Sustainable Wedding Trends

Planning a wedding can seem like a million tasks thrown into one day and when you add making your event as eco- friendly and sustainable as possible… it can seem like a whole other world!

We’ve put together some top tips on making your day as eco as possible while keeping it as easy for you (and cost effective!) as possible…

Rent your wedding dress!

Not only does this save a on your budget - it is an excellent way to stay sustainable. Now, I know many of you will have your heart set on a dress already - so how about selling it on to someone else once you have made your memories? Wedding dresses are such beautiful and intricate pieces of design that it seems a shame that they get worn once! Why not share the joy your dress has brought to you and your wedding and give someone else the chance to have a beautiful dress on their big day! It is such a good way to reduce your weddings footprint.

 

Photo by Megan Duffield

 

Confetti…

This is always a controversial discussion, there are so many different views out there. One idea that I have seen and LOVE is ‘Leaf Confetti’ - we already know that they are biodegradable, they won’t harm the environment and there is no need for extra resources as leaves are readily available! That raked up pile of leaves is suddenly looking quite inviting, right?

The Theme

Millions of outfits are bought every year for weddings, some that are never worn again. Challenge your guests to reuse clothes they already have, only buy from charity shops or up-cycle! Up-cycled fashion can be great fun and a reason to get out and do some stress free shopping with your ‘I do’ crew!

 

Photo by Sam Gee

Photo by Jarek Lepak

 

Decor

It is very easy to be hooked into the single use wedding market but there are some great sustainable options out there! Hiring props is a great place to start, you get to create the wedding of your dreams without having to start from scratch! Prop companies are such a great resource and can offer lots of styling advice. Another great option is buying items which you can reuse or sell on, houseplants for table decor that guests can take with them as a memento of the day, or perhaps raid your local charity shop for decor items that you can either sell on or donate after the big day!

"It’s like something out of a fairytale" A Recent Guest Review

“We stayed in Keepers Cabin, we picked this lodge because we wanted to get away from everything and disconnect from the outside world so when we found this cabin in the woods it was perfect. The farm where the cabin was located was lovely and peaceful, the cabin was up in the woods where it was extremely quiet. The cabin is beautifully built, the attention to detail in the build, layout and quirkiness of it all is some of the best I’ve ever seen. It’s like something out of a fairytale I was blown away by how beautiful it was. The cabin is isolated, we booked it, for this reason, no phone data, no internet and barely any reception it was LOVELY to get away from normality. We really enjoyed the log burner fire in the evenings and sitting out looking at the stars. Our hosts were amazing, very welcoming and polite they left us to enjoy ourselves without intruding at all but were also always on hand if we needed help. Thank you for a lovely stay we will definitely be booking with you again.”

To book your unique glamping experience, head over to the glamping section of our website.

The Benefits Of A Hot Tub Holiday

For a weekend of romance, a family staycation or a bridal party preparing for the big day - a hot tub is a fabulous addition to your stay.

Relaxation isn’t the only thing the water holds - what if we told you that there are many health benefits are swimming around in there too?

One of prime benefits of a hot tub is the potential to help ease the tensions of the day. The soothing effect of the warm water may help relieve emotional and mental stress, soaking away your troubles and replacing them with a relaxed state of mind.

Hydrotherapy, or therapy that utilises water, has long been known as one of the best available methods for treating insomnia. By raising and then lowering your body temperature, a hot tub puts your body in an ideal state for sleep.

Hot tubs are also known to improve your metabolism, burn calories, promote the flow of endorphins and allow the body to lose toxins through sweating.

Take a break and appreciate beautiful sunsets, starry nights and reap the benefits our hot tubs whilst relaxing. To check out our cabins with their private hot tubs, head over to the glamping section of our website.

A Review From Our Recent Guest

Our luxury glamping cabin Keepers Cabin.

“This place is 10 out of 10. It deserves every penny. Highly recommend you to visit. No phones, no internet, peaceful woodland, cosy cabin with wonderful log burner and great hot tub. I have not seen so many stars in years. It is out of the world sitting in a hot tub in a woodland and watching the stars. If you are after romantic place to spend time with your other half - this wood do it. It is luxurious place with everything you need and spotless clean. You will get the most of your money. We would definitely visit again.”

To book your unique glamping experience, head over to the glamping section of our website.

Why You Should Go Glamping This Christmas

During the colder months and around Christmas, glamping is a fabulous idea. It can be even more magical and completely different than in the warmer seasons.

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning in one of our cosy cabins, looking out into the frosty woodland, log burner blazing inside and a steamy hot tub waiting for you - an experience you will never forget.

Get toasty around the log burner in Keepers Cabin

Adorable in-built bunk beds for your little ones in The Woodpecker

Have a romantic staycation in King Nutkin

Christmas dining for the family in The Woodpecker

With an array of eatery options in the area, you could either book a table letting someone else do all the hard work or you could cook up a tasty Christmas dinner in your cabin. Spend the evenings around the outside fire pit, relaxing with a glass of red wine and delve into the bubbling water of your private wood-fired hot tub.

Christmas traditions get passed down through generations - what time you are allowed to tear the wrapping off your presents, who gets to light up the Christmas pudding or a certain festive movie you watch every year like clockwork. However, there is nothing stopping you from creating new traditions, so why not spend your Christmas tucked up with your loved ones in one of our cosy cabins at Happy Valley Norfolk?

To book your festive staycation, check out the glamping section of our website, where you will find all the details of each of our cabins and availability.

How to Make a Mid-Week Wedding Work for You!

Planning a wedding can come with many big decisions and the pressure is on especially now that availability is fading fast! Picking the perfect date can seem like it’s always an arms length away…we’re here to tell you, it’s not!

Picking up speed as a 2022 trend is the ‘Mid-Week Wedding’.

Now, I know what you’re thinking - ‘will people be able to make a Wednesday?’, ‘I’d always imagined a weekend’.

Well, mid-week IS the new weekend!

Why Mid-Week is the best option,

  1. Give friends and family an excuse to have a couple days off work! A day off for your besties wedding sure beats a day off to catch up on laundry! (The trick is - send out the ‘Save the Dates’ as soon as possible so they have a chance to get it booked).

  2. Mid-week weddings are typically lower in price, the same great venue for a smaller price tag…which leaves more budget left to spend on entertainment, food, drinks and wedding day festivities.

  3. Your ideal suppliers are more likely to be available…the post lockdown wedding boom has seen weekends snapped up. Week days give you much more flexibility to ensure your day is exactly as you want!

  4. Fancy a micro wedding? Small, intimate, just you and your nearest and dearest. Micro-weddings are more likely to be available for mid-week dates! A simple way to get out of inviting Great-Aunt Mildred…


Get in touch with Megan, our Wedding Coordinator, to discuss your options!

Feeding Your Immune System Ahead Of Winter

Many things call for change this season; our wardrobes, our outdoor activities and the dial on our heating. Our immune system also needs small changes in order to keep us healthy and in tune with the season, preparing our bodies ahead of winter next month. A simple way to help boost your immune system? Changing up your cooking routine. Dinner times can be made more enjoyable and boost our moods in the process of cooking as well as what we eat.

Since we will be absorbing less Vitamin D from natural sunlight, it’s important to make sure we keep our levels up. Fish, eggs and mushrooms are all high in Vitamin D. Beef and shellfish are a good source of vitamin B12, which is known to help with our nervous system, digestion and brain function. Vitamin B12 also helps with enhancing our moods, fighting off those winter blues. For a vegan option, there are many foods fortified with B12, such as tofu and soymilk (always be sure to check labels to get the best options.)

Garlic is a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

A Winter Nights Chilli - A Jamie Oliver Recipe

Fresh fruit and vegetables are bursting with vitamins

Herbs and spices are packed with natural immune boosters, so adding these to dishes is a very simple way to enhance your health. Green chillies are packed with vitamin C and are great in curries and spicy dishes. Garlic contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties and may help lessen the severity of cold and flu symptoms. Ginger and honey are also great for the same reason, so you could add it to your morning tea for a kickstart to the day. A little research into recipes and a dash of imagination is all it takes to make the best use of foods this Autumn.

Why not try a Winter Nights Chilli by Jamie Oliver? Packed full of great spices, tasty vegetables and tender meat. ‘The meat will fall apart and melt in your mouth. It’s moreish, spicy and with a clever contrasting salsa is a total joy.’ (Winter Nights Chilli - The Happy Foodie)


Norfolk In November

With October coming to a close, November is slowly seeping in. There is plenty to see and do in Norfolk this November to keep you feeling invigorated or maybe you would like to visit some of the local festive events. What ever your preference, staying at Happy Valley Norfolk is the perfect location to be amidst it all. November is an amazing time of the year to get away, especially on a staycation.

Just a short 7 minute drive from us, Sandringham Estate this November that we highly recommend Luminate Sandringham (12th November - 19th December) Sandringham Estate also hosts their annual Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Event on the 19th, 20th and 21st November.

Pensthorpe Natural Park

The Woodpecker

Luminate Sandringham

If you would like to visit the coast, mussels are in season at Brancaster Staithe Harbour.

The Norfolk coastline is also fantastic for those looking for crisp beach walks or rural cycling. Pensthorpe Natural Park is the former home of BBC Springwatch, is open all year round with 700 acres of park to explore, indoor and outdoor soft play areas and events.

If you like a bit of culture, Houghton Hall country house is filled to the brim with masterpieces and is currently showcasing British artist, Chris Levine. “Houghton Hall in Norfolk is set to be transformed by a major solo exhibition of contemporary British artist, Chris Levine, 528 Hz Love Frequency. Marking the inaugural winter show in the historic grounds of this prestigious art venue, this exhibition running between 22 October and 23 December 2021 - Molecule of Light”

If you are feeling like driving a little further out into Norfolk, Thursford Christmas Spectacular - 9th November - 23rd December is highly recommended. Norfolk is bursting with things to do, events and local attractions, to suit everyone and anyone.