Welcome to Teal Lodge. We hope you have a great time exploring the local area and hope you enjoy your stay here in Teal Lodge as much as we do when we visit. We aim to make your stay here as comfortable as possible. We would like to remind you that this is a non-smoking property smoking outside only please. SAFETY / EMERGENCY INFORMATION Due to the proximity of the property to the water s edge, children must be supervised at all times. Lifebuoy, located on the outside wall on the deck. Fire blanket and fire extinguisher, entrance to kitchen. Smoke alarms, downstairs hallway and living room. Carbon monoxide alarm, utility room. Miscellaneous Main fuse box / consumer unit is in the utility room. Gas can be turned off in the brown meter box on the driveway. Water can be turned off behind the hinged flap to the left of the freezer in the utility room. Contacts numbers for doctor etc. are on the wall by the front door. The house security alarm is switched off but if it should bleep (can happen after a power cut for instance) key in the numbers 5 6 7 8.
Fundamentals Heating & hot water You probably won t need to adjust the heating or hot water timer controls but if you do the control panel can be found in the hall cupboard at the bottom of the stairs. Instructions are next to the control panel. The thermostat is in the downstairs hall. About 18 degrees is comfortable usually (otherwise it gets too hot upstairs). All radiators have individual thermostatic controls. Household appliances Instruction booklets for all the household appliances are located in a separate file should you have problems operating any of them. Fridge The fridge is best set on 1 or 2. Anything higher and it tends to get too cold. Dishwasher Dishwasher tablets are provided in your welcome pack. Put a tablet in the dispenser in the door. With the left hand button set to off (0) turn the grey thumbwheel to the right until the required programme number shows. Unless the items are very dirty then a number 3 wash is usually adequate. Turn on the dishwasher by depressing the left hand button (1) and shut the door.
Oven and hob The main switches for the oven and hob are on the wall to the left hand side of the hob. For the oven, turn the left hand knob to select the cooking mode and the right hand knob to set the temperature. Select the fan setting if using as an oven or grill setting if grilling. The grill pan (if not in the oven) should be in the bottom drawer to the right of the oven. The baking tray/pizza tray should also be in the drawer. Freezer The freezer is located in the utility room downstairs. Ice cube trays are in the freezer. Washing machine The washing machine is also located in the utility room. There should be some washing powder in the cupboard under the sink. There is a clothes airer beside the wardrobe in the twin bedroom. Should you put the airer outside to catch the sun we suggest using pegs (in cupboard under sink) and put it on the side garden away from the deck. Should you need a tumble drier there is a laundrette in the marina. There is an iron in the cupboard under the sink and the ironing board is also in the twin bedroom.
Techy stuff to get you connected Broadband Switch on the broadband and DVD/TV at the wall to the right hand side of the TV. Connect to Wi-Fi using Plusnet-FRGGHR and password fcacacc34a Mobile reception is sporadic and varies by carrier but Skype, WhatsApp, Tango, BBM and FaceTime all work well over the broadband. TV and DVD/Blue-ray Player (living Room) This TV is hooked up to Freesat (satellite TV) and uses the largest of the three remotes. Pressing AV on the TV remote will toggle through the various input devices. The DVD player is on HDMI1. The DVD player gives access to various on demand services including Netflix and iplayer. Both the TV and DVD player will accept and read your SD cards and the DVD has an auxiliary USB socket. To access Netflix switch on the TV and DVD player and press the Netflix red button on the DVD remote. Toggle across to Guest and select from the choice. You can also access BBC iplayer or a simple web browser from the DVD remote.
Stereo CD / Radio / ipod Dock There is a Pioneer stereo system that plays CDs and you can connect tablets and smart phones to this via Bluetooth or a standard USB lead. Search for devices from your phone or tablet and select X- SMC00. Toggle through the various audio modes using the button on top of the Pioneer unit. TV (Master Bedroom) The TV (Freeview) in the master bedroom is connected to the aerial. You need to also switch on the aerial booster beside the TV plug. Please ensure these are switched off when not using them. Back doors The patio doors in each bedroom both have a key provided. Please ensure these remain in the bedrooms. To open the bedroom doors onto the deck, unlock with the key and lift the latch. To lock pull the latch down and turn the key. The twin bedroom door can get a bit stiff after the winter if the door swells. Please do not force it if it won t open ease out gently and it ll then be OK.
Balcony To unlock the balcony door hold the handle firmly and turn the key. To lock, pull the door firmly so it clicks shut, lift the handle upwards and then turn the key. If you open the door please latch back with the hook at the bottom of the door as it may slam in the wind. Feedback and further information http://www.riverside-rentals.co.uk/norfolkholidaycottages/teallodge http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/vacationrentalreview-g1649080- d6895434-teal_lodge- Horning_Norwich_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html https://www.facebook.com/teal.lodge?fref=ts We d be delighted if you would send us comments or any photographs of your stay that you think would add to this site. Please Email us at teal.lodge.horning@gmail.com
Eating in and out and food Shopping The nearest supermarkets are Roy's [Wroxham] or Tesco [Sprowston just south of Wroxham near the Park and Ride]. Tidings Newsagents in Horning village is an off-licence and also stocks basic grocery items (open 6-6 daily). Country Treats sells seasonal fruit and veg. Also in Horning is a butcher, a delicatessen /off licence (The Galley) (try their great pasties) as well as Horning Post Office. The village centre is a pleasant 15-20 minute walk away.
Takeaways Try Golden City - the Chinese takeaway on Lower Street just by the New Inn (the menu should be in the drawer in the kitchen). It is good and can be very busy, takes telephone orders and will deliver - cash only [01692 630091]. Horning Fish Bar in the marina does traditional freshly cooked fish and chips - check the opening times as they do vary by season [01692 630844]. Pubs There are three pubs in the village. The nearest is the Ferry Inn which does a good value carvery, good sized portions on everything else and has a bouncy castle (summer) to help work up an appetite. Book ahead in the high season as it is very popular. The New Inn on Lower Street has penny slots for the kids and a nice conservatory with good pub grub. The Swan has the only cash machine in the village - though last time I looked it does charge a fee. All the above have riverside seating areas. Further afield towards Potter Heigham is the village of Ludham - try the King's Arms (it is the nearest pub with BT and Sky Sports and lots of big TVs) which does good food and also has a cash machine (Link, so typically no charge for UK accounts).
Restaurants Also on Lower Street in Horning is the Bure River Cottage Restaurant, a seafood restaurant serving up fresh local fish. Booking recommended see comments in guest book. Open from Tuesday through to Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday and sometimes for longer periods during the winter) Pub and restaurant links www.burerivercottagerestaurant.co.uk [01692 631421] http://horningferry.co.uk/ [01692 630259] www.newinn-horning.co.uk [01692 631223] www.vintageinn.co.uk/theswaninnhorning/ [01692 630316] Tea Rooms / Cafés Try Country Treats Café in Horning village for breakfast baps, sandwiches and ice creams. The Galley (deli) is a bistro café as well as an art gallery and gift shop. The Alfresco Tea Rooms (for brunch or afternoon tea) in Ludham also gets good reviews. Harry s Café / Swimming Harry s Café and leisure centre is round the corner here in the marina. It is open from Easter to the end of the October half term opening times vary through the season. You can use the indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub for a small charge. A responsible adult must be in attendance if children are using the pool as there is no lifeguard, but you can enjoy a coffee or snack in Harry s Café while you watch and they do also have free Wi-Fi.
Boat hire - motorboats There are numerous firms in the village that will hire you a boat for single days, weekends or a whole week. As an example, a day trip can comfortably take in a stop at How Hill nature reserve, lunch in Neatishead, a potter round the curiosity shops at Ludham Bridge and a stop in Ranworth / Malthouse Broad on the way back. Norfolk Boats [01692 631581] Boulter Marine [01692 630498] JB Boats [01692 631411] Ferry Marina [01692 631111] Sailing boats Fancy a sail? Try Hunters Yard at Ludham, 15 minutes drive away. They have a range of traditional 1930 s sailing craft. We particularly enjoy sailing Brown Bess, a delightfully stable half-decker day boat that is suitable for all levels of sailing experience. They also offer 2 hour skippered have a go sessions if you are a complete beginner or just feeling a bit rusty. Booking essential. www.huntersyard.co.uk [01692 678263]
Canoeing Several places offer canoe hire. Try TheCanoeMan based in Wroxham (as seen on the BBC and National newspapers), who offers a variety of adventures. www.thecanoeman.com 0845 4969177 Boat trips If you don t fancy taking a boat out yourself there are plenty of boats trips you can try. The paddle steamer Southern Comfort runs from near the Swan pub in Horning. Sometimes it has special trips with a jazz band. www.southern-comfort.co.uk The Electric Eel boat trip from How Hill follows a wildlife water trail along the reed-fringed dykes of the How Hill Nature Reserve near Ludham [01603 756096]. www.howhilltrust.org.uk The Norfolk Wildlife Trust runs wildlife boat trips on Ranworth Broad [01603 270479] and Hickling Broad [01692 598276]. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
Fishing: During the Open Season you can expect to catch a selection of rudd, bream, perch, pike and tench on the broads and their rivers. The coarse fishing season runs from mid June to mid March. The only requirement is an Environment Agency rod licence that can be purchased online or from any Post Office. You can fish from our deck and you ll find several of the neighbours out there too. Please do not bring fishing gear into the cottage. Try Boulter Marine [01692 630498] if you want to hire a fishing boat. http://www.norfolkbroads.com/explore/the-fishing-guide/
Cycling: Norfolk s beautiful back roads are great for cycling. Try some of the small country lanes or off-road on the Bure Valley trail alongside the Bure Valley Railway. Bikes can be hired from the Broadland Cycle Hire. They are based in the main car park at Bewilderwood on the road between Horning and Wroxham. www.norfolkbroadscycling.co.uk Bikes can also be hired from Broads Bike Hire at the Norfolk Broads Information Centre (The Canoeman) beside the bridge at Wroxham. http://www.thecanoeman.com/ Printouts of suggested routes can be found with the maps in the bookcase or on the web at www.thebroadsbybike.org.uk
Beach: The Norfolk Coast with its miles of sandy beaches is within easy reach. Sea Palling Beach has a wonderful sandy beach (Blue Flag award) with lifeguards on duty every day in the summer. www.seapalling.com Walks: A few ideas for a short walk. Walk down to Horning village centre and sit by Horning Staithe with an ice cream enjoying the river views. Walk to Horning village Church of St Benedict, which dates from around 1220. Around the side of the church is a path that leads to a small staithe on the River Bure. It s a great quiet spot to just sit and watch everybody cruise by. Park by the craft shops and café at Ludham Bridge. Walk along the River Ant to the How Hill Nature Reserve and back. Visit Toadhole Cottage where you can see how marsh men lived in the 1800s. Explore the nature trail, the secret gardens and take a boat trip on the Electric Eel. http://www.howhil ltrust.org.uk
Drive to Neatishead for the Barton Broad Boardwalk. In Neatishead village turn right (signed to Irstead.) After half a mile, just before the entrance to Gay's Staithe and The Old Rectory turn right for the main car park (and toilets) (or carry on along the road for a further three quarters of a mile to reach the disabled parking only car park). Follow the path / road from the main car park for about a mile through the countryside to the boardwalk itself. The boardwalk will take you through the swampy Carr woodland and emerges to give a panoramic view over Barton Broad (the second largest of the broads). And some ideas for longer walks Walk (or cycle) alongside the Bure Valley Railway that runs for 9 miles between Aylsham and Wroxham. There are intermediate stations at Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall if you don t want to walk the full distance. The Weavers Way is a long distance footpath running from Cromer to Great Yarmouth. Circular walks of sections of it can be walked near here from Potter Heigham or Thurne. http://www.walkinginnorfolk.co.uk/walks.php
Shopping: Roys of Wroxham The World s Largest Village Store is well worth a visit. They have a large car park behind the store (free for 2 hours). Norwich offers a great shopping experience. The easiest way to get there is on the Park and Ride from Sprowston (on the A1151 between Wroxham and Norwich). Take the bus and alight at the castle. Service 605/606 runs between Norwich and the Sprowston Park and Ride. If you can show your Park and Ride ticket you get discounted entrance to Norwich Castle. Local Attractions: Wroxham Barns Craft Centre, Restaurant and Junior Farm. www.wroxhambarns.co.uk BeWILDerwood - great for younger children (toddlers through primary school age). An award winning forest of family fun and outdoor adventure. Tree houses, zip wires, jungle bridges, Crocklebogs, Twiggles and Boggles, storytelling, boat trips and marsh walks. http://www.bewilderwood.co.uk/
St Benet s Abbey This was the only Norfolk monastery founded in the Anglo-Saxon period that continued in use throughout the Middle Ages. It was largely abandoned after the closure of the monastery in the 1530s, because of its inaccessible location. The buildings have been demolished except for the gatehouse and the wind pump later built onto it. The surviving ruins and earthwork remains are very interesting however. As well as being of great historical interest, St Benet's is also very atmospheric. Standing in the depths of Broadland, away from roads and other settlements, it is a wonderful place to spend time surrounded by the wide open skies and away from the modern world. For over 200 years it has been a favourite spot for artists and photographers. www.norfarchtrust.org.uk/stbenets RAF Air Defence Radar Museum Established in 1941 the once TOP SECRET base at Neatishead remained pivotal in Air Defence from WW2 right through the Cold War. Open 10am-5pm as follows. All year: every 2 nd Sat of the month April to October: Open Tuesday, Thursday and Bank Holiday Mondays. www.radarmuseum.co.uk
Bure Valley Railway (Steam Railway) Norfolk's longest fifteen inch gauge line runs between the ancient market town of Aylsham and Wroxham, the 'Capital of the Norfolk Broads' with country stations serving the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. The 18 mile round trip runs through the picturesque Bure valley countryside following the meandering river through meadowland and ancient pasture stopping occasionally at small country villages. www.bvrw.co.uk Horsey Windpump (National Trust) A climb to the top of Horsey Windpump offers spectacular panoramic views of the coast and Broadland landscape. The displays explain the history of the windpump and how wind energy was used to drain the surrounding Horsey estate. Be aware that the stairs to the top are VERY steep! Gardens: East Rushton Old Vicarage Gardens. Superb internationally renowned gardens. www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk How Hill Secret Gardens and Tea Room at How Hill Environmental Centre. Open every weekend end May to October. www.howhilltrust.org.uk
Wildlife: If you are interested in wildlife then you have come to the right place! A range of wildlife can be seen in the Marina itself. Apart from the ubiquitous gulls and pigeons, the marina is home to a number of ducks that will swarm towards you as soon as they spot you on the deck or balcony. There are always Mallard but others such as Great Crested Grebe are often around. Swans call in regularly and Harry the Heron is always to be spotted, particularly early morning or evening. From spring to late summer, watch out for the Swallows who swoop over the basin to feed in the evening. We have a Swallows nest high up in our eaves that we hope will be used again this year. Seals at Horsey Gap: http://www.explorenorfolkuk.co.uk/horsey-beach.html Park on the beach or at the windpump at Horsey Mere. Walk South towards Winterton. Follow signs for the seal colony. Pups are seen October to February.
Ranworth Broad. Take the boardwalk through to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Visitor centre overlooking Ranworth Broad. Boat Trips around the broad. Good sightings of cormorants/grebes. [01603 270479] Hickling Broad. Also offers boat trips. These usually stop at various hides and some stop at the 60 tree tower that offers wonderful views for miles. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk Pensthorpe An hour away on the road to Fakenham, Pensthorpe was home to the BBC Spring Watch program on several occasions. It is home to many wildfowl and garden birds and an important site for migratory birds. The various hides and aviaries make it a great place for photographers and birdwatchers, while the stunning Millennium Garden designed by the world renowned Piet Oudolf will be of interest to any gardener. While the garden is at its best in the summer, Pensthorpe is still worth visiting at other times of year. www.pensthorpe.com
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham 131 acres of natural woodland, water gardens and private inner broad, set in the countryside. Offers boat trips, woodland walks, wildlife watching and children s nature trail. www.fairhavengarden.co.uk