College Farm

Thetford, Norfolk
Bed & Breakfast
+44 (0)1953 483318
Visit owner's website

From
£150 - £180
per night

A grand yet cosy and relaxing farmhouse where you're encouraged to feel at home. Tasty home baking, charming rooms and a friendly host

Bedroom

3 rooms

Sleeps

Rooms sleep 2

£150 - £180 per night

The Experience

Katharine is a natural at making guests feel like friends. Her beautiful farmhouse tucks itself away on the edge of the village and the big friendly kitchen is filled with delicious smells of home baking. Meals are served by the large wood-burner in the grand Jacobean dining room, filled with good antiques, period furnishings and cosy places to sit; food is home-grown, seasonal and local – breakfast eggs are from her own chickens.

Sleep well in charming bedrooms with smooth linen, pretty furniture and garden views; bathrooms are small and simple. The house backs directly onto Thompson Common, a designated SSSI filled with rare flora, fauna and birdlife, so don’t forget your binoculars.

You can get married here, there are friendly animals to chat to and you can join the Peddars Way from the garden for beautiful walks and cycles. Katharine can rustle up a packed lunch and supper when you get back with a bit of notice.

College Farm - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Katharine and her wonderful home baking and cooking
  • Joining the Peddars Way for a day of walking or cycling
  • Wandering the garden, meeting the animals, soaking up the peace and tranquillity
College Farm - Gallery

You should know

  • Sorry, no dogs
  • It's not really suitable for young children because of the lakes in the garden

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Spa
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Bar
  • Barbecue
  • Licensed premises
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from £150
Surcharges
Singles £100.
3 Twin/doubles
From £150

Information

Booking information

Check in
4pm-8pm
Check out
10am-11am
Other details
Children over 16 welcome. Singles £100.
Closed
Christmas, Easter.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Property
This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property
Meals
Dinner from £30. Pub 1 mile.

Reviews

Our three nights at College Farm were memorable. The venerable house was charming and Katharine could not have been more accommodating. Her sumptuous breakfasts included eggs from her own chickens, which could be seen roaming around the extensive grounds. There are almost no dining options nearby, which is not a problem since nothing would compare to the spread Katharine can offer you. In short, if you are planning to be in the vicinity you would be remiss not to stay at College Farm. And for those who are looking for somewhere to go College Farm would make a good base from which to e

Keith & Judy, Westport, CT

We had a great stay at College Farm, only an hour from home made it the perfect location for a couple of nights away. The Goat Shed provided us with a luxurious, comfortable, relaxing, peaceful break, with every little detail thought of. Katharine, Richard and Linda (the labrador) have created a wonderful holiday cottage location which we would definitely recommend, we are really looking forward to our next visit.

Philip & Sue, Lincolnshire

A beautiful house in picturesque surroundings. Katharine instantly makes you feel at home and nothing is too much trouble. We are just back from our third stay at College Farm and we are looking forward to our next visit and more of Katharine's excellent breakfasts!

David & June, Cheshire

College Farm is our haven of peace. It is such a unique place, made so special by Katharine and Richard. Such details and attention are given to everything. Once you have stayed there, you just want to go back again and again, as we have done for many, many years.

David & Maryse, London

Richard & Katharine were the perfect hosts, and exceeded all our expectations. The food was wonderful, especially the freshly made cake and bread, and the room was superb. We can't wait to visit again soon.

Doug & Norma, Leatherhead

Our four day sojourn at beautiful College Farm (Richard's room) was a delightful experience, and the service and hospitality offered by Katherine and Richard was one of our best experiences staying at bed and breakfasts over many years travelling in the UK. Katherine was amazing, could not have been more accommodating. The breakfasts were wonderful and the room exceptional - plenty of room for our suitcases (not always the case) a huge bathroom and crisp bed linen. The farm is peaceful with lovely views from every window. We would thoroughly recommend staying at College Farm!

Rhonda, Bowral NSW AUSTRALIA

My partner and I stayed at The Goat Shed from January 1st to 3rd and had a wonderful experience. It is a perfect escape for couples. The open-plan kitchen was well-equipped, and the log burner added a cozy touch to the evenings. The highlight was the freestanding bath in the bedroom and the rainforest shower. The owner was extremely accommodating, responsive and helpful during our stay. Highly recommended for a peaceful getaway!

Charlie, Tunbridge Wells

A wonderfull house, in the middle of nature. Pure tranquility. But the most impressive was the welcome we recieved. We have been in many many Sawdays, but this was the honestly warmest reception ever. What a hostess!! Congratulations for your work and place!

Jean, Gent

I had a great stay at Katherine’s beautiful farmhouse. Amazing room with windows looking out across gardens to fields beyond. Very comfortable bed. The breakfast was wonderful using local ingredients and homemade marmalade a treat. Katharine was very helpful & relaxed about me coming and going at whatever time - and because the house is so big - it’s more like staying in a hotel. Altogether a really good experience and l will definitely be back and would recommend to friends.

Patrick, Oxford

College Farm is a delightful oasis of calm in a troubled world. Katharine presides over it all with ebullient grace, whether she's producing delectable cakes (a different flavour every day) or zooming along on the ride-on mower. The rooms are stylish and comfortable, breakfasts are superb, everything feels homely - but in a much classier way than most homes. Alpacas, chickens and pingos in the beautiful grounds, hares in the next field, what's not to like? I hope we'll be back.

Alison, Taunton

Absolutely beautiful house and such a warm reception. I absolutely loved my stay and was genuinely sad to leave. Busy trying to find excuses to come back again as soon as possible!

Benjamin, Bristol

One of the best stays we have enjoyed. Nothing was too much for our thoughtful and generous host, who cooks delicious meals in the evening as well as wonderful breakfasts (fresh eggs from her own hens). The room was spacious, spotless, comfortable and quiet; the house full of history and character - as well as countless books which we could browse at our leisure. The overall feeling was of being welcomed into a home, which indeed has been in the family for more than a generation.

Carolyn, Bath

College Farm is everything you hope a B&B will be. The setting is serene with an endless view and alpaca in the field. The house exudes a deep peace. The gorgeous room had a wonderfully updated bathroom with a vase of daffodils set against the deep teal paint. I walked in from the Peddar's Way and Katharine established me in the garden with freshly baked cake and a pot of tea. I was lucky to have dinner at College Farm as well. Roasted cod and prawns on a bed of spring vegetables was delicious and healthy - dessert provided a much appreciated touch of indulgence :)

Sarah, Charlottesville

A wonderfully peaceful location, very comfortable accommodation with excellent breakfasts together with a host, Katharine, who could not do enough for us. Having stayed in numerous establishments over the years, this must be one of the very best! And the homemade cake is to die for!!

David & Ruth, Sandhills, nr. Godalming

Katherine is a warm and welcoming person. She is, rightly so, proud of her home, and it shows. Very comfortable room, nice big bed, good linens and little touches such as the fresh flowers in our room. All this and a tasty English breakfast every morning, plus the bonus of tea and cakes every afternoon after our jaunts around Norfolk. The house is beautiful and stands surrounded by a lovely garden full of flowers and shrubs. Llamas and goats abound, are inquisitive and very friendly. This is a peaceful and relaxing place to be.

Clarissa, Poole

We arrived and did not leave until we had too! I booked all three rooms and brought my daughters here for time “away from the maddening crowd”. We read, walked, talked, slept and ate! Katharine’s fabulous home cooking, eaten either around the dining table or in the walled garden depending on the time of day, was wonderful. From her delicious bread and cake baking for yummy breakfasts , or afternoon teas and delicious suppers, we felt wrapped by her and College Farms warm, invisible yet truly tangible love. College Farm was bliss! Can’t wait to return!

Carolyn, Scotland

My boyfriend and I have just come back from a glorious night staying at College Farm. We cannot recommend it, or Katharine highly enough. We were made to feel so welcome with delicious cakes on arrival. The house is glorious and our bedrooms, Richard's Room, was gorgeous. High ceilings, panelling and loads of light. A super comfortable bed, great shower and lovely products. We had supper in a fabulous pub a few miles away and after a good sleep, a huge breakfast and a walk around the gardens we were on our way. We'll definitely be back! Andrew & Gaynor

Gaynor, London

Enjoy a stay with chickens cats alpacas and a lovely host The place is deliciously hard to find and once ensconced here it is hard to leave There are good vibes from past residents too and you feel comfortable at once It is one of the few places where breaking down and having to stay eight extra hours was a pleasure!

Liz, London

My friends and I had the most wonderful stay at College Farm! We were treated like members of the family, llamas/alpacas/cats/chickens included, and nothing was too much trouble. College Farm is in such a beautiful setting, quiet and peaceful with lovely country and woodland walks all around. Breakfast was a particular highlight - local bacon and eggs from the garden all in a superb wood-panelled dining room. Can’t wait to return.

Pietro, London

This is a real home and you will feel relaxed and welcome. Katharine is a great hostess and there is no better place to come and take it easy for a few days. Come along - you won't regret it!

Diana, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

There are three pingos in the garden - water-filled depressions left from the ice age and only occurring in the Arctic Circle and the Brecklands - so very special. The Chequers pub in Thompson is only a mile away so perfectly walkable and the food is good. Oxburgh Hall, a 15th-century moated Tudor house with lovely gardens is 12 miles, the coast is an hour in the car as are Norwich and Cambridge.

Local points of interest from Katharine Wolstenholme

  • The house was built in 1349 by my ancestors as a College of Priests together with the church a few hundred yards away.
  • My mother started the B&B here in the 1970s and I took over after her death in 2010. College Farm has been with Sawdays since Sawdays started!
  • There are fantastic walks here and the Great Eastern Pingo Trail starts from the back of our garden.
  • Peddars Way, a Roman road, is within a few minutes walk of the house.
  • There are lots of bird watching opportunities nearby.
  • Breckland is the driest part of England and we have the same rainfall as Jerusalem, though sadly not the same sunshine!

Introducing

Katharine Wolstenholme

Warm and friendly Katharine does B&B in the farmhouse, just as her mother Lavender did for years (with Sawday's). She is a veritable domestic goddess who adores cooking and making things look lovely, as well as caring for many animals and their new Labrador Linda. Richard and Katharine moved here in 2011 but Katharine's family have owned the farm for several hundred years - these are her roots.