Rural Retreats was founded in 1985 with the aim of making the countryside more accessible for holidaymakers and giving them the best possible choice of holiday homes across the UK. Rural Retreats’ continuing success is based on excellent local knowledge and painstaking research, together with a flair for finding delightful and unusual properties. All of this has enabled us to build a portfolio of over 450 exceptionally fine holiday homes in stunningly beautiful locations, all available for you to rent. When you are looking for your own perfect holiday home, our experienced and helpful staff can help to point you to the property of your dreams. Whatever you want to ask about any of our properties, there will be someone on our staff who knows the cottage or apartment at first hand.

Located in the charming village of Bodney, at Bodney Lodge you can stay in the heart of the unspoilt countryside of Norfolk’s Brecklands, in a beautifully restored nineteenth century barn and stable. From the four-poster bed to the full-size snooker table and hot tub, the facilities are luxurious.

Information correct at time of writing. On the River Nar is Castle Acre, which is a must for anyone interested in our nation’s history. The village contains the ruins and remnants of a complete Norman settlement, with a castle, church and a monastery. The castle is a classic motte-and-bailey formation, while Castle Priory is one of the largest monastic sites remaining in England. The market town of Swaffham boasts fine Georgian buildings and was reputedly one of Horatio Nelson’s favourite haunts. There’s a market held here every Saturday and you can also visit the town museum. Oxburgh Hall is a manor house surrounded by a moat. It may look peaceful nowadays, but Oxburgh has witnessed everything from the Civil War to the persecution of the Catholics – you can still see a priest’s hole hidden inside the building. The walled garden makes for a lovely stroll too. Houghton Hall was originally the home of Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. The house is one of the jewels of the nation’s crown, in classic Palladian style. The impressive and extensive gardens often host works by famous sculptors and there’s also a Soldier Museum to keep the little ones (or the grown-ups) entertained. The House closes during the winter months. If you fancy a flutter or just enjoy the thrills and spills of thoroughbred racing, both Fakenham Racecourse and Newmarket Racecourses are nearby. Check their websites for the racing calendar. You can see some of the thoroughbreds being walked and exercised in the early morning at Newmarket – drive carefully, the horses take right of way over traffic. From the architectural splendour of King’s College Chapel to the recently opened Grand Arcade with a five-storey John Lewis, Cambridge has something for everyone. One great way to see the city is by taking a punt along the River Cam.