Purlin Barn

You enter Purlin Barn into a ground-floor living space with room to spread out. A woodburner warms the living room where you can settle with the TV or a film; the kitchen is fully equipped for cooking from scratch, with gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher and tumble dryer. A separate toilet and the main bathroom upstairs give the place breathing room. Bedrooms are three: a kingsize on the ground floor with its own ensuite shower, and two further bedrooms with single beds each, sharing a bathroom that has both bath and shower.

Purlin Barn sits on a working farm in the Norfolk Fens, one of several conversions from original farm buildings. The layout gives you six beds spread across three rooms, with linen, towels and wifi already here. Outside, there is a courtyard with garden furniture and a barbecue. The heated outdoor pool (available May to September) and hot tub are shared facilities, as is the games room with pool table. Younger children have access to a play area with wooden climbing equipment and slides. Fishing is possible on the farm grounds; coarse fishing and walks through farmland suit guests wanting space and quietness rather than close neighbours.

The setting suits families or groups of six. Within striking distance are Oxburgh Hall, a moated Tudor manor, Langham Glass where you can watch glassblowing, and various craft barns, butterfly parks and water gardens. Smoking is not permitted inside.