5 Ways to Celebrate the Spring Equinox

The first day of spring according to our celestial calendar is this Thursday the 20th of March. Not only does it bring with it the promise of warmer days and lighter evenings, but also new life across all of nature. The world is waking up from its winter slumber and reminding us how beautiful renewal can be. The Spring Equinox, or Ostara, is the perfect time for setting new intentions and aligning ourselves with a new energy - one that can carry us into rebirth and whatever that means for you.

If you love the idea of celebrating the first day of spring, but you’re not sure how to - then this blog post is for you!

1) MAKE A SUN-CATCHER WITH YOUR CHILDREN

This easy DIY craft uses materials you probably already have in your home and is a wonderful way to have a conversation with little ones about the changing seasons. Go for a little nature walk to collect some leaves, daisies, grass - anything that symbolises new life and watch little adventurers celebrate the extra hours of sunlight with this wholesome craft. For a full tutorial on how to make one, click here.

2) PLAN AND MAKE A SPRINGTIME MEAL

The new season is a perfect opportunity to head to a farmer’s market near you and see what local produce they have available. Planning a family meal around a set list of ingredients feels like a mindful way to align with nature whilst nourishing your body at the same time.

3) DECORATE EGGS TO DISPLAY

With Easter on the horizon, now is a great time to decorate eggs and display them in your home. Eggs are a popular symbol of Ostara since they suggest fertility and birth. Ostara takes its name after the Germanic goddess Eostre/Ostara, who was traditionally honoured with festivals to celebrate re-birth. You could use real eggs (after washing them) or wooden eggs to create centrepieces or hanging decorations.

4) SET NEW INTENTIONS

Sun through the trees at Happy Valley Norfolk

At Happy Valley Norfolk we love setting intentions for the season ahead, and spring is no exception. Whilst the rest of the world celebrates the New Year in January, we like to celebrate it in spring.

It’s a wonderful time to look back on the year and reflect, practice some yoga or meditation and think about how you want the rest of the year to look for you. If you’ve been wanting to try a new hobby, perhaps cycling or willow weaving, the universe is in the perfect place to support you now.

5) SPEND A WEEKEND IN NATURE

There’s no better time than spring in nature; ducklings adorn every pond, lambs frolic happily in the fields, daffodils inject energy into every countryside view, children can collect daisies again, and you can enjoy longer days and evenings outside. A glamping getaway at Happy Valley Norfolk is the perfect place to spend a few days this season. Check out this blog post for an array of family-friends activities that are happening around Easter near us. Whether you’re looking for a cosy shepherd’s hut with a fire pit to really get in tune with nature, or a luxury lodge with a hot tub so you can unwind in total peace and tranquillity, there’s accommodation for every traveller at Happy Valley Norfolk. Book your stay with us now and experience the magic of the woods during this special time.


Wishing you a glorious Easter

Easter Table Set-Up in Woodpecker Cabin @ Happy Valley Norfolk

Easter is a beautiful holiday, it’s a time to celebrate the Spring, rebirth, a new awakening and endless opportunity as the sun rays stay out a little longer warming the earth.

At Happy Valley, buds are starting to open and reveal shoots of new growth of leaves, the pond is glistening with the light from the sun, daffodils are spread amongst the grass and the birds are tweeting a new spring chorus. 

Hot Cross Buns & Hot Chocolate in the cosy Keepers Cabin @ Happy Valley Norfolk

Imagine setting up an Easter egg hunt for your little family throughout the woodland surrounding your private cabin, tucking into hot cross buns on the wrap around porch surrounding Keepers Cabin, preparing an Easter feast while looking out of the framed picture windows onto a woodland landscape watching the squirrels play mischievously together up and down the trees. Imagine watching the sunset from the west of the site, breathing deeply, immersed in nature, inhaling the forest with the possibility of an even better day tomorrow. Taking a well deserved dip in the bubbling hot tub, underneath the trees looking up at a sky full of stars thanks to Happy Valley being a dark sky site. 

To me, that sounds like a slice of heaven on earth. A trip to remember and the lucky guests who have booked with us for the Easter weekend will be able to experience all of that and more.

Toad Hall @ Happy Valley Norfolk

We have availability in Keepers Cabin and Toad Hall from the 8th to the 12th April, if you too want to carve out your own piece of Easter Holiday heaven. You can book now by clicking here. 

From all of us at Happy Valley Norfolk, we want to wish you all a happy Easter and a glorious break - Oh and don‘t forget our Spring Rising Day Festival on the 11th May, from 1pm you can join us for a family-friendly day festival with market stalls, craft workshops, delicious food, cocktails and mocktails from the Cattle Yard Bar and a fantastic DJ so you can dance the night away! £3 entry and Free parking on site. We are pulling out all the stops to ensure a lively and exciting event. 

We can’t wait to see you there!x

Spring has Sprung at Happy Valley

Wedding Season is about to kick off here at Happy Valley and we’re reminded of some of the beautiful Spring Weddings from last year.

There’s endless back drops to choose from for your outdoor ceremony whether you’re looking for an “I Do” on the island surrounded by water or immersed in the forest for a Woodland Wedding. There’s nothing quite like nature to calm those Wedding nerves.

No need to panic if Spring has sprung a leak. We’ve got 2 barns and a gorgeous undercover area to hold your ceremony when the great British Weather ins’t playing ball.

The amazing suppliers we had the pleasure of working with for Jennie and Jamies special Spring Wedding -
Photographer - Aurora Grey Photography Flowers - @wildfolkflowers Catering @funnellskitchen Film - @shutterboxfilms Music @boujeemusiclive

Gorgeous reminder of Kate & Ollie’s beautiful May Wedding at Happy Valley last year.

Kates vision came to life with this stunning outdoor ceremony on Willow island followed by woodland pics & a barn wedding reception. Photographer - @artandstorystudio Florist - @thenorfolkfloralstudio Videographer - Moon Cast Cake - @bunsoffunemma Evening Caterers @SquillaandSquidge Daytime Caterers - Tom Oldridge

Elly & Billy rocked an April Wedding at Happy Valley using the wizard tree as the alter with the water in the backdrop. Supported by some amazing suppliers below -

Hayley Clark Make up, Dick Ropa Entertainment. The Nashville Heat. Alice Cunliffe Photography Wild Folk Florist

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter Holidays and can’t wait to see you for celebrations this year.

LOVE the little Happy Valley Crew.

x