Woodfarm Barns and Barges in Suffolk & Tuscany

A wonderful, thatched cottage resting in Windsor Green near Sicklesmere, Suffolk. Period features. Hot tub. Family-friendly. Lavenham 4.2 miles; Burt St Edmunds 8.6 miles.

Nestled in the trees in the Sussex countryside, Gipping barn is a doggy haven - with the pretty Suffolk Coast just 30-minutes away.

Just 500 yards from the glorious sand duned beach at Kessingland, a traditional seaside village on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, is this superb, very spacious, detached holiday home. The house has the added addition of a private hot tub, large garden, its own cinema room with a 2½ metre screen and a games room, and is the ideal base for a family holiday or for friends to get together to relax and unwind. Only 4 miles away is the popular resort of Lowestoft, which offers traditional seaside entertainment, and children will love Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, which is just a short drive away. Just down the road is Africa Alive, or visit the lovely seaside resort of Southwold, famous for Adnams Brewery, the pier and summer theatre. Dunwich Heath and Beach, RSPB Minsmere, Aldeburgh with its fishing boats and local seafood, and Snape Maltings Concert Hall are also easily accessible. Hire a boat on the glorious Norfolk Broads and watch the weekly speed boat racing on nearby Oulton Broad. The medieval city of Norwich, with its fine shopping, castle, cathedral and museums, is an easy drive. Beach 500 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

A charming, all-ground-floor annexe on the outskirts of the village of Alresford in Colchester. Pet-friendly. Hot Tub. Off-road parking. Colchester 6.5 miles; Clacton-on-Sea 9.7 miles.

Peacefully tucked away, enjoying its own private hot tub and enclosed lawn garden, Riverside Cottage is nestled within the grounds of the owners’ hotel, located alongside the picturesque River Ouse. The location is excellent, you are in the heart of the beautiful Brecks with miles of woodland and riverside walks, direct from your doorstep, to explore on foot or cycle and a minute’s walk from Brandon’s High Street with shops, supermarket, cafés and pub.
You will be delighted from the moment you arrive as there is plenty of parking and it is immediately outside the cottage door. The cottage offers spacious, modern open plan accommodation, a fully equipped kitchen with breakfast island and large dining table, perfect to celebrate any occasion in style, great for dining at home. Those preferring to dine out will find plenty of eateries within walking distance, and why not enjoy a ‘hearty and bottomless’ breakfast at the hotel, just a few steps away?

The living room has large comfy sofas and 50” Smart TV with a specially installed floor plate to take your laptops and gaming consoles. All bedrooms boast en-suite facilities, very comfy beds, quality linens and TVs. There is even an extra bathroom with large walk-in shower on ground floor. Outside there is an enclosed lawn garden and a private six-seater Jacuzzi spa tub to relax in after a busy day exploring.

Neighbouring the cottage are the hotel lawn gardens leading directly to the River Little Ouse, a perfect spot to simply sit and relax by - or why not hire a rowing boat (from the hotel on-site) and explore the picturesque waterways at your own pace? It truly is a magical waterway, abundant with birds and wildlife. There is so much to see and do, including Thetford Forest which is 8 minutes’ drive with 18,730 hectares to explore, offering exciting tree top climbing adventure, to the history and heritage of Mildenhall Warren and Lynford Arboretum, peace and tranquility with walks around Santon Downham. There is an excellent golf course 10 minutes’ drive away, and the bustling market towns of Thetford and Swaffham are 20 minutes’ drive, with shops, supermarkets, regular market days, and many eateries.

Take to two wheels and enjoy the Norfolk Cycle Way with lots of routes and quiet roads to explore. Explorers and shopaholics alike can head to the medieval city of Norwich with two indoor shopping malls, market square and its imposing Norman castle; Kings Lynn and its fascinating Hanseatic Quarter; Ely with its magnificent cathedral the ’Ship of the Fens’; the university city of Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds with its famous abbey and gardens.

The spectacular North Norfolk coast with sandy beaches an hour’s drive. The traditional seaside resorts of Hunstanton and Heacham both have wide sandy beaches, packed with activities for all ages. Heacham has two beaches, South Beach and North Beach; North Beach being the busier with jet skis and beach huts by the promenade. Dogs are welcome on this beach. Shops and restaurants 25 yards.

This semi-detached cottage comes fully equipped with a private hot tub. Surrounded by the undulating Suffolk hills, this is a truly special property. The open-plan living area boasts a warm and snug environment which makes for a great social space. The master bedroom comes with an en-suite toilet, and the twin room has an additional pull-out bed, so there’s room for the whole family. With the property all on one level, it’s ideal for wheelchair access too. As well as enjoying your own privacy, with a private entrance, garden and patio area, guests can also take full advantage of the farm’s features, like visiting the goats, sheep, horses and cattle. Beach 16 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Stunning luxury property renovated in 2023 to a high standard located near the unique Mersea Island and offering the ideal family holiday. As you step through the door, you will see the care and attention to detail that has gone into this superb property. The large living room with sumptuous sofas has patio doors which leads to the large garden and spectacular views over open fields. The kitchen/dining room has been fitted to a high standard, With a Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine (please remember to bring your own Vertuo pods) and also has an 8-seater dining table. This property has the added bonus of two downstairs double bedrooms and a bathroom with a bath and shower cubicle. Upstairs are a further two bedrooms and a large bathroom with a walk-in shower. The garden offers an ideal entertaining space with a large lawned area, patio and the added bonus of a hot tub, a perfect space for all the family. Dogs are welcome and the area has some great walks for your four legged friends.
Peldon has a pub, and there is a grocers/butchers a short drive away. The property is also just 6 minutes away is the unique Mersea Island. Mersea gets cut off for about an hour when there is a very high tide, usually once a month so it is worthwhile checking the tides, but this adds to the uniqueness and charm. It is a beautiful island with lots of coastal and nature walks, seafood restaurants, try the famous Mersea oysters, delis, take aways, supermarket and child friendly pubs with craft beer. Why not take a visit to the Mersea Island vineyard and brewery where a beer festival is held at Easter and you can buy real ale, wines and even Mersea Island gin?
The Mersea Regatta, which has been running since 1838, is held every August and should not be missed. There is a variety of rowing races, an outboard motor balloon race, swimming race and ‘walking The Greasy Pole’ and ends in a firework display in the evening.
The historic town of Colchester is a 20-minute drive; here you can shop, enjoy many restaurants and visit the castle and museum. Castle Park offers something for all ages with a play park, bouncy castle, crazy golf, boating lake and bandstand, or why not watch a game of cricket at the Essex Cricket ground adjacent to the park? Colchester United football ground also hosts concerts and shows all year round and the park has concerts in the summer. There is a bus service to Colchester. Colchester Zoo is a bit further out of town, but is a great day out home to over 160 species and set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes. Dedham vale, known as Constable Country, a designated Area of Outstanding natural Beauty is a 35-minute drive and has activities for all ages and some beautiful walks. If the children are wanting amusements and rides then a 40-minute drive takes you to the East coast where you will find Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton and Frinton. Beach 3 miles.

Cart Lodge is an 18th-century listed, detached property, converted to the highest standard whilst keeping its character, and has unrivalled views over the beautiful Suffolk countryside. As you arrive you will appreciate the quiet and tranquil location. Continue up the drive and Cart Lodge is situated on the right-hand side, a beautiful fully renovated single-storey barn. The owners have installed a ramp to the front door as well as steps so that a wheelchair can access the accommodation which is all on the ground floor.

As you step through the door into the living/dining room you will notice how bright and airy the property is and you will see the beautiful views across open countryside. This area has a vaulted ceiling and beams with comfortable sofas. One is a small sofa bed suitable for a child. The separate fully fitted kitchen has everything you need to cook a meal or prepare a barbecue. Both spacious bedrooms are on the ground level and comprise of a double, and a twin which can be linked as a double. A cot is also available. The large spacious walk-in shower has a handrail for support.

The rear lawned garden with decking is ideal for sunbathing, sipping your favourite tipple or a tasty barbecue. The Suffolk skies are renowned for star gazing. What better way to see the milky way than from the hot tub, which is not overlooked. You also have access to the grounds with the large moat. There are two platforms where you can sit and fish (fishing rods are available).

Fressingfield is only 8 miles from the picturesque market town of Eye with its 11th-century castle, array of shops and restaurants. Why not do the Town Trail and visit some of the historic buildings and museums?

No visit to Suffolk is complete without visiting the stunning Suffolk coast. A trip to the traditional town of Southwold, home to a famous brewery, is the perfect way to spend a day with its independent shops and restaurants. Close by is Aldeburgh where you will find the famous fish and chip shop. Get there early as it is very popular. Just a little further on is the small village of Thorpeness which is dominated by the Mere. It is popular all year round and bears witness to the village’s fantastical past. In 1910 Stuart Ogilvie bought the hamlet and set to transform it into a private fantasy holiday village. Today the village is just how Ogilvie envisaged it with pretty, mock Tudor houses. You can hire boats and take a trip round the picturesque six-thousand-acre Mere to see the islands and inlets, all named by J M Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, and where you will see statues of Wendy and Peter Pan. There is a regatta on the Mere every August which culminates in a torch lit parade of boats and fireworks.

There are many activities nearby including golf, horse riding, tennis courts, water sports, cycling and hiking.

This beautiful timber frame barn conversion is all on one level making a perfect holiday retreat for couples and small families. Perfect location to explore all the area has to offer including the wonderful coastline. St Osyth has its own wonderful sandy beach. The busting traditional seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea backed with an array of entertainment facilities including a pleasure pier, promenade, arcades, theatre, golf course, water sports and fabulous sandy beach. The main shopping area contains many of the more familiar national chains, independent boutiques as well as many eateries. A shoppers’ delight is Clacton Shopping Village with famous name brands at discounted prices.
Furnished to provide a warm welcome all year round. Boasting open plan accommodation offering contemporary design. The main double bedroom has a separated area with bunk beds, suited to children. The bathroom has roll top bath and walk in shower. To the rear is a private enclosed lawn garden.
This area is well regarded as Essex’s best kept secret having the interesting and popular small towns of Brightlingsea, Wivenhoe, Mersea, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze, all within ½ hours drive. The town of Colchester is close by, famous for its cobbled streets, castle and zoo, with a wide variety of shops, pubs and restaurants. Further afield are Ipswich, Chelmsford and Felixstowe. Many picturesque villages and Constable country are close by, with Dedham, Manningtree, Nayland, Lavenham and Long Melford to name but a few. Other local pastimes include golf and horse riding. Beach 5 miles.