Woodfarm Barns and Barges in Suffolk & Tuscany

Connect with nature and relax at Topplesfield Hall. Silver Birch Lodge was designed and built by the owners in 2022. With its own hot tub, gas BBQ, firepit and outdoor seating, this purpose-built lodge is a perfect base for you to enjoy the beautiful villages of North Essex, Suffolk and beyond.
Toppesfield Hall is a holiday retreat location set within 6 acres. There are 5 different holiday homes spread around the estate. The owners also live on site at the main hall next to the cottage. The accommodation is entirely open plan and made up of a well laid out sleeping area, spacious living and dining area and a modern kitchen featuring everything you’ll need for a short break or holiday. The outdoor space is a real sun trap, and it is a great spot for enjoying your morning coffee whilst planning your day ahead. After a busy day exploring, sit back and relax, light the fire pit when it starts to get a little colder at night, or submerge yourself in the hot tub. The choice is yours.
Feeling energetic? You are welcome to take full advantage of the on-site tennis court (shared with other properties), hire bikes (please pre book to avoid disappointment) or run around in the dedicated playing field. This area is also great for exercising your beloved dogs.
Silver Birch is situated within a peaceful rural location in the North Essex village of Toppesfield. The village has a great local pub which can be reached on foot from your accommodation, and a small village shop and brewery. The English Spirit Distillery (just 5 minutes away) or Tuffon Hall (also 5 minutes away), both offer wine tours and are excellent to pick up some local English wine. You can even sample Toppesfield’s very own award-winning wine during your stay too. Great Yeldham, Sible Hedingham and Castle Hedingham are all less than 10 minutes away by car.
Twelve minutes in the opposite direction and you will find Finchingfield, its famous village green and duck pond together with three pubs and eateries. Further afield to the north but still less than an hour’s journey, you’ll find the wonderful city of Cambridge. Located on the River Cam and home to the world recognised university. You may enjoy punting along the river. For all you shopaholics, you’ll be pleased to know that Braintree Designer Village is less than 30 minutes away. Fancy a day beside the sea? The Essex coast at Clacton on Sea or Mersea Island can both be reached in approximately 1 hour.
Other local popular attractions include Colne Valley Railway, Hedingham Castle, Boydells Dairy Farm, Gosfield Lake and Watersport Centre, Clare Castle Country Park. Get out and about, explore the wooded walks and parks or simply relax and enjoy some quality relaxation. The Imperial War Museum at Duxford is roughly 40 minutes away and London reachable by car and train if you fancy venturing further afield. With lots of day-out opportunities from your doorstep, make Silver Birch Lodge at Toppesfield the base for your next adventure, long weekend, or holiday. For larger families or groups, why not book both Woodland Lodges.
This property can be booked with English Oak (ref UK40478) to accommodate up to 8 guests.

This stunning modern holiday home is ideal for large groups or families looking to explore Suffolk and within 15 minutes from a large Beach and sea side resort. There are five bedrooms in the house, two of which have en-suite bathrooms, and one with walk-in wardrobe. There is also a large living room and a kitchen/dining room. The rear garden has a lovely seating area for dining al fresco, as well as a large hot tub to relax in after a day exploring the east of England with adjacent gazebo to hang bathrobes and towels.
The property is situated in the Ravenswood area of Ipswich. Within a mile, there are a variety of restaurants and pubs, including Mexican, American, and a carvery. In addition, there are several supermarkets and shops nearby. Historic Ipswich has lots to offer visitors in all seasons. As one of the oldest towns in England, there’s not much it hasn’t seen from Saxons to Vikings, a mention in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and visits from Elizabeth I and Charles Dickens. Though its heritage as an essential Wool Town is behind it, Ipswich still has a thriving community with an exciting art and theatre scene. Browse one-of-a-kind shops and eat in independently owned and run cafés, shops and pubs. There has been a regular market since 1200, with vendors setting out their wares next to the Corn Exchange and Town Hall on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Popular activities include wandering around Ipswich waterfront and marina, stopping at a bar to drink in the view and people-watch. The Ipswich Transport Museum, Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, and Jimmy’s Farm are favourites with children. Christchurch Mansion is a lovely place to while away a few hours, while Christchurch Park and Chantry Park are perfect for picnics. Felixstowe Beach is 10 miles and Aldeburgh is 23 miles from Dunwich House, and there are a wealth of footpaths nearby in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Colchester, Lavenham and Cambridge are also good options for a day out. Beach 10 miles. Pub within a mile.

Cottage No 1 at Barn Cottages is set over two levels and is very spacious throughout. On the ground floor the cottage has wooden beams throughout. There is a well-equipped kitchen/diner and a spacious living room with two sofas. The living room has a log effect fire, TV and DVD player. The cottage is south facing and has patio doors leading to the picturesque shared cottage garden. Garden furniture is supplied to enable our guests to enjoy their surroundings. Barbecues are available on request. Upstairs also has wooden beams and there is one low beam in the bedroom which has a king size bed, an en-suite bathroom and ample storage facilities.

In the surrounding villages, you’ll find a wide variety of country pubs and restaurants. Within 10 miles of Framlingham Castle are Saxtead Windmill, Thornham Walks, the Museum of East Anglian Life, and the Suffolk Light Railway. Further afield lies Suffolk’s Heritage Coast – RSPB Minsmere, Snape Maltings Concert Hall, and sandy beaches at Walberswick and Southwold, 20 miles. Stonham Barns leisure and retail complex is located on the outskirts of the village, providing tourist attractions and shops, a small village store and a post office for your convenience. For outdoor enthusiasts, both golf and fishing can be found locally. Shops 1 mile, pub 2 miles. Cottage 1 (UK40584), Cottage 3 (UK40586) and Cottage 4 (UK40585) can be booked together to accommodate up to 6 guests.

A wonderful charming cottage, tastefully refurbished and perfectly styled to marry the character with every day essentials. Boasting character floors, sash windows, high ceilings and spacious rooms, very tastefully furnished all contribute to offering a very comfortable and relaxing holiday. Entering the cottage there are low ceilings stepping down to the kitchen and up the stairs. Stepping up into the lounge from the kitchen, the lounge boasts a wood burning stove, perfect to snuggle alongside during the cooler evenings. Outside is a lovely garden with seating area perfect for barbecue and al fresco dining. Situated in a peaceful village location with a great village pub a few minutes’ walk away. A perfect location to take a moment and recharge, but still having a wealth of activities and attractions to explore on the doorstep. Within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with unspoilt countryside rich with wildlife and the unique market town of Beccles just a mile away or approximately 28 minutes walking distance. The local area offers plenty of great walking and cycling opportunities from the doorstep, where you have miles of tracks to explore, so be sure to bring your binoculars as it’s a great place to view the abundance of wildlife and offers great fishing opportunities. Just 400 yards from the cottage onto Marsh Lane is a footpath where you can walk alongside the river. The village of Gillingham sits on the Norfolk and Suffolk border, located in the Broads National Park where the River Waveney runs through. Beccles town offers independent boutiques and chain shops, a great collection of eateries including fine dining and many cafés serving home made cakes and savouries. The weekly market is excellent for all things local should you wish to enjoy a night of cooking and dining in. The Broads National Park is very popular, best enjoyed on the waterways with kayaks, canoes and day boat motor launches for a more leisurely pace. Alternatively sit back and enjoy a guided boat tour, where you can just soak up the incredible national park. Don’t forget to enjoy a swim at the local Lido open air heated swimming pool, popular with many local swimmers. Norwich (18 miles) a bustling cathedral city with culture, heritage, excellent shopping and entertainment for all. Watch the weekly speed boat racing (in season) on Oulton Broad, 9 miles. Suffolk Heritage Coastline, famous Southwold for the pier, lighthouse, beach and fresh seafood eateries, 15 miles, and Walberswick RSPB reserve, 14 miles. Golf course within 1½ miles. Fishing within ½ mile. Beach 10 miles. Pub 300 yards. Shops, supermarkets and restaurants 1 mile.

The property itself has had an entire renovation completed early 2022 and it has been finished to an exceptionally high standard throughout, with a peaceful home from home vibe. Hotel quality linen and towels provided as well as a handpicked welcome hamper.
You will be invited into a bright and airy hallway, naturally drawn through to the open plan kitchen/dining room. This fully loaded kitchen offers a large dining table, kitchen island, fridge and freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer, induction hob and electric oven, combi microwave oven, toaster, Nespresso machine and kettle. There are patio doors that lead directly out onto the beautifully landscaped rear garden.
The ground floor also comprises of a cosy living room with wood burner, Smart TV with Sky Q and Netflix, and superfast Wi-Fi. A stunningly designed four-piece family bathroom, a double sized bedroom with zip and link bed offering flexible sleeping, an additional bedroom which features a kingsize bed and boasts glorious views of the rear garden.
The first floor offers a master suite with a walk-through dressing area, kingsize bed and en-suite.
Externally there is off road parking for three vehicles and on road parking to the front of the property. The hidden treasure is to the rear which features a tranquil yet pretty herbaceous garden. Indulge in alfresco dining and barbecue’s, sit under the shaded pergola or relax on sun loungers by the small ornamental reflection pool. Beach 450 yards away.

This detached holiday cottage, beautifully renovated, with its own secluded lawned garden, stands close to the owner’s 16th-century home down a quiet country road, 1½ miles from the bustling market town of Bungay in Suffolk’s beautiful Waveney Valley. Furnishings and décor have been carefully chosen to harmonise with the cottage’s beamed interior, but is light, airy and contemporary in its finish. A fine base for exploring the Suffolk Heritage Coast as well as the stunning countryside of the valley. Shops, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This truly is the perfect place for families to holiday! Originally created as an ‘elite private fantasy holiday village’ over a 100 years ago, Thorpeness is now one of Suffolk’s preeminent coastal destinations with Mallards at its heart. The residence boasts a seamless blend of contemporary architecture and comfortable living spaces.


Built only nine years ago, it brilliantly reinterprets the area’s Tudor Revival in a modern and luxuriously comfortable style. The interior of the house is a masterpiece of modern design, featuring open-plan living areas with windows that flood the space with natural light. The living room, adorned with contemporary furnishings, invites relaxation and socializing. The kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and sleek finishes, making it a delight for both amateur and professional chefs. The home has four bedrooms, and four bathroom/shower rooms. The master bedroom is complete with a its glass balcony that provides views of the landscaped garden and Meare Boating Lake. Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee or enjoying a glass of wine in the evening, the balcony serves as a perfect vantage point to soak in the beauty that surrounds this property. The private garden, fully enclosed with a lawn, paved dining area with garden furniture. The pièce de résistance is the hot tub, strategically placed to provide the ultimate relaxation experience. Whether under the clear blue sky or the starry night, this is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The four-person electric powered hot tub is available with an extra charge (£300 payable prior to booking arrival). Overlooking the Meare Boating Lake, and only a few hundred yards from the beach.


Adding to the allure of this property is its convenience, easy walking distance to Aldeburgh seaside town. Explore charming shops, indulge in seaside dining, and breathe in the salty sea air. Excellent opportunities to enjoy walks amongst the surrounding countryside and a mini golf course. Suffolk has plenty to offer visitors, from its traditional towns and villages to the beaches and coastline. Wildlife and nature are at home on the heaths, marshes, and nature reserves, so try to make time to spot the birds at RSPB Minsmere or take a peaceful family walk at Dunwich Woods, both within 10 miles. Southwold is a little further afield but is an ideal spot for crabbing or swimming at the beach. This modern retreat offers a harmonious blend of luxury, nature, and accessibility, making it an ideal haven for those seeking a memorable escape. Shops 2.2 miles. Pub 0.3 miles.

Enjoying peaceful countryside views near the Norfolk/Suffolk borders, this detached, thatched cottage dates back over 300 years. The cottage has been in the owner’s family for many generations and has been lovingly renovated to provide all modern conveniences whilst retaining exposed beams, timber floors and fireplaces.
A warm welcome is assured all year round with open fires in the living room and farmhouse kitchen. A perfectly secluded holiday retreat on a working arable farm, with a large, enclosed garden. An ideal touring base, the beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast and Norfolk Broads are within an easy drive.
The nearby historic market towns of Eye and Diss have an interesting range of shops and restaurants, Diss also has a swimming pool and direct rail links to London. Bury St Edmunds and the vibrant city of Norwich can be reached in less than an hour. Shop 3 miles, pub 1 mile.

This cosy romantic cottage is all you need to get away together, just the two of you. Lovingly restored this beautiful retreat offers just what you have been searching for. The beautiful cottage garden complements the exterior of this pretty hideaway and once inside the modern furnishings and calming colours will help you relax into a break away you will never forget.
Well-appointed and stylishly furnished, it has a pretty cottage garden (accessed by a stable door), ideal for enjoying breakfast in the summer, al fresco dining or unwinding after a days’ adventure with a glass of wine. Perfectly poised to discover both Suffolk and Essex – there is sure to be something to keep you entertained. The quintessential town of Southwold with its miles of unspoilt landscape is just waiting to be explored. From the harbour and beach to numerous pubs and restaurants, perfect for a cosy candlelit dinner, before a romantic walk just for two.
The lovely coastal resort of Aldeburgh is just as inviting with a good selection of restaurants, some serving fresh seafood, as well as great walking opportunities. Follow the coast, as it guides you towards Thorpeness with the crashing waves and the rugged coastline as your backing track. Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town is easily accessible offering entertainment of a different kind. From the history, the art and the good shopping, there is lots here to keep you busy. Explore the town centre filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants, or stop and sample the local Colchester ale, as you absorb this cosmopolitan town. Many nearby attractions include Dedham Vale and Constable Country with Flatford Mill and Sir Alfred Munning’s house.
Ideal birdwatching and walking area; fishing and tennis nearby. Alton Water is on the doorstep with bicycles, sailing dinghies and windsurfers for hire. Jimmy’s Farm (from the TV series) is also nearby. Farm shop 50 yards, pub 1 mile.

Commanding an imposing waterside position, Riverside House stands on the banks of the River Waveney, the gateway to the southern Broads, a short walk from the market square in the pretty town of Beccles on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. It is set in a street of mostly medieval and Georgian houses, each with their own architectural charm, and has a private, riverside terrace which overlooks the 16th-century church and bell tower where Lord Horatio Nelson’s parents were wed. A house for all seasons, you can sit round the roaring log fire in winter, or enjoy the west-facing private terrace and gardens in summer, watching magnificent sunsets over the fields. Fishermen will delight in fishing from the holiday property’s large pretty riverside garden and patio – a rowing dinghy and two buoyancy lifejackets are even provided for river trips or picnics. Walk to the centre of the charming market square to enjoy a drink at one of the many local inns and traditional country pubs or savour a leisurely meal at one of the restaurants. A range of independent delicatessens sell epicurean speciality local produce and there is even a Victorian sporting shop. Explore all the attractions that Norfolk and Suffolk have to offer including Southwold, 15 miles, with its seafront, pier and summer theatre, or Dunwich Heath and beach. There is also RSPB Minsmere to visit, Aldeburgh with its fishing boats and local seafood, and Snape Maltings with its concert hall. Pleasurewood Hills theme park and Africa Alive are not to be missed, and children will love the treetop experience at BeWILDerwood adventure park. Shops, pubs and restaurants 300 yards.