A tranquil autumn escape in a Norfolk orchard cabin
An off‑grid cabin at Drove Orchard offers a private sauna, hot tub and rustic comforts amid trees and nearby coastal walks.
Location and setting
Hidden in an orchard on the edge of a Norfolk village, the cabin at Drove Orchards is the sixth Red Cabin opened in the United Kingdom. The first cabin began on a sheep farm in Kent, and subsequent sites have appeared on farms and vineyards across southern and eastern England.
Arrival and first evening
Arriving at dusk, guests walk through the orchard and may encounter muntjac deer that have been attracted to fallen apples. Inside, three fires are lit: one in a wood‑fired stove to warm the cabin, and two in the built‑in sauna and hot‑tub deck. Starter logs are provided, making the process straightforward.
The cabin warms quickly thanks to recycled‑plastic insulation, while the sauna and tub take a few hours to reach their operating temperatures. Guests can enjoy a rhubarb cider from the on‑site farm shop while listening for owls, though only geese were heard that evening.
Sauna, hot tub and overnight stay
The sauna, accessed from the deck, is heated to a comfortable 40 °C before being stoked up to around 70 °C. After the hot tub reaches a steaming temperature, guests can soak under a starry sky. The cabin is completely private, “overlooked only by trees,” as described in the source.
A night’s sleep is provided by a king‑size bed with soft pillows. In the morning, a large picture window frames woodland views, and sunlight fills the space as guests make coffee in the compact kitchen and drink it on the deck.
Design and sustainability
The cabins share a uniform design influenced by Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, emphasizing calm over cosy. Built in Britain by a small team, they use primarily British materials such as timber, plywood, cork, wool and hemp, with Finnish sauna components.
Each unit sits on a wheeled chassis, eliminating the need for concrete foundations. They operate off‑grid: solar panels on the roof generate electricity stored in batteries, and a “smart” dry toilet bags waste at the press of a button. Water is supplied from the mains.
Exploring the area
Although guests arrive by car, a train to King’s Lynn and a Coastliner bus that stops at the orchard provide public‑transport options. The cabin’s location allows walks to a nearby beach and a nature reserve, reachable via footpaths and boardwalks across marshland.
One popular route follows the coast to a marshland reserve and then along a sandy beach to a nearby village, where a bus can be caught back to the orchard. The orchard’s farm shop offers independent homewares, antiques, vintage clothing, a wine merchant, a café, a pizzeria and a fish and chip shop.
Dinner and local hospitality
After a walk, guests can head to a 16th‑century inn within a short stroll, where a seasonal menu includes dishes such as pumpkin katsu curry, priced at £22, and local drinks like Woodforde’s Wherry beer and Flint Vineyard’s sparkling rosé.
Future cabin sites and farm activities
Founder Tally Rix aims to help farmers diversify by placing cabins on suitable land, working with individual owners and tenant farmers through the National Trust. Two additional cabins are slated to open later this year at sites in Suffolk and East Sussex.
While the visit fell outside the orchard’s pick‑your‑own season, guests can still enjoy a glass of freshly pressed sparkling apple juice, a nod to the local deer’s fondness for the fruit.
Practical details
The Red Cabin experience is offered at rates starting from £220 per night, accommodating up to four guests. More information and bookings are available at thecabin.co.uk.
