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The minimum stay for this property changes depending on the dates selected
Barn
The Dairy is a spacious, comfortable and well-equipped two-bedroom converted barn with a wealth of character. It sleeps 4 and also offers the option to link to an additional double bedroom to accommodate a further 2 guests (contact owner for more details). Well-behaved dogs are very welcome.
The Dairy is part of West Heath Barn which comprises 3 recently converted barns dating from the 1850's. We are situated a mile from the picturesque Norfolk village of Great Massingham and immediately adjacent to Peddars Way National Trail. It offers the perfect location to explore all that Norfolk has to offer, being an ideal base for those wishing to visit the local historical houses and gardens, for walkers, cyclists and bird-watchers and the stunning North Norfolk beaches are just 25 minutes driv...The Dairy is a spacious, comfortable and well-equipped two-bedroom converted barn with a wealth of character. It sleeps 4 and also offers the option to link to an additional double bedroom to accommodate a further 2 guests (contact owner for more details). Well-behaved dogs are very welcome.
The Dairy is part of West Heath Barn which comprises 3 recently converted barns dating from the 1850's. We are situated a mile from the picturesque Norfolk village of Great Massingham and immediately adjacent to Peddars Way National Trail. It offers the perfect location to explore all that Norfolk has to offer, being an ideal base for those wishing to visit the local historical houses and gardens, for walkers, cyclists and bird-watchers and the stunning North Norfolk beaches are just 25 minutes drive away.
We’re surrounded by tranquil countryside offering lots of great dog-walking in our own paddock or on the network of pathways around us. Guests walking to Peddars Way will pass by our resident alpacas en route to the award winning Dabbling Duck Pub & restaurant in the local village.
Accommodation comprises:
- Fully equipped kitchen (oven, hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dish-washer) and adjacent utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer & laundry facilities.
- Entrance hall, and wc
- Lovely spacious lounge with wood-burner, TV & DVD, 2 sofas comfortably seating up to 7 people
- Master bedroom with Norfolk made, wrought-iron king- size bed and en-suite bathroom (bath with mains pressure shower over, WC and sink)
- Pretty twin room, with 2 wrought-iron single beds and en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower)
- An additional double room with en-suite is available to accommodate a further 2 guests if required to sleep up to 6 guests in total (additional costs apply)
Facilities:
- WiFi throughout
- On arrival guests are greeted with flowers, homemade cake and the kitchen is well stocked with basic provisions.
- Luxurious linen and towels are provided
- A cot and highchair are available on request
Dogs are very welcome at The Dairy (typically 2 although we may accept more by arrangement so please contact us to discuss) with access to a fully-fenced exercise paddock right outside your back door. There are loads of pathways to explore within the 5 acres of West Heath Barn land and far beyond. We charge £25 for one dog, £25 for two.
Our second barn, The Cart Lodge, is directly across the courtyard from The Dairy and sleeps 4, making it the perfect option for large families, groups of couples or multi-generational holidays.
Read our generous reviews on Trip Advisor (you'll find them most of them as West Heath Barn and a few more as The Dairy in Great Massingham) to get a flavour of all The Dairy has to offer (April 2017 “having stayed in various places across Norfolk The Dairy at West Heath Barn has to be one of the best ... our hosts, Gill and Dave, were very friendly and accommodating ... facilities are first class both for people and dogs, and the location is perfect").
We offer 7 night stays with a Friday arrival/departure day throughout the year and from January 2023 SHORT BREAKS are available as either a 3 night stay (Friday to Monday) or a 4 night stay (Monday to Friday) during January to May and October to December (excluding the Christmas week). Short breaks are priced at 75% of the weekly rate. If you are interested in a short break please contact us. We will provide a quote and you can then place a booking.
House Rules
Pet-friendlyKid friendlyNo smoking
We don't like to give a list of rules as holidays are about doing just what you please. We'd only ask that you treat our cottages with respect, particularly if you are bringing your dogs, and leave it as you found it.
Bedrooms
1 King2 Singles
Bathrooms
2 Attached (ensuite)
Meet the host
Gill D
Hosting since April 2012
Languages spoken: English
Response Time: Within a few hours
Interaction with guests: We live adjacent to the cottage and are on hand should you have any problems or need any further information. We will meet you on arrival, show you all you need to know to ensure you enjoy your holiday and be available throughout the week as required. That said, we are not here to intrude and keep a very low profile unless you seek us out.
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A very peaceful location in the heart of the Norfolk countryside but within easy driving distance to the beautiful North Norfolk Coast. The Dairy has a very warm and cosy accommodation but spacious with original beams and log burner, was spotlessly clean with all mod cons. Has been converted from a dairy beautifully with under floor heating. There is a paddock to exercise our dog, Mollie, just outside the front door. This was ideal for Mollie as the paddock is completely enclosed so she can't escape as she does tend to run off, so was able to have a good play with balls. If you don't feel like driving there is a lot of circular walks around Great Massingdon also a walk into the village across the fields will take you to a good friendly pub and there is also a lovely cafe serving homemade cakes, both are dog friendly. We don't usually go back to a place but we will definitely would like to go back to the Dairy perhaps in warmer times.
Visited February 2022
Written 9 March 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill Davies
Many thanks for your review Claire and apologies I've been so slow to acknowledge it - we've had a busy year! Delighted you enjoyed your stay in The Dairy and you are quite right it's an altogether different experience in the warmer weather. Hopefully we may see you again here one day.
Written 13 October 2022. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SJEAD62
Elston, United Kingdom44 contributions
The Cream of Norfolk!
This is the third time we have visited West Heath Barn, but on this occasion it was to stay in one of their two exclusive cottages. West Heath Barn is located in a lovely rural spot just a few minutes from the Peddars Way Walk. It is just 25 minutes drive to the north coast and a short distance from many other attractions.
The owners Gill and Dave are the perfect hosts and have ensured that guests have everything they need for a perfect break. The Dairy is the larger of the two cottages, both bedrooms have an ensuite, a large comfortable sitting room with lots of additional accessories to keep you entertained, a lovely breakfast kitchen with a full range of equipment/utensils, utility room with washing machine etc.. and even a small cloakroom. The cottage was spotless, really warm and felt very homely.
We were welcomed with a wonderful bouquet of flowers, a delicious lemon drizzle cake and it was gluten free!! Milk and water in the fridge too.
It is the ideal place to enjoy and relax. We have already booked our next visit.
Visited October 2020
Written 13 October 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill Davies
Thank you so much for choosing to come back to West Heath Barn and try out our self-catering cottages as our B&B is currently closed. It's great to hear it ticked the box! Thank you also for taking the time to post your lovely review - we really appreciate it :) Take care and see you next year!
Written 27 October 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FarAway53359412670
1 contribution
A wonderful place to stay to get away from it all!
This is the fourth time we have returned to West Heath Barns. The accommodation is perfect for us and our dogs, who love the paddock to play in. It is important to us just how clean and well maintained the cottages are as I suffer from asthma. Having a wonderful cottage that is dog friendly and well cleaned in between guests is perfect. We are always made very welcome, love the peace and quiet, extensive country walks in such an outstanding beautiful area. We walked out one day for five hours and only met one other person on a horse. The cottages are so lovely I could happily live there!
Visited July 2020
Written 29 July 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill Davies
We're delighted you had a relaxing and enjoyable time here at West Heath Barn and love it as much as we do :) Thank you so much for choosing to come back yet again and thank you also for taking the time to post a lovely review. We really appreciate it. Take care and perhaps we may see you again when Norfolk beckons once more.
Written 27 October 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Angela T
1 contribution
A perfect place to stay for you, your family and your dogs
A beautiful part of Norfolk with Peddars Way right on the doorstep, we saw hares, partridge, owls, deer and grasssnakes. Plenty of walks, beaches and nature reserves just a short distance away. Gills alpacas were are great hit with the kids and they had the chance to feed them and take them for a walk. Dogs are really well catered for with a large enclosed paddock for them to safely run around in and the Dairy has fully tiled floors for those muddy feet days which made for easy cleaning. Accommodation was really clean, comfortable and tastefully done. Gill and Dave are lovely, really helpful, friendly and approachable. This was our second stay here and we will definitely be visiting again.
Visited August 2018
Written 14 March 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill Davies
Great to hear that you love it here as much as we do - we're very biased but we do think it's a perfect place to live. Thank you so much for the kind review and if you're back in Norfolk hopefully we'll see you again.
Written 18 March 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adventure26318778279
1 contribution
Wonderful property in a fantastic location, with such a warm welcome!
We stayed over half-term with 2 children and granny. The property was immaculate, spacious and adapted perfectly to our needs. The location was very important to us, being right beside the beautiful Peddars Way National Trail. Gill made us so welcome and our children had a dream of stay 'helping' her feed the alpacas. The area provided us not just with idyllic countryside, wildlife and wonderful walking, but also some real food treats (which included breakfast at Gill's B&B and takeaway from the Rose&Crown in Harpley). For so many reasons this is an area well worth visiting and The Dairy is a fantastic base.
Visited February 2019
Written 14 March 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill Davies
Thank you so much for choosing to stay at The Dairy and post such a lovely review - we really appreciate it. It was great to meet you, learn more about Peddars Way from an expert and the extra help with the alpacas each morning was a bonus. They kids were a pleasure to have here.
Written 18 March 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris E
Spalding, United Kingdom1 contribution
Perfect pet friendly home from home
Our fourth visit to this fantastic converted dairy. It feels like home from home. Gill and Dave are fantastic hosts and can't do enough for you. Feels like going back to see friends; they make you feel so welcome. Great location, countryside on the doorstep with many local walks and beach 30 minute drive away. Enjoyed being one of the first group of guests to take the Alpaca's out for a walk. Our dogs know where they are going when we pack up the car and love the freedom when we arrive. We also love the welcoming lemon drizzle cake and biscuits for the dogs. Gill and Dave have thought of everything.
Visited September 2018
Written 8 March 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill Davies
Thanks so much for such a lovely review - we really enjoy enabling our guests to have a great holiday and it's a real pleasure when they are such lovely people. Hope to see you and the dogs again when you fancy another trip to Norfolk and another walk with the alpacas always on offer.
Written 11 March 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
maggie e
Canterbury, United Kingdom5 contributions
Not sure I should tell you this but
The Dairy was amazing. So well equipped and peaceful. Family and dog friendly with an exceptional dog paddock for her to run and play in. We felt very much at home here. Freshly baked cake, milk tea and coffee all provided. What a delight. The beds and bedding were of a superior quality and comfy...walk in shower ideal for my husband as he has mobility problems. No steps to navigate either.
Swaffham has all the big supermarkets. We picked up the basics from Waitrose on our way. It is about 20 minutes away.
The fact our car was able to be parked right outside meant we could unpack our stuff straight into The Dairy with no worries of leaving our little pooch unattended.
We will be going back.....still not sure If I should of told you about this amazing place or kept to myself.
Visited May 2018
Written 28 May 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill D
Thank you for the lovely review Maggie and really appreciate you sharing it rather than keeping the secret to yourself! We loved meeting you both, and your gorgeous little dog, and hope we see you again at West Heath Barn at some point in the future.
Written 30 May 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
C J
London, United Kingdom3 contributions
Perfect Accomodation in a lovely rural setting
We stayed at the Dairy in March and it was absolutely perfect. The owners have thought of everything you could possibly need whilst staying there, down to provisions to start your stay off and a lovely cake to greet us! The accommodation is spotless and very well laid out. The location is in an excellent spot to explore all around Norfolk.
Visited March 2018
Written 30 March 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill D
We're so pleased you enjoyed your stay and really appreciate the time to post such a nice review. Hopefully we may see you again at some point in the future when the weather is better and you can explore more of Norfolk.
Written 2 April 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
adamfogg
Essex, United Kingdom1 contribution
The perfect holiday home
It has taken a little while to write this review but the delay should not retract from the wonderful experience we had here. My daughter and I took my elderly grandparents for a week away with the knowledge that due to limited mobility this may well be their last holiday. If indeed this is their last holiday then they certainly finished on a high.
Firstly I must say the owners were a delight to communicate with, they were patient as I explained via email about the need for all ground floor level for my grandparents but also our dog. The welcome on arrival was warm and genuine and they took the time to talk to all the members of our party. My daughter was thrilled at being introduced to the resident alpacas and she still talks about it today, although she insists that they are called apalacas!
The barn itself has been converted to the highest standard, all fixture and fittings are of real quality and feel as robust as you would find in a normal home. The cooking appliances are excellent and you will really find everything you need in the drawers.
The bathrooms were lovely and bright, the large walk in shower was stunning and the grooming products supplied were of a very high standard.
Although no longer in this field I have had a long career in Hotel Management which includes Five star establishments and so cleanliness is an area that I find myself being drawn to perhaps with an eye for detail beyond the norm and I have to say that this was simply the cleanest property I have ever stayed in or visited holiday wise. It was spotless and should be commended.
The area was so peaceful and there is so much to do and see all within half hour. If you have a dog this place is ideal and the dog run is perfect.
It really was impossible to fault, the only problem is that this has now become the benchmark to which all other properties will be compared to - one of which has already failed dismally!
Perfect property, great location and warm and friendly owners. Book now!!
Visited July 2016
Written 1 February 2017. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill D
Thanks for the lovely review and glad to hear your parents, daughter and yourself had a great time. As we were very new here when you came to stay, it's really great to hear we're doing it right. Your daughter is doing better than most with the alpacas - most of our guests reckon they're llamas which they most certainly are not! Best wishes to your folks and hope we may see you again at some point in the future.
Written 2 February 2017. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Barbara04_13
Wolverhampton, United Kingdom17 contributions
The best holiday cottage we have been in.
The Dairy was just magnificent, warm, comfortable, everything that you could want for holiday luxury.
We have had many self catering holidays, and The Dairy just about beats all.
We had not been to Norfolk previously and really enjoyed going to surrounding places, and The Dabbling Duck in the village was well worth a visit.
Great- we hope to re-book for next year.
Visited March 2015 Travelled with friends
Written 23 March 2015. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Less than a mile from Great Massingham, one of Norfolk’s prettiest villages, and adjacent to Peddars Way National Trail, West Heath Barn is an ideal base for exploring all that Norfolk has to offer. We’re close to a wide range of attractions from walking or cycling on Peddars Way to the magnificent historic houses and country estates including Sandringham, Houghton Hall and Oxburgh Hall and more. The stunning Norfolk coast is less than 30 minutes drive away, offering 60+ miles of sandy beaches, marshlands and big skies. Birdwatchers are within easy reach of Snettisham and Titchwell bird reserves. Burnham Market and Holt offer chic retail therapy and the fabulous cities of Norwich and Cambridge are less than an hour away.
Getting around
We advise to get the best out of this area, you do need a car unless the primary purpose of your holiday is to walk the network of paths that surround us.
Access
Car advised
How to get there
Approx 2.5hrs drive from London. West Heath Barn is less than a mile outside Great Massingham. Most of our guests do travel here by car (unless they are walking Peddars Way National Trail) and there is plenty of parking immediately beside the cottages. Should you wish to travel by train, the nearest mainline station is Kings Lynn (about a 15 minute taxi ride). There is a bus service from Great Massingham to the key towns that surround us (Swaffham, Kings Lynn and Fakenham) but do bear in mind we live in a beautiful rural area so public transport reflects that.
Activities nearby
Golf course (within 30 mins drive)Horse riding facilitiesTennis court
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 4 pm • Check out by 10 am
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
50% refund* if you cancel at least 4 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
Notes from owner
Note that short break daily prices are based on a 3 night stay - 4, 5 or 6 night stays have a lower daily rate. Contact us for a quote. The additional en-suite room adjoining The Dairy may be booked at the rate of £260.00 per week, thus providing 3 double rooms plus a sofa bed in the lounge. This lay-out is very popular with multi-generational families.
Note there is also a £15 charge for up to 2 well-behaved dogs.
About this property
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