For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of visiting yet, how would you describe Applewood Hall and Applewood Countryside Park?

They’re two quite different businesses, but they work in lovely synergy together. Applewood Countryside Park is our tranquil, family-friendly camping and glamping site and it’s all about switching off, reconnecting with nature, and spending proper time together. Applewood Hall, on the other hand, is our wedding and events venue. It’s a real blank canvas, completely bespoke to each event, from weddings and networking to charity balls and milestone birthdays.

What’s great is how the two sides complement each other. Wedding guests might stay in our shepherd’s cabins or glamping pods, while campers might discover there’s an event next door. It all flows together perfectly as everything’s in one place, and nobody has to worry about getting home at the end of the night!

You’re in such a gorgeous spot, right next to Banham Zoo and surrounded by Norfolk countryside. What makes being here in Norfolk so special for your guests and for you?

I think it’s the diversity. We’re so lucky in Norfolk to have it all. A beautiful city, stunning coastline, ancient woodland, and peaceful countryside - and it's all within an hour’s drive. It’s amazing.

I grew up here, spent ten years in London, and then came back and I’ve loved watching Norfolk evolve. We’re proud of our traditions, but we don’t stand still. There’s such a thriving community of independent businesses, and everyone genuinely wants to see each other do well even if they’re in the same sector! I’m a big believer in collaboration over competition, and that spirit really runs through Norfolk.

Applewood Hall has hosted everything from weddings and parties to business events. What makes it such a unique venue?

We always say: we’re here to do things differently. You can absolutely go to a city conference venue and sit in a plain room with a flip chart but here, you can hold your meeting next to a zoo! We work really closely with Banham Zoo, so couples can do amazing things like feed the giraffes on their wedding day, or corporate groups can have strategy sessions in the morning and head to the zoo in the afternoon. And because we’ve got the Countryside Park on site, people can make a whole weekend of it – go glamping, do yoga on the lawn, or play a round of crazy golf between sessions.

We’ve also got fantastic catering partners in Florentina who can do absolutely anything – whether it’s a formal dinner or something completely offbeat to match a theme. I love when people come to us with ideas that seem impossible, like a full Harry Potter–themed wedding with floating candles and Great Hall vibes. It’s all about creativity and personality.

You’ve clearly put a lot of care into how Applewood looks and feels, from the grounds to your brand and marketing. How important has it been to build a clear identity that ties everything together?

Hugely important. Because Applewood Hall and the Countryside Park sit side by side, I wanted them to feel like part of the same destination – recognisable, cohesive and full of personality.

The name comes from our history as the land was once an apple orchard owned by my grandfather and so the apple has become a big part of our story. I love bringing that heritage to life through design and storytelling. The branding reflects our roots: natural, family-focused, a bit playful. Even the colour palettes shift depending on the occasion so softer for weddings, bold and bright for celebrations. 

And over at the Countryside Park, what kind of experience can people expect when they stay? Is it more about peace and quiet, or are guests looking for adventure too?

It really depends on the time of year and who’s visiting. In the summer, it’s definitely family-focused. Kids on bikes, games of rounders on Grove Meadow, hours spent on the new Apple Harvest Adventure Play Park, table tennis in the Games Den, trips to Banham Zoo, and family BBQs with meat from the local butcher across the road.

In quieter months, it’s all about peace and nature. We’ve got a woodland walk, a big open meadow, and some of the clearest skies you’ll ever see on a cloudless night, it’s like the whole sky is lit up. And then of course, there’s the magic of being next to the zoo you can sometimes hear the tigers, sea lions or monkeys in the distance! There aren’t many campsites where you can wake up to that.

You’re part of a brilliant local business community here in Norfolk. How have corporate events, awards nights, and networking gatherings helped build connection and support between local businesses?

It’s been such a brilliant way to show people that we’re not just a wedding venue. Hosting events like the Santa Social and the Sunset Social with you (Naked) has helped us connect with the local business community in new ways.

For me, it’s all about connection. Not just for ourselves, but between others too. I love being able to recommend great local suppliers or venues, even if it’s not something we can take on ourselves. Collaboration, not competition, is how we all grow. Sometimes it’s about saying, “We can’t do this, but I know who can,” and that builds real trust in the community.

You’ve achieved so much in growing Applewood. What moments or milestones stand out as the ones you’re most proud of?

Definitely the launch of the Apple Harvest Adventure Play Park. Our old play trail dates back to the early ’90s, so this was a big leap forward. We worked with another local company, CAP.Co, to create something bespoke that ties in perfectly with our brand and tells the story of orchard harvest tractors, apple picking ladders and crates. All beautifully themed. It’s so special.

And from the Hall’s side, I’d say events like the Santa Social and Sunset Social have been real highlights. They helped us reach new people and showed the community what Applewood can offer. Seeing people come away saying, “I didn’t know this place existed, how can I use it?” was exactly what we wanted.

What’s the most ‘out there’ wedding you’ve helped create?

Oh, that has to be the Day of the Dead wedding! It was wild! Skeletons, coffins, bold colours, gothic touches and the bride didn’t wear white. It was so true to who they were as a couple. I absolutely loved it. That’s what I enjoy most: when couples bring their own personality and aren’t afraid to do something different. Give me the bonkers ideas, the colourful, the creative. That’s where the magic happens.

With the festive season coming up and our Santa Social just around the corner, what are you most looking forward to as you welcome guests this winter? And what’s on the horizon for 2026?

We’ve just welcomed 30 goats from Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park! They’re helping us naturally clear some of our fields and woodland, and might even make an appearance at our Easter Spring Fling next year.

Also looking ahead, we’re planning more small, seasonal events to add value for our guests things like the October Half-Term Haunt we've just done, where we had free craft sessions and torchlight scavenger hunts for families. I love seeing people connect with nature and each other – phones down, just spending time together. Those are the moments that make me proudest, because they’re what Applewood is all about.