Magnificent Suffolk barn conversion, which has been designed for families, groups of friends or colleagues seeking comfort, space and state of the art accommodation.

Grounds

A fantastic south-facing patio overlooks the large main garden and the meadows beyond, that lead down to the river and woodland ahead.

Parking

Plenty of off-road parking

Sleeps

16 – 3 double, 4 twin bedded rooms (one with bunks)

This Big House is ideal for

An outdoor loving family, group of friends or colleagues. In fact, the area has something to offer everyone; walkers, sailors, fishermen, cyclists, bird lovers, music and art lovers, those interested in history and food, or simply wanting to relax! There are exceptional facilities for walkers, cyclists and fisherman, with designated paths and tracks leading from your door past a large lake and through woodland in the direction of the estuary.

Rates

£2100-£2550 per week. Long weekends available, except from early July until the end of August, and the Christmas and New Year period.

Big House minimum hire

Three nights; except in high season when it is a week. Changeover is usually a Friday.

Also

No smoking, pets may be allowed by prior agreement.

Self catering eating and drinking

Grocery deliveries are available and there is a great selection of catering options for your stay at Marshlands. Pinney's of Orford have grown oysters at Butley Creek since the 1950’s and their smoke house supplies mouth-watering freshly smoked fish every day. Or why not take a trip to Richardson’s Smoke House in Orford and stock up on melt-in-the-mouth ham hok and smoked cheese? And Brinkley’s fresh fish shed on Orford quay is the place to buy freshly caught fish – fantastic on the BBQ!

Family Holidays

All hardware such as highchair and travelcot are supplied at Marshlands for your use. There are plenty of lovely grounds for children to explore, with an outside games hut containing a fantastic selection of games. Children and adults alike will love the access to a woodland meander, where you can enjoy a picnic in a secret location! Inside there is a separate games room for the whole family to enjoy, with TV/DVD, snooker table and games table. For coast lovers, Marshlands is just a short drive from Orford, where the whole family can enjoy the Alde and Ore Estuary, or explore the magnificent 12th century castle.

Corporate Visitors

For companies looking for a venue for team building, a business get-together, conference, or strategy development meetings, there is an option to sleep 7 people, each in their own room or 12 in separate beds. The property provides an excellent open plan space ideal for your meetings and socialising at the end of a busy day. Grocery deliveries, catering, conference stationary, equipment hire, delegate collections service and team building packages can be provided.

Entertainment

The Property includes two TV and DVD players, CD player and wifi access.

Big House Holiday Packing Tips

Beachwear, Wellington boots, and walking boots so you can really make the most of exploring the local area without getting too mucky!

Best beaches

There is a lovely patch of sand at Orford, ideal for children to build sand-castles and great for bird watching over the Estuary. You’re just a fifteen or twenty minute drive to the beautiful seaside town of Aldeburgh where you could easily spend a day wandering in-and-out of local art shops, boutiques and cafes, or simply relaxing on the expanse of beach.

Activities

Nature lovers should certainly explore Orford Ness National Natures reserve which has a fascinating 20th century military history. This wild and remote extremity of eastern England is the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe and supports internationally important flora and fauna. And for you war historians, it’s also the site of secret Cold War military testing, a poignant symbol of 20th century warfare. For those of you who’d prefer to view the estuary by boat, why not take a river cruise on ‘Regardless’, a wooden clinker open boat, very traditional for Suffolk. Trips are offered for adults with commentary, and children with activities included. Call 01394 450169 or visit www.orfordrivertrips.co.uk. And of course, you mustn’t forget a walk around magnificent 12th century Orford Castle, once a major pillar in the defence of the English coast! For more information on the area please have a look at our own online guide www.visit-orford.co.uk.

Eating

Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant, Orford 07831 698 298

Fancy fine dining whilst cruising the calm waters of the rivers Alde and Ore? Then a trip on The Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant is certainly for you! Trips are all year round, with a cosy coal fire in the winter. Cruises include a 3 course American-style brunch, a la carte lunch or a la carte dinner, and there is an informative commentary. With a maximum of 12 passengers on spacious 50ft vessel, customers are assured of a very high standard of attention.

The Butley Orford Oysterage 01394 450 277

The Butley Orford Oysterage, in Orford’s pretty market square was opened by the Pinney family forty years ago and remains a family business. In a relaxed bistro atmosphere, they serve fish and seafood caught daily from their boats and smoked fish from their smokehouse in Butley Creek.

The Crown & Castle, Orford 01394 450 205

Co-owned by Channel 4 presenter, Ruth Watson, the Crown and Castle has a lively restaurant which has 2 AA rosettes and a Michelin bib gourmand in recognition of its excellent, locally sourced food.

The Jolly Sailor, Orford 01394 450 243

The Jolly sailor is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers good local, freshly cooked produce.

Kings Head Inn, Orford 01394 450271

This historic 13th Century pub combines all the atmosphere of a traditional inn with great real ales, classic pub lunch favourites and a more traditional evening menu.

And why not try the world-class Aldeburgh fish and chips – forget the calories, you are on holiday after all!

• Ground Floor
• The back door leads into a large entrance hall, ideal for walkers and families with youngsters, coat hooks and boot racks and plenty of space for buggies and surf boards. There is a sink for washing off walking boots and wellies
• Cloakroom with wash basin and w.c.
• Utility area with washer dryer
• Easy staircase to one end of the first floor
• The open plan living area includes
• Large and extremely well equipped kitchen with larder style fridge, freezer, loads of cupboards, two dishwashers, a range cooker with ceramic hob (space for 7 saucepans) and 3 ovens and grill, toaster, slow cooker, mixer, liquidiser
• The kitchen is divided from the dining area by a large breakfast bar with bar stools
• A large dining table with chairs and benches for 16 people. Views from the dining area over the southerly facing paved terrace to the fields.
• A wood burning stove opens onto the dining and sitting area where there are six sofas, armchairs, occasional tables and lamps, TV and DVD.
• A further sitting room / games room is ideal for the younger members of the party. TV/DVD, snooker table, games table with seating for up to six and bean bags which can be easily moved for games or watching TV
• A further hallway with mirror, occasional table, coat hooks and door leading to the terrace

• First Floor - The bedrooms are named after fields on the farm.
• The first floor is divided into two areas, each with its own staircase. Bedrooms 1 - 3 are accesses via a staircase from the front hall
• Bedroom 1 (Black Walk) - A large bedroom with two single beds and a pair of full size bunks, bedside tables and lamps, wardrobe and chest of drawers
• Ensuite bathroom with bath with overhead shower, wash basin and w.c.
• Bedroom 2 (Crag Pit) - A twin bedded room with bedside tables and lamps, chest of drawers, hanging hooks
• Ensuite bathroom with bath with overhead shower, wash basin and w.c.
• Bedroom 3 (Alder Carr) - A twin bedded room with bedside tables and lamps, wardrobe
• Ensuite bathroom with bath with overhead shower, wash basin and w.c.
• Bedrooms 4 - 7 are reached via a staircase from the back hall
• Bedroom 4 (Badger Pit)- Twin beds with bedside tables, inset hanging area and chest of drawers
• Ensuite bathroom with shower, wash basin and w.c.
• Bedroom 5 (Lamberts) - With double bed, bedside tables and lamps, inset hanging space with shelving
• Ensuite bathroom with shower, wash basin and w.c.
• Bedroom 6 (Oakhill) - With double bed, bedside tables and lamps, inset hanging space
• Bedroom 7 (Longdrift) - With double bed, bedside tables and lamps, inset hanging space
• Ensuite bathroom with shower, wash basin and w.c.

• Outside
• To the front of the barn are mature beech trees amidst grassed areas. Shingle paths lead around the barn to
• A terrace with tables and chairs which is divided from the main garden by a lavender hedge. Much of the garden is lawned with shrubs and a small orchard beyond.
• Overlooking the meadows which lead down to the river there are paths which lead through the woods and over the stream towards the estuary
• Plenty of parking
• There is a Games Hut in the garden to entertain the whole family, which includes a badminton set, junior croquet, hoopla, petanque and a sandpit for the little ones to enjoy

• Services
• Central heating and electricity included
• Bed linen and towels included (please bring your own beach towels)
• In consideration of other visitors please do not smoke in the barn
• Catering and a large range of activities can be arranged at or from your Big House Holiday property
• Please note there are two high chairs available at the 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 photo album of your holiday
• Join one of the art courses now run at Marshlands. For further details go to Sketching on the Suffolk Coast
• For a wonderful selection of catering options for your stay with Big House Holidays. Contact Susie Anderson Caterer on 0790 415 4444 or e-mail susan.andersoncaterer@yahoo.co.uk