I lost my heart to this beautiful part of the country and now I can’t wait to return
Tucked away in the undulating hills of Suffolk, The Wilderness Reserve offers a quintessential English summer experience. I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend there and was utterly charmed by this tranquil corner of the county, bathed in the glow of a June heatwave sun.
The walled garden was a riot of colour as I watched a couple tie the knot, and while enjoying elderflower cocktails, I felt like I’d stepped into a Merchant Ivory film. But it wasn’t just the stunning venue that captivated me to be honest, the entire region truly stole my heart.
Suffolk, with its gently rolling hills, expansive skies, and patchwork of fields, meadows, and ancient woodlands, epitomises rural England. The 8,000-acre private estate near Saxmundham is just one of many highlights in the area, with attractions such as Framlingham Castle, Sutton Hoo, RSPB Minsmere, and Yoxford Antiques Centre and Gardens all within easy reach.
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Scattered with picturesque villages, timber-framed cottages, medieval churches, and quiet lanes, much of Suffolk is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Then there is the stunning Suffolk coastline with its mix of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and pretty seaside towns. Southwold is known for its beautiful beaches, iconic lighthouse and Victorian pier, while Aldeburgh Aldeburgh offers a more artistic atmosphere with its historic high street and rich cultural heritage, including the famous Aldeburgh Festival.
Nearby, there lies the 12th-century Framlingham Castle, while the town of Woodbridge is home to the impressive Tide Mill and a charming blend of Georgian buildings and independent shops. While a visit to the Wilderness Reserve was a delicious treat, there are so many other ways to explore the region, along with a multitude of places to stay.
Take Winkle Cottage for instance – a fishermans cottage bathed in Aldeburgh’s seaside charm. This classic fisherman’s cottage offers snug living spaces and can comfortably accommodate five guests. It has been praised by visitors as “a great place to stay.”
The village of Campsea Ash also hosts an ideal spot for larger family reunions, offering a glorious barn conversion on a private estate. Quill Farm Barn is touted as a “delightful” holiday home, nestled away in “the perfect setting.” Then there’s the Sea Tower, a chic apartment boasting sea vistas that has earned accolades as “a special place” or the grand Holly Lodge – a robust five-bedroom countryside house capable of hosting group getaways for up to 10 individuals.
For something completely different, the Pound Farm Mirror Houses in Framlingham offer contemporary dwellings in the heart of the countryside. An upscale alternative to traditional ‘tiny homes’ each house comes with its own hot tub.
Booking.com boasts a diverse array of accommodation options in Suffolk. The Swan Hotel in Southwold, a four-star establishment nestled within a historic building just 200 metres from the seafront, is one such gem. For those seeking a more traditional vibe, The Ship at Dunwich serves up home-cooked fare and real ales in an authentic inn setting.
Adventure-seekers drawn to RSPB Minsmere will find Moonlight Lodge an ideal retreat close by. Available through Holidaycottages.co.uk, it’s set against the backdrop of Dunwich beach and surrounded by woodlands – a nature lover’s dream.
For a touch of grandeur, The Great House in Orford stands as a majestic Grade II-listed holiday home right in the village’s heart. This quintessential country haven sleeps 12 and has been hailed as “a stunning house” and “absolutely perfect for larger parties” by visitors.
The tranquil beauty of Suffolk has garnered thousands of glowing reviews on TripAdvisor from enamoured visitors. One tourist said: “Loved our afternoon in Southwold especially the pier! Such a pleasant surprise to have a clean characterful pier with a brilliant quirky water fuelled clock at the end! The beaches looked amazing, beautiful clean sand and so pretty with the huts behind!”.
Another visitor, charmed by Aldeburgh, shared: “It was a dream in July to swim in the early hours of the morning and have fish and chips looking out to sea.”
Of course, the accommodation is key to any memorable holiday, and Sykes Cottages are dazzling holidaymakers, boasting a 4.6 out of five-star rating. One chuffed guest remarked: “We wanted a quiet weekend getaway and we found exactly that in Suffolk. Perfect for young and old…the cottage we booked we know it’s a fabulous place and beautifully presented.”
Another satisfied customer shared: “Suffolk in the sunshine. This was an important family holiday following my dad being very unwell last year, our holiday with Sykes gave us the quality time we needed and the chance to make some wonderful memories.”
However, not all feedback was glowing. A less impressed guest posted a three-star review: “Sykes offer a vast range of holiday accommodation. From experience so far, the description and photos of accommodation are fairly accurate, however, the cleanliness of the accommodation is another matter. It is difficult to get hold of anyone from Sykes by telephone.”
But praise continued with another beaming five-star critique: “We were looking for pet friendly cottages in Suffolk, Sykes cottages came up with the goods. A nice cottage plenty of details about the cottage giving us all the details we needed. So many thanks looking forward to our holiday.”