Luxury Norfolk Holiday Barn

Modern Design

Old Hall Farm Barn was converted into a luxury holiday let in 2017.

The design was a collaboration with Carsten Jungfer, of Zector Architects. The barn has been restored to retain its period character whilst also combining the original features with modern design elements.

Light & Space

The overall emphasis on the design was to create a light and spacious home that works together with the surrounding landscape and wildlife. This was achieved by installing huge, floor to ceiling windows and doors, connecting those inside to the nature all around.

Natural Materials

Throughout the conversion of the barn the use of natural materials and consideration for the environment has been foremost. We completely avoided the use of MDF and toxic chemicals in paints/ varnishes. Plastered walls have been left bare and clay paint has been used on exposed internal brick walls. Ground source under-floor central heating alongside high levels of insulation do a great job of keeping the barn warm in winter.

Close to Nature

The barn is a place for spending time and relaxing with your family and friends… whether enjoying a glass of something and watching the barn owls fly and the kestrels hover over the meadow or watching the long-tailed tits from the warmth of the kitchen in winter. In warmer weather there is space for children and dogs to play on the lawn and a south facing terrace for sitting in the sun on the outdoor sofa.

A Private Retreat

Old Hall Farm Barn is not part of a complex and has a private garden with a south facing outlook over our 12 acre meadow (you might not see us, although we are in the farmhouse nearby if you need us).

The living room has a vaulted ceiling with original beams and clay painted, exposed brick walls. The glass front and back creates a light airy space and connects the interior with the landscape.

In the cold winter months, the under floor heating works alongside a wood burner so you can up the comfort factor on a spacious SCP Woodgate sofa with Welsh woollen blankets from Melin Tregwynt and still enjoy the expansive views or settle down to watch a movie.

Upstairs there is a mezzanine level with another SCP Woodgate sofa and a small collection of books.

The well equipped open-plan kitchen features handmade solid oak cabinets with a sawn/milled finish, Irish blue limestone worksurface. From the original beams hang bespoke concrete light shades that illuminate the open space, including the long, reclaimed refectory table and sofa for relaxing on after a home cooked meal.

The barn has a double electric oven, electric hob, microwave, dishwasher, a fridge freezer and a toaster. In case you need cooking inspiration there’s also a great selection of cookbooks on hand so you can put your culinary skills into practise and make use of the fresh herbs growing in the garden.

The utility area has a washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and wooden clothes airer. There is also a separate loo in the utility.

There are three bedrooms on the ground floor. Two of these have king size beds whilst the third has handmade oak bunk beds. The ground floor bedrooms are served by a bathroom with walk in shower and loo. All ground floor bedrooms have floor to ceiling glass doors with blackout curtains that open out onto the garden.

Upstairs has a large king size bedroom and en-suite bathroom with a roll-top bath, walk-in shower and loo.

The beds all have John Lewis natural collection mattresses teamed with feather duvets (made in Scotland) and 400 thread count white cotton bed linen (made in England).

Fluffy towels and eco-friendly toiletries by Neal’s yard are provided. A cot is available on request.

Set in ½ an acre of grounds, the barn has a private south facing large fenced lawn garden, with wooden furniture, a parasol, BBQ and a fire pit. The outdoor seating area and the main living room both look over the 12 acre meadow to the front of the barn. The renovation of the land back to a species rich wild flower meadow was aided with the use of green hay taken from a local wildflower meadow. The area is home to an array of wildlife including barn owls, herons, little egrets, kestrels, buzzards, peregrine falcons, little owls, tawny owls, swallows, swifts, goldfinches, wagtails, yellow hammers, jack snipe, moor hens, Great crested newts, toads and frogs. In 2022 Norfolk Wildlife Trust awarded the land at Old Hall Farm County Wildlife Site status, known as Kerdiston Old Hall Meadows.

The meadow is also grazed by Icelandic sheep and White Galloway cattle from September to April and a hay cut taken in August after the grasses and flowers have set seed. When fully developed, this will create a haven for wildlife, the aim being to achieve County Wildlife Site status in the future.

Guests have full access to the meadow. It leads on to the Marriott’s Way, which is a disused railway line that is now a footpath, cycle path and bridle path and links the barn (almost completely off road) to Norwich and Aylsham.