King Raedwald gets a Makeover as National Trust Spruces up for Spring

Across the county, Suffolk's National Trust properties are a hive of activity, preparing for the new season opening this Spring.

At Ickworth house, dusting the Rotunda's stonework may be one of the chores, followed by restoration work of its old masters by Gainsborough, Hogarth and Titian. At Sutton Hoo in Woodbridge, cleaning preparations are in full swing to launch a new exhibit about the burial of Anglon Saxon King Raedwald, former ruler of East Anglia. King Raedwald is usually treated to an annual "make over" that may include brushing his hair and ensuring that the objects surrounding him are clean and shiny. At Lavenham Guildhall, "Ramesses", the mummified cat, is normally treated to a spring time grooming. Ramesses was originally found in the roof of a Lavenham home, believed to ward off evil spririts.

For more details of each property's activities and spring opening times, visit the National Trust website. If you are combining your visit with a holiday in Suffolk, there are plenty of holiday cottages near to the National Trust sites in Woodbridge and Lavenham.

Written on February 21, 2012 at 14:00 PM, by rebecca

VisitEngland's Gold Classification Awarded to Suffolk Secrets' Holiday Cottages

VisitEngland’s unique Gold Awards are given in recognition of exceptional quality within a property's star rating, or for outperforming a star rating. The Gold Award is also presented to properties that achieve high overall scores in the sectional consistency areas, to include public areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and cleanliness.

Suffolk Secrets is proud to represent many cottages that have been given a Gold Award, following a yearly VisitEngland Self-catering Property Assessment.

To view a selection of Suffolk Secrets holiday cottages that have a current Gold Award (as at 18/02/2012), please visit the following links:-

Pier Lodge, Southwold

The Sail Loft, Aldeburgh

3 Dolphin Close, Thorpeness

Pine Lodge, Aldeburgh

Postmasters, Southwold

Rowan Villa, Southwold

Samphire House, Aldeburgh

Written on February 18, 2012 at 15:18 PM, by rebecca

Homeowner Event at Ickworth House

Suffolk Secrets held its annual Homeowner event last weekend at the historic Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds. Over 100 homeowners and staff attended the event including Richard and Lesley Ellis owners of Suffolk Secrets.

A fine meal was followed by a speech from Terry Hunt, editor of the East Anglian Daily Times, who told us some very funny anecdotes from growing up in rural Suffolk! Everyone was then given a private viewing of the new basement/servant rooms at Ickworth House which was basically like a scene from Downton Abbey – I half expected to bump into Mr Bates who would order to me to take the soup up to the dining room immediately!

We have received many thank you notes and I think staff and guests alike all thoroughly enjoyed it – I certainly did!

Thanks to all the team for making it such a successful event – now it’s time to plan the X-mas dinner!

Written on November 18, 2011 at 11:25 AM, by Alex

Suffolk Secrets Beach Clean

The Suffolk Secrets team were hard at again this week doing our bit to keep the beach at Southwold as tidy and clean as possible. As always the sun was shining and it was very difficult to resist putting down our tools and having a quick paddle!

Great to be involved in such a positive project for the community and we'll be back again soon - Perhaps we will have that seasonal dip next time!

Written on September 22, 2011 at 09:22 AM, by Alex

Open Day Competition Winner

We are pleased to announce that Kathryn McEwen has won the prize of a £100 holiday voucher. The voucher is redeemable at any time within a year and can be used against any of our Suffolk Secrets holiday cottages or our Southwold Lettings holiday homes.

Kathryn has been taking holidays in Southwold for 14 years now and really enjoys this magical coastal town; and we are sure she will have fun using the voucher.

Enjoy it... well done Kathryn!!

Written on August 16, 2011 at 13:56 PM, by john