We know it’s not cool to say this, but we have such a soft spot for Valentine’s Day. We love the cute childhood memories of receiving cards with handwriting that looked like mums, the pile of teddy bears accumulated through the teens, the heart-shaped boxes of fancy chocolate and even those awkward “so what are… Read more »

The Year-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named is finally behind us and getting smaller and smaller as we hightail it towards a life that somewhat resembles 2019. Okay, so we’re kind of glossing over the current situation a little bit because, well, you know, Lockdown 3; but if there’s one thing we’ve gotten really good at over the past year… Read more »

Sing along with us: “It’s the moooost wonderful tiiiiime of the yearrrrrrr”. And at the very centre of it all is Christmas Day, where we each get to revel in our family’s weird little traditions, awkward dinner topics and wacky shenanigans. Of course, for all the nuances that make everyone’s Christmas Day different, there are… Read more »

Sing along, everyone: “It’s the moooooost wonderful tiiiiime of the yearrrr.” And we’re not just talking about what the American’s like to call the holiday season — we’re talking every second of Winter. The sound of Michael Bublé’s velvety voice, the chance to enjoy a calmer pace of life, hearing your teenager ask their crush… Read more »

2020 has been one of those years where we’ve all just, well, spent a lot of time inside, at home, doing our part to slow the pandemic while using words that had never before been used for anything, like unprecedented, furloughed, social distancing and Carol Baskin. Maybe that’s why no one will be surprised to… Read more »

There’s a pretty big risk we’re about to sound like our parents here, but we secretly love layering up, stepping into the chilly outdoors, enjoying an autumn walk full of leaf-peeping and then getting excited about the prospect of a warm cider (oh God, we have officially turned into mum and dad). The point is,… Read more »

Fact of the day: picnics are life. That spontaneous way of dropping everything, heading out into the sunshine and dining outdoors on a banquet of ridiculously tasty finger food; the sun warming your skin, your friends and family boosting your mood and the wind gently blowing your hair so that you feel like a supermodel… Read more »

We don’t know how this happily married couple first met, all we know is they go together like two peas in a mushy pod. But forget everything you may know about where to find the best batch of fish n’ chups, because nowhere does this British staple as well as North Norfolk. Not Whitby, not… Read more »

There aren’t many things us British folk love more than talking about the weather, getting fish and chips come Friday or enjoying a nice long lunch at a proper pub-pub , but flocking to the beach come rain or shine to get a little taste of life by the sea is one of them —… Read more »

Now, if you’re not accustomed to this new way of life (to the extent you actually Google’d: what does WFH stand for), working from home is an art form — and one that never got enough credit because, if you’re anything like us, you see your home as your relaxing sanctuary So quickly make yourself… Read more »

With your Barbour zipped up, your welly boots excited about the mud and your hip flask full of what you presume is sloe gin (but can’t quite remember), you get to enjoy the thrill of world-class eventers pounding the ground as they rip through the countryside against the clock, your tipple almost spilling with the… Read more »

Whether you’re looking for a day out with some epic wildlife or just looking to escape the “usual” outdoor activities, we’ve explored the best ways to create some open air memories on your next visit to one of our luxury retreats. By foot or in a harness, on wheels or on a dinosaur, here are… Read more »

The good news is: Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be so hard. It’s just a matter of doing something different. No pretending to put the bins out while you ring around all the restaurants in London to see who has two spare seats for tonight; no bribing the Maître D to get you to the… Read more »

For most people, the best cup of coffee in Norfolk is whatever’s currently in their hand. Two sugars, no sugars, splash of milk, oat milk only, it doesn’t matter — the point is coffee (especially this early in the year). That said, there are some people who view coffee as less of an alarm clock… Read more »

Sing along, everyone: “It’s the moooost wonderful tiiiime of the year.” Especially Christmas Day. After another gorgeously festive December full of ice skating dates, steaming mugs of hot cocoa, decorating the house with whatever you could find under the stairs, dropping hints as to what you want, looking for hints as to what your other-half… Read more »

Nothing is dreamier than a couples getaway. It’s your chance to grab your partner/spouse/major crush by the hand and rush off on a trip for two, away from the noise and know-how of your everyday lives to bring back some good, old-fashioned romance into a dating world ruled by Netflix and Two For Tuesdays pizza… Read more »

Putting aside a day to go shopping is great. But putting aside a day to uncover a bunch of secret treasures is even better. Little shops selling one-off gems, vintage stores hiding timeless garments, boutique delis full of handmade pieces and, of course, our very own Barefoot Living full of gorgeous knick-knacks. The mere mention… Read more »

Close your eyes and picture yourself spending a week exploring the North Norfolk: your mind is probably conjuring up images of big skies, long coastal walks, sweeping beaches, windswept salt marshes, warm pub lunches, gorgeous flint houses and hot chocolates being slurped in cosy cottages with cosy fireplaces. That’s exactly what Norfolk is. That’s what… Read more »

We know it probably seems like we’ve been saying this for months and months, but summer is actually, totally, factually almost over, which is the best kind of worst news because nowhere does cosy quite like North Norfolk. It’s basically that one place in England on Earth you want to be when jacket season arrives,… Read more »

There is just something about stepping out of the cold and into an atmospheric public house where the log fires are crackling, the social interaction is buzzing, the beers are either the best kind of local or imported from incredibly-good-at-brewing countries, the views are coastal and the dress code reads: muddy boots and filthy dogs… Read more »

If you’re tugging on a pair of walking shoes, life is probably good. And if you’re tugging on a pair of walking shoes and about to enjoy an on-foot adventure along the North Norfolk coast in autumn, life just got even better. That’s because everyone knows that autumn is the best season. It has the… Read more »

Barefoot Retreats welcomed the team at Lincolnshire Pride to come and enjoy the truly magnificent Old Rectory for a weekend in June! Now we know that this incredible house is the pinnacle of Barefoot luxury! Being as grand inside as it is outside, the property has a stately feel that you cannot help but fall… Read more »

We were excited to see the renovation and extension work at the beautiful Lavender Cottage in Thornham! With it being a popular property within the portfolio already it seemed almost impossible for it to get any better, turns out the impossible is possible and the changes are magnificent. With a new ground floor bedroom with… Read more »

Airports, transfers, flights, delays and now… the dreaded B-word throwing everything and everyone into uncertainty, save yourself the stress and book a five star holiday on the North Norfolk coast. We present another ‘B word;’ Barefoot Retreats…   Click here to read the full article…  

Imagine the scene. The rain has been hammering down the entire way. It’s dark. You find the house, unlock the front door and it swings open on to an immaculate hallway, pale-carpeted stairs stretching towards stylish bedrooms and bathrooms. The heating is on; to the left is a large lamp-lit sitting room with blonde floorboards and… Read more »

North Norfolk is actor Joel Beckett’s home from home at Christmas, he told Tony Hall. In this busy world it’s only natural for people to want to escape the rat race. For rest and relaxation they often gravitate to the country for holidays and, of course, for Christmas. For actor Joel Beckett, who has a home… Read more »

Tony Hall takes a look at a cracking coastal home in a quiet corner of the north Norfolk coast. You could be forgiven for not knowing anything about Egmere, one of Norfolk’s ‘lost villages’, villages that had ceased to exist by the end of the middle ages. Today it is a hamlet, with around a… Read more »

Snettisham – We know what you’re thinking. Where? Stay with us and we’ll guarantee we’ll persuade you to visit more often! The village of Snettisham is situated on the North Norfolk coast, just a few miles from the royal residence at Sandringham and boasts a superb RSPB reserve, award winning 15th century coaching inn and… Read more »

I always look forward to this time of year in North Norfolk there is so much going on for my family to enjoy. The little ones are already looking forward to a fun filled half term and have even started to plan their adorable Halloween costumes. We are so lucky to live in this beautiful… Read more »

Many interesting and influential figures have built homes and lived lives in Norfolk amongst the peaceful grandeur of their private stately homes over the last 1000 years. Lords, ladies, Prime Ministers, King’s and Queen’s have all left their markers on the landscape, shaping the development (or destruction) of rural village communities. The most glorious examples… Read more »

With over 93 miles of coastline, a visit to Norfolk is not complete without at least one day spent at the beach. But which beach is for you?  What will you do when you get there?  Well read on! Chris, our Property Portfolio Manager gives you some wonderful ideas for some unique experiences in some… Read more »