Christmas & New Year Availability

A New Year, a new start, a new wave of hope. Never has the countdown to end one era and begin another been so welcome or so needed. CS Lewis said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we will leave behind” and boy, do we need to leave Covid behind in 2020.

For every goodbye, there’s a shiny hello into something new and we now have 365 fresh chances ahead of us. When we say goodbye to 2020, let us say goodbye to loneliness, to separation, to anxiety about the unknown and when we say hello to 2021, let us remember what a global pandemic has taught us about the importance of togetherness.

At Happy Valley, while the world sat still, we watched nature blossom and would love nothing more than to welcome you to the landscape that kept us safe and sane this year. Heated and insulated cabins, surrounded by the magic of whispering trees, there’s no better place to reflect and feel renewed than Happy Valley.

Choice of bespoke heated cabins -

Toad Hall Treehouse - (Private Hot Tub) – king bed, double bed + 2 kids sleeping options, ensuite wet room, fully functional kitchen, open plan living and balconies

Xmas Week 23-27/28th = £1495

*NYE 30th December - 3/4th Jan = £1495

Keeper’s Cabin - (Private Hot Tub) – fully functional kitchen, living space, log burner, 2 king beds, single bed, ensuite shower room.

*XMAS - 23rd - 27/28th December = £999

*NYE - 30th December - 3/4th Jan = £999

Woodpecker Tree Temple (Private Hot Tub) – king bed, built-in bunkbed, kitchenette, ensuite shower room and log burner

*XMAS - 23 – 27th/28th December - £750

*NYE - 30th – 3/4th January - £750

King Nutkin Shepherd Hut – Kitchenette, log burner, breakfast bar, king bed, heated shower room/toilet a short walk away. Outdoor bbq/firepit. Balcony.

18-21st December - £225

21st – 23rd December - £185

*XMAS - 23 – 27th/28th December - £395

*NYE - 30th – 3/4th January - £550

Denver Rest – real double bed, outdoor undercover kitchenette, bbq/firepit, heated toilet/shower room a short walk away

18 - 21st December - £175

21st – 23rd December - £135

*XMAS - 23 – 27th/28th December - £325

*NYE - 30th – 3/4th January - £449

With nine acres for socially distanced walks, hand sanitiser dotted around the trees and a certification as a Covid-secure venue, we want you to have fun and feel safe. As you start the first page of a brand-new story, let Happy Valley create an opening chapter you’ll always remember.

Here’s to the beginning of the end of Covid and the start of a happier, healthier future for us all.

Happy Valley’s Season of Giving Giveaway

Thomas S. Monson once said, “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting”. It’s been a tough year and we could all do with a little pick-me-up but sometimes it feels even better to give, than it is to receive.

Whether it’s a neighbour who has checked in on us, a key worker who hasn’t stopped, or a family member delivering food parcels, we all have someone to be grateful for during this time.

What if you could show your appreciation by giving them a gift that didn’t cost you anything? If it sounds like the perfect, win-win situation, it’s because it is.

Happy Valley and Tribe Norfolk have teamed up with some incredibly talented and kind-hearted local suppliers living and working in Norfolk. They’ve all had a challenging year, but they are all about the Christmas spirit and want to help you spread a little cheer.

Each day, from Sunday 13th December until Christmas, we will be giving you the opportunity to nominate a worthy friend to receive a special Christmas treat. This will be featured across our social media channels. All you need to do is like the post on Instagram, follow the supplier and Happy Valley and nominate your friend worthy of the prize – let them know you care and the reasons why. If you see the prize on Facebook or Linked In, tag the friend you’d like to nominate and share the post. A winner will be selected and announced every day and boy do we have some amazing prizes up for grabs.

Nothing ever seems too bad, no mountain seems too hard to climb, when you know there’s someone cheering you on from the side lines. Be that person for someone else this Christmas and nominate them for Happy Valley’s Season of Giving Giveaway.   

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

Heres a list of all those getting involved in our Winter Giveaway

Imogen Davison – Sugar Buttons Cakes

Sugar Buttons Wedding Cakes & Courses by Imogen Davison (sugarbuttonscakes.com)

@sugarbuttonscakes

Hannah Hunnam Floristry

Hannah Hunnam Flowers — Norfolk Florist

@hannah.hunnam

Aurora Grey Photography

Documentary wedding photographer | Aurora Grey | England

@auroragreyphoto

Purple Plum Catering

Caterers Norwich, Norfolk - Wedding & Event Catering (purpleplumcatering.co.uk)

@purpleplumcatering

Natalie Boon – WildFolk Florist

Wedding florist Norwich (thewildfolkflorist.co.uk)

@thewildfolkflorist

Lucy Stubbs Farm SFA Alpacas

Stubbs Farm Alpacas

@stubbs_farm_alpacas

Duration Brewing

Farmhouse Family Brewery in Norfolk | Duration Brewing (durationbeer.com)

@durationbeer

Folk in a Field

Folk in a Field Festival | Folkinafield.co.uk | England

@folkinafield

Mason’s Great Events Co

Mason’s Great Event Co. | Wedding & Event Planner | Norwich, Norfolk

@masonsgreateventco

Tribe Norfolk

Shop — Tribe Norfolk

@tribenorfolk

Happy Valley Norfolk

Glamping in Norfolk — Happy Valley Norfolk

@happyvalleynorfolk

Happy Valley Believes

We’ve watched the world from our window seat. Seasons have rolled in and out, like waves lapping against the shore. Time has played tricks on our mind, with long stretches of inactivity laid out before us and then a whirlwind of chaos flurrying in. With the uncertainty we all face, Happy Valley is hanging onto the hope of Christmas.

The warmth of hot chocolates and mulled wine by the fire, the enchantment of hearing sleigh bells jangle overhead and the sparkle of lights on in windows, brings this winter season to life. Looking out into the abyss of darkness, the vast landscape rolling out in front of the night sky – just when you think you’re all alone, you see a candle come on, a lantern light up and a fire glow in the distance.

At Happy Valley, we believe in community coming together, we believe in the hopes and dreams of others and we most definitely believe in the magic of Christmas.

Our Happy Valley elves have been busy preparing for the festivities and our cabins have been spruced up, ready to welcome you back this winter. Secret Santas have climbed up on their shelves, angels have taken position overhead, garlands have lovingly wrapped themselves around the beams and the baubles have bounced into position.

If you’re wondering where to go on holiday in the UK this Christmas then why not try beautiful North Norfolk. Surrounded by wide open spaces, beautiful off road walks, stunning award winning beaches and plenty of fresh air to keep you healthy.

What better way to celebrate each other this year than to take a staycation in the beautiful county of Norfolk.

Our cabins:

Toad Hall – a sumptuous treehouse, sleeping four adults and two children. This comes with a private hot tub, wheelchair accessible ramp, wetroom ensuite, open plan kitchenette, wine cooler, and outside decking area.

Woodpecker – a magical bell temple, sleeping either four adults or two adults and two children. This is an open plan room with king sized bed, adult-sized bunk bed, log burner, dining area, DVD player and ensuite shower room.

Denver Rest – a shepherd hut amongst the trees, sleeping two adults. This cosy hut comes with an outdoor kitchenette, a fire pit, and a shower room a short walk away.

King Nutkin – a love nest for two, sleeping two adults. This comes with a log burner, indoor kitchenette with a shower room a short walk away.

Christmas Cabin - yet to be named, our latest log cabin is coming along a treat and will make for the perfect Christmas surprise. Sleeping four adults (with the potential of two children), it comes with an ensuite shower room, open plan kitchen and living room, two bedrooms, a wrap around porch and a private woodfired hot tub.

Our current availability: availability can change quickly as we have instant booking on other sites.

Toad Hall – Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Woodpecker – Friday 4th December – Monday 7th December, Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Denver Rest – Friday 4th December – Monday 7th December, Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

King Nutkin – Friday 4th December – Monday 7th December, Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th December, Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Christmas Cabin - Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th December, Friday 11th – Monday 14th December, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December, Wednesday 16th December – Friday 18th December, Friday 18th December – Monday 21st December, Monday 21st December – Monday 27th December

Our safety measurements:

We take your safety very seriously which is why:

·       Each cabin is deep cleaned before and after your stay - no late check outs or early check ins allowed.

·       Christmas decorations are cleaned with covid antibacterial spray

·       Hand santisers throughout the venue and in all cabins, on the Hay Barn door and dotted around on some of the trees.

·       Each guest is required to fill out our Covid health questionnaire prior to arrival.

·       Guests are encouraged to regularly wash hands and are asked to wear masks when out and about in the local area

·       We ask every guest to scan the QR code onto their NHS app

·       There are nine acres to enable successful social distancing

·       Happy Valley has been a super host on Air BnB for five consecutive years due to excellent cleanliness

What 2020 guests have said about us:

“Happy Valley have gone to great lengths to follow COVID guidelines and have done a fantastic job. If you want clean accommodation and easy social distancing in these current times, this is the place for you”

For more reviews, please see:

·       https://www.happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk/glamping-reviews

·       https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1646534-d12723987-Reviews-Happy_Valley_Norfolk_Venue_Glamping_Retreat-Grimston_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html#REVIEWS

·       https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/26943531?source_impression_id=p3_1605182948_DFCeFZM%2FILv6UUl3&guests=1&adults=1

Happy Valley believes in the magic of Christmas, do you?

With love,

Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

To book our accommodation, please click here or contact hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Micro Weddings - The Celebration of Love

Unrestrained, uninhibited, free to choose the direction of your life and willing to go with the flow. You take life’s highs with the lows, you don’t sweat the small stuff, you love generously and you laugh raucously. If you embrace laughter lines, positivity and authenticity, it is likely you were born to meet another free-spirited soul and dance to the beat of your own drum. In essence, you were born to be part of the Happy Valley Tribe.

Here at Happy Valley, we don’t care what title you carry, what scars you hide or what expectations society has placed on you. We love you for who you love and for how you want to live and if you’re looking for an adventure, then we’re your kind of people and maybe a micro wedding is your kind of romance.

Reasons Happy Valley’s Micro Weddings are for the Wild At Heart

1. A Happy Valley soul is free to soar - we offer no stereotypes or conventional boxes but instead invite you to be your true, authentic self. There is nothing ‘girly’ or ‘manly’ about our venue, it is simply natural and stripped back so you can focus on what really matters. At Happy Valley, you can marry without the world watching and love without the world judging.

2. We don’t follow trends, we allow you to set them - we love a good Pinterest board like the next person but at Happy Valley, your big day is down to you and you alone. As a dry hire venue, we offer you a beautiful, blank canvas to put your stamp on and express yourself in every colour and style imaginable. This is your chance to go wild and we want your ideas, your creativity and your voice to be heard. Your wedding might be micro but your creativity can be mighty.

3. Choosing the road less travelled means throwing out the rulebook - use this opportunity to invite who you really want to be present at your wedding. We do not insist upon tradition or convention and encourage couples to be different. Transport yourself to another world by crossing over our wooden bridge to the Willow Island and cast every notion of normal behind. In our intimate ceremony location, surrounded by our lake, you are enveloped in love and get the chance to create your new kind of normal. Similarly, our cosy Hay Barn, equipped with log burner will give you all the warmth you need for a tight-knit circle of loved ones.

4. Happy Valley embraces all tribes - there is a confidence that comes with embracing and accepting who you are and all of our Happy Valley couples carry that confidence. Our couples are not afraid to let their true colours show. Guests are welcomed in wellies, heels, tattoos, wide-brimmed hats, pearls or piercings. At Happy Valley, anyone who wishes to encourage and not disparage will always be made to feel welcome, no matter their attire or their number.

Micro Wedding Package

Midweek and weekend availability, 2020 – 2021

Government permitting, Happy Valley can offer a micro wedding package of up to 30 guests, held in our cosy and rustic Hay Barn. Complete with fairy lights, log burner and indoor bar area, we can offer you free corkage, furniture, hot tubs, luxury glamping accommodation for the entire wedding party and exclusive use of our nine acres of ground, including enchanting woodlands and the magical experience of willow island.

A micro wedding will never minimise your love, but it will highlight what matters most. When it comes down to it, Covid will fade into the background and Happy Valley will create your unique lightning bolt moment that only gives space for your love to shine.

If you’d like to hear more about their micro wedding packages, please contact: weddings@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk.

With love,

Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

All photographs shared are from a real micro weddings held at Happy Valley this year.

Beautifully captured by @auroragreyphoto

Dress - @liribyrikidalal

Boutique - @thewhitegallery

Venue & Glamping - @happyvalleynorfolk

Props - @thelittlelendingco

Hair - @perfectsilhouettehairdressing

MUA - @bryonyhollandmua

Catering - @sallygsafternoonteas . .

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

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.

Location Location Location

In this season of uncertainty, there is an opportunity for growth and creativity. If a picture says a thousand words, then an entire photoshoot can give you a story, and people are looking for this now more than ever before.

While the world is kept inside, we look out towards the light and long to chase the clouds and catch the sun as it sets. We want to see rainbows, vast landscapes, and everything in between. In our enforced bubbles, we turn to family albums, postcards, magazine clippings and the endless reel on Instagram for comfort and for the hope of a better future.

We invite location scouts and managers, photographers, creatives and designers to Happy Valley where the options are endless. Whether you’re looking for a woodland wilderness, a little lake, rustic lodges, vintage barns, industrial spaces or an open field in the middle of nowhere then look no further. There’s an exciting portfolio of unique locations available for film and photographic shoots within this one Norfolk Venue.

Here we highlight the Hay Barn which is a great year round historic barn with a wood burner, bar area and chill out. It’s licensed for Weddings and perfect for a Micro Wedding.

Why not shoot and stay on site. Take a look at our Shepherds Huts, Tree temple and Treehouse HERE

By hiring Happy Valley for the day or week, you can paint people’s screens with positivity and fun with the following photoshoot options:

·       Film location

·       Engagement shoots

·       Commercial photoshoots – Fashion, Wedding, product shoots etc

Set in a rural backdrop of quintessentially English countryside, Happy Valley is a woodland venue like no other. Its nine acres of land offers the perfect chance to capture nature at its best. What’s more, our on-site, luxury glamping accommodation, barn and hot tubs can host your team should you wish to work on a longer project.

We could not wait to get back to being creative and shot a little Autumn shoot in the Hay Barn with some incredibly talented local creatives last week.

Hannah Hunnam is a sustainable florist based in Castle Acre and has a natural eye for creating incredible flower arrangements. Check out her instagram @Hannah.Hunnam to see how she works with colour, movement and flair in a sustainable manner. Here’s a bit more from Hannah -

“I’m an independent florist based in Castle Acre, West Norfolk. I specialise in seasonal, wild and naturalistic floral arrangements - all of which celebrate colour, movement and flair! I’m passionate about sourcing locally grown and British blooms wherever possible, and have built some great relationships with incredible local growers here in Norfolk (I'm also growing what I can in my very small garden!). I take great pride in using sustainable design methods in my work, and avoid using floral foam in all of my arrangements and installations. There are plenty of alternative and creative design solutions available with the aim of lowering our carbon footprint, without having to make any compromises on the quality and style”

Tori Hancock is a UK based wedding and commercial photographer - A little bit from Tori -

“My style focuses on humour, emotion and beauty and is a blend of documentary, fine art photography and photojournalism. I love to get those unique portraits, teary eyes, and fun candid moments. If you're getting married and think you might be interested in me discreetly documenting your special day, why not get in touch. Likewise, if you want to capture some memories of you and your loved one(s), or have a business that you want to be photographed, feel free to drop me a line.” Check out Toris Instagram HERE

For more information or to receive a bespoke quote, please contact: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk  

INSTAGRAM - @HappyValleyNorfolk

TWITTER - @NorfolkVenue

Halloween Shoot in The Hay Barn at Happy Valley - Photography @torihancock_photography - Flowers @hannah.hunnam