Complimentary Welcome Hamper

A complimentary welcome hamper will be awaiting you on your arrival containing milk, tea, fresh coffee, bread, butter, eggs, juice, wine and cheese, along with other essential items to prepare a light snack or breakfast. There may be some regional variations.

The Pumphouse was built in 1849 by the then owner of the surrounding farmland. The pump drew water out ot the fenland drain which runs up to the Pumphouse from the south, and discharged it into the River Wissey via a large cast iron pipe running through an arched brick culvert in the dyke, which serves as the river bank - the vestige of this is still visible. Originally operated by a steam engine, the original pump was replaced in 1947 by a large diesel pump, which operated until 1973, when a new pumping station at Southery came into service. The Pumphouse thereafter was unused and left to fall into a state of dilapidation until the current owners started its restoration and conversion. Otis, the barn owl, is homed in his box approximately 20 metres from the Pumphouse, and can be regularly seen out hunting.

The refurbished Pumphouse now offers five double bedrooms, three of which are en-suite, an indoor spa with views towards the nature reserve and the fens, and a large open plan living area with a well equipped kitchen, state of the art AV system, and wood burning stove. Sleeping accommodation is arranged with an en-suite double bedroom on the raised part of the ground floor, two further en-suite double bedrooms at first floor level, and two twin bedrooms on the top floor. For those with smaller parties, the upper floor may be left unused without giving the feel of an empty house, whilst the bedroom on the raised ground may be used as a tv room for the kids.

The Pumphouse is located at the end of Engine Drove, reached from Sandy Lane which runs east out of the village of Hilgay, a rural village set off the A10 just outside Downham Market. The ancient towns of Kings Lynn to the north and Ely to the south are each a 25 minute car journey away, whilst Cambridge is accessible in 45 minutes. To the north and east of Hilgay is the glorious Norfolk heritage coast, with a fabulous mixture of beaches and saltings, atmospheric coastal towns and villages, and a rich and varied range of outdoor activities to suit visitors of all ages and interests. Hilgay has a wonderful traditional butcher and grocery shop, a pub and a farm shop and restaurant. Within a five minute drive are 'The Boatman' at Denver sluice, the various restaurants of Downham Market, and for an evening treat the gastro-pub 'The Hare'.

This holiday at a glance

Additional Features

Attractions and nearby amenities

For additional inspiration on what to do within the area, please click here.