Carrick’s Country

… and Crabtree

Castle Farm is situated in an extraordinarily unspoilt area of the mid Wensum Valley. Our land and adjoining farms, too, are laced with intriguing walks that take you through the fields, the wood and along the river. Ask our advice and we will help plot a walk with you that takes in everything you might want to see. This area, too, is great for those who like to see their dogs run to the horizons! Alternatively, bring your cycles for the network of back lanes or even your canoes for the river.

We are fascinated by our wildlife and we love feedback from you. Put on your wellies and take your binoculars (or borrow ours) and tell us exactly what you see out there. Deer of different species, especially red and muntjac are always in the valley, along with foxes, badgers, water voles, hares and even otters. The birdlife is dramatic as well and guests always comment on the number of barn owls that we are still blessed with. But, summer and winter, there is always something new on the wing to see and admire.

The renowned angler, writer and film presenter, John Bailey, is a regular at Castle Farm. He makes it a base for all his visiting anglers and, especially, those weekends that are themed around his award-winning TV series ‘Fishing in the Footsteps of Mr Crabtree’. These programmes were all about bringing children into the sport and he hosts many adult anglers along with parents and their children. He makes fishing accessible and fun and we’ve got to know his guests who often return each and every month as dear friends. Enquire with us about engaging John for a day or two on both the river here or on his extensive list of private waters in the immediate area. He offers tench, carp and rudd during the spring and summer and pike, perch, chub, river roach and barbel summer through till mid March.

We’ve also mentioned the otters along the valley and no-one is better placed than John to know exactly what their movements are at any given time. If you fancy a couple of hours out with him walking the banks here or close by we can arrange that, too. You might not see the animals themselves, although it is always possible, but you will certainly learn a lot about their natural history and what to look for along the banksides back at your home.