Wildscapes Cabins, Norfolk
A heavenly, private and luxurious cabin escape in rewilded Norfolk countryside, surrounded by nature
Norfolk is one of the most beautiful, remote corners of the UK, famed for its big wide open skies.
When we heard about the launch of Wildscapes, a pair of rustic-luxe cabins complete with woodburners and outdoor baths at Wendling Beck (a new 2,000 acre nature recovery project in Norfolk, near Gressenhall village), we had to visit. As much as we love London, a weekend escape away from the bustle of London – and time in the outdoors, but with plenty of home comforts – was exactly what we were craving.
So far, there are two cabins at Wildscapes. One is called Larkspur, and one is called Teasel. They are carefully positioned to be totally secluded and surrounded by nature (fields, woodlands, wetlands, wildlife galore, birdsong, fresh air, roaming deer)
Wendling Beck is home to over 2,500 species, and boasts three sites of Special Scientific Interest. We spotted swans, great crested newts and even the majestic red kite on our walks through the exclusive nature trails here.
The cabins themselves are ideally suited for solo travellers and couples (dogs are welcome, and stay for free).
While they offer total immersion in nature, there’s no compromise when it comes to luxuries – with tasteful interiors. The steel-framed, fully insulated cabins themselves have been constructed using reclaimed timber cladding and palette wood, and natural materials have been used throughout to furnish them.
Inside, there are Royal Daulton cups (all the better for morning coffee as you watch the sunrise), a dark green enamel kettle, warm cotton bathrobes and fluffy bath towels, Piglet in Bed checked linen sheets. There’s heated towel rails in the bathroom, which has a white-and-green tiled shower with a skylight to let natural light flood in.
The textiles are all warm and neutral, with subtle hints of colour and a variety of textures, which gave us the feeling of being warmly ensconced. The upholstered headboard is covered with surplus Fermoie fabric sourced from The Haines Collection, which was a nice touch.
There are large windows, which meant we had the best views possible to drink in the surrounding countryside. There are large windows directly opposite the bed and to the right of the bed, which means that even as you cosy up you are surrounded by completely uninterrupted views of fields, sky and woodland.
This is the perfect place to try a digital detox and take the time to enjoy quiet moments; with a few books (including Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees) and a pack of playing cards on the shelf and nature’s television around us, we had no desire for any other distraction. It’s impossible to wake up here and not feel laidback and free.
The kitchen has a fridge, sink and working stove, and all the essentials for cooking (and a wine bottle opener). There are very few shops nearby, so I made sure to bring food and drink supplies, but coffee, tea, milk and a bottle of wine were provided (that said, there is a local community pub – The Swan – a mile away in Gressenhall).
There’s a fire pit outside to enjoy post–sunset (perfect for marshmallow toasting) and a Kamado BBQ grill for barbecues and wood-fired pizzas. The light here at all times of day, in all weathers, is magical – even in rain, it would be relaxing inside. There was something especially magical about lighting the woodburner in the cabin as night fell.
Gentle, eco-friendly Norfolk Natural Living bath and shower spa products are provided (in either the in-built indoor showers or in the outdoor bath, which we took full advantage of). North Norfolk Living dog shampoo and paw cleanser is also provided for muddy four-legged friends.
The landowners Laura and Tom Cross, who have only just begun to welcome visiting guests to the cabins, are also in the process of converting a traditional Norfolk flint barn near a wetlands area where an abundance of plant life flourishes. King Charles has shown a personal interest in the conservation efforts of the Wendling Beck project, and the wooden structure here is nicknamed the King’s Club.
“Tom and I grew up on intensive farms, but after having children, we began questioning if this way of managing land is sustainable - for our rivers, soil, family and planet. With our neighbours, we created the 2,000 acre Wendling Beck nature restoration project to help support biodiversity. Wildscapes is our way of inviting others to experience it, and to reconnect with the environment.
As part of their first foray into welcoming guests to enjoy time on the land here, Laura and Tom are also offering foraging walks (£40pp) with their ecologist, Rory, who has forensic knowledge of the flora and fauna at Wendling Beck. He specialises in species recognition, and is brilliant at helping people to better understand the principles of ecology and habitat creation, tailoring his tours to different ages and interests.
There is also an Eat Wild course (£40pp), a butchery lesson from a wildlife ranger during which guests can learn about how to prepare, cook and eat wild food and game, including pheasant and venison. You can keep the wild meat for a delicious meal or take it home; I loved returning home after a wonderful stay and pan-frying my venison steak to share with friends.
“Wildscapes isn’t just a retreat—it's an opportunity for guests to experience and contribute to the
restoration of nature,” adds Laura. “We want people to leave with a deeper understanding of how
landscapes can recover and thrive when given the space to regenerate.” A percentage of each booking goes directly towards supporting the conservation project, and guests can actively participate in conservation work during their stay through tree planting or habitat monitoring.
Although it would be all too easy to while away the days here at Wildscapes, there’s much else to explore in the surrounding Norfolk countryside, from Houghton Hall to the pretty Georgian town of Holt or the famous seal-spotting trips at Blakeney Harbour.
I can never visit Norfolk without a walk through the pine forests to the magical sandy expanses of Holkham beach; my dream Norfolk long weekend would combine a stay at WIldscapes cabins with a night at The Victoria pub at Holkham.
Wildscapes cabins at Wendling Beck are just over 90 minutes from London King’s Cross by train, with a platform pick up service available from Downham Market.
The Plush Life verdict: Wildscapes gave us cabincore at its most considered and luxurious best. It’s a magical, hidden bolthole where you can embark on a very special Norfolk adventure.
The details: Prices for cabin stays at Wildscapes start at £170 per night with a two-night minimum stay. Visit wildscapesnorfolk.com or email info@wildscapesnorfolk to book, and they’ll send you the exact location near Gressenhall after booking.
