Hill Cottage

Tucked behind a short row of houses in a peaceful cul de sac, with common land to one side and woodland to the other, is an 1800s drover’s cottage. Step in to discover fresh flowers and a basket of logs, rose-strewn curtains and a duck egg-blue sofa, a hand-crafted kitchen and a colourful kilim: all you need to keep you cosy on the wintery-est night. Everything has been stripped back to its original style, and great comfort added. The steep winding stair is soft-carpeted and rope-bannister’d, the bedroom’s beams are perfectly limewashed, the fireplace has a wood-burner that belts out the heat. For summer? Two levels of lawn separated by a flower bed, a furnished patio for meals, a bench facing south. The area is famous for its houses – Holkham, Blickling, Felbrigg, Houghton Hall – there’s golf at Sherringham, and the ‘Poppy Line’ – full steam ahead – is down the road; best of all, the delights of the Georgian market town of Holt are a five-minute stroll from your door. Then it’s home to a deep soak in a free-standing tub and sweet dreams; the simple bedroom is a gorgeous treat.