The Old Norwich Arms and The Old Chapel form this flexible rural centre for the performing arts and small conferences. The complex is also available for private lets as holiday accommodation. The village of South Creake lies some eight miles from the coast: a cross-country journey of about ten minutes through small hamlets and open fields brings visitors to some of the most spectacular sandy beaches (Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea) and nature reserves (Titchwell, Brancaster, Holme) in the country. Burnham Market is the nearest shopping centre and Fakenham the local market town. King’s Lynn is 20 miles away, as is Norwich, both of which are served by the railway and the latter by an international airport.

The Centre is owned and managed by The Yorke Trust, a charity founded in 1985, with assistance from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, with the aim of advancing education in music. It lies mid-way between Fakenham and Burnham Market and is accessed from the road by a gate leading to a shingled courtyard suitable for parking or dining ‘al fresco’.

The Old Norwich Arms (1746) is a former public house. A typical Norfolk flint and brick cottage, the building has been refurbished to a high standard to provide self-catering accommodation for thirteen people. The main reception rooms have all the comforts of a country cottage with a log fire and full central heating. There is an upright piano for rehearsal and teaching purposes, and a small but useful library of chamber music, piano music and songs.

The dining room, with a large pine table that can seat a maximum of 17 people, can also be used for buffets, when 50-60 can be served. A second upright piano enables the room to be used as a studio when not required for meals.

A well-appointed kitchen has hardwood working surfaces, two electric ovens, one gas and two electric hobs, two dish-washers, a fridge/freezer and a large selection of smaller equipment, pots, pans and serving dishes.

All beds are single and rooms are named after famous musicians or benefactors. The main building has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Two twin rooms (one with wash basin) share a toilet and shower, whilst a triple room and a smaller room with bunks (also with a wash basin) share a toilet and bathroom. The front rooms have attractive views across the meadow.

In the courtyard there are two self-contained en-suite double rooms with bunks that afford privacy of their own. Converted from former out buildings, these are the two most popular rooms!

The Old Chapel (1779) is a Grade II Listed building that was first registered as an independent place of worship. Leading from it is the former Sunday School Room (1894). The last services were held in about 1975 when the buildings were sold. The Chapel has central heating and can seat about 100 people. It is in regular use as a performing space and increasingly for workshops and recordings. Three concert grand pianos are housed in the building (1) a good Steinway from the early 20^th century, (2) a Bluthner that is on loan (currently in need of restoration) and (3) a late 19^th Century Collard & Collard with an early iron frame (also in needs of some restoration, but that will be useful in the future for period recordings and rehearsals as it is a tone below modern concert pitch). The facility has also been used for Scottish Country Dancing, Jazz concerts, Christmas fairs and private social gatherings.

The former Sunday School Room is still in need of restoration and is currently in use as a scenery dock, although it serves adequately as a control room during recording sessions.

At the back of the Chapel is a large shingled area that can be used for performances, workshops or summer parties (the Trust has two large barbecues). There are also two large gazebos that can be erected in case of bad weather. Beyond, towards the fields, is an attractive orchard that can be used for camping during summer courses.

The facility is available at £650 per week throughout the year, with minimum of £350 for a weekend. Christmas and New Year lets are £1,000 per week. All charges are inclusive of heating, lighting and linen. For small groups and odd nights, accommodation is available at £20 pppn from 2005. Special rates are available by negotiation from time to time for charities and music courses.

For further details please contact the yorke trust