeld family, it is the legacy of the [...]
Holkham Hall
Holkham Hall: Set in a stunning location on the North Norfolk coast and at the heart of a thriving 25,000 acre estate, Holkham Hall is an exceptional place, rich in history, architecture an [...]
Houghton Hall
Houghton Hall: Built in the 1720s for Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, this is one of England’s finest Palladian houses. A collaboration between the two defining Br [...]
Norfolk Lavender
Norfolk Lavender: World famous lavender gardens housing the National Lavender Collection, this is a must visit destination. If Lavender is not quite your thing, there’s also a landscaped me [...]
Peddars Way
Peddars Way: This is probably the least well known of 15 National Trails but is a hidden gem linking Suffolk to the Norfolk Coast Path via a 46 mile stretch of gently undulating pathway. It [...]
Sandringham
Sandringham: Country retreat of Her Majesty The Queen, Sandringham House is unquestionably the most famous stately home in Norfolk. Set in the heart of the 8,000 hectare Sandringham Estate [...]
Seals at Blakeney
Seals at Blakeney: The best way to get up close and personal to the wildlife on Blakeney Point is to book a trip on one of the locally operated ferry trips departing from Morston Quay. Thes [...]
Thornham Beach and Marshes
Thornham Beach and Marshes: A beautiful sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see, Thornham Beach is a hidden gem that the summer crowds tend to miss. To reach it, there’s a 20 minut [...]
Watersports
Watersports: The stunning North Norfolk coastline provides many beaches and harbours for those who prefer to spend their leisure time on the water, whether that’s dingy sailing, windsurfi [...]
Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
Wells & Walsingham Light Railway: A grand day out on the world's smallest public railway – this is the longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway across the globe. Regular steam trains run [...]