Gordon Ramsay's interior designer kits out luxury Norfolk holiday home

Opened at the end of last summer by Peter Moore and partners, every inch of the property (in the Glaven Valley near Cley-next-the-Sea) has been curated for ‘fabulousness’, with Gordon Ramsay’s interior designers brought in to oversee the finishing touches. 

At the heart of the project, which sleeps 18 across eight bedrooms, is individuality, with much of the furniture being one-offs or made specifically for the house. 

It’s been a long-held ambition of Peter’s to create a ‘hideaway’ in the county – having already achieved success in Leicestershire with Knotting Hill Barn House. 

“My partners and I have always loved north Norfolk,” he says. “I used to have a house in Brancaster. There’s just something incredibly special about this place. The coast is so undeveloped and beautiful.” 

Peter spent more than a year looking for just the right location. “I wanted a large capacity house. I think there’s a real shortage of well-appointed, larger properties on the rental market. I wanted somewhere four to five families or groups could meet up and experience something that, in most cases, is better than being at home. More fun. 

“I think the majority of holiday rentals in the UK are quite dull. The crockery and furniture often is from IKEA and hasn’t really been thought about. What we’ve tried to create is completely experiential. It’s about all the bells and whistles and toys.” 

What does he mean by that? 

“We’ve got an amazing, enormous sauna, a hot tub, a Wim Hoff-style plunge tub, and a £15,000 Swedish outdoor kitchen, with a wildflower-covered outdoor dining area. It had to be the same level and quality as a hotel, but without the big bill at the end.” 

The project, which came in at around £1.5million, involved bringing together two properties, and, as Peter proudly says, the attention to detail is remarkable. 

“We used one of the UK’s leading interiors firms, Russell Sage for all the interior schemes. They work for Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants and all sorts of hotel brands. I think they’ve managed to make something quite quirky and unique.” 

He says it’s hard to pinpoint his best-loved part of the house but “most people’s favourite area is the dining room. There’s a custom-made table built with boards from a 19th century French cattle truck, and a crazy canoe lightshade over the table. It’s warm and cosy and fabulous. 

“All the bedrooms [there are eight] are amazing as well. It’s hard to pick one out. Then there’s the Le Chameau welly boot room where guests can use the range of luxurious wellies. And I love the dressing-up cupboard, filled with lots of wonderful things. I bought it from the Theatre Royal in Bath. It allows people do get dressed up for dinner and go a bit ‘crazy’.” 

Knotting Hill is equipped with everything you could need, but all your other wishes can come true thanks to the concierge team, who work with trusted local partners to offer anything from in-house body and beauty treatments, to catering options that could range from preparing and serving dinner, to leaving supper waiting in the oven, or prepared food in the fridge.  

Their wine partner can even arrange for your favourite bottles to be stowed away ready for your arrival. 

In the area Peter recommends a visit to The Bell at Wiveton. “They serve amazing food. I like The George at Cley too. And you have to go to Holkham Hall and Holkham beach!” 

Book your stay 

During the peak season (June to September) the farmhouse is only available for seven day stays. Outside of this it can be booked for three nights. 

Prices range from £1,300 per night in low season, to £3,900 per night in peak season, based on 18 sharing. Find out more at knottinghillfarmhouse.com