How to Slow Down Time with a Glamping Retreat at Happy Valley

Often one of the overriding feelings of getting older is a sense of panic that life is moving too fast. Children grow up too quickly, the holiday abroad didn’t last long enough, the weekend came and went. At what point can we stand still in our everyday life and say, “I am exactly where I need to be.’?

It’s not an easy thing to do and most of us may not ever master the skill, but at Happy Valley Norfolk we are committed to finding ways that we can all slow down time and feel content in our everyday. 

SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES

We are not experts but it seems that one of the easiest ways to slow down time is by spending time with friends and family. In this safe environment there's no need to do anything fast-paced or overly stimulating because time together is enough. A real chat around a crackling log burner while dinner is simmering on your woodland cabin stove, for example, is a wonderful way to feel the clock start to slow. Visit one of our family-friendly cabins; Toad Hall, Keeper’s Cabin, The Woodpecker or Moonshine Manor to indulge in family time and make memories to treasure.

ESCAPE INTO NATURE

Being in nature is another sure-fire way we can ensure time doesn’t get away from us. At Happy Valley Norfolk you are not only surrounded by woodland, you’ll be able to visit an enchanting little lake complete with bridged island as well as a Norfolk Wildlife Trust Site to gaze upon when staying in our brand new American-inspired Moonshine Manor. Toad Hall boasts 9 acres of wildflower meadow in front of it while every window in every cabin has something special to take in. Being mindful of our surroundings in this way helps us practice gratitude and in turn, take a breath.

INDULGE IN NEW EXPERIENCES

Photo by Alex Ellis, State of Love and Trust

I’m sure you’ll agree, dear reader, that as we age, time seems to speed up. Researchers have suggested that this is because when you’re young, everything is new! It’s as if we’re little aliens on a strange planet where everything is exciting. But as we get older, our experiences tend to merge into each other as we live certain years almost exactly as the one before. With fewer memories to decode, our brains trick us into thinking it was a shorter year than it actually was. A way we can combat this phenomenon is by having new experiences as much as possible; Learn a new language, master a new skill, set a goal for the year, engage in a new exercise, travel to somewhere you’ve never been before or try a glamping holiday for the first time. We’re biased but we think the last one there is the most effective!

Happy Valley Norfolk isn’t just a woodland glamping site - it’s a place where hearts and souls can gather and find energy in the most unexpected places. We want all our guests to experience that deep joy that comes from the slowing of time and feeling utterly content in the moment.


Come and visit us and try it for yourself

For other reasons to visit us here at Happy Valley Norfolk, read this blog post all about achieving a fulfilling getaway. 

Our Guide To Halloween & Guy Fawkes In Norfolk This Year

It’s most definitely worth a visit to our glorious county of Norfolk this spooky season, as we are brimming with activities and events to keep the whole family entertained. Even behind all of the festivities and fabulous attractions, stripped-back Norfolk is well known for its fabulous coastline, boutique coastal towns and plenty of nature to explore. There is something around every turn that everyone can enjoy, whether it's for a romantic trip, a family getaway filled with adventure, or for those who desire to discover historic sites and nature.

If you fancy a ghoulishly good weekend for Halloween

Your little ones will love BeWilderwood this Halloween

Be prepared to be scared at Primevil Scare

  • Halloween Phantomine Monster Mayhem @ Kings Lynn Corn Exchange Friday 28th ‑ Saturday 29th October

    “A night filled with singing, laughing, cheering and booing to the very end as you help Prince Ludicrous Blackfeet find his Princess before the crazy Professor Pitfall commands her Monster Creation to steal her away for the evil Skeleton King”

  • The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade @ Bewilderwood Norfolk - Saturday 15th – Monday 31st October

    "A glorious opportunity to see BeWILDerwood by night and meet all your forest friends awaits! Start your adventure at Hazel’s Hideaway, then journey through the WILD woods as lanterns light your way through our enchanting woodland.”

  • Primevil Scare @ Roarr Dinosaur Park - Friday 14th ‑ Monday 31st October

    A great event for the teens and the adults who dare to face spooks and scares this Halloween. The event is also back for its 13th year of fear! There will be five terrifying haunts full of scares and twists and turns, street performing actors, and plenty of entertainment. They will have a licensed bar and street food vendors too. Primevil Scare is not suitable for those under 12. Also note that strobe and flashing lights are used.

  • Bawsey Halloween Night @ Bawsey Estate & Country Park - Sunday 30th 5pm ‑ 9pm

    “Join us on Halloween night for some spooky family fun at Bawsey Country Park from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Take a walk through the woods, find all the pumpkins and claim a Halloween treat for the kids. With fun and games from BTs Roadshow you won't want to miss this fantastic evening at Bawsey Country Park.”

Where To Watch The Sky Light Up For Guy Fawkes

Enjoy not just the fireworks but the coastline at Hunstanton this November 5th

Can’t get out for Guy Fawkes? Don’t worry, Norwich Autumn Lights has you covered on Saturday 12th of November!

  • Hunstanton Clifftop Fireworks Display ‑ Saturday 5th November @ 5 Lighthouse Cl, Hunstanton gates on at 5.45pm

    A great place to watch fireworks this Guy Fawkes is the Hunstanton Clifftop Fireworks Display happening on Saturday 5th November. Gates open at 5.45 pm with fireworks and a laser display to follow at 7.30 pm. Only a 20-minute drive from Happy Valley, then come back to your cabin afterwards and enjoy a bubbling hot tub or unwind around the fire pit with a glass of bubbly to complete your evening.

  • Downham Market Fireworks by The Round Table - Saturday 5th November @ Stradsett Hall and Country Park, Stradsett Country Park, Stradsett, King’s Lynn, PE33 9HA Gates open @ 4.30pm
    Fireworks Extravaganza @7.30pm

    This year they have the amazing Jak Ropa Entertainments on stage, with a whole new stage, sound and lighting rig - to create the most amazing festival vibe. They have some amazing LED dancers and fire dancers performing for them
    and more food and drink vendors than ever before with something for everyones tastebuds. The fairground will be on site as always, with rides like the runaway train, dodgems, crazy house, hook a duck and much much more - why not take an aerial view from their big wheel, and really get to see whats happening..

  • Norfolk Showground Autumn Lights ‑ Saturday 12th November 4:00 PM ‑ 10:00 PM @ Norfolk Showground Arena, Costessey, Norwich

    If you fancy a further drive out for the biggest fireworks event in Norfolk (and you can’t get out on Guy Fawkes weekend) on Saturday 12th November, Norfolk Showground is hosting it’s Autumn Lights Fireworks Fiesta. With children’s display alongside the main display later in the evening, glowing roaming entertainers, large street food and drink village, DJ’s, funfair and more!

This is just a small selection of the events happening in Norfolk this Halloween and Guy Fawkes, if we had decided to put them all on our blog, you would be here reading for hours! If you would like to browse more events however that are on in the area click think links below;

- Best Halloween Events In Norfolk -

- Best Bonfire Events In Norfolk -

We still have some limited glamping availability for both of these fun filled weekends, so if you fancy an escape into the woodland, click the ‘Glamping’ tab at the top of this page to browse our accommodation and book your stay.

5 Reasons To Take A Family Glamping Trip This August

Whether it was a single trip as a child or regular weekend getaways, chances are you've been camping at least once. But have you ever thought about or tried glamping? The opportunity to spend time in nature is frequently the most compelling reason to choose a glamping getaway. With so much technology in our lives, from smartphones to smart homes, many travellers are choosing to reconnect with nature and escape the chaos of modern-day life. Whether a totally new experience for everyone or a chance to rekindle those childhood memories with your loved ones, here are our top five reason’s to love glamping this August.

  1. It’s The Best Of Both Worlds

    Because glamping is derived from camping, it means that you get all the best parts - but way less stress and way more luxuries. At Happy Valley, we have real beds, home comforts, fire pits and hot tubs… all are set in the heart of 9 acres of woodland to explore. With fire pits for marshmallow toasting, barbecuing and storytelling around the fire in the evenings, you still get to grab the best parts of a fun camping trip, just with the added luxuries.

  2. It’s An Affordable Family Break Away

    It’s so easy to plan a last-minute glamping trip with your family, without the stress of flights, passports and all the extra added stress (and costs) that jetting abroad brings. Staycations offer you a viable alternative to travelling abroad with less travel time, reduced travel fees and often cheaper activities whilst you are there. In Norfolk this season, there is lots going on from carnivals and festivals to family attractions such as BeWilderwood, Sandringham Estate and exploring the Norfolk coastline.

  3. Make New Memories & Traditions

    Just like we all have birthday or Christmas traditions for example, why not start a glamping tradition with your kids this summer? It will be something that the whole family can enjoy, you can explore new areas and it will be something that they will remember for life. It’s also fabulous for a couple of families looking to get away and enjoy a new experience together, so you can all stay in the same place and share all of the fun.

  4. A Natural Experience

    There is no comparison between staying in a resort or hotel and experiencing nature in the wild. Being in the great outdoors provides us with a sense of freedom that other vacations do not provide. It can also make us truly appreciate the natural world we live in and make us think more consciously about how to be more sustainable when we get home. This is also a great learning curve for your children, implementing an eco-friendly mindset from an early age.

  5. Recharge Everyone’s Batteries Before Autumn

Taking yourself off the grid is a great way to rejuvenate yourself before the school holidays end. Nature is good for your emotional, physical, and spiritual batteries. It offers a sense of calm and peace. In these moments, you become conscious and gain a new perspective on whatever is going on in your life. You’ll return home with a fresh headspace and feel revived from your trip away. As we love to say; disconnect to reconnect, and being in nature with your family is the perfect place to do so.

To book your last-minute getaway, click the ‘Glamping” tab at the top of our website. We also now have our books open for bookings from September - early January 2023.

Toad Hall - Only available for one 3 night stay this month Monday 29th August - Thursday 1st September

Explore the wildlife and the woodland at Happy Valley Norfolk

Our gorgeous Keepers Cabin nestled in the pine trees