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19th December 2012

Offshore Wind Farm boosting local economy

Sheringham Shoals Offshore wind farm, based 10 miles out to sea, is one of several offshore renewable wind farms that are being constructed off the coast of Norfolk.
These projects are normally faced with hard opposition, but  Wells-next-the-sea have really embraced the opportunities the wind farm can bring.
Wells, is a quaint seaside town which heavily relies on the tourist trade. It has had a port for over 700 years and a small fishing fleet still work out of the harbour. When the Sheringham Shoals project was in planning phase, it was decided that the Wells outer harbour would be the obvious choice to transport technicians and engineers to and from the wind farm. There are approximately 150 people working on the wind farm construction and once it’s fully operational it will be run for at least 50 years.
It was reported recently on a local BBC documentary that local businesses in Wells have benefitted from the wind farm activity. Local accommodation providers have regular visitors staying both in and out of the season. And it’s not only accommodation providers who are reaping the benefits,  a local butchers and greengrocers also receive regular large orders to supply a floating hotel, situated just off the coast of Wells, which accommodates between 100 – 150 people who are working on the project. There are plenty of other small businesses such as a chandlery and many others who have also seen increased trade outside of the holiday season.
The town’s economy has been boosted as a result of the wind farm and it is hoped that with the long term strategy in place, this green energy technology will leave a lasting legacy.
Our cottages are close to Wells and with our great green credentials we have benefitted from corporate and associated business from family and friends employed in Wells as part of the offshore wind technologies installations.  It’s exciting to know that renewable resources are having such a positive impact to our local businesses. 
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12th December 2012

A change of scenery

We have just returned from spending a fantastic weekend in Stockholm. This was our second visit to the city and having had such a great experience first time, we decided to stay at Hotel J once again. This boutique hotel is just outside of Stockholm in Nacka Strand’s Marina, the scenic views over the harbor are fantastic and it’s very easy to catch the ferry into the city.

The hotel offers a very beautiful setting and is a great place to relax. What’s great is they also have a strong environmental ethos, something we can really relate to here at Cranmer. It has won a plethora of awards and currently features as one of the top Travellers Choice hotels on Tripadvisor.

This is a perfect place to stay if you are ever looking for a short break away to rest, recuperate and enjoy the tranquil surrounds. We will certainly return there again one day!

Details of the hotel can be found at http://eng.hotelj.com/
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27th November 2012

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

And to get into the festive spirit, why not head to the Christmas Farmers Market that’s taking place at Creake Abbey on Saturday 1stDecember between 9.30am – 1.00pm.

With over 55 local producers under one roof, you can stock up on your Christmas goodies or pick out some gifts for friends and families. We’re delighted to have Godwick Turkeys exhibiting and they will be taking orders during the market.

The family friendly market will also have an exclusive appearance from St Nicolas at 11am who will have a sackful of yummy treats for the children who are attending.

In addition to all of the yummy produce that will be available, there will be 3 different plant nurseries plus floral producer Royal Roots, all of which will be supplying a range of seasonal bulbs, wreaths and of course, Christmas Trees!

Full details of the farmers market can be found at www.creakeabbey.co.uk

Please also be aware that we still have availability to stay in our cottages before and after Christmas and we are currently offering 2 night deals. For more details call 01328 823135 or email bookings@norfolk-luxury-cottages.co.uk

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15th November 2012

The Green Room is officially open!

When we were deciding on how we could use our last remaining redundant farm building, we felt that we could fill a huge gap in the North Norfolk market by offering a high quality, environmentally friendly meeting and events venue. After months of planning, preparation and building work, we were delighted to officially open The Green Room on Wednesday 14th November. 

The venue was officially opened by David Cobham (pictured), a UK wildlife film maker and vice president of the Hawk and Old Trust, who cut the ribbon in front of over 30 local businesses. 

Walsingham Farm Shops provided an array of a range of local produce supplied for guests to sample and also kindly donated a Christmas hamper which was raffled off in a prize draw. 

During the opening, guests also had the opportunity to test their archery skills courtesy of the Fakenham Bowman, learn the art of clay pigeon shooting from Claybusters and also take a tour of Cranmer’s holiday cottages and surrounding grounds. 

The Green Room has been created to offer state of the art meeting facilities within a quiet rural setting. It is ideal for small group meetings, training events and team building days. This purpose build venue accommodates up to 25 people, offers delegates ground floor access, galley kitchen and toilets. Audio-visual presentation equipment includes a 60”TV screen with cinema sound, LAN and Wi-Fi internet access and themed lighting. 


The venue is also available to hire for cottage residents to hold social gatherings and is also an ideal setting to for local artists and photographers to display their work. We are currently exhibiting a range of local wildlife and landscape photography taken by Stephen Mole, Bill Pound, Martin Hayward-Smith & Roger Savell.

We have already received a lot of interest and enquiries to hire The Green Room and are pleased to have bookings in place already. 

Thanks to everyone who has been involved with the development and launch of The Green Room, your input and support has helped us create and launch a new project which is already proving to be a success. 

View The Green Room website for further details. 


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15th November 2012

The Green Room is officially open!

When we were deciding on how we could use our last remaining redundant farm building, we felt that we could fill a huge gap in the North Norfolk market by offering a high quality, environmentally friendly meeting and events venue. After months of planning, preparation and building work, we were delighted to officially open The Green Room on Wednesday 14th November. 


The venue was officially opened by David Cobham (pictured), a UK wildlife film maker and vice president of the Hawk and Old Trust, who cut the ribbon in front of over 30 local businesses. 

Walsingham Farm Shops provided an array of a range of local produce supplied for guests to sample and also kindly donated a Christmas hamper which was raffled off in a prize draw. 

During the opening, guests also had the opportunity to test their archery skills courtesy of the Fakenham Bowman, learn the art of clay pigeon shooting from Claybusters and also take a tour of Cranmer’s holiday cottages and surrounding grounds. 

The Green Room has been created to offer state of the art meeting facilities within a quiet rural setting. It is ideal for small group meetings, training events and team building days. This purpose build venue accommodates up to 25 people, offers delegates ground floor access, galley kitchen and toilets. Audio-visual presentation equipment includes a 60”TV screen with cinema sound, LAN and Wi-Fi internet access and themed lighting. 


The venue is also available to hire for cottage residents to hold social gatherings and is also an ideal setting to for local artists and photographers to display their work. We are currently exhibiting a range of local wildlife and landscape photography taken by Stephen Mole, Bill Pound, Martin Hayward-Smith & Roger Savell.

We have already received a lot of interest and enquiries to hire The Green Room and are pleased to have bookings in place already. 

Thanks to everyone who has been involved with the development and launch of The Green Room, your input and support has helped us create and launch a new project which is already proving to be a success. 

View The Green Room website for further details. 

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20th October 2012

Cranmer Green Room opens in November

November 14th is nearly upon us and the Cranmer Green Room will be officially opened.

The Green Room will be officially opened on the 14thNovember by the celebrity and wildlife ambassador Liza Goddard along with David Cobham, a UK wildlife film maker and vice-president of the Hawk & Owl Trust
When we started back in April to develop the Conference centre I don’t think we realised what we were letting ourselves in for.

Creating a new facility out of an existing building whilst ensuring the absolute minimum disruption to our guests during a year that started so well but went continuously downhill weather-wise was a real challenge but the team pulled together and we now have this lovely new building ready to officially launch in October.

known as the Cranmer Green Room, (it seemed more fitting for what we envisage the facility being used for) the centre has been designed to be a chameleon like multi-functional area morphing from the conventional business conference room to an art gallery to a yoga & Pilates studio and all things in between.
We are really looking forward to offering this extra resource to our holiday guests also as a private function facility

We are planning a whole series of events during the coming year and will keep you informed via twitter and the blog, so keep an eye open for something that may appeal to you or contact us if you have an event you would like to stage here.

More news later,

Lynne
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20th October 2012

Celebrity Opening for Cranmer Green Room

November 14th is nearly upon us and the Cranmer Green Room will be officially opened.

The Green Room will be officially opened on the 14thNovember by the celebrity and wildlife ambassador Liza Goddard along with David Cobham, a UK wildlife film maker and vice-president of the Hawk & Owl Trust
When we started back in April to develop the Conference centre I don’t think we realised what we were letting ourselves in for.

Creating a new facility out of an existing building whilst ensuring the absolute minimum disruption to our guests during a year that started so well but went continuously downhill weather-wise was a real challenge but the team pulled together and we now have this lovely new building ready to officially launch in October.

known as the Cranmer Green Room, (it seemed more fitting for what we envisage the facility being used for) the centre has been designed to be a chameleon like multi-functional area morphing from the conventional business conference room to an art gallery to a yoga & Pilates studio and all things in between.
 
We are really looking forward to offering this extra resource to our holiday guests also as a private function facility

We are planning a whole series of events during the coming year and will keep you informed via twitter and the blog, so keep an eye open for something that may appeal to you or contact us if you have an event you would like to stage here.

 

More news later,

Lynne
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19th September 2012

And another 19th Century landmark that has evolved

If you read the previous blog you will know that St Mary & All Saints church was re-dedicated with new stained Glass windows in 1862.

Before that, in 1850, Home Farm Dairy farmhouse was built.  The working farm has been turned over to arable crop and the farm buildings converted to a 5 star eco friendly holiday venue


The image on the left shows how it looked in 1960 and on the right shows how it looks today.

this picture is an extended view to include our wind generator and tennis courts

 

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19th September 2012

Cranmer – a surprising Hub for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

When staying with us at Cranmer Country Cottages,  you may be interested in visiting our local parish church St Mary & All Saints at Sculthorpe. It is famous for housing 3 magnificent  Arts & Crafts stained glass windows by Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB) artisans Burne-Jones, Ford Maddox Brown & Thomas Jekyll, the windows were designed and installed in the church during the 1860’s.  
 
Philip Webb another Pre-Raphaelite brother was responsible for designing Victorian additions to the nearby Cranmer Hall.  
 
For more information about William Morris his firm of Art Workmen & the  Pre-Raphaelites visit the comprehensive show at Tate Britain http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/pre-raphaelites-victorian-avant-garde The exhibition has certainly given us some insight into how important our small Norfolk back water was during the Victorian period.
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10th September 2012

September Summer in North Norfolk


Just look at those big blue skies and the gentle swell of the water. Nice, Corfu, Gran Canarias.

 No!
It is Burnham Overy Staithe, in North Norfolk.

 

With temperatures reaching 29o in North Norfolk over this weekend the beach was the place to be.

Now is the time to enjoy our late summer coast and countryside.  It is often the case that once the schools go back to school the weather is at its best the beaches are quiet and you can usually get a table in your favourite restaurant.

 Cranmer Country Cottages is less than 15 minutes from this wonderful coastline, so you can enjoy both a day on the water and an evening at your newly found favourite eatery.

Lynne
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