Take a cosy and relaxing holiday in this little retreat. It is ideal for a small family or a few friends, and it can accommodate two dogs. You’ll be staying in Orford, a charming village surrounded by history and wildlife, and you can amble around to enjoy local produce or explore the countryside.
The downstairs part of the cottage is devoted to communal areas, including a kitchen, diner and lounge. The kitchen has everything you’ll need for tasty meals and drinks after a long day, and the dining room is set up so you can eat together. After meals, you can clear everything away and play a board game, or continue to the lounge and light the wood burner for some extra warmth. When it’s time for bed, go upstairs to find two bedrooms, a single and a double. The king-size bedroom looks out to the castle through a window. There’s a family bathroom for cleaning off after adventures. The garden is at the rear of the property, and has a lawn and patio area. It’s surrounded by a wooden fence so you can let the dogs out, and on sunny afternoons why not fire up the BBQ for dinner?
Orford is lovely in itself, and as you cross the river (0.5 miles) you’ll find an RSPB reserve. This has plenty of wildlife, beauty spots and historical locations, including the Orford Ness Beacon and the Chinese Wall Bridge. To gain a different perspective, take a guided boat tour of the area and learn the local legends. The village is dominated by Orford Castle, a well-preserved 12th-century relic originally built by Henry II. Dogs are welcome, but please note that there are a lot of stairs. Finish your trip by tasting local produce from the farmers’ market, bakery or oysterage.