Big House Style

This extraordinary 14 century gothic-style building is tucked away in 7 acres of landscaped garden and woodland. This beautiful Big House comes complete with gargoyles, flying buttresses, and beautiful vaulted ceilings; you’ll find something new to marvel at it every room. If you’re looking for a unique holiday you’ll never forget, look no further.

Grounds

Huge French doors from The Great Hall lead to a sun terrace that overlooks the peaceful back garden. Much like the house, there’s always something new to discover in the grounds. Take a stroll and find a wealth of secret places to sit and muse. To the front the smell of lavender fills the air, and the pine wood beyond is enchanting. Nestled off a woodland track, no one will disturb you in this peaceful little haven.

Sleeps

14 – 6 doubles, 2 singles

This Big House is ideal for

Families or groups of friends who are looking for a really special holiday in the heart of some of Suffolk’s most beautiful countryside. Walkers, sailors, fishermen, cyclists , music lovers, artists, bird watchers and horseriders will never be far away from the action, but it would be just as tempting to stay in all day when staying somewhere as enchanting as Butley Priory!

Big House minimum hire

Three nights, except in high season when it’s a week. Changeover is usually a Friday.

Also

No smoking, well behaved pets allowed

Self Catering eating and drinking

Grocery deliveries are available, and we can recommend a great selection of catering options for your stay at Butley Priory. You’ll find all local amenities in Woodbridge, which is a mere 15 minute drive away. But if you fancy something a bit special, head down to Pinney’s smoke house in Orford, which supplies delectable freshly smoked fish every day. Also in Orford you’ll find Richardson’s Smoke House where the ham hock and smoked cheeses comes highly recommended. If you’re mouth isn’t watering enough already, Orford Butcher’s Shop supplies a fantastic selection of locally sourced meats, great for throwing on the BBQ after a hard day in the Suffolk sunshine!

Family Holidays

The grounds at Butley Priory are just waiting to be explored by children, but the whole family can enjoy a good trudge through surrounding Rendlesham Forest, where you can discover the mysterious UFO trails! Good job there’s plenty of space in the hall for muddy boots and rain coats! The family may enjoy a trip to Orford’s magnificent 12th century Castle, and if you haven’t had enough history already, a visit to Framlingham’s impressive 12th century fortress makes a great family outing.

Entertainment

The property includes a TV/DVD player in the drawing room, and TV in the kitchen. There is a sound system in the Great Hall which loops through to the drawing room if desired. All double bedrooms have TV’s and DVD players, apart from the Moroccan Room that only has a TV.

Big House Packing Tips

Plenty of fire fuel so you can make the most of the fires fit for a king in The Great Hall and Drawing Room. Wellingtons and walking boots will be very useful so you can have a good old stomp through the woods without ruining your best shoes!

Best Beaches

The great thing about East Suffolk is you’re never that far away from a good beach. Whether you want a lazy day sunbathing with a book, or a swift winter walk along the beach, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the Suffolk Coast. At Butley Priory you’re a fifteen or twenty minute drive to the picturesque seaside town of Aldeburgh, where you can sample the famous Aldeburgh fish and chips, wander in and out of an eclectic selection of shops, or simply get lost in your thoughts on the beach. Walkers may fancy a 2 or 3 mile amble along the beach to Thorpness, a pretty little town complete with great pub a good cafe. It is also worth a drive slightly further north to the equally pretty seaside towns of Walberswick and Southwold.

Eating

The Oyster Inn, Butley 01394 450790

This excellent pub is just a few miles down the road from Butley Priory – perfect cycling distance! The Oyster is run as a traditional village pub with regular live music and events, a beer garden and serves good pub food seven days a week – again focusing on locally sourced, seasonal produce. Excellent local seafood is its speciality. You could easily spend a lazy evening in here, listening to the locals chat over good Suffolk ale.

The Butley Orford Oysterage 01394 450277

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 seafood caught daily from their boats and smoked fish from their smoke house in Butley Creek.

Crown and Castle, Orford

Co-owned by Channel 4 presenter Ruth Watson, the Crown and Castle has a lively restaurant that serves fine food at very reasonable prices. Lovely atmosphere, and with 2 AA rosettes and a Michelin bib gourmand under its belt, well worth a visit! Crown and Castle review

With all its space, Butley Priory makes the perfect venue for a large dinner party or get-together. Should you have friends or family who wish to join you for a special gathering, the following nearby accommodation would be ideal for their stay...

Wood cottage, Chillesford A 5 minute drive from Butley Priory, sleeps 6.

Tamarisk, Alderton A 10 minute drive from Butley Priory, sleeps 9.

Pump Cottage, Orford A 10/15 minute drive from Butley Priory, sleeps 3.

Millers Cottage, Orford A 10/15 minute drive from Butley Priory, sleeps 4.

Field End Cottage, Sudbourne A 10/15 minute drive from Butley Priory, sleeps 5.

• Ground Floor
• The front door leads into a large hall, with antique sideboard, lamp, chair, big mirror and under stair storage with boot stand and coat hooks, ideal for walkers.
• Spacious cloak room with two wcs , two wash basins and coat stand
• The spacious kitchen includes Aga, separate electric cooker, double sink, dishwasher, large fridge large antique dresser, central table and small TV. Monks door leads to larder area. Please Note that in between self catering breaks, Butley Priory is used as a venue for weddings and the kitchen is used commercially during these times
• Door from kitchen leads to large utility room with a further fridge/feezer, large butler sink, washing machine and dryer
• The Great Hall certainly lives up to its name. Complete with beautiful high vaulted ceilings and large open fire this room is perfect for dinner parties and get-togethers. Includes large dining table, big enough to seat 14 plus, grand piano, ornate cupboard with loop sound system, comfy sofa and chairs, window seats by large French doors to garden, and large arched windows with views to front of property
• The Drawing Room – A slightly smaller room, ideal for relaxing in the evenings. Includes two comfortable sofas and arm chair, large open fire, window seats looking over garden, large round table, book shelf, writing table with lamps, wall mirror, and decorative central chandelier. The sound system can be looped into this room is desired. Another room with fantastic vaulted ceilings
• Tucked away off The Drawing Room is a quiet office space with computer access

• First Floor
• Attractive wide staircase (with window seats half way should you like a rest!) leads to first floor
• The Mary Rose bedroom – Very large bedroom with high ceilings, super king bed with bedside tables and lamps, dressing table with mirror and lamp, bookcase, window seat looking over gardens, fields and woods beyond, walk in cupboard with hanging space and TV/DVD player, CD player, An extra day bed is available for use in this bedroom
• Ensuite bathroom with powerful shower, w.c, wash basin and heated towel rail
• The Moroccan bedroom – A Moroccan themed bedroom with double bed, bedside tables and lamps, chest of drawers, large mirror, TV, and wall hangings
• Adjoined bathroom with large roll top bath, w.c, and wash basin
• The Yellow bedroom – Another light and spacious room with high ceilings, double bed, bedside table and lamps, book case, two comfy chairs, chest of drawers, large wardrobe with hanging space, occasional table with lamp, wall mirror and fantastic floor to ceiling arched window overlooking the garden
• Ensuite bathroom with shower, wash basin, w.c, towel rail and decorative chandelier light
• The West Wing Bedroom – Very large and spacious bedroom with super king bed, bedside tables and lamps, large wall mirror, dressing table, ample drawer space, occasional table, window seat, wash basin and TV/DVD player
• A staircase leads down to The Monks Cell where there’s a further single bedroom with table, lamp, bookcase and mirror
• On this level there are two separate washrooms; one with bath and hand held shower attachment, and one with w.c and wash basin
• A steep staircase leads to the third floor where there are two further double bedrooms, a small bathroom and a separate small seating area

• Outside
• To the front of Butley Priory is a large grassy area, with sloping bank leading up to the woods beyond. The surrounding woodland makes the area very private
• The large back garden extends from the sun terrace outside The Great Hall, with a choice of tables and chairs on which to relax. A mixture of mature shrubs and flowers surround the garden, with an attractive central floral feature. To the bottom you’ll find a yet more seating on which to sit and ponder. A stroll beyond the garden and across the pony field will lead you to the mediaeval Monk’s Pond. The wood beyond this is called Waterwood which is opened twice yearly for its beautiful display of wild daffodils and bluebells

• Services
• Central heating and electricity included
• Bed linen and towels included but please bring your own beach towels
• In consideration of other visitors please do not smoke in Butley Priory
• For a wonderful selection of catering options for your stay with Big House Holidays, contact caterer Susie Anderson on 07904154444 or email susan.andersoncaterer@yahoo.co.uk