Owl highlight: she flew right up to the window and we looked each other in the eye. I think her and me have a special bond now. 🙂
October 2017 | Meike
London
Another wonderful stay must be our 4th or 5th. Barn owls very obliging in posing this time. Counted 30+ species of wildlife in the cottage environs alone! Martin, as usual, the perfect host. Here’s to next year.
October 2017 | Paula & Geoff
Nottingham
We have had an enjoyable week walking, cycling and eating. The wildlife at Old Beans has been out in abundance. Hope to be back in the future. Thank you for the wine, biscuits and flowers; a nice touch.
September/October 2017 | Adrian & Sally
Biggin Hill, Kent
Had a great week, even the weather was good. Ideal place for birders to stay for seeing the owls, red kites, kestrel & buzzards. Best cottage we have stayed in, in Norfolk; home from home. We tell our friends about it.
September 2017 | Liz & Sylv
Wootton, Abingdon, Oxon.
Had a wonderful week. Thrilling to see the barn owls; also, the great variety of birds at nearby reserves. The cottage has everything we needed and is very clean – a lovely place to stay. Great walks and cycle rides straight from the door.
September 2017 | Eleanor & Paul
Little Chalfont, Bucks.
What a magical place! Barn owls gave a good showing with sightings most days (even if only one roosting in the nest box). Old Beans is a great place to explore the north Norfolk coast and despite the somewhat changeable weather, we took full advantage of its location. Old Beans is one of the best cottages we have stayed in and are certainly planning to return (next year?). Other wildlife including kestrels, red kites, buzzards and the pheasants provide the light entertainment!
September 2017 | Liz & Peter
London
Barn owl only showed itself on a few very early mornings – around 6.00am. Otherwise, it was as wonderful and inspiring as ever. Thank you. Can’t wait to be back in October. So pleased and grateful this cottage exists.
August/September 2017 | Meike
London
The owls were amazing and put on a show for my last evening. The pheasant family also made me laugh with their antics. Really lovely cottage.
August 2017 | Rachael
London
Always a pleasure to be here and share nature’s offerings. A very special place.
August 2017 | Len & Jean
Herts.
Our third visit to this secluded and restful hideaway. The pair of red kites were pleasing. Add that to the wildlife of the meadow. Mannington Hall was uncrowded with its many gardens and woodland walks, the moated house was picturesque and might be worth a tour (if you can get the right day) as parts of it go back to 1460. Martin, as ever, is a mine of local information.
July/August 2017 | Terry & Debbie
London
Brilliant week in Old Beans Cottage. Facilities are excellent and very comfortable. Watched the barn owl family, the kestrel family, red kites and spotted flycatcher. Visited Titchwell Cley Marshes and went Harbour Seal Watching from Morston. Also, Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve.
July 2017 | Steve & June
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Thank you for the warm welcome. The magical moments we have experienced here will live with us always. The morning and evening displays by the beautiful barn owls have been truly amazing. The back lanes, tracks and bridle paths make this area cycling heaven.
July 2017 | Angela & Andrew
Mirfield, W Yorks.
Saw barn owls every day. Kestrels, red kites and even a peregrine falcon were also spotted. Loved every minute of our stay in Old Beans Cottage.
July 2017 | Janice & Phil
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Have had a lovely week at Old Beans. As I am writing this one owl is sitting on the second post. One night, sitting on the patio, I saw three owls at one time. Two in the branches in the tree by the shed & one flying. The view from the window is great, the cottage is excellent & is situated in a good location for exploring the area. Thanks for the wine, flowers and biscuits. Much appreciated.
June/July 2017 | Wendy
Leics.
We had a wonderful stay at Old Beans Cottage & it’s been hard to leave the barn owls & kestrels each day to explore the area. However, the rewards have been great. Swallowtail butterflies, avocets & natterjack toad amongst others.
June 2017 | Mary & Nick
Thornford, Dorset
Thank you, Martin, for a wonderful stay at ‘Old Beans Cottage’. We have delighted at the barn owls displaying morning and night as well as the red kites and buzzard flying overhead and the kestrels too. Also, having seen the unusual sight of 2 white pheasants and having a visit from a common toad on two mornings. Once again thank you and the cottage is absolutely lovely and we shall be back again in the future. Thank you, Jackie, for the ‘welcome gifts’.
June 2017 | Mark & Rosie
Lincoln
2nd visit + Old Bean has not let us down. The barnies (3 of them) have been very photogenic. Along with the kestrels, heron, egret, flycatchers, red kite, buzzard, cormorant & 2 white pheasants. We love this place & will be back, thanks Martin for all your hard work.
June 2017 | Denise & Dave
Todmorden, W Yorks
Old Beans Cottage is an absolute delight. Thank you for your welcoming gifts. We have seen barn owls, kestrel, marsh harrier, white pheasant both morning and night each day. As a bonus on Wed night, we saw two owls together. Your cottage facilities and location are all one could ask for. Thank you, Martin. PS We would love to come back.
May/June 2017 | Christine & David
London
Grand week. Good weather. Good to sit outside & watch the owls, buzzards, red kite, etc. Great place to explore Norfolk from.
May 2017 | Brian & Muriel
Barton-on-Humber, Lincs.
We fell in love with this cottage; it’s just absolute bliss! We want to live here; the cottage made our holiday a big success. Thank you for all your services, hope to return to this beautiful place again in the future. Norfolk is a chocolate box full of nice surprises; great times we’ve had!
May 2017 | Roy & Maria
Rotterdam, Netherlands
‘Old Beans’ is small but perfectly formed with everything that we could have asked for. What a privilege to see the barn owl hunting every day. Also, kites, buzzards, goldfinches, white pheasants, butterflies and bees: a perfect haven of a place. Thank you for the wine and flowers, they were much appreciated. We would love to come back.
May 2017 | Jan & Derek
N Yorkshire
This is our second visit to your special cottage and we have enjoyed it more than the first! (almost impossible). The view & the wildlife have been fab & we have witnessed daily owl activity. What a bonus! Haven’t seen white pheasants before!
April 2017 | Mick & Barbara
Notts
Thanks, Martin. Always a joy to visit Old Beans; fits us like a glove.
April 2017 | Len & Jean Herts
Herts
We have had a wonderful week here staying in this most beautiful cottage. Downside – I’ve not been able to get a whole cup of coffee all week for diving for my binoculars every 10 seconds or so! We, as bird-watching beginners, have seen loads of amazing sights on the reserves, etc. but none more so than watching the barn owl hunting over the meadow & flying home with its catch. The clear night skies and the dawn chorus beats ‘Corrie’ catch-up any day for bad sleepers like me. Love it here. Oh – and white pheasants??? Who’d of thought?!
April 2017 | Kathleen & Andrew
Oxford
Wonderful week. Can see the wood for the trees with my next book. Beautiful Rooms. The barn owl was über active. And so pleased I made it this year in time to see the beautiful tulips in the back garden.
April 2017 | Meike
London