What's On In Norfolk This Easter

For the first time in a few years, we can finally have a restriction-free Easter break! We are so looking forward to welcoming our guests this Spring to our woodland retreat, for a well-needed staycation.

Sunnier days have arrived and Norfolk is fantastic for adventures. Sandringham is just a short drive away with plenty of woodland to explore and The Sandringham Estate to soak up some history and grab a tasty treat from The Courtyard. You don’t even need to leave Happy Valley Norfolk, our retreat joins 200 acres of woodland of Congham Heath. Enjoy some blissful relaxation in the hot tub under the stars at night, after a day of trekking in the wild.

The county is bursting with things to do and events this season, right on our doorstep. Join The Pesky Bunnies Easter Eggs-pedition at Bewilderwood (2nd-19th April) where your little ones will enjoy meeting the Easter bunny on the Storytelling Stage, face painting and hunting for eggs on the Puzzling Park Trail.

For a taste of Medieval Britain, the Vikings return to Sheringham on Saturday 9th April for The Viking Festival and Parade. With battles on the beach, Viking cooking and axe throwing, this will make a great family day out.

Moving into May, we will see many returning events such The Crab and Lobster Festival, bringing together Cromer & Sheringham to celebrate the world-famous seafood they produce. Across two days there will be a host of great things to participate in, including heritage demonstrations and street markets packed with local produce. Live music will be performed day and night, fantastic street performers, seafaring crafts and children’s activities.

We have some fantastic glamping cabins available this Easter Half Term, just waiting for you to complete them! Our “Tawny Hut” will also be reopening alongside its sistering Shepard’s hut “Denver Rest”, a great duo for a family of four, looking for an escape into nature. To see our full list of cabins and our availability, head over to the glamping section of this website.

To view the array of events on in Norfolk this Easter, we highly recommend visiting https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/whats-on

For a taste of Medieval Britain, the Vikings return to Sheringham on Saturday 9th April for The Viking Festival and Parade.

Join The Pesky Bunnies Easter Eggs-pedition at Bewilderwood for some Easter fun

Enjoy a coastal family day out at The Crab and Lobster Festival

Holiday at Happy Valley

After what feels like a year of emotional and psychological Winter, we tiptoe to the edge of a new, more hopeful season.  The Wildflower Meadow across from Toad Hall reminds us that though we have no control over the harsh elements of life, still we rise and still we must grow. With a boundless energy and free spirit, we roam into Nature but this time, not to seek solace but to embrace the trees as old friends and cautiously celebrate our impending freedom.

Our souls are as wild as the birds overhead, and our imagination soars with all the places we can go, the people we can visit, the friends we can hold. As we get ready to discard our chilly cloak of sadness and envelop the warmth from the Sun, let’s look forward to making plans and sticking to them. Let’s make time for those we haven’t seen for so long. Let’s have a hungry heart for adventure.

Happy Valley has cabins, bell tents, lodges, and treehouses to connect you to the outside this season. As we step, or skip, into Spring, we welcome you to join us and celebrate your newfound freedom. From the beach, the rolling hills to the stretches of woodland, the birds ring out the sound of the new season and we are ready to welcome you to all that is beautiful about Norfolk. Escape the everyday at home. At Happy Valley we are good to go and have social distancing sorted. Gather your loves ones and take them on a holiday at home as soon as restrictions allow.

For more information about our cabins, please contact glamping@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

With love,

The Little Team at Happy Valley

Gratitude in Abundance - Best of Britain Award - Outstanding Venue

After what has been one of the most challenging years in the industry, to receive a Best of Britain award from Bride Book for being an outstanding Wedding Venue has been a wonderful surprise.

We can not thank our couples, past and present, enough for how they have supported us throughout.

We love to be able to share this little part of ancient Britain with you all & can not wait to open our doors again.

If you’re thinking of an intimate Elopement or Micro Wedding in 2021 then we have some late availability due to Wedding moves so please do get in touch weddings@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

All our Love

The Little Team at Happy Valley

Halloween at Happy Valley

Follow us behind the scenes to a Halloween Week at Happy Valley. As Hallows’ Eve falls on the week of October Half Term, it is no surprise that our mini mascots are employed to take part in the mischief and mayhem.

The sun has dawned on Summer and now the moon, wide eyed in wonder, looks down at the scene unfolding. Tiny dew drops of rain can be seen building up on cobwebs of woven silk; nature plays its part as spiders and bats are ready to take their role in this spooky festival.

As the cold air lingers and a foggy mist descends, Annie and Barnaby step into their positions magnificently by brewing the potions (tea and hot chocolate!) and preparing the cauldron for a family feast (pumpkin cookies!). With no cat or ghost in sight, Timber the dog is roped into the day’s ritual and as pumpkin is going spare, he is happy to oblige.

Our first call to arms, is to find our coats, wrap up in a layer of protection from the howling winds, and step into the woodland of whispering trees to find the perfect chestnuts and conkers for our collection. We place these and the acorn leaves into the magician’s hat and utter a chant or two.

With spoons and (adult-supervised) knives at the ready, we carve out some fun by etching into the round, plump, pumpkins at our feet. Scraping out the fluffy, orange innards, we scoop this into our pot and place to one side (this will be noted on our post-Halloween-pumpkin-blog). Our future architect and nine-year-old carpenter, picks up his drill and creates a fiery sky of stars by drilling holes into the pumpkin’s thick skin.

Adorned with a witch’s hat and magic at her fingers tips, Annie brings a glimmer of sparkle to nature as leaves and conkers are coated in gold. The shimmery glow coming from the puddle below hints at the evening to come and a cackle echoes in the air, reverberating throughout the land. It’s almost time.

The candles are lit, sparklers ignite, pumpkins are placed, with fairies and sprite. Our two, adorable children transform into Witch and Magician. Skulls’ eyes are aglow and to the new, log cabin we go. Come friend, come foe, come ghost, come all, this year’s Halloween will be the best of them all!

If you would like to join us for a weekend of magic and fun, we have some last minute availability due to a local lockdown for our unfortunate guests:

Availability: Friday 30th October – Monday 2nd November 2020

Cabins: Woodpecker (£395) or Denver Rest and Tawny Hut (£320) - NOW FULLY BOOKED

To book, please contact hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk / 01485600719

With love,

Katy and Kirsty xx

The Perks of a Spring Wedding

Havelock Ellis once said “The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw” and to us, this perfectly surmises our feelings about nature but in particular, about Spring and weddings in springtime.

Guests have no problem envisaging Happy Valley in the perfect heat of summer, their skin tingling from the warmth of the sun while simultaneously feeling a cool glass of Pimm’s in their hand. Brides picture themselves roaming the grounds with their heads adorned in a crown of flowers, watching children tempted by the tantalising image of our pretty lake, wrapped around Willow Island, wishing, if only they could jump in.

Though we love the venue with each changing season there is a magical transformation at Happy Valley in the springtime. Like an undiscovered secret, it is during the month of April that we almost feel the trees holding their breath with the anticipation of what is to come. Full of potential and on the cusp of a glorious showcase of nature, Happy Valley in springtime is a stunning display of subtle sophistication and it gives us so much pleasure to watch it unfold before our eyes.

Five reasons we choose Spring Weddings over any other

1. Climate Change claims Spring as the new Summer - according to ScienceNews, climate change has triggered earlier springs, resulting in warmer and greener climates with summers becoming drier and arid. The UK government acknowledges that “17 of the 18 warmest years on record have occurred in the 21st century and each of the last 3 decades have been hotter than the previous one”. With England experiencing extreme weather events and dangerous heatwaves, Spring is the goldilocks of weather - not too hot - not too cold but just right.

2. Demand and Supply - wedding suppliers have greater availability at a more affordable price, our grounds are in full bloom and there are a variety of stunning global and local honeymoon destinations at an off-peak price.

3. Spring Cleaning refers to more than just cobwebs - spring is the time to step outside, make plans and rejuvenate. As well as grabbing mops and polish, people want to dust off their party frocks and have an excuse to feel the fresh air again. With the start of Bank Holidays and Easter breaks, this is a time for friends and family to reconnect and what better way to bring everyone together than a wedding?!

4. There is a colour palette of endless possibilities - pastels, 50 shades of green or bright florals, in Spring, anything goes. The options for wedding bouquets are limitless and unlike other seasons, Spring doesn’t seem to be as confined. No-one expects you to have a pumpkin themed Halloween wedding or a burgundy winter wonderland, you are free to just be.

5. Spring stands for new starts - instead of seeing spring as a transitional season, we embrace it as a symbol of renewal and rebirth and what better time to start a brand new adventure with the love of your life than during a season that celebrates new beginnings?

In Spring, Mother Nature wakes from her wintery sleep, stretches out her arms with green lands, lets out a sigh of chirping birds and fresh breeze, opens her eyes to blue skies and smiles to display a full sunrise. When every living creature is opening their hearts to new possibilities, we invite you to join them and embark on a new chapter of your life with a perfectly imperfect Spring Wedding.

With love, Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

Limited Availability for 2020 Wilderness Weddings

THE VENUE - A Norfolk Wildlife Trust Site….

Happy Valley is the perfect Norfolk Venue for an enchanting Woodland Wedding. A laid back rustic Venue where you can enjoy a whole weekend of celebrations sprinkled with a touch of Luxe. Set on a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site, there’s an abundance of beautiful back drops to hold your ceremony whether its in the towering fir forest, on the willow island surrounded by water, the open glades bathing in sunshine or in the Historic Hay Barn. A licensed Venue with Duo status so you can hold your ceremony inside or out. Your dream of a whimsical woodland wedding can become a reality here in North Norfolk as not only is Happy Valley set in 9 acres of wilderness it also houses luxury glamping accommodation for your guests with the option to add additional camping should you want to accommodate more. The Dutch Barn is the perfect place to toast your loved ones and dance the night away or there’s the option of the Hay barn to transform into the night club, the creche or the chill out area. A super flexible Venue where you can create the Wedding you want.

Outdoor drinks ceremony & lawn games

Boho Inspired Wedding, Keeping it Green

Stunning Capture next to our Dutch Barn by Alice Cunliffe Photography

THE VIBE….

Nikita & Neezam’s Wilderness Wedding at Happy Valley, Summer 2019

Photo credit to Alice Cunliffe Photography

Happy Valley encompasses the Wilderness vibe with lashings of luxury. The hand made shepherds huts are all insulated and heated with real beds and many of your home comforts. Toad hall makes for the perfect bridal suite with king size accomodation, private sunken hot tub, incredible views, wet room and fully functional kitchen. It even boasts underfloor airforce heating and wine fridge.

Happy Valley encapsulates everything you could want from an outdoor wedding – a private rural location, hidden away in the idyllic Norfolk countryside with a forest of firs, ancient oak trees, a beech wood, weeping beech tree, meadows, a picturesque lake with a bridged island and rolling countryside as far as the eye can see.

STEP INTO THE WILD….

From the minute you arrive at Happy Valley nature is your canvas. Couples and their guests feel at ease and relaxed in the natural surroundings as they begin to set up for their day their way. Nikita and Neezam kept it green with a boho florals inspired by their wild wedding setting.

Petite Verte a Norfolk based botanical florist specialise in using greenery for your Wedding as an alternative to flowers. Eucalyptus plays a leading role with other green harvests complementing the bohemian rustic floristry.

Botanical Floristry & Design by Petit Verte

Woodland Wedding Ceremony at Happy Valley

A FEW DATES LEFT TO SAY I DO….

Happy Valley’s Wedding Diary is almost fully booked for 2020. There a just a few weekend dates left to make your Wilderness Wedding a rustic reality. Mid week Weddings we have more availability.

6th - 7th June 2020

4th - 5th July 2020

14 - 16th August 2020

19th - 20th September 2020

26th - 27th September 2020

2nd - 4th October 2020

If you would like to secure one of the dates above please call one of our friendly team to make an appointment 01485 600719 or drop us an email to hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Flowers by Petite Verte

Festoon lit Willows

T: 01485 600719

E: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Instagram: @happyvalleynorfolk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorfolkWeddingVenue/

A Disabled access Treehouse in Norfolk

So it has arrived. Toad Hall treehouse has disabled access from the minute you arrive. Parking on hard surface. The ramp takes you into the treehouse. There’s double doors leading our from the king size bedroom. A wet room with seating. Open plan living with access out onto the private terrace where you can find a private hot tub.  

Autumn at Happy Valley

The beauty transforms through colour and this time of year is rather special at Happy Valley. The mix of trees in the forest make for the most splendid colour display and you can experience Nature therapy at it’s best.

The evidence is forever mounting that being immersed in Nature has huge health benefits and it’s not hard to see why. Experiencing the forest, embracing the seasons and getting outside with your loved ones is why the guests at Happy Valley keep on returning.

Norfolk Sunsets are hard rivalled and you get the very best views at Toad Hall.

What our Guests Say -

Very grateful to have received this award for the 9th time in a row. Lucky to be blessed with some amazing guests who all love Happy Valley as much as we do. #HonestHosting

Wilderness Weddings

If you're looking for a Woodland Wedding with a bridged Island, Party Barn, Luxury Lodge, Glamping, Camping and a hot tub then Happy Valley is the Venue for you. You can create the Wedding YOU want at this hidden gem in North West Norfolk. An unspoilt part of the Norfolk countryside with magic written all over it. Natural Springs a plenty and enchanted forests engulf .

Forget the restrictions and embrace the woodland wilderness for a festival Wedding. Hired for 3 days and 2 nights you can be assured that the memories made will last you a lifetime. Here at Happy Valley taking your time is at the top of our ethos. 

There's no funny extras like Corkage fees or restrictions on caterers and bar. You really do have the blank canvas to create whatever Wedding you desire. We've seen Festival Weddings, Bohemian and Free Spirited Weddings, Traditional Style Weddings, Woodland Weddings, Vintage Weddings, Neon Weddings and everything else in between! 

Love these images of the Barn by Craig Williams for Becky & Wills special day

Here we have the band on the island, weeping willow line the island providing a secluded and intimate space.

You can't have a woodland wedding without a tree swing.

I've taken a few pics from a variety of Weddings at Happy Valley. Set in the heart of North West Norfolk this wedding venue is surrounded by Woodland and has magic written all over it. Unspoilt surrounds on a Norfolk Wildlife Trust you sure to feel super serene even on your Wedding day.

Wedding Prep

Caraz zagni photography cake Ellies Cakery

Happy Valley by night.

You can find recent pics of Happy Valley over on the instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/happyvnorfolk/

Tribe Norfolk Weekend

Save the date!

22 - 23rd September 2018

So excited to announce that the first Tribe Norfolk Weekend will take place at Happy Valley

Inspired by Norfolk for people who Love Norfolk

#TRIBENORFOLK 

Tribe Norfolk was created in December 2016 to connect individuals, businesses and all who love Norfolk, a county in which we are all spread out but have an abundance of wonderful producers, makers, musicians, crafters, growers.... right on our doorstep that we may not even know about.

Tribe Norfolk Instagram, Facebook & Twitter were created to provide a platform for people to connect, unite, discover, collaborate and celebrate everything about Norfolk. 

A positive vibes only platform welcome to all who want to bring back some community spirit.

Guests will be able to enjoy - 

The Beauty of the Wild, the Splendour of Norfolk creatives, taste fabulous cuisine, dance to an array of Norfolk Musicians, buy local treats at the Norfolk Produce and Makers Market. Enjoy a range of activities for all ages plus enjoy holistic therapies in the nurturing and supportive community in which Tribe Norfolk has become. 

Pic up some beautiful Vintage one offs.

Pic By Emily Jane - Vintage Deli Dress

There will be a fabulous Makers, Vintage and Produce Market at Tribe Norfolk Weekend where you can pick up some local one offs and discover the fab independants on offer in Norfolk. Can't wait to tell you who else we've got coming. 

Enjoy Tribe Norfolk Weekend in laid back luxury with a Weekend Glamping Ticket.

*TICKETS will be released at the end of April*

Glamping & camping at Happy Valley - 

A mix of Shepherds Huts, Tree temple, New Woodland Lodge and Bell Tents. Happy Valley sits on a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site in rural North West Norfolk. Immersed in nature with incredible woodland walks and close to the Norfolk Coast. The perfect place to switch off from the world and to start making memories. Reap the benefits of Forest Therapy. 

There will also be camping options so you can bring your own tents & campervans.

Enjoy Glamping at Tribe Norfolk Weekend - Pic taken from a photoshoot which included 2 posh 2 pitch and Wedding Wheels next to the Sea. Photo Credit - Rebel Heart Team

A chance to make some priceless memories with the whole family. Try Woodcombing, Nature Photography, family yoga, Dance like nobody is watching, sing along if you fancy it. This is a festival where inhibitions are left at the door. Get dressed up and come and have some fun in the wild.

A Wild Woodland Venue in unspoilt Norfolk Countryside. Close to Massingham, Sandringham, Houghton and the North Norfolk Coastline. 

If you'd like to get involved as a trader, musician, producer, performer, caterer etc then please go to the landing page of the website and follow the link.

www.TribeNorfolk.com

If you LOVE instagram, Twitter or Facebook  then you can find Tribe Norfolk - @TribeNorfolk 

Please use the Hashtag #TribeNorfolk so you can be discovered.

We can't wait to celebrate with you all in September

From all of us at Happy Valley,  Tribe Norfolk and Creative Orchard

xxxx