Notes from the host
Wren Cottage
A Very comfortable and cosy coastal cottage
Sleeping four in a picturesque Suffolk village, just 20 minutes from the best of the Suffolk Coast at Aldeburgh and Orford.
Wren Cottage is a pretty little 16th Century cottage, full of character and light. It is 50 yards from the centre of Wickham Market; one of Suffolk’s lovely unspoilt coastal villages.
It is just 20 minutes from the beautiful unspoilt village of Orford where you can book sea trips or visits to the famous Orford Ness Nature Reserve, or 20 minutes from the seaside at Aldeburgh, which is the prettiest of the unspoilt Suffolk seaside towns. Orford and Aldeburgh have many outstanding restaurants and pubs
Cottage Walk Through
Although on the main road in this pretty and historic Market town, this cosy holiday cottage faces away from the road and onto its own large enclosed courtyard which has pretty flower baskets, and a flowering tree to sit under.
You enter the cottage from the courtyard into a large hall with an open staircase to take to the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs.
Off the hall is a convenient downstairs toilet and a shower, at the end of the hall is the doorway to the main room.
The main room has lovely old windows along the road side and a big inglenook fireplace with a cosy wood-burning stove, there are two big comfy sofa’s to relax into and some lovely antique sideboards in keeping with this historic beamed room
There is a separate dining room which makes this place great for special occasions.
If you are entertaining then there is a very well appointed kitchen with an Aga type cooker, Belfast sink and dishwasher to make preparing meals easy.
Upstairs there are 2 double bedrooms; one en-suite with a bath and hand held shower.
One of the bedrooms can be converted into a twin bed room and there is a hall big enough for a youngsters bed to be made up but not really big enough for a fifth adult, there is also room for a cot.
The charming cosy character of this historic cottage along with its comfortable sofas and pretty antique furniture makes it a very relaxing place to stay in.
Please note that outside High Season this cottage offers a reduced rate for just two guests, who use one bedroom only.
Garden
Outside there is a pretty courtyard, which is completely enclosed, it has benches, a table and chairs, and BBQ facilities, the tree in the courtyard is lit up with fairy lights and there are tubs of flowers and herbs.
You can park outside the cottage to unload (see the image in the gallery) and there is safe parking in a new and safe cul-de-sac just 80 yards down the road.
Outside
Wickham Market has 2 very good tea rooms, a couple of pubs, a Chinese and an Indian restaurant, a good Fish n’ Chips shop and some interesting shops, including an award winning Butchers and a couple of larger food stores.
There are some excellent restaurants and gastro pubs within walking distance; across the fields and along the footpaths, or a short drive away.
Wren Cottage’s position is great for exploring the best of the unspoilt Suffolk Coast and the most interesting towns are just 20 – 25 minutes away
Green Credentials
The cottage was restored using traditional methods and much reclaimed materials, where possible local produce is supplied in the breakfast basket and ecological cleaning materials are used in preference to harsher ones.
Bikes are supplied to encourage guests to explore without the car and maps provided to follow the many local footpaths.
Wood for the wood-burning stove is supplied from responsibly sourced providers
Local Area
The Suffolk coast is famous for being unspoilt and this is the best area for that, you wind your way down tiny single track lanes to discover pretty little hamlets and villages with great pubs and unexpectedly find yourself at the seaside.
There is a series out big heathlands, like Dunwich Heath, and forests, like Rendlesham Forest and Tunstall forest, which go on for miles and are great for walkers.
Inland is Framlingham with its impressive Castle, restaurants, shops and antiques centres.
Orford which is on the coast, also has a very interesting Castle, without which the whole area would have been independent like Scotland or Wales (hey-ho ), it also has and an oysteridge, some great restaurants, smokehouse, pubs, and a quay with boating trip available and crossings to the nature reserve of Orford Ness.
Aldeburgh, which is on the sea, is famous for its arts, crafts and restaurants as well as still being able to buy fresh fish from the fishermen on the beach, but no ice creams or amusement arcades.
Snape is close with its famous Benjamin Briton Concert Halls and arts and crats centre, a great place to visit and investigate the antique warehouse and furniture showrooms as well as excellent cafes and restaurants, The Maltings are situated on the lakes leading round to Aldeburgh and there are good walks from here to Aldeburgh.
Places to Eat
White Horse at Easton: Winner of The Best Dining Pub. A very friendly pub.
White Lion at Ufford: Friendly local pub. 1-2 hour walk from the cottage. 15th Century church in the village.
The Crown at Ufford: Good for Sunday lunch.
Jolly Sailor, The Crown and Castle, The Pump Street Bakery: all located in Orford and all excellent.
The Granary Tea Shop and Cafe 1885: Snape Maltings.
Standard Inclusive Features
Kitchen: The cottage is a complete little home and facilities include modern central heating, refrigerator, hobs, oven and / or microwave, toaster, crockery & serving dishes, cutlery, many utensils, fire-extinguisher, lots of pots & pans, glasses & mugs, kettle, coffee maker, teapot, kitchen towels, oven gloves, olive oil, salt & pepper, sugar, herbs, tea, fresh and instant coffee, washing up liquid, cloths, general cleaning materials, etc.
Bathroom: Soap, fluffy cotton towels, bath mats, shaver point, toilet brush, toilet roll.
Bedroom: Cotton bed linen, wardrobe with coat hangers / chest of drawers, iron, ironing board, hairdryer.
Living room: If your cottage has an open fire or stove then a basket with firewood and a bucket with coal will be provided free and more will be available at cost and there will be firelighters provided, TV, books, games, magazines, local brochures, OS and other maps, folder with our special ‘What To Do’ insiders guide to the local area.
Baby: Cot and high chair provided on request (please bring babies bedding).
Dogs: Up to 2 well behaved doggies are welcome, charges apply at £20 per pet for up to 7 nights.
Bikes: Please check with the owner that these are available before you arrive to avoid disappointment if they are in for maintenance
Hosted by The Grove Cottages
