Nyssa
Colton, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Call it the eighth chakra. A bohemian home that favours harmony over ostentation, Nyssa happens where old-world blueprints meet new wave wellbeing in a charming chapter of Norfolk. Originally a stable block, this luxury farmhouse in Colton is "positive energy architecture" embodied; a lesson in restorative design that feels like a meditative play on Anna Sewell’s fictional Birtwick Park, with a yoga studio, ice bath, sauna, and hot tub.
Introduction
Owned by a bohème and a music man, it’s little wonder that Nyssa has so much spirit. Honouring its original features, the pair set out on a project of preservation and modernisation; uncovering mosaic parquet floors, terracotta brickwork, and A-frame lintels, whilst incorporating glass doors, underfoot warmth, and an extravagant LA-worthy yoga studio. What metamorphosed was a rustic sanctuary with a 1970s twist; knotted hammocks, Swedish hot tubs, arched doorways, and zen den snugs. Inspired by the meditative retreats of Morocco, but set deep in east of England countryside, what awaits at this luxury farmhouse is an entanglement of honest-to-goodness good vibes, ergonomic spaces, and all that’s Om.
Inside
A tangible global influence brings together Berber artisan makers with the curators of Parisian lifestyle stores, the tile shapers of 19-century Britain with the ceramicists on Soho House’s speed dial. It’s a home that holds the past in the palm of one hand, the now in the other. Think period inglenooks, an enormous egg tubs, a turntable where Fleetwood Mac’s Never Going Back Again might gain new meaning, and holistic spaces made for thoughtful gatherings. The yoga studio is made for play as well as lotus poses; a projector and cocooning bean bags make easy work of movie marathons, while buckwheat meditation seats and a bronze Chau gong await those healing sound vibrations that hark to the Han Dynasty.
Outside
Ten-foot bird of paradise plants bringing tropical energy, and spilling succulents that nod to vertical forests; that’s just what’s inside. The acre of garden is a miniature English zootropolis, inviting rabbits, kingfishers, and herds of ginger muntjac deer; and it’s positively brimming with that same good karma as the interior, owing in no small part to the owner’s baptism of the grounds with a bottle of champagne and the ceremonial hugging of each and every tree. If you should roam from this outdoor spa — complete with a sauna, hot tub, ice bath, and open fire — there’s all sorts of exploration spots close by; pop to Honingham to pick up supper from The Goat Shed, or pack a picnic for a day on the wild Norfolk Coast.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 8 guests
From £2,995 per week, £2,250 per short break - Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are four bedrooms at this luxury wellness farmhouse, all on the first floor; the primary bedroom has an en suite shower room, and the three remaining rooms share access to one family bathroom and one family shower room.
View bedrooms - FeaturesHot tub, sauna, outdoor shower, cold water bathtub, firepit, pizza oven
- PetsThree well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabies and children are very welcome. One cot and one highchair are available, and there are fixed stairgates.
- PracticalitiesThere is off-road parking for six cars. The kitchen has a double oven, five-ring induction hob, dishwasher, Quooker boiling tap, tall fridge and freezer, washing machine, and tumble dryer. Please note that the garden pond is not enclosed and the staircase has open treads, so do exercise due diligence if you are travelling with children and/or dogs. There are CCTV cameras at the entrance to the studio, front door, and car parking area for security purposes, which can be switched off. In the garden, there is a small annexe with a kitchenette and two single beds for guests who might wish to bring private staff, available at an additional cost.
- Homestay includesA luxury welcome hamper, iPad, Wi-Fi internet, Smart TV and movie projector, Sonos turntables and LPs, yoga equipment, Nespresso coffee machine, large gas and green egg barbecues, gas pizza oven, books and board games, luxury bed linens, towels, and bathrobes, and logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- RetreatsFrom foraging weekenders to crash courses in cold-water therapy, our bespoke retreats bridge the gap between luxury and back-to-nature philosophies. Create a hand-crafted stay that puts connectivity at the fore.
- RestrictionsParties considered on prior permission from the owner, from 10pm please be mindful of our neighbours and keep loud music and voices to a minimum, fireworks are not permitted.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Colton
Close to the spectacular medieval city of Norwich, with its Copenhagen-esque riverfront merchants’ houses and quirky cafés, Colton is a serene slice of the Norfolk countryside that´s not far from the wilds of The Broads.
Getting there
- On the Map This luxury wellness farmhouse is located in the small village of Colton, to the west of the medieval city of Norwich in South Norfolk.
- By Car Nyssa is twenty-five minutes from Norwich, one hour from Southwold and Bury St Edmunds, and under three hours from Birmingham and London.
- By Train Norwich Train Station is twenty-five minutes away by car. There are regular trains from London Liverpool Street with Greater Anglia Railways, with a journey time of under two hours.
- By Air Norwich Airport is twenty minutes away by car, London Southend is one-and-a-half hours away by car, and Birmingham, London Heathrow, and Gatwick airports are less than three hours by car.
From the owner
“We´re so pleased you have chosen to stay at our Norfolk sanctuary, and we wish you the most magical and memorable trip. The farmhouse was designed for wellbeing retreats; we have worked hard to create an incredibly welcoming, meditative environment, made for mind-body-soul connection.”
We are a creative family; one of us the founder of wellness and lifestyle brand The House of Bohème, the other with a successful career in music. We are passionate about creating warm, intentional, and impactful spaces. Believers in manifestation, finding Nyssa felt like fate; it had all the key features we’d written out and dreamt of, from the original wooden floors to the arched doorways to the huge fireplace. When we arrived and looked up at the plaque on the outside, which read HB 1815 (the initials used on the sub-mark logo for House of Bohème), we knew this was the one.
The combination of our wellbeing brand and enthusiasm for a challenge has led us to renovate several properties, but Manor Barn holds a particularly special place in our hearts. To this day, we still get a tear in our eye every time we visit — it will always feel like a dream come true.
The house is filled with opportunities for self-care; there’s a functional yoga studio complete with sound bowls, a gong, cork mats, and mindfulness cushions, as well as a hot tub, sauna, and ice bath. It would be impossible to leave without feeling well-rested and rejuvenated.
The Clark Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Colton with an insider’s perspective.
To Eat
The Barking Buck
A four-minute walk from the house, The Barking Buck is one our favourite pubs; recently renovated, it serves great food (think dumplings and wedges of tiramisu), craft beers, and a delicious Sunday roast.
To Do
The Painted Barn
A café, homewares store, treatment centre, and yoga studio, The Painted Barn is set in a restored 16th-century barn, and has seating inside and out. It´s the perfect spot for tea and cake, sausage rolls and scones, all homemade in the barn.
To See
Norwich Market
One of the oldest outdoor markets in the country, Norwich Market is a vibrant mix of food, flowers, and artisan items; open Monday to Saturday, with a handful of stalls open on Sundays, you won´t leave empty handed (or bellied).
To Do
Wild swimming in Thetford Forest
Come here to find a pretty chalk stream running through the forest, up to two metres in depth. Always a favourite on our to do list, it offers much-sought tranquillity, and is worth packing a swimsuit for; bring a picnic and spend a while.
Unique extras
From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay we’ll introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
After-dark wellness is the new travel trend
Condé Nast Traveller
April 2024How posh is your garden?
The Times
April 2024The idyllic English villages favoured by the A-list
The Telegraph
April 2024Seven of the best Easter days out in the UK
The Times
March 2024The best British breaks for 2024
The Telegraph
March 2024Quiet oasis
Elle Decoration (Germany)
March 2024How to host a Traitors-style weekend
The Independent
February 2024The best renovated historic homes
The Times
February 2024
Collections > Luxury Homes with a Private Chef > UK > Norfolk > Norwich > Nyssa
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
