Dog-friendly cottages in the Norfolk countryside
Sawday's Expert
5 min read
Norfolk is best known for its rugged coastline and network of pretty of rivers and lakes, but its landscape encompasses so much more than waterways. There’s unique wildlife, rolling hinterland and an ever-changing community of market towns, little villages, and cobbled-street cities. Best of all, it’s the ideal place to take your dog to explore, with plenty to sniff out, and a warm welcome everywhere you go.
Norfolk Courtyard: Stockman’s Cottage, Foulsham, Norfolk
A riot of exposed beams, latch doors and exposed brick, Stockman’s Cottage is a perfect place for a getaway with your dog. Relax in the sitting room with its gentle colours, wooden floors, and a warming wood burner. Spend awhile in the private garden with your four-legged friend, and enjoy your downtime, or take one of the three great walks from the front door. There’s the River Wensum, the Billingford Fishing Lakes or the Bawdeswell Heath Nature Reserve all within easy reach.
Old Hall Farm Barn, Kerdiston, Norwich, Norfolk
This envy inspiring barn conversion is the perfect spot for families to gather and celebrate. Its breezy interior and vaulted ceilings are the perfect space for chilled out downtime, and with the dog loving the garden out back, you’ll find yourself unsure if you even need to leave. The rambling estates peppered with woods, and undulating countryside are a joy to explore with your dog with your dog, or closet to home there are the old orchards on site or the Marriott’s, Peddar’s and Boudicca byways that run close by.
Laundry Cottage, Norwich, Norfolk
The Laundry Cottage is a quintessentially English space, in stunning small town, with tea rooms, church and a green. Swing into the Heydon Hall estate and, hidden down a rough track in the grounds, is your attractive redbrick cottage. With no wifi, and intermittent phone signal, it’s the perfect place to wind down, and focus on the real stuff. Afternoons spent lazing in the walled garden with your dog, or taking them further into the parkland and woodland beyond – there’s even the Jacobean stately home: Blickling Hall a short drive away.
Banes Cottage, Hindringham, Norfolk
A brick and flint cottage in the grounds of a Tudor manor house – Banes cottage is named for the gardener that once kept these serene grounds. Spend awhile sighing contentedly by the cosy coal fire inside – dog curled at your feet, or walk the bridle paths that weave through Hindringham, pulled along by a keen sniff-detecting sidekick. If a little outing’s on the cards, consider popping to Holt – a short drive away, touring the Holt Country Park with your four-legged friend (as long as they’re well behaved), and stopping at Hetty’s House Tea Room after, for a spot of cake.
White House, Wortham, Norfolk
Waiting for your arrival since the 17th century, White House is as patient as it is stunning. A mix of cosy rooms upstairs, swaddled in wood beams, exposed brickwork and latch doors. It’s contrasted by large open spaces – like the airy kitchen downstairs, where you’ll feel your shoulders drop whilst you make breakfast, French doors open to welcome in the fresh air. You could be forgiven for not moving an inch here, dog bumping you on the calves to remind you to share your barbequed lunch in the garden – or you could take them on a jaunt to Wyken Hall, where they can join you on the terrace for light snacks and drinks.
Thatched Cottage, Wortham, Norfolk
If you’re not lazing in the hammock strung between the pear trees, or watching your hound fruitlessly chomping at butterflies as you sink ever more limply into the hot tub, what on earth are you doing at the Thatched Cottage? It could be relaxing in the roll top bath we suppose, or maybe even delighting in preparing some breakfast in bed in the stunning kitchen. Perhaps we wouldn’t even find you at your space – given the vineyards, breweries market towns with indie shops, cafes or art galleries nearby. We might even spot you on a dog-tiring walk at Brettenham Heath. There’s so much to do, and however you choose to spend your holiday we know you and your dog will leave refreshed and relaxed.
Browse all of our dog-friendly cottages in Norfolk >
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Jem Brownlee
Sawday's Expert
Often found purposefully lost in the wilderness, Jem is our junior copywriter. Hailing from a tiny village just south of Bristol, he uses his experience editing books, writing articles and running bars and restaurants to write whatever he can get his hands on. He’s happiest complaining about, but secretly loving, being sent anywhere and everywhere in search of something new. If it comes with rolling hills, creatures great and small to befriend – you might just find him there.
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