Cottage Instructions: Click
here
(or right click to save a copy).
Interactive map: Click here or on above map
More Pictures: Click
here
(including pictures of the Cottage)
Cottage Instructions: Click
here |
Interactive map: Click here or on above map
More Pictures: Click
here |
Stable Cottage is our bolt-hole away from the stresses of day-to-day life. We find the relaxed way of life in North Norfolk very restful whilst we have plenty to do. We hope you enjoy your stay at our Cottage.
Duck Alert! Some of you might know that we like ducks. Over the years this has meant we have collected or been given quite a few. You might like ducks or think us silly. We don't particularly care but be prepared! We don't need any more.
We don't rent it out but allow family and friends to use it.
At the Cottage we have some information sheets on arriving and leaving so that you know how to turn on the water, boiler etc. If you want see it in advance or print a copy then click here (or right-click to save a copy on your computer).
Blakeney is on the North Norfolk coast to the west of Sheringham. The RAC website has a route planner. From Bishop's Stortford to Blakeney we use the M11, A11, A14, A11, A1065, A148 then follow signs for Blakeney. It takes about 2 hours and is roughly 100 miles door to door. The A149 coast road goes through Blakeney.
 Parking by front door |
Stable Cottage is in the High Street about 150 yards from the Quay. We are immediately to the south of the White Horse Hotel. In our yard(or loke) we have the right to park. Normally we park in a parking space in front of the Cottage's front door, however give and take is required. |  Entrance to Yard |
There is a key safe on the outside wall to the right of the front door. It has a combination-number lock and inside is the front door key. At present our neighbour, Aida (Benbow Cottage) also has a key. We will let you know the combination number.
01263 740180 with answerphone.
Sometimes the front door can be difficult to open or close. You need to push the handle up before opening or closing the door. You may need to just give it a little push further than you've have.
You will generally get a poor or no service in the Cottage, although you should get a signal down by the quay.
There is a wireless broadband router. You are quite welcome to use it, however we are effectively on a pay-as-you-go service so please don't make heavy use of it. Regular internet browsing and email is fine. Downloading videos and music isn't.
Most wireless laptops will automatically find the correct settings however you need to use the network key 6aStable
The router wireless router broadcasts itself as stablenet and the wireless security settings use WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key).
There are some network cables in the drawer of the desk below the mirror if you don't have wireless or cannot get yours to work.
Downstairs there is the kitchen/entrance hall, living room, main bedroom and the third bedroom (referred to as the bike shed for obvious reasons). Upstairs is the second bedroom and the bathroom.
The Cottage can sleep six or seven.
The Cottage has oil-fired central heating with radiators in all rooms, a wood-burning stove in the living room and under-floor heating in the kitchen. Outside past the dustbins there is a log store which holds our logs. In the house is a log barrel. The log barrel easily falls apart so brings the logs to it.
The boiler is used to provide hot-water. It is possible to drink cold water from any tap as it supplied directly from the cold waters mains (there isn't a cold water or hot water tank).
The kitchen has all the usual facilities including a washer/dryer and dishwasher.
There is a dining table and chairs, two 'cuddler' chairs (that convert to single beds) and two other armchairs.
Next to the living room, the main bedroom has a 5ft king-sized double bed.
This bedroom has two single beds that are normally zipped-together as a 5ft king-sized double bed. There is a small basin in the room and an en-suite toilet.
The bike shed contains, surprise surprise, our bikes, which you are welcome to use. There is also a chair that converts to a single bed.
The bathroom has a toilet, basin, bath and a separate shower.
If the heating is off the radiator in the bathroom contains an electric element which may be used. The switch is on the landing. Please remember to turn off when leaving.
The living room has a TV, Hard-disk/DVD recorder, Freeview box and a CD/Radio Player with an Ipod dock. There is a VCR but it isn't set up.
In Blakeney there is a very nice Deli just up the High Street. In Westgate Street there is a Spar supermarket (which stays opens quite late), a fish-shop and a Chandlers. There is a clothes shop at the quay end of the High Street and an ice-cream shop.
In Cley (pronounced Cly), which is east on the A149, there is a smokehouse and another Deli.
Inland about six miles away is Holt. This is a really beautiful Georgian town with a great array of shops, mainly small non-chain shops. It is always worth a visit. It also has a Deli (Byfords) and a Budgens supermarket.
There is a Waitrose in Swaffam (40 minutes away) and a Morrisons and Tescos in Fakenham (20 minutes away).
Non-food shopping is best done locally in Holt or in Norwich. Norwich is a very nice city and is about 30 miles away. We tend to park at the Norwich Airport park-n-ride which is on the north-side of the city.
 Stable Cottage was originally the stables and possibly other bits of the Ship Inn |
There are lots of places to eat in Blakeney and the surrounding area. At bank holidays and school holidays it is advisable to book. Our top places Next door, The White Horse. You can eat in the bar
and conservator and there is a separate restaurant offering a different
menu. So convenient, especially in the winter. Closer to the Quay is the Moorings. During the day
it's a cafe, but at night is is a very good restaurant. About £30/head
including wine. The Wiveton Bell. Head south up the High Street, straight
across at the junction and a mile or so to Wiveton. Taken over and refurbished
in early 2007 it is now very nice. |
|
Most car parks at the various beaches are not free.
Warning: The tides at many of the beaches, such as Wells and Brancaster, are quite dangerous. Please take care.
Please look in the cupboard drawer for our pack of things to do.
See the seals. You can purchase tickets at the Quay but the boats normally leave from Morston (about 2 miles west of Blakeney on the A149). Sometimes you can get the opportunity to get off the boat to walk on the Point which is well worth taking.
Walks along the Coast. You can walk to both Morston and Cley from Blakeney. See maps and books in cupboard.
Walk from Cley beach to Blakeney Point. About 7-8 miles in total. You cannot walk from Blakeney to the Point. It is best to drive to Cley Beach car park. A great but tiring walk as it can be on the pebbly beach. If low tide you can walk on sand.
Wells-next-the-sea beach, where the beach huts can be found. The beach is along the road by the flood defences for Wells. Park in the beach car park there and walk towards Holkham and back.
Holkham Beach. Go to Holkham and park in Lady Anne's Road. Again look at maps for options. On the A149 at Holkham there is the Victoria pub which is very nice, a cafe, gift shop and Adnams Wine shop.
You can also walk from Burnham Overy Staithe (car park free) to Holkham. Great walk but it does take you through a nudist's beach. Alternatively at Burnham Overy Staithe do a walk around Gun Hill.
You can also visit many National Trust and other properties. Holkham Hall, Sandringham, Blickling Hall, Felbrigg, Mannington and more.
Sheringham Park (off A148) is very nice for a walk, especially when the rhododendrons are in flower.
There are instructions in the Cottage on how to use the central heating, wood-burning stove and the kitchen's under-floor heating.
We prefer that you take your own bedding. If you plan to use our bedding then please discuss it with us. If you do use our bedding then please wash and iron then return to us as soon as possible.
In the upstairs bedroom, bedding may be found under the bed. In the main bedroom it is in the pine blanket unit. In the living room cupboard are sleeping bags (and liners). Both bedrooms have king-size (5ft) duvets.
This is always a difficult subject. For now, it is nice, but not essential, for visitors to cover our costs. Overall Stable Cottage costs us around £10 per day (council tax, electricity, heating oil etc). We have a savings pot in the kitchen, please put any contributions in there which keeps it all nice and anonymous.
We are happy for visitors to use anything in the Cottage, but please replace items on a like-for-like basis. for example, you may have forgotten to bring wine and the shops are shut. Please feel free to use a bottle of our wine but please replace.
You can try and call us if you have any questyions or problems on either 01279 507897 or 07808 742323. Richard's email address is rdaley@rdas.co.uk.
