Vineyard Cottage – about the cottage, the vineyard and future plans!

Our delicious little Vineyard Cottage is tucked away in rural East Ruston.  Up a private drive, just off Chequers Street, which is a field-lined country road with very little passing traffic.

Owners Graham and Collette bought Vineyard Cottage as part of Poplar Farmhouse (and the vineyard - more of that below!) in 2021 and have fallen in love with this fabulously rural part of Norfolk as well as the coast and nearby Norfolk Broads. We think you may too!

They share their new country life with two 5 yr old dog girls (mum is a Wire fox terrier mum and dad is a Airedale Terrier). These two girls have their own separate and enclosed garden to explore and do so in their usual bouncy and inquisitive manner. Rest assured they are never a bother to our guests.

Collette and Graham say…"We are lucky and enjoy the peace and tranquility that East Ruston village offers and being on the outer edge means there is unhindered views of open fields, woodland and the big sky experience - it really has to be seen to be believed."

There are a LOT of really good and easy walks from the door and walking your dogs along the road is safe as the occasional cars are local and considerate and there is plenty of space to get off the road.  The Weavers Way is 100m from the cottage and links the North Norfolk coast to Great Yarmouth. It is 61 miles long and links the diverse landscapes of woodland, mixed farmland, historic country estates, disused railway lines, riverside walks and the famous Norfolk Broads; a big one on the 'must do' list for many a keen walker and rambler.

There is great choice of mixed footpath walks and quiet lanes all around the village and it's worth heading over to the East Ruston Poors Allotments - an unusual area of mixed woodland, heathland and marsh where only the locals walk and the wildlife thrives!

THE VINEYARD

The farm that Vineyard Cottage and the vineyard itself are on is roughly 6 acres in size and is surrounded by fabulous open fields with unhindered views.

Given the huge space on the farm, Graham and Collette decided to fulfil a lifelong ambition and brought 3 bee hives into the well-established fruit orchard (producing plums, apples, blackberries and pears).

Graham said "Becoming a beekeeper is nothing short of mesmerising - looking after the hives and the 50000 ladies (well most are female) is nothing short of being a privilege, especially when you sit back and watch them fly off for yet another foraging mission. With a good over-wintering we will hope to be producing our very own East Ruston Farm honey, jams and chutneys as well as the wine".

Guests of Vineyard Cottage can enjoy a free guided tour of the Vineyard and apiary and follow that with a picnic on the table next to the Vineyard - an idea given to Graham by another local vineyard owner nearby.  Carry your picnic goodies over to the picnic table in a lovely vintage hamper.

There are more plans afoot and Graham and Collette are rolling out their plans for a wild flower meadow, wildlife pond and firepit area - all for their guests to enjoy.

GREEN CREDENTIALS The farm has an array of solar panels which generate the electricity used on site and Air source heat pumps to reduce the carbon footprint to the lowest level possible plus large composting facilities.  There is an EV charger for guest use too.  Vineyard Cottage and the surrounding area are green in both senses of the word!

Want to book it?  Go to the website page here!  Have any questions?  Email Sue.  Always happy to help!