Fancy Yourself in England’s Coastal Countryside

• Yoga & Cultural Retreat • May 23 – May 30, 2026 • Norfolk, England •

Every journey has many beginnings, and this retreat is no exception.

In one way, its story began years ago. It’s a tale that includes a good bit of curiosity, plenty of travel magic, and epic moments when strangers became friends.

We’d love for you to join us in this ongoing celebration of small wonders, chance encounters, and kind hearts.

Let’s go!

~ Where we’ll land ~

When we’re not out and about, we’ll be relaxing in the comfy elegance of Barsham Barns—a storied country estate situated amidst barley fields & wildflower meadows.

With the Norfolk coast nearby, and miles of hedge-lined paths right outside our door (including a medieval pilgrimage route)—our home away from home boasts ample space for restful adventuring.

your guides for contemplations, explorations,& feasts

~Yoga with Serena~

Serena Crawford is a Boone-Based traveler who has been sharing her love of yoga on the road for decades.

At this retreat, our daily practices will transform a renovated 17th-century milking parlor into a sanctuary. The pilgrim’s way outside the door will lend inspiration to contemplative meditations, breathing practices, and empowering & restorative postures that support & nurture a sense of wonder and connection. Yoga classes will accommodate all levels of experience.

~Seeing England with Emma~

Emma John is a London-based travel writer, cricket journalist, memoirist, & entertainment reporter who has been retreating to Norfolk for years.

Her selection of day trips to beaches, stately gardens, farm shops, and more will introduce travelers to some of her favorite places and people in England. She’s also positively chuffed to enjoy these experiences with folks who share her love for Boone, NC.

~Travel Support from Carrie~

Attention to detail is Carrie Streeter’s jam —indeed, that just might explain why she’s a historian in her day job & a “travel-crafter” for fun.

All in all, she’s here to provide the coordination & communications that will help make your travels smooth sailing. In that regard, her past work as an airline reservations agent comes in handy too.

explorations

Medieval Shrines, Serene Beaches, Sculpted Gardens, & Stately Homes

Arriving to Norfolk during the full bloom of spring flowers means our daily adventures will be blessed by wisteria, buttercups, alums, poppies, and the iconic presence of cow parsley. It’s quite simply a beautiful backdrop for the explorations that Emma John has in store for us!

A spirit of initiation will guide our first days—especially as we step into Norwich Cathedral and listen to Evensong chorals. Those notes will reverberate the following morning, as we step out of Barsham Barns and walk a short distance on the Walsingham Way — a medieval pilgrimage trail leading to a shrine for miraculous happenings, past & present.

Enchantment will be the vibe as we traverse a forest of Norfolk pines on our way to the golden sands & sea grasses of Holkham Beach. After hours on the coast, we’ll land at the aptly named village of Wells-Next-the-Sea, where we’ll fill up on fish & chips (Emma’s favorite) and treats from the local bakery.

Emma would also not dare to let us miss Houghton Hall & Gardens, an 18th century country estate built for England’s first prime minister. The gardens boast fanciful swirls of neatly-trimmed boxwoods, and the estate’s herd of white deer will have you doing a double take (they look like unicorns!).

A highlight of the week is sure to be our visits with Emma John’s friends, Nigel & Claire. As she’s noted here, their kindness and sense of humor are among the main reasons for her own repeated visits to Norfolk. We’ll enjoy Claire’s home-cooking and listen to Nigel talk about the region’s history & their joint adventures of renovating a WWII building & creating The Control Tower B&B.

From Norfolk’s Gardens & Farms to Our Tables

With a scrumptious array of “at home” meals made by local chefs, we’ll make good use of those lovely kitchens @ Barsham Barns.*

Lunches & dinners will feature seasonal ingredients—from springtime crops of asparagus and strawberries, to roasted root veggies, farm-raised poultry, and fresh catches from the sea.

Breakfasts will be self-serve & pantries will be well-stocked with farm eggs, yogurts, fruits & veggies, fresh baked goods, Claire’s home-made granola & her delicious rhubarb compote. Coffee, tea, and cakes will also be in abundant supply for your mornings & afternoons.

Our group adventures will also provide ample opportunity to eat out & order up British classics—such as Sunday Roasts, minted peas, ploughmans plates, sausage rolls, and other pub favorites. Emma John will also make sure we have a chance to enjoy what she considers the best fish & chips in the country.

On a final note, we certainly won’t discourage fans of British baking shows from getting in the kitchen & staging their own productions of tasty treats. Victoria Sponge, anyone?

*All dietary needs will be accommodated.

Your Space @ Barsham Barns

Cozy and chic are apt descriptors for the vibrantly-decorated bedrooms & gathering spaces where you’ll enjoy restful slumbers, delicious meals, & good conversations. With 16 rooms spread out over 5 luxuriously-renovated barns, travelers will get to experience a lovely mix of solitude and community.

All rooms have private ensuite bathrooms & easy access to shared kitchens, dining & living rooms. A sauna & jacuzzi are also available. So too are acres & acres of sunny lawns & shade trees—all prime spaces for reading a book, eating a picnic, or taking a nap.

rooming options & costs

  • Double Occupancy, ensuite bathroom — $3,450 per person

  • Shared bedroom & bathroom in a house w/shared kitchen, dining, & living room. Beds can be arranged as 1 king or 2 twins.

  • Single Occupancy, ensuite bathroom — $3,750 per person

  • Private bedroom & bathroom in a house w/shared kitchen, dining, & living room.

A $600 Deposit Reserves Your Space

Payment Plans are Available At No Extra Cost

your retreat includes

  • 7 nights accommodation at Barsham Barns • May 23 – May 30, 2026

  • Daily Yoga with Serena Crawford

  • Emma John’s Selection of Norfolk Explorations:

  • Pre-Trip Discussion of Sylvia Townsend Warner’s The Corner That Held Them (read below for details about this opportunity)

  • Transportation to/from London & all local transportation for scheduled activities.

    • The trip begins at London’s Kings Cross Station at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 23. We’ll have a 2-hour train ride to Kings Lynn Station & then a 45-minute car ride to Barsham Barns.

    • On Saturday, May 30, we will check-out of Barsham Barns by 10:00 am and arrive at London’s Kings Cross Station by 2:30 pm. For an extra fee, we can arrange direct transportation to London Heathrow (it is about a 3 hour drive).

  • 7 breakfasts + 3 lunches + 6 dinners

  • Tea, Coffee, Snacks & Cakes in abundant supply

  • Wifi & Air Conditioning

  • Sauna and Jacuzzi on site

what’s not included

  • Flight to/from England & Airport transfer to London

    • London Heathrow (LHR) is the recommended airport. Trains are readily available from the airport to Kings Cross Station, which is the meet-up point for the retreat.

  • Optional Excursions & Optional Transportation

    • There is plenty more to experience beyond what we have planned. Local music & festivities are a sure bet, as are afternoon teas, visiting other historic homes (Holkham Hall, for example), and shopping in charming British market towns.

    • All transportation to scheduled excursions is included with your trip. For optional adventures, bus service is nearby & cabs are readily available for hire. The area is also very flat, so bicycle riding is a good way to get around. Bike rentals can easily be pre-arranged & delivered from a local provider.

  • 3 Lunches & 1 Dinner

  • Beer, Wine & Spirits

  • Food/Snacks Not on the Menu

  • Tips & Gratuities —at your discretion

  • Travel Insurance —highly recommended

  • Required Travel Documents

    • Participants are responsible for procuring required travel documents.

    • NOTE: In addition to a passport, U.S. citizens will also need a U.K. issued Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which must be purchased online before arrival. The cost is around £16. See here for details & application.

A Literary Jaunt to Boot

Our adventures in Norfolk will take us through storied parts of England’s medieval past. During WWII, these spaces became Sylvia Townsend Warner’s inspiration for The Corner that Held Them— a work regarded as “one of the greatest British novels of the 20th century.” Here’s how one reviewer described the book:

“The book [about a Benedictine convent] . . . is a picture of a world run by women but also a story—stirring, disturbing, witty, utterly entrancing—of a community. What is the life of a community and how does it support, or constrain, a real humanity? How do we live through it and it through us? These are among the deep questions that lie behind this rare triumph of the novelist’s art.”

All travelers are invited to explore this story for themselves (print & audio versions are available). In January 2026, we’ll gather on Zoom for a conversation about the book’s insights & revelations.

London with a Local

Join Emma John & BBTravelCrafters for 4 more nights!

Have questions?

Send them along, and we’ll get right back to you!