Tucked away on the Norfolk–Suffolk border, Restaries is a 12-acre farm anchored by a 16th-century farmhouse and a collection of beautifully converted outbuildings. Created as a space to slow down and reconnect, it’s a retreat where nature, design and thoughtful detail come together in quiet harmony. Here, luxury isn’t about polish or perfection, it's about warmth, care and intention. At the end of last year, we spent time on the farm with founders Gem and Thom, talking about their vision, the story behind Restaries, and what it truly means to create space to breathe, pause and reconnect.
To start, can you tell us about Restaries and the vision behind it?
Restaries is a 12 acre farm on the Norfolk Suffolk border, anchored by our family home which is a 16th century farmhouse and an array of outbuildings which we have converted into luxury farm stay accommodation. It’s designed as a place to slow down, reconnect, and feel held by both nature and thoughtful interiors. At its heart, it’s about creating space: space to breathe, to notice, to spend time well. Our vision has always been to offer something quietly luxurious rather than overtly polished—where comfort comes from warmth, intention, and care rather than excess. We want guests to feel like they’ve arrived somewhere real, somewhere lived-in, where nothing is rushed and nothing is performative.
What first inspired you both to create Restaries and transform the farm into a retreat space?
It began quite organically. We were both craving a change of scenery after 20 years in London—we had just had a baby and wanted something slower and more grounded than our previous lives allowed. The farm offered that and we fell in love with it immediately. We didn’t set out to create a “destination” as such. It was more about asking: what would it feel like to share this with others? From there, the idea of opening the gates—carefully and thoughtfully—started to make sense.
How did your backgrounds influence the way you approached the design and concept of Restaries?
Its definitely shaped the way we think about detail and experience. Thom has a background in luxury fashion, where storytelling, craftsmanship, and attention to detail are everything. Gem’s background in hospitality and events brings a deep understanding of flow, atmosphere, and how people actually feel in a space. She also ties up all the brand partnerships which flow throughout all the rooms and spaces.
Together, that meant we obsessed over the small things—how light moves through a room, how something feels under your hand, how a stay unfolds over a weekend. Nothing is there just to look good; it all has to work and feel honest. Its all very thought through.
What drew you to this particular location in Suffolk and the Norfolk border?
There’s something quietly powerful about this part of the country. It’s not showy, and it doesn’t try to impress overtly but has stunning scenery and a liberal, rebellious history which runs through all of its inhabitants. The landscape here feels expansive yet intimate, wild yet gentle. You’re close to the coast, surrounded by big skies, ancient woodland, and farmland that still works hard. It felt like a place where people could truly switch off without feeling disconnected. The food scene is incredible and there are some of the best pubs in the country here.
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How important was it for you to preserve the working farm feel while introducing luxury accommodation?
Well a farm to a lot of people is only a farm with animals right, we never wanted to smooth the edges off and or turn it into something overly precious or fabricated. The animals, the land, the unpredictability—that’s the soul of the place. That’s actually what people love most. Luxury for us isn’t about perfection; it’s about care. Fresh sheets, beautiful food, thoughtful design—but alongside the real rhythms of farm life. Guests often tell us that seeing the animals or hearing the sounds of the land is what makes their stay feel grounding rather than indulgent.
What does a perfect stay at Restaries look like to you?
A perfect stay is unstructured. It might start with a slow morning, good coffee, and no agenda. Maybe a walk, maybe a nap, maybe a long lunch that turns into an early evening.
We love the idea that guests leave feeling lighter—not because they did loads, but because they didn’t have to. If someone goes home feeling restored, more connected to themselves or each other, then we’ve done our job.
How do you see the retreat evolving over the next few years?
We’re very intentional about growing slowly. The future is less about scale and more about depth—deepening the experience, adding layers rather than volume. That might mean more spaces for wellness, creativity, and small gatherings, or collaborations with people and brands we genuinely admire. Our focus this year is to enhance guest experience and give people a reason to come back. We will launch a woodland spa this easter and upgrade all of the rooms to have hot tubs, outdoor fires and new bbqs. Our biggest investments will actually be in the grounds and gardens which will give the place even more soul.
When you’re not spending time on the farm, what do you both like to do to switch off?
Well theres lots of amazing hotels and places we want to visit and I guess now we can call it comp shopping.
