Mallard Hut
Norfolk, United Kingdom
Wild With Nature
- Our low price promise from £132 €150 p/n
-
Shepherd's hut
Sleeps 2
- One double bed
Suitable for children aged 5 and over
Not suitable for pets
Overview
There are 750 acres of meadows, woodland and natural beauty on this conservation site – plenty of space for roaming, swimming and even paddleboarding, with kit to borrow in the surf shack. Mallard is tucked into a quiet spot with a handful of other huts within strolling distance, all overlooking the conservation site’s largest lake.
Inside is warmed by a little wood burner in the corner, with a double bed against one wall and just enough space for two to snuggle up comfortably. Behind the hut there’s a flushing loo and a shower shack, and next door a private, covered kitchen shelter where you can cook campfire suppers over the firebowl under a star-filled sky. There’s signal but no wifi, so it’s the perfect spot to recharge and reconnect surrounded by the freshest country air and the sounds of the conservation site – the odd tractor, rutting muntjac deer, the hoot of an owl.
Just a few moments away is The Nest, a communal space with a big firepit and a wood-fired pizza oven – it’s here you’ll find the shared fridges to keep everything nicely chilled. There’s plenty at the conservation site to keep you entertained, like books and board games, plus you can borrow paddleboards for cruising on the lake or rent a hot tub for a few days.
Visit East of England 2025 Tourism Awards - Winner of Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Read more
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 4 PM
- Check out: 10 AM
- Please note there is a £250 refundable damage deposit to be paid directly to your hosts on arrival
- Please bring a torch, wellies, walking boots, insect repellent and swimwear
- The communal wood-fired hot tub is available to hire and is £30 per day payable directly to your hosts on arrival
- This hut is one of a few that is centred around a communal area called The Nest and a lake. Due to the lack of barriers between the site and the water your host's advise that the lake is not suitable for children below the age of 5 or for those children who can’t swim
- The Surf Shack is stocked with cool boxes, buoyancy aids and the sites own hybrid paddleboards
- Fishing is permitted in the lake, providing you send your hosts a copy of your fishing license prior to your arrival
- There is a designated parking space 20m from the hut
- Initial supply of firewood is provided with more available to purchase on site for £8.50 per basket
- Mobile phone signal available
- No wifi
- Plug sockets available in The Nest only
Sleeping arrangements
- One double bed
Cooking
- Private sheltered kitchen next to the hut equipped with a pizza oven, firepit BBQ, two-ring gas hob, kettle, cafetiere, teapot, small gas fridge, cool box with ice blocks
- Cooking utensils, crockery and glassware provided
- The Nest also has a two-ring gas hob, firepit BBQ, fridge, freezer and cooking utensils
Washing
- Private shower shack and flushing toilet a few metres from the hut
- Bathroom toiletries provided
- Towels are not provided. Please bring a towel
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Bed linen provided
- The main source of heat comes from the wood-burner
- Solar-powered lights by the hut
Entertainment
- Wood-fired hot tub available to hire (£30 per night, please contact your hosts for more information)
- Hybrid paddleboard available to use free of charge
- Wild swimming lake
- Fishing (fishing license required)
- Books, board games and cards in the Nest
- Bats and balls of different shapes and sizes along with frisbees and swing ball available in the Nest
Read more
Travel & parking
- There is a designated parking area shared with one other space
- The car park is on a hard surface and leaves enough room around the car to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- The gravelled path leading to the hut is approx. 30m
Site & space access
- There are 3 steps up to the deck, each between 20 - 25cm high with the top step being 5cm high
- The step up into the hut from the deck is approx. 4cm high
- The doorway into the hut is 74cm wide
- There is a shower shack by the hut which has level access inside but two steps to enter
- There are two fixed mirrors in the shower shack above the sink
Mobility aid
- There is a handle at the top of the steps up to the space
We have gathered information from the owner about this space to help you decide if it is the right place for you. We would always encourage you to contact us before booking to discuss your accessibility needs. We’re dedicated to helping everyone access our spaces and enjoy the outdoors. Visit our Disability Inclusive page for more information on our journey.
Getting there
Manor Farm, Rocklands Road, Shropham, Norfolk, NR17 1DX
What3Words: ///exploring.calms.along - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to the entrance to the site so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav, but always remember to look at the owners’ directions too!
By public transport
The nearest train station is in Attleborough, 10-15 minutes
There is no set bus which serves Shropham, although Norfolk has introduced an on-demand 'Flexibus' service. More information can be found here: https://www.travelnorfolk.co.uk/south-norfolk-flexibus
By car
If you just type 'Wild With Nature' into your satnav it will take you to the main farmhouse, which isn't correct. Instead, continue along Rocklands Road (with the farmhouse on your right) for a further 200m until you see the Wild With Nature sign. Honeypot Meadow is down the track to the left - you'll need to input a code to unlock the gates (provided to you prior to arrival in a digital guidebook).
Parking is 10-30 metres away from each space.
The nearest EV charging station is in Queen's Square car park in Attleborough (NR17 2QW), although the nearest fast-charging station is at the Shell garage just to the north of Attleborough (NR17 2PU). Both are within a 15-minute drive of Wild With Nature.
Directions to the different spaces once you arrive:
Orchid & Cowslip
What3Words of the track taking you to the huts is ///relate.carefully.operating.
For Orchid Hut - turn off the track when you see the see the sign for Orchid Hut to the right, travel alongside the wood and you will see the hut and Sundowner. Parking is a few metres from the hut.
For Cowslip Hut - continue past the turning for Orchid Hut and after 100m you will see a sign to the right for Cowslip Hut. Parking is in the clearing amongst the trees and there is a barrow to help transport your kit to the hut. If it's very windy you can park by the hut.
Mallard, Teal, Pheasant, Barn Owl, Kingfisher & Skylark
Head past the site's cottages and continue on the track for about 1 mile, you will see a sign post to the left for the Lakes; turn along here and take the appropriate sign for your accommodation; please park on the gravelled area near your hut or yurt. Please beware of any children who may already be onsite. Another option to reach the junction of Rocklands Road and Spong Lane is to use the What3Words app; the What3Words address of Spong Lane taking you to the Lakes is ///blip.tightrope.screamed.
Read more
Food & Drink
At Wild With Nature
Tea, coffee, sugar, salt and pepper.
The owners can provide a selection of 'glamper hampers' for you to enjoy during your stay. They currently offer the following options:
Cooked breakfast
Continental breakfast
Pizza
They aim to source all their ingredients locally where possible. All the fresh meat comes from DJ Barnard, a family business of butchers and farmers in the village who produce excellent meat. Bread is from Hingham Bakery.
Eggs, fruit and vegetables are from Rookery Meadows in Great Ellingham who source most of their produce from local farmers/businesses. Jams, marmalades and honeys are also locally made; where possible, the owners source these from the Tea Lady and Orchid Apiaries (who have hives on the owners farm).
The contents of the pizza hampers are sourced from supermarkets and Italian wholesalers, as these are difficult to source in Norfolk.
Ordering these can be done via the online shop, a link is provided in the digital guidebook sent to guests prior to arrival.
Continental breakfast hamper for 2 costs £23.50
Cooked breakfast hamper for 2 costs £25
Pizza hamper for 2 costs £12
Local shops
The closest town is Attleborough (6 miles) - a small market town with supermarkets Sainsbury's and Lidl, a range of shops, takeaways and a train station with trains every hour to Norwich and Cambridge.
Wymondham (11 miles) - a larger market town with large Waitrose, Morrisons and Lidl supermarkets and Thetford has a large Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Barnard's Butchers (30-minute walk) - as well as delicious meat, ham and eggs they sell a small selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, jam, chutney and cheese. Open Tuesday- Saturday.
Rookery Meadows Farm Shop (3.5 miles) - offering plenty of fresh, local produce, including eggs, milk, Norfolk cheeses & meats.
Rocklands Community Shop and Post Office (2.7 miles) - small, but well stocked including lots of produce from local suppliers.
Pubs & restaurants
Great Ellingham Crown (3.5 miles) - a village pub offering good local food and great wines.
Caston Red Lion (3.5 miles) - offers great pub classics.
The Boars (6 miles) - serving seasonal menus and great cocktails.
Breckland Lodge (9 miles) - offers a selection of dining experiences including a cosy coffee lounge, the casual atmosphere of our beamed bar or dining in the main restaurant that offers an a la carte menu and our wonderful roasts every day of the week
The Gamekeeper (6 miles) - a family-friendly pub, offering a warm welcome, local ale, fine wines, and excellent food.
The Grain Kitchen (4.5 miles) - open 7 days a week for a classic English breakfast, brunch, lunch or just pop in for a freshly brewed coffee and cake.
Read more
Activities
At Wild With Nature
The estate covers 750 acres and there are several walks you can do around the farm and local villages.
Wild swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding in the lake.
Pick up the binoculars provided and do some bird watching.
Your hosts have created a nature reserve that guests are free to explore. It follows the river and you may even spot a kingfisher flitting along the banks.
Places to visit
Attleborough (6.2 miles) - a pleasant market town, with an attractive green that has been noted for its cider making and turkeys.
Wymondham (11.7 miles) - an idyllic market town in South Norfolk with a picturesque marketplace, intriguing shops, medieval lanes, ancient meadows, museum, steam train station and the magnificent Wymondham Abbey, all within a few minutes’ walk between each spot.
Diss (14 miles) - a picturesque market town, with fine examples of architecture, including timber-framed buildings and Georgian/Edwardian facades.
Wyken Fen vineyard (17 miles) - a lively and creative community situated in beautiful Suffolk countryside. With a vineyard restaurant and country store that is situated in the middle of a 1,200 acre farm, in a converted Medieval barn.
Outdoor & active
Norfolk Coast (38 miles) - Peddars Way is a beautiful Norfolk walk going from Knettishall Heath Country Park (or Thetford Station for cyclists) to Holme-Next-The-Sea and along the north Norfolk coast. Experience seaside towns and villages, tidal marshes teeming with wildlife, wide sandy beaches, pine woodlands and huge skies.
The Brecks (5.3 miles) - Wild With Nature lies on the edge of The Brecks, an area of ancient heathland covering part of Norfolk and Suffolk. This is a beautiful area to explore and home to the pine lines that are an iconic feature of this landscape. There are plenty of walking trails which range in length.
Thetford Forest (14 miles) – this is the UK's largest manmade lowland forest, with a vast number of activities on offer. These range from exploring the forest canopy with Go Ape, hiring a bicycle to explore the forest cycle paths, to enjoying the numerous walking trails.
Read more
Meet your hosts
At Wild With Nature
Oxygen Escapes is dedicated to crafting carefully curated experiences that not only immerse you in the splendour of the natural world but also champion the cause of environmental preservation through eco-conscious travel. They believe in loving and protecting their natural environments by directly engaging with them, offering outstanding accommodations and experiential, nature-based adventures designed to connect you deeply with the natural world and its restorative effects. Your choice to travel with them supports local communities, protects wildlife, conserves natural habitats, and promotes a sustainable future for our planet.
Oxygen Conservation became custodians of this spectacular estate in August 2023, and are delighted to protect and build upon the previous owners' conservation works.
Wildlife & the environment
Found in Norfolk's countryside, the property extends to 694 acres. They’re hugely proud that Wild With Nature sits within a thriving conservation site. As the landscape regenerates, more and more habitats are created or restored to health, attracting a rich diversity of wildlife to the area. The estate is home to over 100 different species of bird, including several rare & protected species. Some guest favourites include goshawks, marsh harriers, woodpeckers, cuckoos, yellowhammer, meadow pipit, European stonechats, kingfishers, heron, egret, and barn, tawny and little owls. Guests also regularly see hares, deer and hedgehogs onsite.
Read more
-
Overview
There are 750 acres of meadows, woodland and natural beauty on this conservation site – plenty of space for roaming, swimming and even paddleboarding, with kit to borrow in the surf shack. Mallard is tucked into a quiet spot with a handful of other huts within strolling distance, all overlooking the conservation site’s largest lake.
Inside is warmed by a little wood burner in the corner, with a double bed against one wall and just enough space for two to snuggle up comfortably. Behind the hut there’s a flushing loo and a shower shack, and next door a private, covered kitchen shelter where you can cook campfire suppers over the firebowl under a star-filled sky. There’s signal but no wifi, so it’s the perfect spot to recharge and reconnect surrounded by the freshest country air and the sounds of the conservation site – the odd tractor, rutting muntjac deer, the hoot of an owl.
Just a few moments away is The Nest, a communal space with a big firepit and a wood-fired pizza oven – it’s here you’ll find the shared fridges to keep everything nicely chilled. There’s plenty at the conservation site to keep you entertained, like books and board games, plus you can borrow paddleboards for cruising on the lake or rent a hot tub for a few days.
Visit East of England 2025 Tourism Awards - Winner of Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Read more
-
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 4 PM
- Check out: 10 AM
- Please note there is a £250 refundable damage deposit to be paid directly to your hosts on arrival
- Please bring a torch, wellies, walking boots, insect repellent and swimwear
- The communal wood-fired hot tub is available to hire and is £30 per day payable directly to your hosts on arrival
- This hut is one of a few that is centred around a communal area called The Nest and a lake. Due to the lack of barriers between the site and the water your host's advise that the lake is not suitable for children below the age of 5 or for those children who can’t swim
- The Surf Shack is stocked with cool boxes, buoyancy aids and the sites own hybrid paddleboards
- Fishing is permitted in the lake, providing you send your hosts a copy of your fishing license prior to your arrival
- There is a designated parking space 20m from the hut
- Initial supply of firewood is provided with more available to purchase on site for £8.50 per basket
- Mobile phone signal available
- No wifi
- Plug sockets available in The Nest only
Sleeping arrangements
- One double bed
Cooking
- Private sheltered kitchen next to the hut equipped with a pizza oven, firepit BBQ, two-ring gas hob, kettle, cafetiere, teapot, small gas fridge, cool box with ice blocks
- Cooking utensils, crockery and glassware provided
- The Nest also has a two-ring gas hob, firepit BBQ, fridge, freezer and cooking utensils
Washing
- Private shower shack and flushing toilet a few metres from the hut
- Bathroom toiletries provided
- Towels are not provided. Please bring a towel
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Bed linen provided
- The main source of heat comes from the wood-burner
- Solar-powered lights by the hut
Entertainment
- Wood-fired hot tub available to hire (£30 per night, please contact your hosts for more information)
- Hybrid paddleboard available to use free of charge
- Wild swimming lake
- Fishing (fishing license required)
- Books, board games and cards in the Nest
- Bats and balls of different shapes and sizes along with frisbees and swing ball available in the Nest
-
Accessibility
Travel & parking
- There is a designated parking area shared with one other space
- The car park is on a hard surface and leaves enough room around the car to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- The gravelled path leading to the hut is approx. 30m
Site & space access
- There are 3 steps up to the deck, each between 20 - 25cm high with the top step being 5cm high
- The step up into the hut from the deck is approx. 4cm high
- The doorway into the hut is 74cm wide
- There is a shower shack by the hut which has level access inside but two steps to enter
- There are two fixed mirrors in the shower shack above the sink
Mobility aid
- There is a handle at the top of the steps up to the space
We have gathered information from the owner about this space to help you decide if it is the right place for you. We would always encourage you to contact us before booking to discuss your accessibility needs. We’re dedicated to helping everyone access our spaces and enjoy the outdoors. Visit our Disability Inclusive page for more information on our journey.
-
Location
Getting there
Manor Farm, Rocklands Road, Shropham, Norfolk, NR17 1DX
What3Words: ///exploring.calms.along - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to the entrance to the site so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav, but always remember to look at the owners’ directions too!
By public transport
The nearest train station is in Attleborough, 10-15 minutes
There is no set bus which serves Shropham, although Norfolk has introduced an on-demand 'Flexibus' service. More information can be found here: https://www.travelnorfolk.co.uk/south-norfolk-flexibus
By car
If you just type 'Wild With Nature' into your satnav it will take you to the main farmhouse, which isn't correct. Instead, continue along Rocklands Road (with the farmhouse on your right) for a further 200m until you see the Wild With Nature sign. Honeypot Meadow is down the track to the left - you'll need to input a code to unlock the gates (provided to you prior to arrival in a digital guidebook).
Parking is 10-30 metres away from each space.
The nearest EV charging station is in Queen's Square car park in Attleborough (NR17 2QW), although the nearest fast-charging station is at the Shell garage just to the north of Attleborough (NR17 2PU). Both are within a 15-minute drive of Wild With Nature.
Directions to the different spaces once you arrive:
Orchid & Cowslip
What3Words of the track taking you to the huts is ///relate.carefully.operating.
For Orchid Hut - turn off the track when you see the see the sign for Orchid Hut to the right, travel alongside the wood and you will see the hut and Sundowner. Parking is a few metres from the hut.
For Cowslip Hut - continue past the turning for Orchid Hut and after 100m you will see a sign to the right for Cowslip Hut. Parking is in the clearing amongst the trees and there is a barrow to help transport your kit to the hut. If it's very windy you can park by the hut.
Mallard, Teal, Pheasant, Barn Owl, Kingfisher & Skylark
Head past the site's cottages and continue on the track for about 1 mile, you will see a sign post to the left for the Lakes; turn along here and take the appropriate sign for your accommodation; please park on the gravelled area near your hut or yurt. Please beware of any children who may already be onsite. Another option to reach the junction of Rocklands Road and Spong Lane is to use the What3Words app; the What3Words address of Spong Lane taking you to the Lakes is ///blip.tightrope.screamed.
-
Food & Drink
At Wild With Nature
Tea, coffee, sugar, salt and pepper.
The owners can provide a selection of 'glamper hampers' for you to enjoy during your stay. They currently offer the following options:
Cooked breakfast
Continental breakfast
Pizza
They aim to source all their ingredients locally where possible. All the fresh meat comes from DJ Barnard, a family business of butchers and farmers in the village who produce excellent meat. Bread is from Hingham Bakery.
Eggs, fruit and vegetables are from Rookery Meadows in Great Ellingham who source most of their produce from local farmers/businesses. Jams, marmalades and honeys are also locally made; where possible, the owners source these from the Tea Lady and Orchid Apiaries (who have hives on the owners farm).
The contents of the pizza hampers are sourced from supermarkets and Italian wholesalers, as these are difficult to source in Norfolk.
Ordering these can be done via the online shop, a link is provided in the digital guidebook sent to guests prior to arrival.
Continental breakfast hamper for 2 costs £23.50
Cooked breakfast hamper for 2 costs £25
Pizza hamper for 2 costs £12
Local shops
The closest town is Attleborough (6 miles) - a small market town with supermarkets Sainsbury's and Lidl, a range of shops, takeaways and a train station with trains every hour to Norwich and Cambridge.
Wymondham (11 miles) - a larger market town with large Waitrose, Morrisons and Lidl supermarkets and Thetford has a large Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Barnard's Butchers (30-minute walk) - as well as delicious meat, ham and eggs they sell a small selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, jam, chutney and cheese. Open Tuesday- Saturday.
Rookery Meadows Farm Shop (3.5 miles) - offering plenty of fresh, local produce, including eggs, milk, Norfolk cheeses & meats.
Rocklands Community Shop and Post Office (2.7 miles) - small, but well stocked including lots of produce from local suppliers.
Pubs & restaurants
Great Ellingham Crown (3.5 miles) - a village pub offering good local food and great wines.
Caston Red Lion (3.5 miles) - offers great pub classics.
The Boars (6 miles) - serving seasonal menus and great cocktails.
Breckland Lodge (9 miles) - offers a selection of dining experiences including a cosy coffee lounge, the casual atmosphere of our beamed bar or dining in the main restaurant that offers an a la carte menu and our wonderful roasts every day of the week
The Gamekeeper (6 miles) - a family-friendly pub, offering a warm welcome, local ale, fine wines, and excellent food.
The Grain Kitchen (4.5 miles) - open 7 days a week for a classic English breakfast, brunch, lunch or just pop in for a freshly brewed coffee and cake.
-
Experiences
At Wild With Nature
The estate covers 750 acres and there are several walks you can do around the farm and local villages.
Wild swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding in the lake.
Pick up the binoculars provided and do some bird watching.
Your hosts have created a nature reserve that guests are free to explore. It follows the river and you may even spot a kingfisher flitting along the banks.
Places to visit
Attleborough (6.2 miles) - a pleasant market town, with an attractive green that has been noted for its cider making and turkeys.
Wymondham (11.7 miles) - an idyllic market town in South Norfolk with a picturesque marketplace, intriguing shops, medieval lanes, ancient meadows, museum, steam train station and the magnificent Wymondham Abbey, all within a few minutes’ walk between each spot.
Diss (14 miles) - a picturesque market town, with fine examples of architecture, including timber-framed buildings and Georgian/Edwardian facades.
Wyken Fen vineyard (17 miles) - a lively and creative community situated in beautiful Suffolk countryside. With a vineyard restaurant and country store that is situated in the middle of a 1,200 acre farm, in a converted Medieval barn.
Outdoor & active
Norfolk Coast (38 miles) - Peddars Way is a beautiful Norfolk walk going from Knettishall Heath Country Park (or Thetford Station for cyclists) to Holme-Next-The-Sea and along the north Norfolk coast. Experience seaside towns and villages, tidal marshes teeming with wildlife, wide sandy beaches, pine woodlands and huge skies.
The Brecks (5.3 miles) - Wild With Nature lies on the edge of The Brecks, an area of ancient heathland covering part of Norfolk and Suffolk. This is a beautiful area to explore and home to the pine lines that are an iconic feature of this landscape. There are plenty of walking trails which range in length.
Thetford Forest (14 miles) – this is the UK's largest manmade lowland forest, with a vast number of activities on offer. These range from exploring the forest canopy with Go Ape, hiring a bicycle to explore the forest cycle paths, to enjoying the numerous walking trails.
-
Your Hosts
At Wild With Nature
Oxygen Escapes is dedicated to crafting carefully curated experiences that not only immerse you in the splendour of the natural world but also champion the cause of environmental preservation through eco-conscious travel. They believe in loving and protecting their natural environments by directly engaging with them, offering outstanding accommodations and experiential, nature-based adventures designed to connect you deeply with the natural world and its restorative effects. Your choice to travel with them supports local communities, protects wildlife, conserves natural habitats, and promotes a sustainable future for our planet.
Oxygen Conservation became custodians of this spectacular estate in August 2023, and are delighted to protect and build upon the previous owners' conservation works.
Wildlife & the environment
Found in Norfolk's countryside, the property extends to 694 acres. They’re hugely proud that Wild With Nature sits within a thriving conservation site. As the landscape regenerates, more and more habitats are created or restored to health, attracting a rich diversity of wildlife to the area. The estate is home to over 100 different species of bird, including several rare & protected species. Some guest favourites include goshawks, marsh harriers, woodpeckers, cuckoos, yellowhammer, meadow pipit, European stonechats, kingfishers, heron, egret, and barn, tawny and little owls. Guests also regularly see hares, deer and hedgehogs onsite.
-
Reviews
Our guests say...
Amy
The lakeside setting is spectacular and provides the ideal backdrop for a restorative break deep in nature. We relaxed in the hot tub after a swim in the lake and were treated to the company of a barn owl flying close by. With plenty of luxurious touches and wonderful views, you will not want to leave!
17/08/2019Florence for Canopy & Stars
Reviews
Lovely stay at the hut, was so lovely being surrounded by nature, lots of walks, bbqs, paddle boarding and hot tubbing!
13/04/2021Amy
The lakeside setting is spectacular and provides the ideal backdrop for a restorative break deep in nature. We relaxed in the hot tub after a swim in the lake and were treated to the company of a barn owl flying close by. With plenty of luxurious touches and wonderful views, you will not want to leave!
17/08/2019Florence for Canopy & Stars
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Lovely stay at the hut, was so lovely being surrounded by nature, lots of walks, bbqs, paddle boarding and hot tubbing!
13/04/2021