The Granary

This newly converted 17th century barn is a wonderful rural retreat for a family of four (plus cots). It boasts an idyllic settting with views over a pretty (safely fenced) lake, which comes complete with a rowing boat* and fishing rights - ideal for introducing older toddlers and siblings to the delights of fishing for tiddlers!

Owners Aaran and Sarah Henry have young children themselves and have ensured the Granary is well set up for family life. The ground floor living areas are light and bright thanks to the row of floor to ceiling windows that run the length of the lounge and kitchen-diner. Patio doors open out onto a wide deck which is now fully allowing for the doors to be left open and the decked dining area used as extended living quarters in good weather - fantastic for sunny breakfasts or sunset drinks overlooking the lake. There is also an all weather court used for tennis in the summer but is also fun to play football and basketball on all year round.

Inside, the newly refurbished interiors blend historic beamed walls and ceilings with a contemporary palette of taupe, white and light oak, and practical family-friendly furnishings. The two bedrooms are a twin and a double sharing a family bathroom. Downstairs there is a toilet and the spacious lounge comes with playstation (on request), books, games, a basket of toys and satellite TV, DVDs and videos as well as WiFi.

Experinces ith their own brood of four young boys, have clearly rubbed off on the Henrys who've gone to great lengths to ensure their guests enjoy a proper break. They provide a good list of baby and toddler gear so packing, loading and unloading is minimal, plus a range of handy pre-bookable services from babysitting and private chef, to pre-arrival shopping (including formula, baby food, nappies etc.) and visiting beauty/massage therapist. They live in the adjacent barn and are more than happy to offer first-hand advice on child-friendly places to see, eat and drink locally, and escort mini guests on chicken feeding, egg collecting rounds as well as introducing them to their petting rabbits Sugar and Spice.

*a waiver must be signed before use.

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The village of Bredfield is a lovely 10 minute walk along public footpaths from the Granay, it has a wonderful Village Shop selling local produce, there is a play ground and a pub which serves real ales. The popular and pretty waterfront towns of Woodbridge, Sutton Hoo, Bawdsey, Orford, Aldeburgh and Snape with their boutiques, cafes, bistros and gastro-pubs are all within a short drive.

Just a few minutes drive from the property is award-winning Easton Farm Park which is perfect for toddlers and offers animal feeding, petting, egg collecting, horse and cart rides and mini train trips. Further afield, the Africa Alive safari park nr Lowerstoft has a fabulous re-creation of the African savannah in which animals roam freely as they would in the wild, plus a fun land train trip with commentary on the animals.

Don't miss the Farmcafe and Farmshop in Marlesford (10mins away) which not only sells fabulous local produce for cooking at home but has an excellent cafe with space of kids to play and have been listed amongst the best brunch venues in the country by the likes of The Times and The Independent. Similarly high praise has been won by the Watermill cafe in Woodbridge and its excellent deli, which is brilliant for gourmet picnic supplies, seafood, good wines and local cheeses. The Froize pub, near Woodbridge gets rave review for its gastro-pub fayre and is well worth arranging a night of babysitting for.

The nearest train station is in Woodbridge (3.5miles), which is around 90mins by direct train from London Liverpool Street.

testimonial scores:5:5:5:5

The Granary is a beautifully converted farm building. The interior is fantastic ...

The Granary is a beautifully converted farm building. The interior is fantastic - it is at the same time stylish and homely. The children could wander around outside in the forecourt area and barn in total safety, or visit the rabbit and chickens. It is perfect for young children (ours are 1 and 3) and Sarah and Aaran could not have done more to make us feel welcome. A really, really nice place.
Overall Experience Rating: 100%

We have had a wonderful time. The view is stunning, the apartment very comfortab...

We have had a wonderful time. The view is stunning, the apartment very comfortable. Will love to come again!! Many thanks.
Overall Experience Rating: 100%

This is an excellent holiday home - to be thoroughly recommended!...

This is an excellent holiday home - to be thoroughly recommended!
Overall Experience Rating: 100%

A great place for a family friendly holiday. The owners were extremely helpful ...

A great place for a family friendly holiday. The owners were extremely helpful and efficient and every night our two small boys went to bed exhausted and with smiles on their faces!
Overall Experience Rating: 100%

Beautiful part of the country, so much to see and do en famille. Great recommend...

Beautiful part of the country, so much to see and do en famille. Great recommendations from Sarah & Aaron who are the friendliest hosts ever - we did them all! Wonderful setting for the children (esp for us city dwellers!) with cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens and other pond wildlife. Fresh eggs for breakfast and some amazing local produce at the farm shops. It was a real pity we had to leave a day early but we'll be back to finish the rest! P, J & Co, London
Overall Experience Rating: 100%

Very friendly owners. Property well equipped with many of the bulky items you m...

Very friendly owners. Property well equipped with many of the bulky items you might otherwise have to pack, eg kitchen roll, foil, toilet roll, cleaning equipment etc. Lots to do in the local area, even for small children (13 months old).
Overall Experience Rating: 100%

The Schimidt family rated the Granary , 'excellent' for toddler/baby friendlines...

The Schimidt family rated the Granary , 'excellent' for toddler/baby friendliness, interiors and experience and 'Outstanding' for customer care and location.

This is an excellent holiday home - to be thoroughly recommended! Overall rating...

This is an excellent holiday home - to be thoroughly recommended! Overall rating: outstanding!

A great place for a family friendly holiday. The owners were extremely helpful a...

A great place for a family friendly holiday. The owners were extremely helpful and efficient and every night our two small boys went to bed exhausted and with smiles on their faces! Overall Rating- Outstanding!

Beautiful part of the country, so much to see and do en famille. Great recommend...

Beautiful part of the country, so much to see and do en famille. Great recommendations from Sarah & Aaron who are the friendliest hosts ever - we did them all! Wonderful setting for the children (esp for us city dwellers!) with cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens and other pond wildlife. Fresh eggs for breakfast and some amazing local produce at the farm shops. It was a real pity we had to leave a day early but we'll be back to finish the rest! Overall rating: Outstanding!

Very friendly owners. Property well equipped with many of the bulky items you mi...

Very friendly owners. Property well equipped with many of the bulky items you might otherwise have to pack, eg kitchen roll, foil, toilet roll, cleaning equipment etc. Lots to do in the local area, even for small children (13 months old). Overall experience: Outstanding!

Outstanding!...

Outstanding!

We have just returned from a wonderful few days in suffolk. Sarah and Aaron made...

We have just returned from a wonderful few days in suffolk. Sarah and Aaron made us and our 16 month old daughter so welcome, it felt like staying with family friends. The granary is amazingly babyfriendly and very comfortable with an incredibly well equiped kitchen... sharp knives and a tumble drier! The area has lots to offer too with plenty of family attractions within striking distance. I'm sure we will be back and not just for the delicious eggs.

We had an amazing first family holiday here. The Granary was everything we had ...

We had an amazing first family holiday here. The Granary was everything we had hoped for and more. It was immaculate, extremely baby-friendly and Sarah was an amazing host. She couldn't have been more friendly or generous and we really appreciated the baby-sitting service too- long-awaited adult time! Highly recommended, we hope to visit again

Highly recommended. The Granary is pefect for families with young children. Sara...

Highly recommended. The Granary is pefect for families with young children. Sarah and Aaran are dream hosts who provide everything you need for a stress free holiday. Toys, games, books and entertaining trips to the hens kept tantrums away. The accomodation is perfect - it feels a little luxurious without being so intimidating that you worry about your children touching anything. Ideally located. We hope to return!

A fantastic place to stay in a fantastic area. The Granary was like an episode o...

A fantastic place to stay in a fantastic area. The Granary was like an episode out of Grand Designs and immiately impressed. It was extensively kitted out with all the extras needed to take the stress out of toddler travelling and Sarah and Aaran's enthusiasm for the local country-side was contagious. Brilliantly central to the Suffolk coastal area we would recommend Framlingham Castle, Aldeburgh, Orford and not forgetting Woodbridge itself with its lovely river walk. Lastly, if you like a bit of "Most Haunted" with your scenary, the Saxon Burial Mounds at Sutton Hoo are not to be missed. We've never done so much yet felt so refreshed. Thoroughly enjoyable.

We're just back from a wonderful long Easter weekend at the Granary. The barn is...

We're just back from a wonderful long Easter weekend at the Granary. The barn is beautifully converted and we're hugely impressed with the thought that has been given to equipping it for kids - not just stair gates, sterilisers, highchairs etc, but Sarah had given real consideration to making sure there were plenty toys which were appropriate for our one year old daughter. And she was enchanted by the whole experience! Sarah, Aaron and their family were so friendly, always ready to give advice, make recommendations, lend their bicycles (complete with child seat) and even provide a night of babysitting. We're already recommending them to our friends with children and will certainly be going back.

Sarah and Aran are most welcoming and very helpful. We would definitely go back ...

Sarah and Aran are most welcoming and very helpful. We would definitely go back and stay again.

Great hosts. Loads of lovely toys - you need to take none with you! Very well eq...

Great hosts. Loads of lovely toys - you need to take none with you! Very well equipped. Convenient location. Highly Recommended.

Relaxed and welcoming owners. There is so much to do in the immediate area. A gr...

Relaxed and welcoming owners. There is so much to do in the immediate area. A great location!

Wonderful accommodation and very friendly welcome. Could not have been better...

Wonderful accommodation and very friendly welcome. Could not have been better

We had a fantastic first family holiday here. The Granary is very baby friendly ...

We had a fantastic first family holiday here. The Granary is very baby friendly and Sarah and Aaron were extremely kind and welcoming. I would highly reccommend a holiday here!

It was a wonderful place to stay and Sarah & Aaron were fantastic hosts. ...

It was a wonderful place to stay and Sarah & Aaron were fantastic hosts.

I want to give the Granary a 5 star rating, not a 3 star. The link in your emai...

I want to give the Granary a 5 star rating, not a 3 star. The link in your email didn't work and has automatically given a 3 star by mistake. Please amend this rating and sort out your email link. I was accessing it via gmail on a Mac, if that helps your investigations.

We have just returned from a splendid week at the Granary with our two year old ...

We have just returned from a splendid week at the Granary with our two year old twins and couldn't recommend it highly enough. Sarah and Aaron were very warm and generous hosts and their guidance about what to do and see made our week incredibly enjoyable. The facilities for pre-school children were excellent, with Sarah providing a regular top up of new and different toys to keep our toddlers entertained. We will be back next year.

Owner Profile

Partridge Lodge : A Rural Retreat ... In 2007 my wife and i decided to move away from city life. We bundled up our four kids and the furniture in search of a sense of reality, that we had both enjoyed in our own childhoods. We found and bought an old run down dairy farm and set about renovating it into a rural retreat for guests to come and unwind closeby to our magestic historical coast in Suffolk. Our boys helped right the way through our project with innovative ideas and kids spaces. The feedback from our guests is always uplifting and gives us a real sense of purpose. We have been rewarded enormously by being voted third best in Europe by BabyFriendlyBoltholes awarwds. We were also picked out by Rachael Oakden for an editorial piece written about Partridge Lodge in Aprils 2010 FOOD and TRAVEL magazine.

Our Holiday lets are secluded enough to feel freedom and the grounds relaxed enough to have a wonder and take in all the wild life including owls, woodpeckers, kingfishers and deer that inhabit our surroundings. Or for a longer walk there's the footpaths that guide you to the beautiful Boulge Estate (where lies in a quiet secluded churchyard, Mr Edward Fitzgerald, translator of the Omar Kiyan) or in the opposite direction to Bredfield Village with its community run shop and local pub. From Bawdsey Quay to Sutton Hoo to Orford to Aldeburgh to Southwold to Thorpeness to Friday Street Farm Shop to The FarmCafe to the Charm of Woodbridge itself, there is so much life and these are only some of our favourite places.

We have our own chickens (with great tasting real eggs for breakfast), sugar and spice our petting rabbits (which kids adore spending time with), to our sand covered all purpose court (for football, basketball, badminton), to our boat house and fishing pond (where a monster three pound eel was caught last year but the pike illuded capture).