I’ll never forget the drive to Snettisham – we’d packed the car to the gills with kids’ beach toys, cool bags stuffed with picnic fodder, and enough crisps to siege a small castle. Halfway there, just past Swaffham, the sat-nav decided to throw a wobbly and directed us down a narrow lane that turned into a muddy track. Cue me swearing under my breath (well, not really swearing, but you get the picture) while reversing out with two whingey kids in the back asking why we weren’t there yet. Twenty minutes later, we were back on track, and as the flat Norfolk landscape opened up towards the coast, that familiar buzz of holiday anticipation kicked in. You know the one – windows down, sea air sneaking in, promising lazy days ahead.

Pulling up to this cracking little two-bedroom hideaway in the grounds of an old listed house was a proper treat. It’s got that luxurious yet cosy vibe, beautifully kitted out without being fussy, and a proper enclosed garden that felt like our own secret nook. First impressions? Spot on. We dumped the bags, cracked open a bottle of fizz, and just soaked it in – the quiet village hum, birdsong, and that enclosed space begging for a bit of family downtime.

Our few days there were all about those simple pleasures, the sort that make you forget the daily grind. Mornings kicked off with brekkie in the garden – scrambled eggs on toast, the kids chasing each other around while we sipped coffee, pretending we were lords of the manor. It’s less than half an hour’s stroll to the pub and shops in the village, so we’d amble down for a pint of bitter and a bag of local spuds, chatting with dog-walkers who all seemed to know each other. One afternoon, we wandered over to Snettisham’s RSPB reserve – it’s right on the doorstep, perfect for a gentle family potter. The hides were alive with seals barking on the mudflats and avocets dipping about; the littlest one was mesmerised, binoculars glued to her face, declaring herself a “bird expert” for the rest of the trip. Cue gentle parental eye-roll – out of the mouths of babes, eh?

Of course, cottage life isn’t all Instagram-perfect. There was the evening when the heavens opened, turning our garden BBQ dreams into a soggy dash for cover, with sausages rescued at the last minute and everyone piling into the lounge for board games. Chaos reigned as Monopoly money flew everywhere, and I ended up bankrupt first (as per usual). But that’s the joy of it – those little mishaps that turn into the best stories. One quiet moment stood out, though, sitting on the garden bench at dusk with a cuppa, watching the kids tire themselves out on the swing. Made me reflect on how we rush about back home, and how a spot like this reminds you that happiness is in the slow stuff: muddy wellies, shared laughs, and not checking your emails.

We hated leaving, but drove off with sandy shoes and fuller hearts. If you’re after a relaxed family break in Norfolk’s coastal gems, this corner of Snettisham delivers every time. Proper bliss.