Norfolk's East View Farm Cottages Ashmanhaugh – National Tourism Awards Finalist

East View Farm Cottages, Ashmanhaugh near Wroxham, is a finalist in the self-catering category in this year’s national VisitEngland Enjoy England for Excellence awards. East View won both the East of England and Tourism in Norfolk self-catering awards in 2010. The winners of the Enjoy England for Excellence Awards will be revealed at a ceremony in Birmingham on April 15. Jane Pond of East View Farm Holiday Cottages said: “My husband John and I are thrilled to be in the VisitEngland finals. To get to the national final is wonderful recognition for all our hard work in ensuring that our guests have a memorable stay in Norfolk. I love Norfolk and want everyone who stays with us to share my passion for the county.” East View Farm Cottages, http://www.eastviewfarm.co.uk/ comprise two self-catering cottages, Plum Tree Cottage (sleeps six) and Nutmeg Cottage (sleeps two), in luxury barn conversions. The cottages have the Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme for their eco-friendliness. A unique aspect of East View Farm Cottages is the Ashmanhaugh Light Railway. This private 7¼-inch gauge railway set in the fields behind the holiday cottages is run by a group of amateur enthusiasts. It was begun in 2002 and now has three circuits of track, a signal box, platform, carriage shed, ticket office, and a wildlife pond surrounded by wildflowers. There are six open days each year: on the first Sunday in the month from May until October, 2pm to 5pm. The Ponds also link with Northrepps based Wildlife Tours and Education to provide wildlife and photographic tours for guests and have linked up with Wroxham Barns to offer craft courses. Lydia Smith, Director Norfolk Tourism said: “Jane and John Pond are top class ambassadors for Norfolk’s tourism industry. I wish them luck at the finals in Birmingham and hope that they return with the national accolade that they deserve.”