Get lost in the timelessness of this Norfolk beauty
16 mins to Cromer
24 mins to Fakenham
Driving through the pine forest-lined road as you arrive at High Kelling on a sunny day, you instinctively know you are close to the coast and there’s a timelessness to this area that has been entertaining day-trippers and holidaymakers for decades. Less than two miles from Holt, the North Norfolk Railway steam train stops here and the 40s weekend sees the area come to life with visitors dressed in World War II outfits and vintage cars, as if the years have been rolled back.
High Kelling
Many follow the Holt Road to Cromer and its famous pier, or pare off to Sheringham to enjoy a walk on the cliffs, but there’s plenty to enjoy about High Kelling for those who chose to make it home. Gorgeous, spacious period homes, many from the 20s and 30s – perhaps why this spot feels so unspoilt – are nestled among the lofty pines, and with independent Gresham’s school just minutes away there are many families who came for a break and found a fabulous place to live.
The school has strong connections with Holt Rugby Club which sits on nine acres at High Kelling’s Bridge Road, and a young players programme has nurtured local talent, most notably Ben Youngs, England’s most-capped scrum-half of all time. Nearby, Voewood is an incredible Grade II listed, Arts and Crafts style house designed and built in the early 20th century in a unique ‘butterfly’ style with a central three-storey portion flanked by two, two-storey ‘wings’. Restored by rare books dealer Simon Finch in 1998, the country house hosts weddings and events in its 11 acres, along with providing a base for his arts business.
Discover more of the area’s history with a visit to nearby Felbrigg Hall, a Tudor estate and now a National Trust property, or further inland to Blickling Hall, a Jacobean estate which is believed to be the birthplace of Anne Boleyn. Past and present, High Kelling is a wonderful spot in this fascinating part of Norfolk.
