Discover Something New
Every Day
At Medina Cottage, we invite you to experience the unique surroundings of your holiday retreat, with endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With a wealth of local attractions just around the corner, you can explore picturesque walking trails, glide along peaceful canals and beaches, gourmet dining or just unwind with a refreshing pint or two.
NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes National Nature Reserve
Throughout the seasons, discover a wealth of spectacular wildlife.
Hickling Broad is a 1,500-acre nature reserve 4 km south-east of Stalham, north-east of Norwich in Norfolk, managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. It is a National Nature Reserve and part of the Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes, Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere Nature. It is in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of the Broadland Ramsar site and Special Protection Area.
It is the broad with the largest surface area, and the water is slightly brackish, due to its proximity to the sea, making it one of the largest expanses of open water in East Anglia
.
Hickling Broads
Library Bar
Library Bar
The Pleasureboat Inn is just a stroll away from Medina Cottage, perfect to sit outside and take in the broads or explore their fabulous food for lunch or dinner.
BROADS BOAT HIRE
If you do one activity during your visit to the Broads, make it hiring a boat. Day boat hire is an affordable and fun activity that allows you to get onto the famous waterways of the Broads whilst enjoying the thrill of skippering your own vessel.
Cruise through the Norfolk Broads and start your picnic or Day Boat Hire from Sutton Staithe, on the A149 near to Stalham, situated on the picturesque River Ant just a little further along from the RSPB Reserve at Sutton Broad, allowing you to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and bask in the sun.
WALKING AND BIKING
There are a lot of walking trails and biking routes in and around the beautiful Norfolk Broads and surrounding countryside. Many take you to areas of interest, so keen photographers take your cameras!
Sea Palling beach is less than 10 minutes away, that has regained Blue Flag status for 2025. Waxham is an all year round dog friendly beach, beautifully hidden away amongst trees and sand dunes with Waxham Great Barn & Cafe offering a range of delicious homemade cakes and an assortment of drinks.
ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE
Animals and wildlife experiences in the Norfolk Broads are plentiful with Zoos, Farm Parks, Wetlands & Wildlife to explore in Norfolk and the Norfolk Broads.
Close by is Horsey Gap, which hosts a major, free-to-view grey seal colony, with over 3,000–6,000+ seals gathering from November to February for pupping and molting. Please remember to keep your beloved pooches on a lead
giving them ample space to prevent disturbance, to avoid causing stampedes, pup abandonment, or injuries.
THE PLEASURE BOAT
Discover The Pleasure Boat Hickling, a charming and welcoming local pub where your four-legged friends are always invited! They serve a mouth-watering menu that can be savored indoors or outdoors to enjoy the Broads tranquil setting. Takeaway and delivery services are available, making it easy to enjoy a meal at home.
THE INGHAM SWAN
Discover the Ingham Swan, where fine dining is effortlessly combined with a picturesque setting just a couple of miles away, allowing you to indulge in Lunch & Dinner Du Jour or select from their exquisite A La Carte options. Their Sunday Lunch is particularly special, inviting you to enjoy a superb meal in a relaxed atmosphere.
THE GREYHOUND INN
Discover The Greyhound Inn, a local Hickling pub within walking distance that offers traditional, home cooked food. On chilly winter nights, cozy up by the roaring open fire and in the warmer weather you can enjoy their sun-kissed front tables outside the pub, that are perfect for enjoying the summer days and evenings.
The Gunton Arms & The Suffield Arms
A Bohemiam Retreat:
A Literary Lounge
The Sister to The Gunton Arms is the The Suffield Arms, a Mediterranean restaurant and tapas bar, together with a quirky bar upstairs which opens on a Friday & Saturday night. Booking is advisable.
The Gunton Arms
Library Bar
Library Bar
The Gunton Arms is a traditional pub in an extensive historic deer park near Cromer in North Norfolk. Their ethos of using local, seasonal produce and a style of cooking which is vigorous and ingredient led, leaves your taste buds buzzing. The Gunton Arms has its own venison. Seafood, mussels and Cromer crab are caught by local fishermen. Booking is strongly advised.