Chelsworth Barn is located in the heart of a farm in the ancient village of Chelsworth, one of England’s oldest settlements. The village is very pretty and brimming with ancient homes and stunning gardens. For over fifty years, on the final Sunday in June, the village has opened many of its gardens to the public to raise funds for Chelsworth’s Grade I listed church. If you happen to be there then, you will be in for a treat! In 1967 admission to the five open gardens was half a crown and a total of £150 raised through entrance, plant sales and teas. Now it raises thousands and visitors enjoy artisan crafts, teas and buying plants. The setting is picture-book English.
Not far from Chelsworth, deep in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, you will find the charming village of Lavenham. It is considered to be Britain’s best preserved medieval village and one of Suffolk’s most important wool towns. At every turn, you will be delighted with the medieval charm and gorgeous timber framed buildings lining the narrow streets. The market place is buzzy and a focal point. Over 300 of the buildings in Lavenham are listed as being of architectural and historic interest, including the stunning Church of St Peter and St Paul, The Guildhall, Little Hall and De Vere House. Lavenham was the 14th richest town in Tudor England due to its famous Lavenham Blue broadcloth. The village is proud of its strong links with America with the Lavenham airbase. Lavenham is very popular with masses of boutique shops, fabulous art galleries and wonderful cafes and restaurants. You should not miss it!
Bury St Edmunds is a jewel in the Crown of Suffolk. The home of Saint Edmund, the original patron Saint of England, it has 1000 years of history to explore. Visitors enjoy the restaurants, shopping, various annual festivals and some wonderful parks. You can visit the fabulous St Edmundsbury Cathedral and stand amount the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund in the beautiful Abbey Gardens.
If you fancy a day at the seaside you can head to Aldeburgh, Thorpeness or Southwold for some bracing fresh air and gorgeous sands.
The Region
Welcome to Suffolk, the East of England's very own treasure trove of delight! Famous for its charming villages, dreamy beaches and a history so rich, Suffolk is the place to be for anyone in search of the ultimate British adventure. We have some fabulous luxury properties waiting just for you. Seaside or countryside – take your pick!
Nature lovers, rejoice! The pristine, breathtaking Suffolk coast is calling your name. Aldeburgh, the coastal town with charm to spare, welcomes you with a shingle beach perfect for salty sea air inhalation, some good old fish and chips and the Aldeburgh Scallop sculpture, a tribute to the legendary composer Benjamin Britten. If you head a little further south, you will stumble upon the oh-so-peaceful village of Orford, complete with a castle on a hill offering panoramic views that will make your heart skip a beat. You can dive into the whimsical wonder of Thorpeness, head to Walberswick where beach huts and sandy shores create a haven for artists and beachcombers or Southwold, a gem with a quirky pier, a stunning beach and the famed Adnams Brewery. These seaside gems offer artsy flair and a delightful dose of coastal bliss.
Right in the beating heart of Suffolk lies Bury St Edmunds, a town so historically loaded it practically whispers tales of the medieval era. Look up, and you will see the majestic St Edmundsbury Cathedral dominating the skyline, a Gothic masterpiece that will make your jaw drop. The Abbey Gardens invite relaxation with colourful flowerbeds and the remains of the once-mighty Bury St Edmunds Abbey. Let us not forget Suffolk's rural charm, sprinkled generously across idyllic villages such as Lavenham. This medieval wool town is a paradise for history buffs, with timber-framed buildings that look like they are straight out of a fairy tale. You can explore the Guildhall and wander through cobbled streets surrounded by boutique shops and quaint tearooms.
For the wild at heart, Thetford Forest is your playground! Cyclists and hikers, get ready for scenic trails winding through dense woodlands and around picturesque lakes. The High Lodge Forest Centre is your one-stop-shop for outdoor thrills. Go Ape treetop adventures and Segway tours await, promising an adrenaline-fueled day amidst nature.
Suffolk's cultural scene is a vibrant kaleidoscope of excitement. The Snape Maltings, nestled by the River Alde, is a cultural hotspot with world-class music events in its iconic concert hall while the annual Aldeburgh Festival is a global magnet for music lovers celebrating the legacy of none other than Benjamin Britten.
Suffolk is like a timeless work of art, where history cuddles up with natural wonders. Whether you are wandering through medieval towns, exploring the coastal marvels or soaking in cultural vibes, Suffolk guarantees a quintessentially British experience that will leave your heart singing. Come on, the adventure awaits!