Mick P, Doncaster – Subscriber Free Weekend Winner – Visit Report

21/05/2024 • Carl Marsh •

Mick P from Doncaster recently enjoyed his SUBSCRIBER DRAW FREE WEEKEND…

He said:
“We have just spent a long weekend at Mousetrap, Wells . I must say what a total gem this place is. You couldn’t have a better location for a holiday stay. The cottage has everything you need – 3 large bedrooms easily accommodating 6 . The side annex room was perfect for my elderly mother which has its own lobby entrance toilet and really nice walk-in shower perfect and private . The cottage location makes it perfect to explore the north Norfolk coast We found a beautiful gravel beach on the way to Cromer called Salthouse – a must visit . I would totally recommend a stay at the Mousetrap. 100% not to be missed.

Mick’s wife, Paula said:
“My family stayed at the Mousetrap recently and we absolutely loved it. It was spacious. It was very clean. It had underfloor heating. It had everything that you wanted in the kitchen. It had the most amazing double mattress, and I had the best night’s sleep. There’s a smart TV so you can access your Netflix, etc. There is also free Wi-Fi .

The cottage consists of an open plan kitchen dining room lounge area. There are two very large leather sofas which are very comfortable and could easily sleep two children, To the right of the lounge there is a bathroom, a twin room, and a double room. There are more than enough clean towels and extra pillows duvets etc. There is also plenty of storage. To the left there is another double room which is a twin that has its own toilet and shower which is great if you are taking your parents, for example so they can have some privacy.

The cottage is situated right in the heart of Wells opposite a beautiful church. There are lovely shops and places to eat. We ate at the Golden Fleece (but I do not recommend it). It has been taken over and it is not anything like how it used to be. However, the food in the Globe looked delicious. Also, the food at the café called Bang in Wells is delicious. There’s also a pub called the Edinburgh, which is reasonably priced and it’s a bit more ‘local’. I like it in there.

My husband took his bike and went through the pine forest to Holkham Hall. I’ve had Sunday lunch there on a separate trip (Victoria) – it’s expensive but it’s beautiful and it’s worth it for a special occasion.

I like to run – so from the cottage down the coastal path to the bottom and back to the cottage exactly 5 km. it’s something I love to do every time I visit Wells .

The beach is beautiful, and my kids like to crab at the harbour. My husband took them to a place called Salthouse pebble beach which he said was wonderful and the kids loved it.

I would highly recommend the Mousetrap it’s a perfect place in a perfect location. It’s immaculately clean and I can’t wait to go back…”

Become a Subsciber and win a free weekend in Wells next the Sea
…All Mousetrap subscribers are automatically eligible to receive this prize. We draw a name at random from our subscriber base just after New Year for a free Winter/Spring break.

Previous winner Stacey Pallister said “Myself and my family enjoy spending time in Wells because it has something for everyone, young and old. People are friendly. Shops and restaurants are fantastic, and the beach is wonderful. The Mousetrap is a perfect location to visit Wells next the Sea because it is central. No need to worry about parking or driving around”.

Mousetrap subscribers benefit from:

– Chance to win a FREE WEEKEND
– Being first to receive reduced price stays at the MOUSETRAP due to cancellations
– Receiving news of special events worth visiting North Norfolk for…
– We promise to send no more than 12 emails per year, but it’s often less and you can unsubscribe at any time

So, if you are not subscribed yet – do it now – just click this link or scroll to the bottom of the page at our website: www.mousetrapwells.co.uk
You only have to enter your name and email…and next year it could be you?!

FREE Subscriber Break Winner Annette W talks about her weekend in Wells

26/11/2021 • Carl Marsh •

Although Annette W. won her FREE SUBSCRIBER BREAK back in January 2020 a small thing called COVID put the brakes on being able to enjoy her break! Despite a couple of further displaced dates Annette has finally managed to enjoy a weekend at the Mousetrap. Fresh from her trip to Wells we caught up with her and this is what she had to say:

Mousetrap…Hi Annette, hope you had a good weekend. Are you normally a ‘lucky’ person? What other things have you won besides the FREE SUBSCRIBER BREAK at the Mousetrap? What did you think when we contacted you to say you had won?
Annette: We had a fabulous weekend; thank you very much. It was a complete surprise to hear I’d won the weekend – I’m not usually that lucky! Despite having to rearrange the stay a couple of times, it turned out to be fortuitous as we celebrated a couple of birthdays and a family catch-up. Everyone loved the weekend and the beautiful cottage.

Mousetrap…Having now stayed at the Mousetrap, what makes it a good base for a break or longer holiday in Wells next the Sea and what’s on your ‘to do list’ next time you visit Wells?
Annette: The weather held out for the weekend. Nice dry autumn days allowed us a morning on the beach at Wells, with the dog. It was great being able to clear our heads. We ate at the Golden Fleece and spent the evening playing board games. Then on Sunday, we visited Sandringham for the Craft Fair. We hadn’t planned anything in particular before arriving. We wanted to chill and walk the dog, and catch up. And that’s exactly what we did. There’s so much to do locally, when we return we’d like to visit Holkham and Houghton Halls.

Mousetrap…Who did you share your winnings with? Did you bring anyone else with you to stay at the Mousetrap? What did they think?
Annette: We took the opportunity of inviting family to meet up at Mousetrap. We were amazed at the size of the cottage and the amount of accommodation and facilities.

Mousetrap…The dates you originally chose were unavailable due to COVID lockdowns and had to be re-scheduled – was the wait worth it?
Annette: I’ll forward a photo of us on the beach!

…All Mousetrap subscribers are automatically eligible to receive this prize. We draw a name at random from our subscriber base just after New Year for a free Winter/Spring break.

Previous winner Stacey Pallister said “Myself and my family enjoy spending times in Wells because it has something for everyone, young and old. People are friendly. Shops and restaurants are fantastic and the beach is wonderful. The Mousetrap is a perfect location to visit Wells next the Sea because it is central. No need to worry about parking or driving around”.

Mousetrap subscribers benefit from:

– Chance to win a FREE WEEKEND
– Being first to receive reduced price stays at the MOUSETRAP due to cancellations
– Receiving news of special events worth visiting North Norfolk for…
– We promise to send no more than 12 emails per year, but it’s often less and you can unsubscribe at any time

So, if you are not subscribed yet – do it now – just click this link or scroll to the bottom of the page at our website: www.mousetrapwells.co.uk

You only have to enter your name and email…and next year it could be you?!

Open Water Swimming – Wells Quayside

27/08/2020 • Carl Marsh •

The Mousetrap is a great base if you want to try Open Water Swimming. With no pool walls or lanes, you can swim in your own space and at your own pace without the concern of anyone tapping at your heels. There is a great sense of achievement looking back to where you’ve swam from and seeing the fruits of your labour. It is a relaxing yet exhilarating experience to be out there as nature intended with plenty of stimulus to keep your mind occupied.

For beginners, wetsuits are recommended to help adjust to the water’s temperature and can improve buoyancy. It is also a great challenge knowing you have no floor to stand up on or side to hang onto, so it does offer a challenge that isn’t there in a confined pool environment. Cooler water can increase energy levels, nerve endings stand up and your heart starts racing – it is the best possible way to get a natural high!

There are lots of other health benefits – It has been proven by scientists that by being immersed in cold water three times a week increases your white blood counts which helps fight infection and boost your immune system by activating antibodies and increasing metabolic rate. It also helps flush your circulation pushing blood through your arteries, capillaries and veins as well as flushing any impurities giving you a better feeling of wellbeing. It has even been proven cold water can reduce stress levels and even depression.

But most of all its Lots Of Fun!! It’s a great way to push your fitness, meet new people, laugh a lot and it won’t break the bank. However, beware it is addictive and once you try it you might get hooked! Convinced? Check out our video

Do you have any experiences of Open Water Swimming? We would be pleased to hear your stories and receive any photos.

Mousetrap, Book Direct - Best Price - book now via Mousetrap's online reservation system

Are You Subscribed? Win a FREE Weekend Break!

11/07/2019 • Carl Marsh •

In November 2018, we contacted subscribers of our emails, asking them to participate in a free to enter competition. The prize was a FREE WEEKEND BREAK at the Mousetrap.

The competition was won by Stacey Pallister and we featured the draw in our 15.02.19 blog article ‘…and the winner is…’

Following her stay at the Mousetrap we contacted Stacey and asked what she thought of it – here’s some of the conversation:

Q…What do you like about Wells next the Sea?
A…Myself and my family enjoy spending times in Wells because it has something for everyone, young and old. People are friendly. Shops and restaurants are fantastic and the beach is wonderful.

Q…Why is the Mousetrap a good base for your visits to Wells next the Sea?
A…The Mousetrap is a perfect location to visit Wells next the Sea because it is central. No need to worry about parking or driving around.

Q…What’s on your to do list next time you visit Wells?
A..Try the pancakes at The Albatross and maybe go Alpaca trekking.

Q…Were you surprised when you won your free weekend at the Mousetrap? Who did you share your weekend with and did they enjoy it?
A…I was completely shocked and overwhelmed. I took my husband and other family members.

Q…As well as winning your free weekend, what other offers have you received through being on the subscriber list? A…I have various offers emailed throughout the year. Which include discounted weekends/weeks. Which are very handy because I have passed them onto friends and family.

Mousetrap is a spacious family friendly holiday home with 3 bedrooms, sleeping 6, free car parking and free wi-fi.
Check out our: Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and YouTube pages
Email: enquiry@mousetrapwells.co.uk
Mobile: 07966 191 737
Click the Book Direct Best Price link below – for direct access to our online reservation and booking system

And the winner is…

15/02/2019 • Carl Marsh •

In November we mailed previous clients who were subscribed to receive our emails and news with a simple FREE to enter competition. Anyone who had previously stayed at the Mousetrap was asked to leave a review on Google’s newly launched Hotel Ads service. This helped Mousetrap’s visibility and compared to the cost of ‘paid for’ advertising was an effective way to become found on increasingly crowded internet search.

https://youtu.be/J8_W6BnOJ_8

In return for the favour, any reviewer published on Mousetraps Google profile by 31st January 2019 would be entered into a FREE draw, with a contributor picked at random, to win a FREE weekend break (Friday to Monday) in March 2019, worth over £350.

The winner was Stacey Pallister, who previously stayed at the Mousetrap with her extended family.

Online Booking, immediate reservation and confirmation

TOP TEN UNIQUE FACTS ABOUT NORTH NORFOLK

10/02/2019 • Carl Marsh •

Here at the MOUSETRAP we think North Norfolk is pretty special. Breath-taking coastline, nature-rich landscapes and stunning countryside. But don’t take our word for it! Here are ten completely unique things about north Norfolk. Come and discover them for yourself!

1…North Norfolk is home to the Queen’s country retreat, Sandringham. It’s the Royal Family’s only private home and estate in England. When unoccupied by Royalty, Sandringham is open to the public, so you can see where Meghan Markle spent her first Christmas with Prince Harry!

2…Norfolk has 120 Round Tower Churches. More than three times the number than any other county. Built in the 100 years after 1050, it is thought round towers were built for cultural reasons, at a time when Norfolk had strong trading links with the Baltic and North Sea communities.

3…The Chalk Reef, off Cromer and Sheringham, is the world’s longest chalk reef, at over 20 miles. It’s more than 100,000 million years old, created in the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs roamed. It’s part of the same chalk stream as the White Cliffs of Dover, providing feeding grounds for crabs and lobsters, which is why Cromer crabs are so tasty.

4…North Norfolk is Nelson’s Birthplace. Horatio Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe, where his father was rector. He learnt to sail at nearby Burnham Overy Staithe. Nelson of course went on to become the greatest naval commander this country has ever seen.

5…It’s quite unusual to find a pyramid in North Norfolk, but you can find one here! The Blickling Pyramid was built as a mausoleum, in 1794 for the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire. The pyramid can be seen in the Great Wood at the National Trust’s Blickling Estate, which was the birthplace of Anne Boleyn.

6…North Norfolk has some unique wildlife. Blakeney Point is home to the largest seal colony in England, with the arrival of 2500 pups in recent Winters. The colony is made up of Common and Grey seals. Common seals have their young between June and August, and the Greys between November and January. They are fed on their mother’s milk for three weeks before heading into the sea for the first time.

7…North Norfolk has several official ‘Dark Skies’ sites and is one of the few places in the UK where you can see the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis. Kelling Heath and Wiveton Downs, both have Dark Sky Discovery Status, which means the area is unaffected by light pollution. Both have the highest accolade of being designated ‘two star’ sites – where the seven stars of the Orion constellation and the Milky Way are visible to the naked eye.

8…Norfolk Broads is a National Park unlike any other, as they are man-made. This was discovered by Dr Joyce Lambert in the 1950’s when she found that the banks of the Broads were straight, unlike ordinary lakes. The Broads are a result of medieval peat diggings, which have created over 125 miles of navigable waterways – more than Venice or Amsterdam, and are home to more than a quarter of the rarest wildlife in the UK.

9…The stretch of coast from West Runton on the north coast of Norfolk to Happisburgh on the East, has earned the name the ‘Deep History Coast’ because of three historical, unique discoveries. The largest most complete mammoth skeleton in the world was uncovered in the cliffs at West Runton Beach. Whilst in Happisburgh, a 550,000-year-old flint axe and the foot prints of the first people ever to come to Britain across the land bridge from Europe, were found.

10…The Theatre Pavilion on Cromer Pier, is the world’s last ‘end-of-pier theatre’! It hosts concerts throughout the year, as well as the famous summer and Christmas variety shows.

Credit: From an original article featured on: www.visitnorthnorfolk.com

Mousetrap Awarded Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence

02/06/2018 • Carl Marsh •

Mousetrap has been awarded a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2018 for outstanding performance.

It’s acknowledgement of the work that has been put into the Mousetrap to make it the best holiday home that it can be. Not only in terms of the physical property but also the service in managing our guests.

Since taking over the Mousetrap, owners Carl & Andrea Marsh, have invested by installing a modern, easy to use kitchen, a clean modern bathroom as well as ‘heavier’ renovations such as re-roofing and landscaping.

Owner Carl Marsh said ‘Mousetrap has been renovated to be clean and easy to use, with all the conveniences guests would find in their own homes. I’m very mindful that holidays and family time are very important and want everyone who stays at the Mousetrap to have the most relaxing time possible.’

Mousetrap works closely with Tripadvisor and receives regular guests who book through the platform, where Mousetrap’s listing now proudly displays the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ rosette. Guests should be aware that platform booking fees are added when booking through OTA’s (Online Travel Agents) booking directly is cheaper as we do not have to add commission charges. If you have dates in mind click here to be taken to Mousetrap’s online reservation platform.

Canoe the Creeks

01/06/2016 • Carl Marsh •

Wells next the Sea has a unique topography.

Discover it with the Mousetrap…

The combination of sand, tides and salt marshes creates a unique habitat. One of the best ways of understanding it and experiencing it is by canoe or kayak. Exploring the creeks, sand banks and marshes is an amazing experience, especially when guided by someone with local knowledge. So when someone offers to do it and even lend you a kayak, you should jump at the chance!

Wells Harbour Maritime Trust are running a Kayak Safari on 26th June at 10:00.

So if you have ever wanted to go around the creeks but don’t own a kayak – now is your chance, you can borrow a Trust kayak for free!
The trip will last around 1 ½ hrs and there are limited numbers so it’s essential to book.
If you have your own kayak and just want to join in on the fun you can come along too.

Call in at the Harbour Office or ring 01328 711646

Mousetrap Makeover

14/04/2016 • Carl Marsh •

After a couple of busy months renovating and upgrading the Mousetrap www.mousetrapwells.co.uk it’s ready to accept it’s first guest of the new season. Several licks of paint and a new kitchen later and it’s looking like a new pin!
All bedrooms have fresh, new continental quilts, with matching covers and pillow cases. New pillows and mattresses complete the ‘makeover’. Ensuring the Mousetrap will feel like a ‘home from home’. The Mousetrap has 3 bedrooms, sleeping 6 people. The Sandpiper room shown above is a fresh, light room, with a view out to the enclosed rear courtyard. The bedrooms are named after local birds often seen on the sandbanks around Wells next the Sea.

The location of Wells makes it one of the top destinations in England for bird watchers. The reserves at Holme, Titchwell and Cley attract many guests to the area and the Mousetrap www.mousetrapwells.co.uk is a well furnished and conveniently located base for Spring and Autumn watching trips.