Escape to 4 acres of countryside.
Bath an emu. Collect your own eggs. Toast marshmallows by the lake. Peacock Barn is a 3-bed eco-barn on 4 acres of Norfolk countryside — and a petting zoo full of very friendly animals.
Dogs are welcome. To keep our resident guinea fowl, hens and ducks safe (and sane!), we ask that dogs stay on a lead whenever they're out in the grounds.
A well-lit gravel drive leads to plenty of parking right beside the barn.
Newly refurbished
A bright, open-plan space with a large kitchen island, dining table for six, two leather sofas, and double doors onto a slate patio. Underfloor heating throughout — powered by our air source heat pump and solar panels in the paddock (42 of them), so cosy in winter and low-impact year-round. Sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (with both a bath and a shower).
“Wow! Where do I start? It is very rare that I submit a maximum review score, having been a platinum member of booking.com for 3 years now. I have never given a maximum score, but unfortunately I have no other option. The facilities are truly amazing, the team in Chris and Helen, offered us a free farm tour where we fed the chickens and ducks, watered the emus (I know!). For anyone who wants to experience the beauty of the countryside and amazing views, but also appreciates fussing the most beautiful hens, geese, sheep, emus, and did I mention the dogs? This is one of the finest locations I have ever stopped in, great for families or great if you just want a break away. I won't mention the 2 minute walk to the lake, where you can relax with a glass of wine, absorbing the beautiful sunset.”
“I hated the fact I didn't book a longer stay. Seriously, truly beautiful”
The grounds
Four acres of Norfolk countryside. The animals are part of the experience: Emmet the emu (famously dopy, loves a hose-down) and his two girlfriends, two Ouessant sheep (the smallest breed in the world), hens, ducks, and our two papillons and Shetland sheepdog who tend to supervise everything.
There's a lake (with fish always eager to be fed), a firepit with free wood, two BBQs, picnic tables, and fruit trees — blackcurrants, gooseberries, plums, apples and pears in season. Pick what you like.
A guided tour of the animals
We're always happy to walk you round — collecting eggs, feeding the sheep, hosing down the emus. For animal-loving kids it's hard to beat.
Emus (Emmet plus two females), Ouessant sheep (the world’s smallest breed), peacocks, guinea fowl, hens, ducks, our Shetland sheepdog, and two papillons (mum and daughter).
The 1780 mill next door
Our Grade II listed tower mill was built around 1780 and raised by two storeys in 1815 by miller John Dobbs – his datestone “J.D. 1815” is still on the east wall. Unusually it drove three pairs of millstones, and it worked until a storm on 22 February 1908 took its sails. We've just finished restoring it: four floors, nearly 250 years of history and brilliant views from the top – happy to give you a tour during your stay.
Where you are
Tucked into the Norfolk countryside near Wisbech.
- Beaches: Hunstanton (30 mi), Holkham (40 mi)
- Wildlife: RSPB Titchwell Marsh, RSPB Snettisham, Welney Wetland Centre, Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
- Royal & stately: Sandringham Estate (the King's private residence, 20 mi), Houghton Hall, Holkham Hall
- Cities: Ely (25 mi), Cambridge, Norwich
- Family days out: Snettisham Park (lambs, deer safari), Bircham Windmill, SEA LIFE Sanctuary, Flag Fen
- Dinner: The Rose & Crown, Snettisham (Norfolk Dining Pub of the Year 2020) and The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham
Powered by the sun
In 2019 we installed 42 solar panels in the paddock, beside the 1780 mill – commissioned on 31 March, just hours before the feed-in tariff closed. Each of our three homes, including Peacock Barn, has its own inverter, and the solar helps run the air source heat pump that heats the barn's underfloor heating. We built the frames ourselves, angled at 25° and facing due south for the best year-round output.