Fenside
Sea Palling, NorfolkFenside is located at the end of a quiet lane in the friendly seaside village of Sea Palling. It has the very best of two worlds; stunning rural views across farm land, and yet just a short walk to a Blue Flag sandy beach (eight minutes on foot, or twelve if your dog insists on inspecting every gate post on the way!).
Description
Previously a farm labourer’s cottage, Fenside was restored from a completely derelict state, and modernised into a lovely home. It can accommodate five guests comfortably in three bedrooms.
Sea Palling couldn’t be more dog friendly. Both the café and bar/restaurant welcome your pooches with open arms, and you can take your dogs on the beach all year round. There is also a fish and chip restaurant, an amusement arcade, a local shop (which sells practically everything) and a Post Office. Drive three minutes along the road toward Ingham and you will find the family-run Causeway butcher, selling wonderful local meat, eggs and milk (ask for bones for your dogs). Just a few hundred yards from there is the incredibly well-stocked farm shop where you can get bread and cakes, fruit and veg, logs and kindling, and lots, lots more.
Sea Palling is an ideal base for exploring all along our Norfolk coast. Head south, to Waxham and Horsey for the amazing site of our grey seal colony. Step back in time at the amazing Poppylands tea room, or enjoy some award-winning ciders and real ale at the Nelson Head pub. Head north to the Happisburgh lighthouse, making sure to call in at the brilliant Small Sticks café at Cart Gap. A little further afield you’ll enjoy other seaside towns such as Winterton-on-Sea, Mundesley, Cromer, Sheringham and Wells.
BOOK EARLY FOR 2023
Reactive Dog 2 Star
This property has a 2 star reactive friendly award. Please read below for further details
Dogs – No fixed limit – please check with Gail
3 bedrooms
Sleeps 5
Smoke Free Property
Ground floor shower room
Broadband & WiFi
Off road parking for 2 cars
To view the cottage photos in full screen mode, please click on the first photo below. The photo will open up to full screen and you can use the left and right arrows (on either side of the photo) to scroll through all the cottage photos
Cottage Details
On Arrival
Drive through the gate at the end of the lane where there is plenty of off road parking for two cars.
Go through the garden gate, and past the patio doors, to the front door.
Enter the small hallway and turn right into the
Kitchen
The large, eat-in kitchen is well equipped with everything you need, whether you like to cook up a full English with a pot of builder’s tea, or prefer to keep it simple with croissants and a cafetière of freshly-brewed coffee. The owners are keen cooks and you will find a slow cooker, Magimix food processor, stick blender and sandwich toaster. There is even a waffle maker which is always a hit with the children.
There is plenty of cupboard space, along with a large fridge freezer; perfect for anyone with raw-fed dogs or to keep lots of ice cream on hand in the summer. Forget washing up, as there is a dishwasher. One of the wall sockets has two handy USB charging points.
The dedicated doggy cupboard has an assortment of feeding bowls, towels, poo bags, emergency leads and holiday tags.
Through the kitchen, and out into the lobby where the washing machine is located. Turn right into
Downstairs Shower room
The shower room was refitted in May 2018, and provides a sleek and modern walk-in shower. Water pressure at Fenside is really good, and a huge hot water tank provides a great shower experience. There is a large mirror with lights and a cupboard to store your lotions and potions.
Return though the kitchen and walk across to the
Living Room
This gorgeous room has its own feature painting right outside the doors. Every window at Fenside enjoys wonderful views, but the very best experience is from the lounge. Whatever the season, there is always something to see. Sit quietly with a cup of coffee and watch for wildlife; pheasant and deer are regular visitors to the farmer’s field just a few feet away. Open the patio doors in the summer and watch the sunshine shimmer on the ripening barley. During the winter months, listen out for crowds of migrating geese that set down in the fields. And of course, the gorgeous sunsets in our breathtaking Norfolk skies. On a clear night you will get an amazing view of the stars.
The lounge itself is spacious and stylish. There is plenty of seating, with noodle mats so you can snuggle up with your dogs. The feature fireplace has a wood burner, which is perfect for a cosy winter night in. Pour yourself a glass of wine, pull up a footstool, and watch a film on Netflix.
The owners have chosen a wood effect, vinyl tile flooring, with a textured finish, to minimise the possibility of slippy paws (and feet!). They have provided a selection of games, jigsaws, cards and books to keep you amused, along with a DAB+ radio with Bluetooth so that you can play your own music.
Come back out of the living room and turn left to go upstairs.
Single Bedroom
The first bedroom is a single with a very comfortable, medium support sprung mattress with a thick mattress topper. There is a bedside table with reading lamp, and a chest of drawers.
Twin Bedroom
(or as the owners call it, the Awkward Room):
The second bedroom is light and bright, and has twin beds, with the chimney breast between. There is room for bedside drawers, but not a wardrobe, and so the owners have fitted clever fold-out hooks with plenty of hangers. The beds have hotel quality mattresses, with thick mattress toppers, providing both support and comfort, and there is space underneath to store your cases and holdalls, or to push the dog beds away during the daytime.
Exit the twin bedroom and walk back along the landing to the:
Upstairs Bathroom
This fresh room has a traditional white bath suite and neutral tiling, with metallic mosaic edge. There is a large mirror with lights.
Double Bedroom
The double room is painted in a soothing cream, with tones of red and grey. It has a comfortable double bed with pocket-sprung mattress, filled with natural silk and wool fibres. The owners have ensured that all of Fenside’s beds have high quality, 100% cotton bedding, with cosy throws and a choice of duvet weights to keep you comfortable. Bedside tables, a chest of drawers and hanging rails with plenty of hangers complete the room.
Outside
The medium-sized garden is laid mainly to grass with borders and shrubs. There is a patio table and chairs, with parasol and cushions. The palisade fence encloses the property completely, however, please be aware that it is just 3 to 3.5 feet high. This gives uninterrupted views across the fields. Being at the very end of the lane, there is no passing traffic, however, for anyone with a reactive dog, please be aware that the driveway to Mimi cottage next door goes around the perimeter of the garden, and so there is the occasional person or car coming or going.
What we provide
- A warm welcome
- Welcome pack (please advise of any allergies or dietary exclusions) plus tea, coffee, milk, sugar and sweeteners
- Good quality, 100% cotton bed linen, with choice of duvet weights.
- Bath towels, hand towels and tea towels
- Washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, hand wash
- Fibre broadband, with good reception throughout
- Netflix, Smart TV, games, books, cards
- Basket of logs and kindling
- Oil-fired central heating, with thermostatic radiator controls in all rooms
- Two hairdryers; one high-speed and one with more gentle output
And for our dog guests
- A warm welcome
- Treats and biscuits
- One large crate, but do let Gail know if you need more
- Dog beds with pads (three small, two medium, two large)
- Noodle mats for the sofas and chairs
- Towels for drying off after those long beach walks
- A variety of food bowls, poo bags, emergency leads and holiday tags
Groceries and dog food
- All major supermarkets deliver to Fenside, and if you place your order ahead then we are very happy to put your groceries away for you. Please liaise with Gail before placing your order, for advice on choosing a suitable delivery timeslot.
- If you would like a delivery of dog food to the house while you are here, rather than bringing it with you, Sams Pets is a great place to contact. Pack Holidays guests have an exclusive 10% off anything in their shop in Market Place in North Walsham! Take a peek at their Facebook page too!
Please note
- Fenside is strictly a non-smoking property, please, as one of the owners is asthmatic.
- Bookings are Friday-Friday. Short breaks are available during the quiet season; please contact Gail with your dates for a quote.
- Your dogs are very welcome to snuggle on the sofas with you; please ensure that they lay on the noodle mats provided.
- There is no hard limit on the number of dogs; Gail will be happy to advise with regard to the suitability of the property for the size of your pack/breed.
- A refundable security £100 bond is requested
Reactive Friendly Award Details
2 Star⭐⭐
Fenside is a 2 star Reactive Friendly Pack Holidays cottage, but very much heading towards the 3 star rating.
Here are the reasons why, but also more importantly, what aspects of the cottage may not be suitable for your reactive. Fenside is situated in a very quiet area, off the beaten track and on the edge of farmland (there are no working farm buildings nearby).
There is one house next door (Mimi) which is also a Pack Holidays cottage but it is at the side of Fenside so is not overlooking the house unduly. Their garden is also on the other side of Mimi so can’t be seen from Fenside and vice versa.
The fields in front of Fenside have been arable for the past 4 years, and whilst we have seen some cattle, they have been three fields away (and are rather like little dots on the horizon). The fencing around Fenside garden is 3 to 3.5 feet all the way around so whilst quite secure for most dogs, if you have jumpers, this might not be the right choice for you.
The garden is accessed directly from the main entry door and the patio doors so you can see the dogs in the garden quite easily. There are some lovely bridle paths nearby as well as the walk to the beach via Beach Road. There is also a very quiet route to the Beach through the church yard and across a farm track to the sand dunes, which is fully documented in the guest manual or for a quieter walk to the beach, take the bridle path on the left hand side of the road as you walk up Waxham Road. That takes you across the dunes to the beach.
There are no passers-by, other than the guests currently staying at Mimi cottage, and the odd delivery to next door. The houses are quite separate and there is no shared fencing.
Accessibility Guide
Wheelchair access
Unfortunately, due to the layout of the building, it is not feasible to accommodate a wheelchair user, due to there being a narrow passage between the two downstairs rooms. All door frames are of standard width. Additionally, there is no downstairs bedroom, and the downstairs shower room is too small to accommodate a wheelchair.
In the light of the above, all fixtures and fittings are installed at standard height, and not adapted for use from a seated position.
Assisted walking / mobility issues
The ground around the exterior is chiefly covered with loose shingle, which anyone relying on a walking aid could find difficult to negotiate. There is also a stretch of decking outside the French doors, with a step on either side.
There is a step up at each of the external doors, although, once inside the building, there is level access throughout the ground floor.
The downstairs shower room is narrow, and the route to it requires navigation around two doors in a tight space. Therefore, access using a walking frame would be difficult.
Access to the shower requires the user to navigate one step. The shower tray surface is not non-slip, however, a non-slip mat is provided. Grab handles are not available.
Upstairs bedrooms are small, with limited space around beds to store a frame overnight, which could impede exit during an emergency.
Garden access
There is a significant step up to access the lawned area of the garden.
Unfortunately, due to the layout of the building, it is not feasible to accommodate a wheelchair user,
due to there being a narrow passage between the two downstairs rooms. All door frames are of
standard width. Additionally, there is no downstairs bedroom, and the downstairs shower room is too
small to accommodate a wheelchair.
In the light of the above, all fixtures and fittings are installed at standard height, and not adapted for use
from a seated position.
Assisted walking / mobility issues
The ground around the exterior is chiefly covered with loose shingle, which anyone relying on a walking
aid could find difficult to negotiate. There is also a stretch of decking outside the French doors, with a
step on either side.
There is a step up at each of the external doors, although, once inside the building, there is level access
throughout the ground floor.
The downstairs shower room is narrow, and the route to it requires navigation around two doors in a
tight space. Therefore, access using a walking frame would be difficult.
Access to the shower requires the user to navigate one step. The shower tray surface is not non-slip,
however, a non-slip mat is provided. Grab handles are not available.
Upstairs bedrooms are small, with limited space around beds to store a frame overnight, which could
impede exit during an emergency.
Garden access
There is a significant step up to access the lawned area of the garden.
- Upstairs bedrooms are small, with limited space around beds to store a frame overnight, which could
impede exit during an emergency..
- Upstairs bedrooms are small, with limited space around beds to store a frame overnight, which could
impede exit during an emergency.
Hearing impairment
The Fenside smoke alarms are linked, and when triggered they sound in multiple rooms. They are very
loud, which might be sufficient to alert someone with a slight degree of deafness. The alarms also flash
when triggered, however, this is meant to indicate the location of the hazard, and would not be
considered sufficient to waken or alert anyone with hearing impairment.
The TV in the lounge and the Humax receiver both have a subtitles feature, subject to being provided by
individual channels/programme makers.
- A paper copy of the guest manual and other documentation can be provided in large print format on
request.
Electronic versions of guest documentation are also available. We use heading styles to make it easier
for those using screen readers.
The TV and Humax box in the lounge both feature an audio description facility, subject to being
provided by individual channel / programme makers.
There is an Amazon Alexa digital device, to enable verbal interaction with online information.
- We provide a selection of Good Grips kitchen implements to help anyone with, for example, arthritis in
their hands. Additionally, there is a gadget designed to help with opening jars.
Taps:
The kitchen sink and downstairs shower room basin both have easy-to-operate lever type mixer
taps.
In the upstairs bathroom, both the basin and bath have ‘cross’ style handles.
The shower valve requires a good grip to operate, for both the water flow and temperature
control.
The toilet in the downstairs bathroom has a ‘push button’ flush, which could be difficult to operate with
weakened fingers. Upstairs the flush is a traditional level style.
The hob is operated by touch-sensitive controls, as is the central heating thermostat; neither require any pressure at all to operate
Location & Directions
Address
Fenside, Church Road, Sea Palling, NR12 0UA
Directions
From the A149 Stalham bypass take the turning signposted Happisburgh/Walcott/Bacton at the western end of the town (Stepping Stone Lane B1159). At the end of the lane, turn right at the junction and stay on the road into Stalham for approximately 0.5 mile until you reach the first junction in the town with the High School on your left hand side. Turn left at this junction and follow the road through Stalham, to Ingham.
Follow the road through Ingham past the Ingham Swan, and follow the road to the first junction which is signposted Sea Palling. Turn right at this junction towards Sea Palling, passing Causway Farm butcher and the farm shop.
Just as you enter the village, the road bends to the left and Church Road is on the RIGHT. Drive down Church Road, and after approx. 200 metres, the road splits; take the right hand fork and you will see Fenside’s gate immediately in front of you after approx. 100 metres.
You approach the house from behind, which is on your left once you are through the gate.
Availability Calendar
This calendar shows you all our up to date availability for all properties and you can use the scroll forward to look at future months availability. Click on a start date to see the price. If you are looking for a different arrival date or not too sure what you are looking for, do give me a call or email me gail@packholidays.co.uk / 079 353 75899
Guest Feedback
We have had a very relaxing time at Fenside. It’s so well equipped and extremely comfortable for people and the dogs and all the thoughtful goodies were a nice touch.
Please dont raise the fence in the garden, you have such a fantastic view and I was able to study 16 cranes with my binoculars whilst sitting in the armchair. Bliss!
Another amazing Pack Holiday. Really enjoy the peace and quiet at Fenside with those amazing views. As always, the house was immaculate, spotless and fully equipeed. Already booked for next year.
Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely house.
None of us want to go home!
We had an absolutely wonderful time. Very well stocked and fitted. The dogs had a great time both inside and in the garden. Already booked again for next year!!!
We have had a great time here at Fenside. The house and scenery and proximity to the beach is all we hoped for – we have to choose very carefully so that our very nervous rescue dog Grace, is as safe and comfortable here in new surroundings and she coped well with walking to the beach and meeting local dogs and owners. Everything is here in this holiday home, the cleanliness and facilities are excellent and all the dogs loved the noodle mats and dog treats! The welcome pack was very thoughtful and generous, thank you. Many thanks to you Gail, and the owners and the cleaning team.
We have had an amazing stay. Thank you so much. The cottage is fantastic and such a relaxing place. Well needed break!
A lovely house in an ideal situation. Everything spotless and lacking nothing that anyone could want. By far the nicest holiday cottage we have ever stayed in both for humans and dogs
To all of you who have made our holiday so lovely a big ”thank you”. The house is always so lovely and clean and we always enjoy being here!! See you again in August
Thank you for another lovely stay at Fenside and for all the nice bits you left for us and the Poppyland vouchers. We love it here. Thank you all once again.
Thank you for a lovely stay, yet again. We have expolored new places and walked miles and miles. We know the timing was a bit awkward with the lockdown announced again, but Gail kept us informed and eased our worries.
We arrived at Fenside amidst a gale force fifteen!!
Thanks to Gail and her team.
The house was sparkling clean!
Hugo loved his walks, Bacton woods, beaches, Cart Gap, Winteront and Sea Palling ( ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛). Once back at the house, he crashed in front of the fire that was roaring.
The kitchen at Fenside is very well equipped. Lucky for me, Mr A pancakes for breakfast flipped!!
The Greyhound, Lighthouse and Pleasure Boat Inn’s we tried. Very happy to say all COVID-19 safety complied.
So long to Norfolk, until we visit again
Thank you for an amazing holiday. As ever you have thought of everything, especially during this difficult time. We’ve enjoyed lovely walks and cosy evening. We will be back again.
We have had a fabulous break with our two dogs in your beautiful cottage. We have never been to a holiday home so well equipped for people and doggies. Not so with other holiday renters we have spoken to! (other properties). We will be recommending this to friends and family and would be happy to return in the future. We will also send Gail a picture of your cottage with our pup in the front. Love the beach, amazing!
We have had a fabulous break with our two dogs in your beautiful cottage. We have never been to a holiday home so well equipped for people and doggies. Not so with other holiday renters we have spoken to! (other properties). We will be recommending this to friends and family and would be happy to return in the future. We will also send Gail a picture of your cottage with our pup in the front. Love the beach, amazing!
Dogs has a good time on beaches and in land.
Hope to come back again.
Overall, a very relaxing week and we have enjoyed our stay at Fenside so thanks to the owners for signing up with Pack Holidays, as it isn’t easy to find a place that takes more than 2 dogs!
We have left some tokens behind for next people to use as amusements
We also popped into Causeway Butchers. Very friendly and lovely meant, definitely recommend it.
Our first time in Norfolk, extremely dog friendly. Gail was brilliant, changing over a crate for us so quickly.
Totally relaxing and a lovely cottage to stay in.
Thank you again for the lovely welcome pack, we and the girls have enjoyed munching through it! I’m sure we will return – Thanks again
Thank you again to Gail and Fenside’s owners for providing this lovely accommodation and presenting it so beautifully. As we said after our stay last year, it’s always a good sign when you stay in a dog friendly property and there is no evidence of the previous doggy residents. We will certainly continue to recommend Pack Holidays. Thank you!
What can we say but “wow” Fenside is truly amazing. We can see why & how you fell in love with this place. The garden is secure and the view is fabulous, Millie loves roaming around and the beach is fantastic too.
The owners attention to detail is second to none they have thought of everything. We will definitely be back and will recommend to friends. Excellent 5* plus more holiday let.
Thank you so much for a fantastic holiday. Everything you need is provided and nearby. Our doggies have loved the garden and the beach. The welcome pack and doggie treats were very much enjoyed, looks like I’ll be making some liver cakes at home for the dogs. The cottage is well equipped and the beds are amazing – we have slept very well.
We will happily come back again and may even stay longer.
We had a very last minute short break after a disappointing week. What luck we happened on Pack Holidays and Fenside. All we could of wanted and more – super dog friendly in every way. Rolo (our rescue pup) was in his element on the beach, happiest we have seen him.
Thank you so much for providing such a great place to stay.
Thanks again -xxxxx-
Once again thank you so much for making our very first “doggy holiday” such a lovely experience.
Lots of love Russ, Shaz + doggies
P.S. It will be a shame to put a high fence up it will spoil the wonderful view. (Poppylands is a must).
Thanks for all the lovely goodies, thank-you, Pat and Bob + doggies.