Dog-Friendly Holidays Suffolk

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.