^{Star Rating}

Details Sleeps: 5 Changeover: Monday & Friday  Rooms: 1 double, 1 Twin, 1 Single Length of stays: 2,3,4 or 7 nights Price: from £315 to £481 for 2 nights break Children allowed: 3 Babies allowed: One, sleeping in travel cot Dogs Welcome: 2 Large Dogs, Dog charges apply   Bed SIzes: Double 6'6" x 5', twins 6'3" x 3', Single 6'5" x 3'

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Checklist

	Open Christmas / New Year		Central heating		15" Television		Telephone
	Unfenced Garden		Barbeque		DVD player		Cooker and hob
	Off road parking		2 bathroom		CD player		Washing machine
	Secure storage for bikes		Shower over Bath		Bed linen provided		Clothes dryer
	Bikes provided		Microwave		Towels provided		Clothes airer / washing line
	Ground floor bedroom		Fridge		Breakfast basket provided
	Ground floor bathrooom		Freezer / compartment		Basics of tea, coffee, sugar provided
	gas real flame wood burner		Iron and Board		Internet Access

We have this lovely cottage, just outside Stoke-by-Nayland down a tiny single track lane. At the bottom of the hill is a green lane with a wooden footbridge across the ford from where you can walk up to the picturesque village of Polstead.

Cobbs Cottage is a lovely 17th Century thatched cottage in a tiny cluster of 4 cottages all on their own overlooking the beautiful Box River valley, the setting is magical and the area is probably the prettiest part of Suffolk.

The entrance is through a convenient utility room with a fridge with freezer compartment, washing and drying machine, cool larder, butler sink and toilet and plenty of space for coats and boots. This leads through into a very pretty sitting room with a large inglenook fireplace and a gas real flame wood-burner - The thatch precludes the use of a log fire but this works really well and gives the cosy atmosphere.

The beautifully beamed living room has a large comfortable sofa and easy chairs to relax into and enjoy the charms of an unspoilt 17th Century beamed and thatched cottage.

You walk through the living room into the farmhouse kitchen with its hand made oak dresser and settle; this is the heart of the house and discreetly houses a modern electric cooker and hob, fridge, microwave, dishwasher and the usual appliances of modern life.

A step down the corridor from the kitchen brings you to a lovely bathroom with a bath and shower. ‘Suffolk White’ bricks with under floor heating add a touch of luxury here.

Opposite the bathroom is the characterful wood panelled ‘Captains Cabin’ bedroom, which sleeps one lucky person and looks out over the large back garden and down into the Box river valley.

The small winding staircase leading up from the kitchen takes you to the 2 other bedrooms; the master double and the twin.

The cottage sleeps 5 comfortably in the 3 bedrooms and there is ample space for a travel cot.

Beautiful Persian style carpets and rugs show off the charm of the original features in this lovingly restored cottage

Outside there is a large private back garden sloping down towards the valley.

The garden is enclosed but not dog-proofed.

Well behaved pets are always welcomed and a charge is made for them - please ensure your pet respects the garden and the cottage and is not allowed to damage anything or sleep on any furniture, please do not let dogs upstairs or leave them alone in the property. Please bring suitable bedding and towels for your pet.

Well behaved pets are always welcome, please refer to this web page  All About Bringing Pets  for charges and how this cottage may suit your pet.

All prices include vat, towels, soap, linen, heating, and a generous ‘Proper English Breakfast’ welcome pack.

The cottage is a complete little home and facilities include modern heating, flat screen TV, DVD / CD player and CD’s, books, games, guides, maps, local information and a fully equipped kitchen including electric cooker and microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer . There is also a cot and high chair.

Bikes are provided and The South Suffolk Cycle Route runs near to the cottage.

This is a special place to stay in a perfect peaceful rural location, with lovely walks and cycle rides in all directions.


                            
 We can now offer you the hedonistic enjoyment of a really            While you are staying with us why not have a special                  Graeme Cavey is a local naturlist who would be very
lovely massage in this cottage, please click this link for                 treat and go Sailing for the day.                                                        happy to include you on his nature walks.
more information.  Click for Massage info                                          Click for days out sailing                                                                    Click for Guided Nature Walks
 

 

About Suffolk 

In Charles Dickens's days, boys living in Scotland and here in East Anglia would be allowed to leave boarding school a day early because it took so long to get back home to those places.

Even though we are just 60 miles from London, this area was always very inaccessible and remained so until very recent times.

Now the local mainline train journey to London is a mere 45 minutes and a car journey takes about an hour and a half.

But still Suffolk has retained an unusually strong independent rural atmosphere and one of the great joys of the area are the beautiful little hamlets that even locals get lost getting to though the meandering 'spiders web' of tiny lanes and byroads. Many of these villages are wonderfully preserved in their medieval origins, our local village of Lavenham being a fantastic example.

The area is very rich in History from the Saxon treasure of Sutton Hoo and the rebel Queen Boadicea who defeated the Romans, right up to the many expeditions of Settlers leaving for America - in fact the First Governor of Massachusetts came from this tiny hamlet of Edwardstone when I am based at The Old Grove Farm.

The landscape and the Architectural beauty of the area has long inspired Artists to work and move here. The greatest English landscape painter John Constable painted all his famous masterpieces along the Stour which is just 5 miles from The Grove Cottages. His work undoubtedly created this landscape as the quintessential English Landscape, which is one reason why visitors to the area feel so at home.

Flatford Mill where many of Constables most well known works of art such as 'The Haywain' were painted is now a National Trust area devoted to this artist and preserving his memory and the area he made so famous.

The Great Portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough lived in Sudbury which is the closest town to us and it is a real pleasure to visit his home which is now a very interesting museum and exciting showplace for local artists and events, it also has a wonderful print making workshop where courses on all kinds of printmaking are constantly held and very much sought after.

The great artist Sir Alfred Munnings, famous for his portraits of Rural Suffolk Life lived and had his studio close to the river Stour at Dedham and these are now an interesting museum devoted to him and his works of art.

For more information, please visit: my  'What to Do' Web Pages where I have an extensive insiders guide to South Suffolk

Above are a few photos I took around the area of Lavenham, Long Melford and Polsted - The seaside is at Aldeburgh which is a totally unspoilt seaside village, famous for its Arts events and good food - it is about 50 minutes from Lavenham.

     
Below is a recent article about the Suffolk Coast

Joanna Symons, Telegraph Travel Newspaper January 2nd 2010.

'Popular though the Lake District and West Country are as tourist destinations, they can be rather damp. If you want to reduce the risk of a rainy holiday, statistics show that you should head east.

Suffolk for instance, had only about a third as much rainfall as the Lake District last summer. It also happens to have one of the loveliest stretches of coastline in Britain.


The Met office regional statistics per annum.

                        The Lake District             Suffolk

Rain fall         2300 - 3900mm          600 - 660 mm

 

Sunday, 18th of July, 2010, May:
Another wonderful stay at another beautiful cottage. We will be back again I'm sure. Many thanks

Friday, 9th of July, 2010, Leonard:
Surrounding beautiful, cottage. Cottage, cosy and comfortable and the weather was excellent.

Saturday, 3rd of July, 2010, Richard and Jo:
Idyllic setting - a wonderful, clean and cosy cottage set in picturesque countryside within easy access of sandy beaches. We had an amazing time!

Thursday, 1st of July, 2010, Debbie:
Lovely cottage in a very peaceful setting. Beautiful countryside and so many pretty villages to see, especially Kersey and Lavenham.

Friday, 25th of June, 2010, Debbie, Ben and Erin:
Our second visit to a 'Grove' Cottage. As always its been everything we wanted and expected: peaceful - cosy and well equipped. We wished we booked the cottage for longer!

Sunday, 6th of June, 2010, Maria:
Happiest week of our dog's life, so far !!

Sunday, 23rd of May, 2010, Adrian and Lesley:
A lovely cottage. Amazingly peaceful. Great for the dogs. Can't wait to try the next cottage.

Friday, 21st of May, 2010, Paula:
A fabulous cosy and characterful cottage, set in an idyllic and peaceful location. The stress of London just seemed to melt away. We'll definately be back!

Monday, 10th of May, 2010, Nicola:
Another wonderful week at Cobbs Cottage!

Friday, 30th of April, 2010, Sue:
A charming cottage within easy reach of good walks, good pubs, lovely villages and attractions such as Flatford Mill in Constable Country. Orford, Snape Maltings, Thorpness (house in the clouds) Dunwich and Southwold can all be visited.

Friday, 9th of April, 2010, Melanie:
Beautifully restored period cottage set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. The perfect mix to relax and explore.

Friday, 26th of February, 2010, Peter:
Lovely cosy cottage - peaceful location.

Friday, 19th of February, 2010, Charles and Alison:
If all cottages were as lovely as this life would be wonderful.

Monday, 15th of February, 2010, Bob:
Cosy, well equipped, beautifully situated. Even the snow, wind and rain was unable to dampen our enthusiasm. Lovely comfy bed and snugly duvets.

Friday, 5th of February, 2010, Angela and Linda:
Enchanting cottage. Perfect rural location. Good grub in the Crown and Angel in village.

Monday, 25th of January, 2010, Calire:
Cobbs cottage is the perfect getaway and provided the relaxing, authentic break we were looking for. The cottage is very cosy and the surrounding area has great walks, landscapes and pubs. We would highly recommend Cobbs Cottage and will come back soon!

Monday, 11th of January, 2010, Peter:
We really enjoyed the lovely peaceful and friendly atmosphere of this cottage.

Thursday, 7th of January, 2010, Kevin and Melita:
We had a wonderful time in the cottage - a very romantic destination for us!

Monday, 28th of December, 2009, Julie:
Ideal getaway location perfectly combining old world charm with cosy modern amenities. Wish we could stay longer!

Friday, 27th of November, 2009, Paula:
The cottage is absolutely gorgeous - we had a fantastic time.

Friday, 20th of November, 2009, Susan:
Lovely place to stay. A warm and friendly house, comfortable beds and in a great location. Shall return very soon!

Friday, 13th of November, 2009, Michael and Clare, Ed and Angela:
We have had a fantastic time - very cosy cottage.

Sunday, 1st of November, 2009, Maria:
Beautiful greean and gold Autumn in the lane when the sun came out for an hour...definately a whole week next time.

Saturday, 17th of October, 2009, Danielle and Graeme:
Perfect setting for a week away. Tranquil, calming, restful and above all we wish we could stay longer. The garden was great for a toddler and cuddling up in front of the fire really topped a perfect get away week.

Monday, 12th of October, 2009, William:
Such a magical cottage - so cosy! Thank you !

Sunday, 11th of October, 2009, Trevor and marlene:
This cottage is so cosy, you feel the comfort the moment you step through the door. We ahd a fabulous 4 days relaxing.

Friday, 9th of October, 2009, Leigh:
A beautiful cosy cottage in a lovely setting. We had a lovely short break with our Labrador. With thanks to Shelaugh for making us so welcome.

Friday, 2nd of October, 2009, Vallance family:
We've had a lovely 10 days and enjoyed the atmosphere of the cottage. Loved the local pubs- The Angel, The Crown (Stoke by Nayland), The Cock (Lavenham), The Bell (Kersey) etc. The information at the cottage made it easy to explore the area with walks and drives.

Monday, 21st of September, 2009, Robert:
A true gem hidden in the Suffolk countryside.

Friday, 4th of September, 2009, Nicola and Sherry:
My daughter and myself had a lovely weekend. Great walks, chats and laughter 'A catch up weekend' and relaxation!

Monday, 31st of August, 2009, John:
Excellent welcome. Superb facilities in a beautiful setting.

Friday, 28th of August, 2009, Andy, Tracey and Eleanor:
Lovely warm welcome from Spratts and Shelagh. Beautiful cottage, every need catered for. Gardens lovely and spacious for children. Surrounding countryside beautiful along with glorious weather.

Monday, 17th of August, 2009, Carol, Chris, Rosie and Rowan:
The cottage and the setting were idyllic. The perfect place for relaxing and some local walking. The surrounding area was as beautiful as any place in England. Great pubs, stunning villages and gorgeous countryside

Friday, 14th of August, 2009, Daniella and Phil:
Cobbs cottage is in a perfect location, nestling down a wooded lane, but also really close to great villages like Dedham and Long Melford.

Sunday, 26th of July, 2009, Helen and Stephen:
Cosy cottage with lots of character. Only a short walk from the Ford at Honey Bridge where the kids and our dog spent some happy hours playing in the river.

Friday, 3rd of July, 2009, Maru and Rich:
Fantastic cottage, lovely welcome from Shelagh. Superb walking, friendly pubs, especially 'The Cock Inn', Polstead.

Monday, 25th of May, 2009, Robyn:
Adorable cottage, very homely & ideally located. Would definately recommend and return. I was impressed with the child friendliness including the utensils provided and the stair gate.

Wednesday, 20th of May, 2009, Chris and Donna:
We thoroughly enjoyed staying here. It was just the break we needed to get away from the city and relax. The welcome from Shelagh was fantastic and gave us lots of tips of things to do and see. the cottage is like living in a fairytale and we will definately be visiting again.

Saturday, 9th of May, 2009, Alice & Matt:
We have had an absolutely wonderful stay!! Would recommend The Crown & The Angel pubs in Stoke-by-Nayland, the food was great. We must mention Shelagh who gave us a very warm welcome indeed, thank you all.

Monday, 2nd of March, 2009, Andrea & Lars:
An incredibly, charming 18th Century cottage, with all the modern amenities cleverly hidden from view!!

Saturday, 21st of February, 2009, Jason:
Gorgeous, English Cottage in stunning countryside. Everything has been thought of at the cottage. Perfect for an easy, relaxed getaway.

Sunday, 15th of February, 2009, Jessica & Paul:
An idyllic cottage to escape the hectic London life

Monday, 26th of January, 2009, Sarah:
This is a lovely, peaceful cottage. We've had a lovely relaxing weekend away from the city.

Monday, 5th of January, 2009, Mike:
A truly superb getaway from the 100mph treadmill! Local walks are idyllic - only met 2 cars and 4 people in 3 and half hours!

Monday, 1st of December, 2008, Tamara:
Great location with a very cosy atmosphere. We had a fantastic time and were greeted with a very warm welcome. Highly recommended to friends.

Monday, 24th of November, 2008, Daniel:
Perfect setting for a relaxing, romantic weekend away; simply amazing!

Monday, 17th of November, 2008, Deborah:
A most delightful holiday cottage in a charming, peaceful location. Kersey Pottery is well worth a visit!

Friday, 7th of November, 2008, Louise:
Perfect winter retreat; lock the doors, light the fire and relax! Loved the welcome pack, the bed was a dream to sleep in. Shelaugh made us feel really welcome and gave a fantastic guided tour - what a lady :) xxxx

Friday, 17th of October, 2008, Christine:
Very friendly welcome. Cobbs Cottage is full of character and delightful. Great for dogs!

Friday, 22nd of August, 2008, Amanda & family:
A beautiful, cosy cottage in a peaceful, secluded setting. Top marks!! Shelagh is very welcoming!

Tuesday, 24th of June, 2008, Phil & Ali:
Lovely welcome, beautiful surroundings & a real home from home. Great local info provided to make the most of our stay.

Monday, 23rd of June, 2008, Phil & Ali:
Lovely welcome, beautiful surroundings & a real home from home. Great local info provided to make the most of our stay.

Wednesday, 4th of June, 2008, Adrian:
The best cottage break weve ever had!

Wednesday, 4th of June, 2008, Jennifer:
Excellent accommodation, so tastefully decorated with so much attention to detail. Felt we were living a fairy tale!

Friday, 23rd of May, 2008, Jo:
We loved our stay at the cottage. Picture postcard perfect! Thank you.

Friday, 16th of May, 2008, Brian & Lynne:
We were made to feel very welcome, and were provided with an excellent tour of the cottage, which is charming. We were very warm and cosy with the fire, and this is a magically peaceful spot.

Saturday, 3rd of May, 2008, Dave:
This was the perfect piece of England to retreat to after a day of searching our ancestral roots. A great private, cosy, restful cottage to return to after a hectic day. We will return!

Friday, 29th of February, 2008, Cassie:
What a lovely way to watch spring arrive  the banks of snow drops were a real treat.

Monday, 4th of February, 2008, Claire:
We had an amazing time in our cute cottage. Shelagh was a delight – and so helpful and made us feel like family rather than strangers. She is priceless & worth visiting again just to see her!!

Friday, 25th of January, 2008, Matt & Keely:
Fantastic welcome by Shelagh- The Christmas Carols were playing to welcome us in  lovely! Could not be in a more lovely location

Friday, 25th of January, 2008, Lyall:
Thank you for a wonderful stay at Cobbs Cottage. We have had an incredibly relaxing and comfortable time, enjoying a great walk to gorgeous Polstead. Cooking our own meals in an excellent fitted out kitchen. Will definitely recommend the cottage to our friends.

Friday, 2nd of November, 2007, Bridget, David, India & Harry:
It is beautiful and so quiet. Fabulous comfortable beds, everything was perfect. Wonderful to be able to walk down the lane with Moll (dog) and though the fields. Teenage coursework and essays were done, batteries recharged, so thanks, we are glad we found you and hope to book something in the New Year!

Monday, 14th of May, 2007, Kate & Louise:
A haven of tranquillity

Monday, 5th of March, 2007, Richard:
This is a delightful cottage. Shelagh gave us a great welcome and was very helpful. We weren’t here for long, but enjoyed every minute – very glad we found your website.

Friday, 25th of August, 2006, Russell & Karen:
We arrived in the perfect rural idyll, a chocolate box cottage, with all mod cons – what a stress buster!

Monday, 29th of May, 2006, Phillip & Family:
Fulfils all your expectations of a charming English Country Cottage! Shelaughs warm welcome immediately made us feel comfortable and relaxed. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and it’s rare to find happy parents, children and dogs in the same place holiday wise!

Friday, 24th of March, 2006, Michelle:
Absolutely Stunning & Marvellous. We’ll be back as soon as we can!

Thursday, 1st of January, 1970, Neil and Rachel:
Perfect cosy cottage, lovely quiet location, excellent weekend break.