Wild Meadow at Raynham Estate

Sunny meadows, starry nights, walks beside a crystal-clear chalk river and drives out to the coast. If you sketch out your idea of a quintessential North Norfolk holiday, chances are Wild Meadow will pretty neatly fit the mould. On the banks of the River Wensum, four miles south of Fakenham, that's almost exactly what the historic Raynham Estate can offer, with a collection of off-grid but luxurious yurts in a wild meadow near the country house. The estate is home to a lord, but fit for a king – and we’re happy to announce that the glamping is royally good too.

It was the first Viscount Townshend of Raynham, a favourite of Charles II, who laid out this estate’s 800-acre parkland in the 17th century. The current Viscount has allowed a part of it, beyond the big house and garden, to grow just a little wild. Here, longish grass and wildflowers tickle the walls of the yurts he’s introduced to share the space with visitors. Inside, each yurt is effortlessly stylish. There are no boho drapes and rugs here. Instead it has a kind of modern rusticity with wooden floors, leather chairs, wood-burning stoves and properly comfortable beds. Outside there’s a barbecue, fire pit and acres of car-free space. The views are green; parkland and countryside with elegant Raynham Hall and the estate church peeking through the trees.

In warm, sunny weather, under Norfolk’s big skies, this place is simply blissful; tranquil, secluded and serenaded by skylarks. If it’s too hot or too wet, there’s space for supper (both cooking and eating) in the communal, lantern-lit Turnip Tent, named for the family’s proud farming heritage. You can celebrate it further by cooking up a highly recommended estate-reared Aberdeen Angus steak (just one of the locally-produced extras, available to book for your stay).

There are waymarked paths from the meadow, which means woodland, parkland and riverside walks are on the doorstep while you’re here. Raynham Hall is still very much a family home, though, and if your stay doesn’t coincide with one of their monthly tours, how about visiting one of Norfolk’s other stately homes? Houghton Hall, home of England’s first PM, and the Queen’s place at Sandringham are within 20 miles and it's 15 miles to the exceptionally family-friendly Holkham Estate, with tractor-themed playgrounds for kids, a good courtyard café and acres of deer-dotted parkland to explore. It links in well with any visit to North Norfolk’s beautiful coast – Holkham Bay itslef is one of the highlights and Wells-next-the-Sea, Brancaster and Blakeney are all close enough too.