Once a year, myself and two of my best and oldest friends commit to taking equally long, often weather-beaten drives across the UK to come together for a full weekend of quality time and quality wine. Years ago we’d meet in a city and craft a jam-packed itinerary of things to do and see, coordinating outfits and catching up along the way. Fast forward nearly 10 years and we’ve got a husband each and 7 kids between us. Our luggage weight and car size have increased accordingly (RIP my favourite weekender and ragged silver Corsa), and our idea of what makes for a good time has shifted dramatically. Now, we seek calm and togetherness in a place that makes life feel easy.
When we landed on a November date this year, I knew Robin Hood Cottage in Norfolk would suit us all. As soon as we turned the key in the door, I realised I’d struck gold. We were welcomed by the owner, Julie, who led us through the courtyard and a pretty wooden backdoor to the place we would bed in for the next two nights. Inside we were met with a home that felt lived-in and welcoming in a way some rentals simply don’t. I tried to put my finger on what gave it such charm.
As we wandered through winding corridors discovering all 5 bedrooms in the main house, Julie explained that Robin Hood Cottage was once a country pub. It makes sense, considering the sheer size of the place, the dark wooden beams and the original hand-written deeds framed and hung on the walls of the hallway. I can picture groups of friends, families and couples hunkering down here on a Sunday afternoon, fresh from long walks on the coast. This is the kind of property that could tell a story.
Today it serves a different purpose altogether – one that we’re all too pleased to fulfil. A fire blazes in the corner of the lounge, family collectables hang in frames on the walls, boardgames fill a cabinet in the main living area and a hamper of fresh bakes and local wines sit on the long wooden kitchen table. For the first night, at least, there really is no reason to leave.
Interiors mix the traditional with the eccentric and feel reminiscent of a British rom-com, but strike the balance between newness, functionality and heritage. As our friends start to arrive, we gather around the table and chat animatedly about our plans for the following day. Directly opposite the house is a farm shop, so a coffee and a croissant would be our first stop in the morning, followed by a 5-minute walk to the old steam train which chugs through the countryside to Wells-next-the-Sea where we’d brave the wind in wellies and waterproofs before finding a local fish’n’chip shop to warm up.
The house itself is the perfect base, and I can only imagine how beautiful the garden is in the summer months. So much so, that it's now my favourite Airbnb. It’s a large wonderland hidden behind a wall, complete with a wide wooden swing that looks like something out of a storybook, a shed with table football, and wildflowers growing in beds that dot the grass. Despite the wintery weather, we actually spent a lot of time out here, the kids running free and the adults embracing the calm of the countryside and departure from London.
At night, the house is pin-drop quiet – something I always cherish when we venture to remote corners of the country. The blackout blinds make falling into a deep sleep totally effortless, and the bed in our room is topped with a towering mattress and the plumpest of pillows so the rest of the night feels pretty blissful, too. In the courtyard sits the sixth and final bedroom, separate from the main house with its own mini kitchen and bathroom. I make a note of how perfect this would be if we were ever to return with our parents or my sister and her newborn. I realise I’m mentally plotting my next visit before I’ve so much as rounded off this one – a testament to how comforting Robin Hood Cottage has felt as a place to spend the weekend. We leave feeling rested, refreshed, and reminded of how medicinal a weekend in Norfolk can be.