Guests say
The Brambles is a charming, characterful cottage in the heart of Horning, ideal for exploring the Broads and local amenities. Guests praise its superb location, comfortable beds, well-equipped kitchen, and welcoming hosts. The large garden and cosy lounge are highlights, making it suitable for families and groups. While some mention areas needing refurbishment and occasional cleanliness issues, most found it homely and well-appointed. The cottage’s unique period features and history add to its appeal, offering a memorable and authentic stay.
Several guests found the cottage clean and welcoming, with fresh bedding and towels. However, a number of reviews mention dust, cobwebs, and occasional issues with the shower and kitchen cleanliness. While most guests were satisfied after a quick tidy, some felt a deeper clean was needed.
The location is consistently praised as excellent, with easy access to the Broads, local pubs, shops, and restaurants. Guests loved being in the centre of Horning and close to the waterfront, making it a perfect base for exploring the area.
Guests frequently mention comfortable beds, cosy lounge, and a homely atmosphere. The cottage accommodates groups well, and features like a walk-in shower and grab rails are appreciated by older guests. Low ceilings are noted but seen as part of the cottage’s charm.
The cottage is well-equipped with kitchen essentials, games, books, BBQ facilities, and parking. The large garden is a highlight, though some found it a bit untidy. Facilities like WiFi and phone signal are variable, and some areas could benefit from refurbishment.
Hosts Richard and Sue are repeatedly described as welcoming, helpful, and attentive, greeting guests on arrival and providing local recommendations. While some guests mention thoughtful touches, such as games and a homely feel, gifts are not specifically referenced and cannot be guaranteed.
About this property
Ideally located to explore all Norfolk has to offer including sandy beaches, historic buildings, riverside cafés and much more..
Ground Floor:
Living room: Freeview TV, DVD Player, Electric Woodburner
Kitchen/dining room: Electric Oven, Electric Hob, Microwave, Fridge/Freezer, Dishwasher
Bedroom 1: Double (4ft 6in) Bed
Wet Room: Shower, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 2: Double (4ft 6in) Bed
Bedroom 3: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds.
Electric storage heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Travel cot, highchair and stairgate available on request. External utility room with washing machine. Enclosed lawned garden with patio, garden furniture and barbecue. Bike store. Private parking for 2 car; additional on road parking. No smoking. Please note: There is a protected well in the garden.. Within the heart of the pretty waterside village of Horning, this wonderful semi-detached, thatched cottage has been completely renovated to offer well-appointed accommodation. Boasting its own private parking and enclosed lawn garden with a chess board patio, this cottage is perfect for relaxing, playing and enjoying the large Norfolk skies. Neighbouring the owners’ administrative annexe, where the owner’s cat lives, it enjoys a wealth of opportunities for walking, cycling and birdwatching on the doorstep.
Horning itself has an array of riverside pubs, cafés and shops. Sailing, motor boat hire and river trips are available, as well as river fishing along local waterways (seasonal, licence required). A number of broadland centres offer bike or canoe hire, possibly the most delightful way to discover the lovely reed lined waterways and their abundant wildlife. Wroxham, 3½ miles away, is known as the ’capital of the Broads’ and home to the ’world’s largest village store’, as well as the train station for the Bure Valley narrow gauge steam railway. Nearby How Hill Nature Reserve, with its marsh meadows, dykes, woodland and open water, is well worth exploring. A few minutes away is Bewilderwood, a magical tree top park which promises children a day to remember.
There are excellent wide sandy beaches at Sea Palling and Horsey, 12 miles, both backed with sand dunes. The seaside resort of Great Yarmouth, 17 miles, offers family fun with its famous Pleasure Beach, fun fair and amusements. The Pleasurewood Hills theme park at Lowestoft is 28 miles away, while Cromer, 20 miles, offers traditional seaside entertainment including a renowned end of pier show, Amazonia zoo, shops, restaurants and cafés. Bygone museums, craft centres, National Trust Felbrigg and Blickling Halls, and Horsey Windpump are all within an easy drive. The medieval city of Norwich, 10 miles, has a magnificent cathedral, castle, galleries, museums, cinemas, theatres, excellent shopping, cafés and restaurants. The north Norfolk coastline has rspb reserves, coastal paths and many picturesque villages which boast an array of pubs and restaurants serving superb locally caught seafood. There are seal watching boat trips from Blakeney Quay and Morston Quay, while historic Holt is 26 miles away for shops, cafés, restaurants and Holt Lowes countryside park and trails. Beach 12 miles. Shop 5 yards, pub and restaurant 50 yards.
Free WiFi
There are low ceilings, doors and/or beams within the property.
There is a protected well in the garden. Donna, the owners' siamese cat lives in the annex and has a dedicated 'cat house' adjacent to the utility room.
Nearby points of interest
- Wroxham Barns
Reviews (28)
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Derek Brown
The Brambles is a well located period cottage well situated for visiting all local amenities and attractions however rather than be a home to home holiday let I’m afraid it doesn’t meet what I would call normal clean standards.whilst I accept this was and still is a family home of many generations it still needs a very deep extended clean to bring to a reasonable living standard throughout the carpets are dirty with the kitchen and bathroom definitely needing a make over cobwebs and spiders are part of the furniture along with the dust,the rear garden area which part resembles a building site definitely need’s attention to removal of building materials.It is a shame as this could be a great asset.However we have enjoyed our stay at Horning and will return but not to the Brambles.
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Confirmed Guest
It depends entirely on what you want from a holiday. It’s a beautiful period cottage with the quirks you would expect. The owner is passionate about it as it’s been in his family since before his birth. The beds are clean and comfy and the kitchen has everything you need. The location is superb - lovely watery village between the beautiful city of Norwich and the coast. This is not luxury accommodation but this is reflected in the price. There’s one downstairs bathroom, cleanliness doesn’t extend to clearing cobwebs (complete with spiders) in the corners and the cot provided doesn’t come with a mattress. We made a late request for a stair gate but the fittings for it couldn’t be found. We spent two nights with no smoke alarms as they had to be removed in order to prevent them alarming randomly all night. The garden and outside areas are beautiful but not tended. The outside utility area is cluttered and untidy. So again - if you want basic comfort, a good price, a great location, the ability to book random days rather than specified changeover days and attentive friendly owners I’d book it! Would we use it again? Yes probably but we’d be better prepared to cater for a 2 year old and we’d know exactly what to expect.
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Richard Jenkins
prfect base from which to explore the Broads