A family-run, farmhouse B&B, two boutique self-catering cottages and wedding venue in the heart of the Norfolk countryside
Welcomed by llamas amongst Norfolk’s famous pingos
College Farm is owned and run by Richard and Katharine Wolstenholme, who moved back to Norfolk in 2010, returning to Katharine’s childhood home. Katharine’s parents, William and Lavender Garnier, started College Farm Bed & Breakfast in the 1970s after settling here in Thompson – the village next to Merton, where Lavender’s family has lived since the 1300s.
College Farm offers three bed & breakfast bedrooms for guests; the Goat & End Sheds, one-bedroom, self-catered boutique holiday cottages, and the Cattle Shed, a party barn available for hire for weddings and other bespoke events, plus extensive gardens. Due to the age of the house and our uneven surfaces & steep stairs, we regret we are not suitable for less able guests and we do not take children under the age of 12.
Steeped in history
Dating back to the 14th century, College Farm was built by Katharine’s ancestors to serve as a College of Priests for nearby St Martin’s Church. Following the dissolution of the monasteries, the College, its land and assets were sold to a wealthy London merchant, changing hands many times over the next 300 years. In the mid 19th century, the estate was taken back by the de Greys of Merton, from whom Katharine is descended – marking its return to its original owners. It remains in the same family today.
College Farm is located in the heart of the Brecks, one of the driest areas of England and best known for its wild forests, craggy heaths, twisted Scots pines and rare flora and fauna. The grounds are home to several prehistoric ponds (‘pingos’) left over from the Ice Age. Located within easy reach of the county’s best-known historic houses and gardens, birdwatching reserves and beaches, College Farm is an ideal base for visiting Norfolk’s many attractions.
This was our second stay at College Farm, and we hope to stay there again in the not too distant future. Katharine and Richard go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable and happy during your stay. Their home is stunning and the breakfasts are delicious. we cannot recommend College Farm highly enough.
