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Sleeps 4+infant in 1x double bedroom with room for cot & 1x single bedroom with pull out second bed, which has room for a cot when second bed is not in use. |
 | A visiting beauty therapist can be arranged for pedicures and manicures. |
 | Indoor toys provided include bath toys, books, puzzles, games, DVDs and a filled toy box (wooden vehicles, finger puppets, fuzzy felts, Lego, Duplo, colour pencils etc.). |
 | For outdoor use there is a toddlers' rocking crocodile, a swing set in main garden, cardboard playhouse, various toys (balls, hoops etc). A sandpit will be added for Spring 2011. |
 | Owners can sometimes accept pets by prior arrangment. |
 | Mini guests are welcome to help feed and collect eggs from the resident chickens. There are also three rare breed sheep who are partial to treats of bread and cabbage! |
 | There are many golf courses nearby. The owners can advise on the most suitable. |
 | The cottage owners are constantly striving to improve their eco friendly credentials and have incorporated an ecologically friendly sewage system, recycling facilities, eco cleaning products and paints. In addition, potties supplied are made from bamboo and rice husks (Becopotty) which means they are fully washable and hygienic and also fully biodegradable. All baby feeding equipment, including the steriliser, is free from BPA, Phthalates and PVC, as are the bath toys. The owners use organic/local or Fairtrade food/products/toiletries whenever possible. The flooring in the 1 bedroom cottage is reclaimed wood from a local salvage yard. |
 | WiFi internet access is available at the cottage. |
 | Many stunning beaches within a short drive including world-famous Holkham. |
 | The nearest beach is within 2 miles walk. |
 | The shops, restaurants, beach and theatre in Sheringham are within 2 miles walk. |
 | A comprehensive list of baby gear is provided including: new travel cots with extra safety mattresses for added comfort, Phil & Teds Me Too high chairs + an Ikea high chair, Baby Bjorn bouncy chair, bed guard, baby back carrier, baby monitor, Born Free BPA-free steriliser, Becopotties (fully biodegradable), training loo seats, Stairgates, a Phil & Ted's double buggy available for local walks and lightweight buggies for trips out. |
 | Up to two cots and high chairs can be provided. |
 | A trusted, CRB checked babysitter can be pre-booked on request. |
 | The cottage has its own deck area with BBQ and dining furniture. |
Arrivals and Departures:
Check-in time: 16:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Payment:
Reservation Deposit: 30%
Balance: 56 days prior to arrival
Capacity:
Sleeps: 4 + Cot sleeping infants
Stays
at idyllically set, 'Overstrand' should probably come on prescription for urban
families. Its classic English country garden setting, just a two mile walk from
the North Norfolk coast and closer still to the friendly village pub at West
Beckham, means relaxation is unavoidable as guests rediscover old fashioned
family fun in the form of sandcastle building, wildlife spotting and blackberry
or bluebell-gathering walks along the hedgerows.
The idyllic setting certainly worked its magic on the friendly Partridge
family who decamped here from London in 2009 and have since transformed the
charming old carthouse in the grounds of their family home into pretty
cottages, of which 2-bedroom 'Overstrand' is the largest. Cate and Fergus
called on their own cottage holiday experiences when completing the renovation
and now each charming bolthole boasts light, bright, country contemporary
interiors and a welcome dose of luxury in the form of iPod docks, CD Players,
flat screen TVs, fully equipped kitchens, indulgent toiletries, a generous
breakfast hamper and an abundant list of family-friendly gear that promises to
make even packing for the trip stress-free.
Accommodation Overview:
'Overstrand' has two bedrooms, a king-sized double with space for a cot/toddler bed, and a single with optional pull-out truckle bed, which can be
placed alongside it. Downstairs the open-plan living and dining area is flooded
with light from the picture windows. Behind the cottage is a pretty gated deck area, which overlooks the garden.
The lounge has two small sofas, a CD player and radio and a TV with DVD player.
There are books, local information and family friendly games such as Jenga,
Scrabble and Hungry Hippos, as well as a selection of DVDs suitable for all
ages. Free WiFi is also provided. Oil-fired central heating keeps the
cottage cosy year-round, as does the lighting with thoughtfully placed lamps.
The shaker-style dining table can seat 4+ highchairs (provided).
The kitchen boasts a new electric oven with child-safe induction hob, a large fridge freezer,
microwave, kettle, toaster and electric hand-held blender. A Brita water filter
jug sits in the fridge. There's a washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and airer
under the stairs. The kitchen is stocked with plenty of utensils, decent knives
and pans, along with toddler-friendly cutlery and crockery plus enough wine
glasses to welcome friends if they drop in. There's even gear for rainy day
baking and a cafetiere to aid early morning wake ups. In addition, Cate and
Fergus thoughtfully provide handy essentials such as olive oil, sugar, salt, pepper,
herbs, tea bags and coffee (instant and fresh). Plus non-PVC cling film, foil, kitchen
roll, loo roll and eco-friendly cleaning products. Added to that, there's the
generous welcome pack of organic, locally-sourced or fair-trade, milk, eggs,
juice, bread and butter, which enables guests to enjoy a relaxing first morning
before heading out to stock up for the week.
The bathroom is on the ground floor by the front door so sandy children can
leap straight into the bath. The bath has a shower over it and the water is
heated through the oil-fired boiler so there's plentiful hot water. Lovely big
white bath towels are provided.
Outside, there's a gated decked area with table, chairs and a kettle BBQ for
guest use. In addition, a pretty area of the owner’s garden is fenced so
children can play safely together. The area is very popular with birdwatchers
and there are loads of garden birds to see and hear.
Share Tips & Advice
Show Location Map
The
cottages are surrounded by fields and there are lots of footpaths for good
walks straight from the door. For toddlers there is a gentle circular walk up
the track and back through the village to the house - about a mile. In autumn
there are blackberries for feasting along the way and the bluebells in spring
are magical. Wellies can be left undercover outside the door. Further
afield kids love the local steam railways, wildlife centres, dinosaur park,
aquarium and seal spotting boat trips. It's worth thinking about a Christmas
visit too as nearby Thursford Steam
Collection has an amazing Christmas Spectacular and Santa's Grotto
throughout November and December. Eating
Out:
Family-friendly dining options include lunches at The Victoria, Holkham and The
White Horse at Brancaster, or excellent fish and chips on Wells Quay. Nearby
Walsingham Farm Shop sells a fantastic range of speciality foods direct from
small suppliers, along with some excellent fresh-made ready meals.
Alternatively, use the CRB-checked baby-sitting contacts and try the excellent
Galton Blackiston's Michelin starred Morston Hall. Nearest
Medical Services:
GP: Sheringham Medical Practice, Sheringham. (2.8 miles, approx 7 mins) &
A&E: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (27 miles, approx 47 mins)
East Beckham is located two miles inland from Sheringham and just six miles
from the boutiques, bistros and delis of Holt. The village offers excellent
walking and cycling opportunities with horse riding and fishing available
locally. The Wheatsheaf pub, which offers good food and beer is approx 2-miles
away in West Beckham.
Past Guest Ratings: * (18 guests)
*Rating collated since Feb '10.
All verified as genuine BFB guests who experienced the accommodation with young children.
Awards:
Oh the fresh air. Overstand was the perfect break for me, my 3yr old and 1yr old...
Oh the fresh air. Overstand was the perfect break for me, my 3yr old and 1yr old. Gorgeous property and garden and extremely well located for lots to do and see. The North Norfolk coast was a delightful revelation. Sure to be back.
Overall Experience Rating: 100%
We had a fantastic time at this beautiful and well-equipped cottage. The owners...
We had a fantastic time at this beautiful and well-equipped cottage. The owners and their family are very hospitable and helpful. The setting is rural perfection and ideally located. Wonderful!
Overall Experience Rating: 100%
Gorgeous, well equipped cottage that suited us perfectly with our 2.5 year old d...
Gorgeous, well equipped cottage that suited us perfectly with our 2.5 year old daughter. Great location in the country but only 10 minutes away from some great beaches and lovely little villagestowns. We really enjoyed it and will be back one day!
Overall Experience Rating: 100%
We had a wonderful short break at Overstrand. The owners have equipped the cott...
We had a wonderful short break at Overstrand. The owners have equipped the cottage brilliantly for families with small children thnking of everything you could need including a brilliant welcome pack of food, juice and wine, and a well stocked DVD and games cupboard. The cottage is beautifully decorated and the main bed is oh so comfy! The bedrooms are good sizes (even with travel cot) and the downstairs area has everything you could need.
We were lucky enough to have great weather so our daughter took ful dvantage of the toy-packed garden whe we weren't visiting various glorious beaches and towns in the area. There isloadsto do in the area and if you don't know what to do the information box in the cottage will help you decide.
Overall Experience Rating: 100%
Amazing hosts, and beautiful place... everything you could ever need for a relax...
Amazing hosts, and beautiful place... everything you could ever need for a relaxing break (yes relaxing with a 8 month old!!) and our Labrador! Definitely go back...
Overall Experience Rating: 100%
Had a wonderful stay here with our 11 month old; everything we needed was here a...
Had a wonderful stay here with our 11 month old; everything we needed was here already; gorgeous setting and v cute accommodation.
Overall Experience Rating: 80%
Owner Profile
We moved from London to give our children a free-range childhood. We love to go back for a blast of bright lights, but nothing beats taking the children to the beach after school and star gazing with the owls. I used to work in the film industry but would rather be a writer and Fergus is a freelance designer who prefers making things to looking a screen. |
Restless skies, salty air, friendly people, cheeky chickens, picking apples and blackberries, peace, independent shops, quiet roads, ghostly owls, jolly robins, diving swallows, eating fresh crab, nibbling samphire, muddy boots, art galleries, beautiful country houses, watching the fishing boats, the coast road, the 5th hole of Sheringham golf course, cosy pubs, freedom to breathe deeply and wander for miles.
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Freedom to run, mud between the toes, making sandcastles, poking about in rockpools, building dens, playing soldiers at Salthouse, eating cups of prawns from Joyful Wests, tree climbing, Holt woods, feeding the sheep, collecting eggs, digging for cockles, fishing for crabs, the toy shop in Sheringham, ice cream and chips, the garden of the King's Head pub, jumping over waves, Byford's flapjacks and custard tarts, Holt bookshop, pebbles, conkers, growing pumpkins, looking for frogs, foraging for blackberries, making fairy houses, tomato soup and ham sandwiches on the beach, looking for the Black Shuck, going home for stories.
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