Chestnut Villa

The scent of old timber and polished floors greets you before you've even stepped through the door — this is a proper Victorian villa turned guest house, solid and warm, on the edge of the Fens.

It's a good pick if you're exploring Downham Market and west Norfolk but want a proper bed rather than canvas, though there's also a camping pod tucked in the grounds if you fancy something more outdoorsy. Dog owners should ask ahead — policies vary — and the same goes for campfires once you arrive. It suits couples doing the market towns, walkers heading out to the Ouse valley, or anyone needing a comfortable base without the full hotel treatment.

Facilities aren't detailed online, so it's worth ringing to check what's available — this is a small, personal setup rather than a listed-everything sort of place. Open all year, which makes it handy for winter breaks when most campsites have shut up shop. Quiet, homely, and pleasantly old-fashioned.