Dog-Friendly Holidays Suffolk

A light and bright barn conversion sitting on a 10 acre farm near the village of Polstead. Communal games room. Open-plan living. Pet-friendly. Nayland 4.2 miles; Hadleigh 4.7 miles.

mid-terrace in centre of Colchester. Easy access to town centre. Original features. Enclosed garden. Two bathrooms and two bedrooms. Plenty of attractions. Mersea Island 9 miles.

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.

Welcome to Mac Shack Stable, this 2020 renovated former stables has been stylishly, lavishly and lovingly prepared for your comfort and relaxation. This superb property caters for your every need, with 2 spacious en-suite bedrooms, with luxurious superking or twin beds, large open plan living and dining area, with large windows offering glorious views across open country space and comfy corner sofa, perfect for snuggling up after a day exploring in the countryside. Family dogs will be spoilt here too!
With an enclosed private garden at the front of the property and separate yard shower room, perfect for washing down those muddy paws and boots. There’s also a private decked area with firepit, for you to sit back and embrace the views and evening sunset, with a glass of your favourite wine. You’ll find this delightful holiday home at Ashen Equestrian Centre on the edge of the beautiful Stour Valley on the borders of Essex and Suffolk, 3 miles from the award winning historic market town of Clare.
Whatever the weather, you can enjoy exploring this stunning location, famous for being Suffolk’s smallest town offering chocolate box cottages, Augustine priory and castle ruins. With a great selection of pubs, restaurants and tea rooms, all nestled amongst independent shops. If you are looking for activities, then you’ll find a tranquil parkland golf course and fishing lake and the steep Motte, to climb. Plus children’s playground situated within the stunning Clare Castle country park, perfect for a picnic! Mac Shack Stables is perfect for a tranquil escape to the countryside, perfect for walkers, cyclists, couples and families, who are looking for a luxurious retreat. Fast fibre wifi also allows you the option to connect to the outside world. Pub and restaurant 3 miles.

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.

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.

A delightful, tastefully decorated cottage within walking distance of the beach, shops, restaurants, and pubs on the unique Mersea Island where you can enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing. The jetty is a great place for crabbing and boat tours are available.
Mersea gets cut off for about an hour when there is a very high tide, usually once a month, so it’s worthwhile checking the tides, all adding to the uniqueness and charm. It is a beautiful island with lots of coastal and nature walks, seafood restaurants with the famous Mersea oysters, delis, takeaways, supermarkets, and child-friendly pubs with craft beer. Why not visit 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, a swimming race, and ‘walking The Greasy Pole’, and ends in a firework display in the evening.
If you can tear yourself away from this peaceful beautiful island, then the historic town of Colchester is a 20-minute drive with shops, restaurants, a castle, and a museum. Castle Park offers something for all ages with a play park, bouncy castle, crazy golf, boating lake, and bandstand. 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. Colchester Zoo is a great day out and home to over 160 species, set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes.
Dedham Vale, known as Constable Country and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a 35-minute drive with beautiful walks and activities for all ages. If the children are wanting amusements and rides, a 40-minute drive takes you to the East Coast where you will find Walton-on-the Naze, Clacton, and Frinton. All in all, this is the perfect location for an enjoyable holiday.

This bright and spacious property offers the perfect place for a family holiday or a retreat with friends. The six bedrooms have flexibility with their zip and link beds and sleep up to twelve people. The bedrooms are extremely spacious, some are on the ground floor and ideal for those less mobile and doors that access the garden. The upstairs bedrooms have balconies with stunning sea views, perfect for sitting out with your morning coffee. The spacious kitchen family room is ideal for cooking up a feast to be enjoyed at the large dining room table. The living room is on the first floor and makes the most of the stunning sea views and is the perfect place to cosy up in front of the wood burner on a cold wet day.
Where better to spend your days than outside in the large garden which is laid to lawn with a children’s play area, hot tub with bluetooth speakers and LED lights, and patio area. At the end of the garden is your own personal beach, no need to pack the car and travel, just stroll down to quiet the sandy beach.
If you can tear yourself away from Rydal, St Osyth is a short distance, here you will find pubs, restaurants and the famous St Osyth Priory. There is the Curve watersports centre offering paddle boarding, wakeboarding, kayaking and an aqua park and if you are a novice, you can book lessons. If you are looking for something to keep the children amused then Clacton and Walton are only 15 minutes away, here you will find amusements, arcades, shops and for a bit of retail therapy the Clacton Shopping Village. A visit to Colchester is a must, here you will find the castle and museum, Colchester Zoo, First Site, Mercury theatre and an array of shops and restaurants.
If you fancy a day out in London, shopping or taking in a show then jump on a train and you will be there in less than an hour. If you fancy a bit of pampering, then there is a spa near Thorpe-le-Soken and for the golfers amongst you then you have the pick of golf courses. All in all, Rydal is the perfect place to make cherished memories with family and friends.