The Old Rectory lies on the edge of the village of Alderton, a pretty Suffolk coastal village, which still retains an excellent village shop and pub. In the heart of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just eight miles from the ancient market town of Woodbridge. Closer still is Sutton Hoo where the famous Saxon burial ship was discovered on the banks of the river Deben. Excavations revealed an Anglo-Saxon burial, uncovering the most significant horde of early medieval artefacts found in Britain.

The sea is just a mile from the house and at nearby Bawdsey you can enjoy sailing courses or launch your boat.

An area well worth exploring, there are bird reserves at nearby Havergate Island, Aldeburgh and Minsmere. For those with an interest in history and the environment, Orford Ness, Sutton Hoo and Dunwich Heath (all run by the National Trust) and Orford and Framlingham Castles (English Heritage) are all worth a visit. Activities such as sailing, fishing, golf and horse riding are all available locally, and with quiet beaches and the beautiful Deben estuary both in walking distance, bird watching, cycling, horse riding and walking can be a real joy at any time of year.

• Ground Floor
• The south facing drawing room optimises the elegance of the 1920s and '30s. Long shuttered windows with views across the mature gardens and fields towards the coast, period furniture and a grand piano for those evening soiraes . While the energetic play afternoon tennis on the lawn outside, the more 'cerebral' can relax in one of the comfortable sofas and read the papers or contemplate the views. With a roaring log fire in the evening, there can be no better room than this to chew over the events of one of our Murder Mysterys or chill out after a fantastic fully catered dinner
• The Sitting Room: A charmingly decorated and comfortable room, with open fire, sofa and chairs, occasional tables, desk, TV with video, DVD and digital box. Overlooking the main drive and gardens, a great space in which to get away from the crowd.
• The Library: A really fascinating collection of books and memorabilia can be found in the library. A south and east facing room with long windows overlooking the garden, ideal for coffee and morning papers, reading or letters home or relaxing in front of the fire listening to your favourite music in the evenings. There is a large desk, sofa and chairs, reading lamps and a music system and open log fire
• The dining room is ideal for those intimate dinners. Large sideboard and dining table seating up to twelve people. Light the open fire and the candles and enjoy one of our pre-prepared or fully catered meals.
• The large kitchen has a brand new electric range and gas cooker, dishwasher, fridge freezer, butler sinks and plenty of storage space. The kitchen table can be used for preparing meals and for those lazy informal breakfasts. There is a further kitchen with electric cooker and utility room with washing machine etc.

• First Floor
• Two staircases lead to the first floor. The smaller one, between the kitchen and dining room goes up to the study / sitting room.
• Bedroom 1: A single bedroom with wash hand basin, hanging space and chest of drawers.
• Bedroom 2: Left at the top of the staircase, a twin bedded room with hand basin chest of drawers, book case and easy chair.
• Bedroom 3: On the southern side of the house there is a large double bedroom; with dressing table, easy chairs, plenty of hanging space and chest of drawers and views over the garden towards the sea. The newly fitted ensuite shower room has wash hand basin and w.c.
• Bedroom 4: A large twin bedroom with chaise longue , dressing table, wardrobes and chest of drawers, this bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with bath, w.c. and wash basin
• Bedroom 5: A magnificent south facing double bedroom with views over the garden towards the sea. The room is well equipped with desk and easy chairs. A door from the bedroom leads to an ensuite bathroom with bath, hand basin and w.c., also accessible from the landing
• Bedroom 6: A south east facing single bedroom with lovely views over the garden and tennis courts
• Bedroom 7: The bunk bedroom With east facing views over the garden, this bedroom has full sized bunk beds, hand basin, hanging space and chest of drawers.
• Bedroom 2, 6 and 7 share a bathroom with bath, hand basin and w.c
• First floor study/sitting room: A comfortable study / sitting room with sofa and chairs, TV video, desk with facsimile and some computer equipment.

• Outside
• On the edge of the village of Alderton a long gravelled drive leads past open lawns and trees to the front of the house where there is parking for many cars. Set within approximately 18 acres of grounds and largely surrounded by farmland, there is, to the north of the house, a large walled kitchen garden. Guests are welcome to enjoy seasonal vegetables during their stay at The Old Rectory.
• Please feel free to use the kitchen garden and enjoy seasonal vegetables and fruit during your stay
• There are several adult bicycles at the house and plenty of storage space for visitors to keep their own bicycles during their stay.
• There is a hard tennis court (racquets and balls provided, but you may prefer to bring your own) badminton and croquet in the grounds.

• Services
• Bed linen, towels, heating etc included. Please bring your own beach towels
• In consideration of other visitors smoking is allowed downstairs only
• For those wanting equestrian facilities, pasture is available by prior arrangement with the owners
• Both Catering and Activities can be arranged at or from your Big House Holiday property
• A Good Housekeeping deposit of £250 is required with the full or final payment. This deposit is refundable as long as Booking Conditions are met.
• Immortalise your special occasion with a holiday photo album