Autumn Equinox

Today is the Autumn Equinox, aka Mabon, a powerful time of the year where day and night dance in perfect balance, where the sun and moon equally share the sky. We open the doors to Autumn and give thanks and honour the harvest just gone. Even when the harvest wasn’t quite what was expected there’s always something to be grateful for.

A time of balance between the seasons. Holding this transitional space without fear is on our Happy Valley affirmations list and not always easy in the current climate. But we all know that fears makes the wolf look bigger & we turn to Mother Nature for a word of wisdom.

The Equinox is a time honoured by many cultures including us here at Happy Valley. The nights become chillier and before we even see the change in the landscape our senses notice the changing seasons. We can marvel at how Mother Earth shows us that nothing is constant and how this is reflected in our world.
This too shall pass.

We celebrate the land and its history for it has seen this all before and we celebrate all of you who’ve shared this crazy journey which is 2020. We’ve made it to Autumn & that is worth celebrating.

The Gift of Togetherness this Christmas

We still have some Christmas availability to book your stay together at Happy Valley Norfolk… all dates now online. Set in 9 acres of undisturbed Winter Wonderland you’ll have an abundance of precious time to reconnect with yourselves, each other and nature!

The Woodpecker now comes with the luxury of an en-suite bathroom… perfect for a family of 4 looking to snuggle up together by the fire this Christmas with all of your home comforts taken care of. Woodpecker has a thoughtfully designed wooden kitchenette (fridge, hob, kettle, toaster, utensils, cafetiere… there are always marshmallows for winter warming hot chocolates and toasting by the fire!) dining table, wood burner, and king sized sleeping for adults with separate hand crafted child-friendly bunk beds. Outdoor BBQ and fire-pit, hammock, rope swing, woodland garden, outdoor bbq area. Feel free to give us a call if you'd like anymore info - 01485 600719 (9am - 6pm) or email us hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

https://www.happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk/woodpecker

Layer up this Christmas and take a stroll through the woodland to experience forest therapy as a family. The Japanese practice Forest Bathing as a healing and preventive health care. It's not hard to see why. Then you can literally bathe in the forest in the wood fired Hot Tub whilst enjoying a spot of star gazing!

Create your family Christmas at Happy Valley to experience uninterrupted woodland magic, comfort and joy!

“Well maintained, every detail carefully presented...a venue where the little things count...
Excellent facilities and nothing too much trouble.
A place you love spending time, rain or shine. Whatever the weather, Happy Valley is the cosiest, most welcoming home from home.” ~ Daisy Line

Get Cosy this Christmas at Happy Valley

Are you looking for somewhere cosy and comfortable for your family to stay this Christmas? Look no further than the pine tree canopy at Happy Valley Norfolk. Wake up on Christmas Day to the sound of bird song and crackling logs on the fire in your hand crafted woodland cabin.

Winter is the snuggest season of all at Happy Valley.  We’re nestled away in the Norfolk countryside with an eclectic mix of the cosiest cabins, a wood fired hot tub for forest bathing and some of the most wonderful woodland walks.

Festive Woodland Walks

Wood Fired Hot Tub

We’re offering a Winter Woodland Exclusive Hire Deal for Christmas 2019. Spend a magical Christmas in the wilderness with your loved ones. Enjoying the peaceful luxury of the entire Norfolk Wildlife Trust Site to yourselves. Wrapping up warm in cosy layers taking walks through the woodland and celebrating all things festive fireside. Please call to take advantage of this Christmas Offer on 01485 600719.

For a little bit of luxury this Christmas Stay in Toad Hall our Luxury Tree House Lodge with under floor heating for that snuggle value, king size accommodation and its own private hot tub. Comfortably sleeps a family of 4-6!

We have gift vouchers available if you’d like to treat someone dear to a stay here in the heart of nature.

To book your cosy Christmas with us please contact one of our friendly forest elves:

Telephone: 01485 600719

Email: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Instagram: @happyvalleynorfolk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorfolkWeddingVenue/

Give the Gift of Glamping

If you’re starting to think about Christmas gifts.. look no further than a Happy Valley gift voucher. The thoughtful gift of rest in nature for your loved ones this year. What would say Happy Christmas more than treating someone to a well deserved break at Happy Valley?

The Woodland View from King Nutkin

Cosying up Fireside in King Nutkin

The Woodpeckers spacious kitchen and family dining area

We have a marvellous mix of characterful cabins to stay in this Christmas and into the New year. Ranging from romantic Shepherds huts for 2 people to lodges with King Sized accommodation for all the family. We’re nestled away in the Norfolk countryside with the cosiest handmade cabins, locally sourced produce on your doorstep, a great selection of restaurants and nature as your host. We’ve tried and tasted The Dabbling Duck which we’d highly recommend, just a short drive away for a hearty feed and drinks. The Ffolkes Arms is ideal for families, with an extensive menu and superb outdoor play area for children.

Romantic Shepherds Huts Denver Rest & Tawny

Perfect snuggle option for couples

Glamping at Happy Valley Norfolk is the gift experience that will treat your special someone to an immersive break in nature, whilst relaxing in accommodation that appeals to those looking to experience a more comfort-orientated break. Toad Hall our luxurious Tree House comes with underfloor heating to ensure maximum snuggle value and it’s own private hot tub overlooking rolling Norfolk fields.

With gift vouchers starting from as little as £100 up to £500 - get ahead of the Christmas rush and secure yours to ensure peace of mind. Gift vouchers are valid for 12 months following purchase date allowing plenty of opportunity for the Glamping gift to be enjoyed.

Testimonials from Happy Valley Glampers

Laura Sables

‘Stayed here for 3 nights and loved it. Comfort whilst camping, this is glamping done right. Whilst reading a bedtime story with my 3 yr old about owls we actually had a couple of owls calling back and forth. Was magical. Also close to lots of great family friendly days out. Thank you for the memories’

Claire Saunders

‘This place is just beautiful and really peacful with just the birds in the trees and cows in the field.
Katy and Scott were really welcoming and on hand if we needed them. Offering advice on the best walks, cycle routes and local pubs.
King nutkin has everything we wanted for a weekend away. It offers warmth from the cold with it's own wood burner, a handy kitchenette, a cozy corner with a big comfy bed, its own toilet and shower room and a bbq with a fire pit just outside. If you love the outdoors and fancy a cheeky little get away I cant recommend this place enough!’

Our family run team will ensure your gift is gratefully received. Please get in touch today!

Telephone: 01485 600719

Email: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Instagram: @happyvalleynorfolk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorfolkWeddingVenue/

Into the Wild

“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.” 
― David Attenborough

Stepping into the Wild from our King Bell Tent

Happy Valley Norfolk is home to a wilderness of natural habitats.  We’re proud to be a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site and play an important role in protecting our natural heritage.  All of our builds are sympathetic to the surrounding habitats.  We hand dig all foundations and create space under each cabin for wildlife to flourish. The wild grounds here are an abundant life source of excitement for us too, which is why we’re eager to share their beauty with you.

Lake life at Happy Valley

Happy Valley Norfolk is set in 9 acres of ancient woodland and meadowland where nature quietly thrives.  Our tranquil site is wildlife rich and home to many species including song birds and owls; bats taking flight with the rare long eared bat spotted hanging out here, squirrels scaling sky high pines, rabbits, hare, munt jack and deer hopping and skipping through whilst nestled in the safe space of our forest are hedgehogs, badgers, stoats and foxes taking sanctuary.  Butterflies, Dragon Flies, Bees and Moths weave in and out of the flora whilst our lake of whispering Willows overlooks plentiful pond-life. During the summer of 2019 we’ve planted acres of wildflower and our Sainfoin field at the family farm produces pink blooms which are a magnet to insects.

A safe space for children & wildlife

As a family we’ve immersed our children in nature with the forest floor as their playground.  We’ve created a Glamping site in harmony with wild inhabitants to encourage other families to harness an appreciation of wildlife and how we can all relate positively to the natural world that unconditionally sustains us.

The more we enrich our bond with Mother Nature, the more likely we are to conserve her future. Spending time outdoors in nature each day is the healthiest way to strengthen our connection with our natural roots. Encouraging our children to form respectful connections with our natural neighbours is perhaps the most precious way to keep our wild heritage alive!

We’ve illustrated our natural habitat for all who come to stay and developed activity sheets to encourage families to explore their wild surroundings together.

How can you connect with nature at Happy Valley? Let us name just a few naturally healing things to do… from forest bathing to star gazing, hunting for bugs, foraging for fruits and making mindfully natural mandalas, taking time out for wildlife spotting from the comfort of your hammock and for the more adventurous walking deep into the woods to discover natures treasures.

Sir David Attenborough, Stephen Fry, Catherine Tate, Alison Steadman and Asim Chaudhry have backed a new campaign from The Wildlife Trusts that calls for a wilder future and for nature’s recovery in the UK.
 
The conservationist and actors have starring roles in a new Wind in the Willows film trailer which brings to life the 21st century threats facing the much-loved characters from Kenneth Grahame’s children’s classic. The animated trailer calls on everyone to help bring our wildlife back before it’s too late, so that we can all enjoy a wilder future.
 
At Happy Valley we named our naturally built treehouse ‘Toad Hall’ after being inspired by the Wind in the Willows tale as children.  We hope that a stay here with your offspring inspires you and your wildlings to deepen your connection with nature and ignite your passion for a wilder future!

Toad Hall at Happy Valley

To re-wild yourself and experience all of the natural wonders at Happy Valley, contact one of our forest friendly team today.

Keep it Wild Norfolk!

E: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

T: 01485 600719

Instagram: @Happyvalleynorfolk

Tribe Norfolk Weekend 2019

The gorgeous family festival that is Tribe Norfolk weekend returns to Happy Valley for the second year on the 13 & 14th July. The perfect day out in Norfolk or make a weekend of it and camp over. There’s a little glamping still available!

Celebrating all that is Norfolk. 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 workshops for all ages plus enjoy holistic therapies in the nurturing and supportive community in which Tribe Norfolk has become. 

BUY TICKETS HERE

The fab Mim Howell will be doing festival taster photoshoots for the family

Santosha Yoga

Emily will be returning to Tribe Norfolk Weekend 2019 with her hip hop and reggae yoga for all ages. Pre-booking will be available soon and we recommend securing your space (classes are free but spaces limited) and there may be opportunity for drop-ins on the day.

Mumma Wolf

Mumma Wolf is a project which aims to empower families through yoga,  mindfulness and a connection with nature. Working with Tribe Norfolk, we've created a yoga experience for all little people and families: short bursts of yogic story-telling, free for all families throughout the day, surrounded by the sighing stream and whispering willows of a magical little island nestled right in the heart of Happy Valley. For calm, for fun and for connection. We want your Tribe Norfolk Weekend to be as experiential as possible - an opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. We have some wonderful workshops for you and your family to enjoy…. grab your tickets now!

BeWILDerwood

The Twiggle Team from BeWILDerwood will be at Tribe Norfolk festival again with some of your favourite curious characters from the woods. Expect games, giggles, storytelling and crafting in true BeWILDerwood style! Fabulous, family fun.

Stitch Me Happy

Grown ups and children can have fun learning how to turn old clothes and fabric scraps into simple and effective jewellery. With a focus on limiting the waste involved in sewing/clothes making, all of the buttons, beads, ribbon, feathers and tassels that can be added to the handmade jewellery are remnants/second hand or made from second hand materials.

Pottery Workshops

Claire of Wayside Pottery and Alice Cary Art will be joining forces to expand on the pottery workshops we held last year. Claire’s stand was booked through Tribe Norfolk 2018 and the feedback from the children was hugely positive.

Alice’s work is inspired by her travels and the Norfolk coastal landscape. Alice creates functional ceramics, some of which are illustrated. Alice also works with various printmaking techniques onto clay using coloured slips, sponges and rollers. She creates her own work from her studio in north Norfolk. At Tribe Norfolk she will be helping with have a go at a throw as well as the primitive clay workshops. 

Pretty Cactus Plants

Donna of Pretty Cactus Plants will be offering simple macrame workshops, making plant holders and beautiful home decor. Email Donna direct to arrange your workshop, drop-in on the day may be available.

Feathers and Futures

Feathers Futures Community Interest Company was set up to empower and enable women to make positive choices about their futures. We have a base in Great Yarmouth where women over the age of 18 are welcome to come and access support, build confidence, resilience and reduce isolation. Currently there are around 50 women accessing our workshops and courses on offer, as well as our peer support groups. Our aim is to offer that safe, supportive place for women to grow.

We have some amazing musical talent in Norfolk and a stellar line-up of bands and artists appearing at Tribe Norfolk Weekend 2019. Buy your tickets before the event to avoid higher prices on the door and to the full list of artists performing, pay a visit to our Bands Page.

Last year’s performers Sam Coe & The Long Shadows will be headlining again with their blend of modern country and we’re delighted to welcome Pirate Joe / The Foreign Locals - an unmissable act with a unique cabaret of travelling stories.

Mengelmoes will delight with a jazz-funk, alternative, indie mish-mash from the band hailing from Norwich and Front Bangs appear with an indie rock sound and energetic stage show. The Magic E’s are a melodic rock ‘n’ roll band with years of music industry experience between them whilst Backwards City are a new up-and-coming trio with an ambient, downtempo sound.

Mengelmoes will delight with a jazz-funk, alternative, indie mish-mash from the band hailing from Norwich and Front Bangs appear with an indie rock sound and energetic stage show. The Magic E’s are a melodic rock ‘n’ roll band with years of music industry experience between them whilst Backwards City are a new up-and-coming trio with an ambient, downtempo sound.

Feeling the Love at Happy Valley

So, a few Sundays ago I awake with a message from a friend to say we've been featured in the Mail Travel Section. Heart palpitations the lot - initially i thought it was online only but then heard we were in the Sunday newspaper on a double page spread. #hysteria 

We've been so overwhelmed with the feedback we've had from our new little site in rural Norfolk. 

Happy Valley holds so much magic that we feel totally blessed that we can share this with everyone else. 

It has been a long old slog with planning permissions and the great Scottie (my husband) building everything you see. Yes, he's the clever clogs with incredible vision and I often play devils advocate & look for possible criticisms that guests may have so it's not been plain sailing for him either.  It's so heart warming to hear the incredible feedback and I have learnt a few things along the way. Everyones ideals are all different. I can't react to every suggestion by redesigning the site & it's contents!

Then to the discover we were in the Telegraph Travel pages last Saturday was the absolute cherry on top. You may have noticed I do bang on a little about Forest Bathing (shinrin-Yoku) - it means taking in the Forest atmosphere and was developed in Japan during the 80s. It has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese Medicine.  There is lots of evidence showing how it can benefit your health (see previous blog) and Happy Valley is the perfect environment for this. 

So, next news is that our Woodpecker Cabin is complete - I went in today & was blown away. I hope you are to. Here's a little sneak peak - Accepting bookings NOW email hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk or call Katy on 07739892144

Taking Bookings Now - 0773989214 or 01485 600719 email hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Bedroom with a view in the Woodpecker

The Woodpecker has more living space in a beautiful round home with bedroom extensions. A wood burner stove, hot plate, hob, toaster, kettle. BBQ, fiepit, outdoor seating, woodland garden. There's lovely waterfall showers and toilets close by. 

BTW - The hot tubs are on hold as a new idea has taken over.... more on that soon.

The Woodpecker has both woodland and open views, a wood burner, king size bed, bunk beds, hob etc

Bedroom View from the Woodpecker

Below are our other units thus far................. we've also added a childrens play area :)

our Spacious King Bell Tent is an under canvas experience for the whole family. Beautiful dappled light shines throughout and you're surrounded by nature.

no pics today Mum! couldn't leave this one out though. The lights are constantly changing #NaturalLight  

We are lovers of Instagram and you can see all our progress at Happy Valley on there - @HappyVNorfolk our hastag is the same #HappyVNorfolk

Twitter - @HappyVNorfolk @NorfolkGlamping & @NorfolkVenue

Facebook - Happy Valley Norfolk - Venue & Glamping Retreat

A Taste of Summer

Glamping at Happy Valley

We've been getting a little excited this past week as the temperatures have reached 23 and the holidays have hit our household. Grateful for the longer days and warm sunshine.

Happy Valley is evolving as we add family glamping units. Scott has been busy building some very smart deckings for the bell tents this year. We've invested in a new 6m Bell Tent and added a King size bed & 2 singles. The next Tree Cabin is in progress and the Treehouse build soon to start! 

Our Brand New 6m Queenie Bell is up and raring to go. We thought we'd add another King Size Bed as I know we love a big bed and the occasions when the bambinos creep in means you won't be so tight on room. We also added 2 single beds which can be used alone or pushed together.  Camping Plates, bowls, cups, cutlery are included - BBQ, Washing up bowl & Gas camping stove. All with a Beautiful Woodland Garden to immerse yourselves in.

Email hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk or call Katy on 01485 600719

We've been eager to open up our site to more families in the holidays as it's a great environment to be in with your children. Raising our family at Happy Valley we spend endless hours in the woods. Creating our own mini adventures at the faraway tree and signature oak. Climbing fallen trunks and absorbing nature has definitely improved our lives. The forest is a magical place and with children it really does come alive with magic.

We also rear our own Short Horn cows on the farm so you can go a visit the cows and will often see the sheep on the surrounding fields. There's some fab off road trails to bike down with rolling routes through idyllic woodland.

We LOVE instagram - please find us @HappyVNorfolk or if you visit then please tag us #HappyVNorfolk - Twitter -  Facebook

Our guests sent us this picture of their alfresco breakfast at Denver Rest

Denver Rest (below) sits with Tawny Hut and is great for 2 couples or if you have an older child that would prefer their own space. Both heated. Tawny houses a Super King Real Bed. Denver Rest has a real double bed, kitchenette, outdoor undercover kitchen. BBQ Area. To sleep 2 from £75 night - 4 from £115 night  hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk 01485 600719

Shepherds Huts in woodland surrounding with sheep grazing in the fields nearby. You can take yourself back to the days when the shepherds lived in these huts and tendered their sheep.

Our King Nutkin Shepherds Hut (above) has a King Size real bed, kitchen with fridge, hob, breakfast bar, utensils etc. Decking seating. BBQ area. Fire pit. Woodland Garden. We will be adding a hot tub to this unit May 2017. New toilets & waterfall Showers. Norfolk Glamping in Laid back luxury. 

We rear our own Short Horn Cattle at Happy Valley - here they are enjoying some R&R on the hills. Short Horn are a very docile breed of cows. They produce marbled beef with a great texture. It's nice to know they have a very happy life with little stress. 

i've always found it hard to practice mindfullness and meditate but surrounded by the forest with open views it is starting to get a lot easier. 

Scientific Proof that Woodland Glamping can improve your Health!

Why Glamping at Happy Valley Norfolk can improve your health and nourish your soul.

Most people believe that the outdoors is good for us. Now there’s a ton of research proving that time out in nature is essential to our physical, psychological health and well-being.

Reduce Stress

Immersing ourselves in the Forest aka “Forest Bathing” refers to time spent amongst the trees. This has now been scientifically proven as having a positive impact on reducing stress levels and lowering blood pressure. Forest Bathing is a long valued preventative medicine in cultures such as Japan but we’re only just cottoning on here in the West.

King Nutkin – King Size Bed, Wood Burner, Kitchenette, BBQ, Firepit, Private Heated Toilet & Shower. Woodland Garden. 

The road into Happy Valley is just as idyllic

Lift your Mood

One reason Mother Nature may work as such a great stress-buster is through scent. The scent of fresh pine has even been shown to lower depression and anxiety. In addition to helping decrease stress levels, spending more time with nature shows a shift toward a more positive mood says Judith Heerwagon, a Seattle based environmental psychologist.

Have Better Sleep ZZZZZzzzzzzzz

 Evidence suggest that being amongst forests may pay a pivotal role in the sleep you get at night. The study found that being in nature improves physical activity levels, which in turn promote sound sleep at night. A new study shows exposure to a natural environment may help people get the sleep they need said lead author Diana Grisby – Toussaint.

With a Super King Bed, Woodburner, Kitchenette, Breakfast Bar, Private Heated Toilet and Shower Room and woodland garden. Not hard to get a good night sleeps. Glamping in laid back luxury.

Be More Creative

If you’re feeling  a little uninspired or lacking creativity then a break in the forest is the best remedy. According to David Strayer P.H.D a Professor of cognition and neural science at the university of Utah, modern multitasking overtakes brain areas that are involved in supressing distracting thinking creatively, and developing a sense of identity. David Stayer discovered that four days backpacking in nature improved peoples creativity by 50%.

Heal your Body as Well as your Mind

Nature doesn’t just have an effect on the mind. Roger S. Ulrich, PhD, director of the Center for Health Systems and Design at Texas A&M University, has found that nature can help the body heal, too.

In his most well-known study, Ulrich investigated the effect that views from windows had on patients recovering from abdominal surgery. He discovered that patients whose hospital rooms overlooked trees had an easier time recovering than those whose rooms overlooked brick walls. Patients able to see nature got out of the hospital faster, had fewer complications and required less pain medication than those forced to stare at a wall.

Like other researchers, Ulrich has found that simply viewing representations of nature can help. In a study at a Swedish hospital, for instance, he found that heart surgery patients in intensive care units could reduce their anxiety and need for pain medication by looking at pictures depicting trees and water.

Pic taken - January 2017

If you’re interested in booking a stay at Happy Valley then please call Katy on 01485 600719 or email –  hello@HappyValleyNorfolk.co.uk

Use discount code – JanDeal to receive 5% off your booking – Valid from Dec 16 – Feb 17

Don’t worry about the cold. All our units are heated. You will have your own private heated shower & toilet to.

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We start our Treehouse Build late Feb 17 – Follow us on Social Media to see our progress

xxx