Barsham Barns Review: A Luxury Norfolk Stay for Group Celebrations
Barsham Barns Review By Rachel Ducker
There are some places that seem designed for bringing people together, and Barsham Barns in North Norfolk is very much one of them.
Set in the heart of North Norfolk’s countryside, yet within reach of a multitude of days out, this location is ideal for seeing and doing, be it a long beach walk or a visit to a local pub for a delicious meal.
As part of kickstarting my fortieth birthday celebrations, we settled into the luxury self-catering barn, Great East. This is one of eight magnificent barns, which can cater for up to 14 people, making it the perfect venue for a celebration over a weekend with friends and family from near and far.
Staying at Great East
Great East is the largest of the luxury barns on site. With accommodation spread over two floors, there are seven bedrooms in total, each with its own ensuite.
For large groups, the setup was manageable, all being in one place. Easy to get together for meals and entertaining, but each person has their own space to retreat to.
The outdoor space has been well thought out, you will find two large private gardens, one with an outdoor seating area and BBQs in the warmer months. Plus, a private outdoor hot tub, perfect for relaxing after a long day touring around or after a busy evening around the dinner table.
A Barn Made for Entertaining
Inside Great East, there is a lovely combination of countryside character and modern luxury, and it is perfectly furnished and decorated for groups of friends and family.
There is an open plan kitchen and dining area with a large sociable space for relaxation and easy conversation. Perfect for pre-dinner drinks, everyone helps prepare the meal of the weekend in the kitchen, sitting down at the generously sized table and chairs for a wonderful feast. The table is 12 ft long and can be extended to 14ft if required.
We had games, laughter and random moments of loveliness, which are difficult to plan but wonderful memories. There are also two sitting areas, so the children could watch TV, whilst others could retreat from the gathering if they needed some peace.
Within the estate of Barsham Barns there are also a range of facilities available for all guests. On site there is a games room for those days and nights when there really is nothing to go out for, and no need to use the car.
The Perfect Location for Exploring North Norfolk
One of the big plus points of this cottage is its location. It’s tucked away in the middle of nowhere yet conveniently close to some of North Norfolk’s premier sights.
We arrived in time for dinner, as having to cook on arrival would have been a bit of a drag. Luckily there was a street food festival on down at the Barsham Brewery, part of the West Barsham Estate, where the brewery is housed in one of the barns, and Meadow House is also located. You can also do tasting tours here, it’s worth a look during your visit.
The following day we went to the seals at Blakeney with Temple’s Seal Trips. Their boats operate from Morston Quay and take you to Blakeney Point to view the seals in the wild.
This was fantastic, our kids had never been out on the water before, the team were great, and on the way back, they even let our little boy, Leo, drive the boat. We saw loads of seals.
Many other charming places to visit are close by including Wells-next-the-Sea, Holkham, Brancaster, Cley, Burnham Market and Holt. Other places to visit, things to do and days out are all mentioned above in the seaside activities section. But on first impression, this is a holiday destination where you could return again and again and always find something new.
A Brilliant Base for Birthdays and Group Celebrations
For celebrations, Barsham Barns is a fantastic choice. Great East gave us exactly what we needed: a beautiful house, lots of space, a proper dining area, cosy corners, a hot tub, and a location that made the whole weekend feel like an escape without being difficult to reach.
A large part of why it worked so well was that it brought everything to hand and allowed us to interact naturally. Everyone could do whatever they wanted and still be a part of the group, or just hang out. For a milestone birthday, that kind of interaction/togetherness was very important.
This would be ideal for all kinds of guests: families, couples, groups of friends, and multi-generational families. Accommodating without being overpowering.
Other Accommodation at Barsham Barns
Although we chose to stay in Great East, there are several other accommodations within Barsham Barns, making this a great option for different sized groups.
A 2500-acre estate, comprises eight luxury self-catering stays, which are all dog-friendly. The barns range from the smaller option of Little Sandford – sleeping two right up to the larger options such as High Barsham, which sleeps 12 and Great East, which sleeps 14.
Meadow House can hold up to 14 guests and is another option for large numbers. An ancient 400-year-old manor house with seven bedrooms, a formal dining room with log fire and numerous other features including large wraparound gardens, barbecue area and firepit. It is suitable for very large family gatherings and celebrations.
For the really big get-togethers, these barns can also be booked as a group.
The Verdict
We genuinely did not want to leave.
The Barns at Barsham Barns made for a wonderful birthday weekend with every box ticked: comfort, space, stunning rural location, wonderful local food, excellent access to local attractions and a house designed with celebrations at its heart. Great East was luxurious without being too precious, stylish without being too beautiful to actually use and so spacious that despite its grandeur there was room for all of us to unwind.
I would highly recommend Barsham Barns to any large group staying in Norfolk for a birthday, family gathering, friends’ holiday, special occasion or a multi-generational stay.
This was one of the trips that we started our fortieth birthday celebrations with and one that we will fondly remember for a long time.
