Cottage Walk through

The house is an imaginative conversion of a Frank Lloyd Wright style Water Pumping Station, the owner carried out the conversion guided by his strong ecological beliefs and it benefits from ground source underfloor heating and a reed bed waste water system

You enter the Pump House up some stone steps into a small hall which opens out into a ‘Tardis’ interior with a high vaulted ceilings, there is a kitchen dining room to the left with its cosy wood burning stove and massive window looking out onto the river, straight ahead is the sitting room conservatory. which has been designed in such a way that you can really enjoy the views of the meadow and the stars at night as it is glazed on every exterior side.

The conservatory leads out, via French doors, onto an expansive decking where you can lounge around and watch the Natural World go by or enjoy a meal ‘al fresco’.

Opposite the kitchen is a bedroom with a double bed and next door a small shower bathroom.

From the hall is a paddle stair /ladder staircase up into the high beamed ceiling and here there is an open sided ‘chill out’ room with a TV, and a sofa bed should you want to invite friends to stay with you. There are retaining bars so don’t worry, but the ‘chill out’ room is not really suitable for young children, so don’t book under eight year olds or unsteady adults.

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

We are happy to accept up to 2 well behaved dogs at this property, dog charges apply – you can also bring a cat at the same cost.

Please note that the large meadow surrounding The Pump House is not dog proof fenced and a footpath crosses it at the end.

The Gardens

The beautiful wildflower meadow is your garden and in front of the house there is ample parking inside the grounds of The Pump House.

In the garden is a bench and a firepit to enjoy.

Outside

The Pump House is located in the picturesque Box River Valley about 3/4 mile down the steep little lane from the tiny village of Stoke by Nayland

This pretty river valley is networked with lovely footpaths in every direction, meandering along the riverside or up the little hills into woods and unexpected meadows and on onwards to hidden hamlets and tiny Medieval villages like Polstead, here you will find a friendly pub on the Village Green, beautiful bluebell woods at ‘The Dollops’ and a lovely old church looking out over the Valley to Stoke by Nayland. This is an unexpected landscape for those who think that Suffolk is flat and it is always a pleasure to come round a corner and find yet another delightful thatched cottage in Suffolk pink.

Green Credentials

In converting The Pump House to a living space the opportunity was taken to thoroughly insulate the building to reduce heat loss to a minimum. New windows are all double glazed with the original historic windows being secondary glassed to again minimize heat loss. Materials were reused where ever possible.

Underfloor heating to the whole building is provided by a ground source heat pump. A comfortable temperature is maintained 24 hours a day by heat gained from the surrounding water meadow. All very green, clean and economical.

All the liquid waste from the Pump House is treated in our own reed bed. Clean water leaves the reed bed to return to the environment. Additionally the reed bed provides an interesting habitat for wildlife.

All the logs used in The Pump House are gained from managed trees around the meadow.

Stoke by Nayland boasts a delightful well stocked village shop providing local produce whenever possible. You will receive a warm welcome. Both our pubs are also great, welcoming and serve ‘local’ where possible.

The Pump House is at the centre of the most wonderful footpath network. Maps provided. The South Suffolk Cycle track passes the door. Lots of wildlife, restful scenery and fresh air to enjoy. See if you can add to our bird species list.

Kitchen: all cottages are complete little homes 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: We provide fluffy cotton towels, bath mats, toilet brush, toilet rolls.

Bedroom: cotton bed linen, wardrobe with coat hangers / chest of drawers, iron, ironing board, hairdryer.

Living room: A smart TV, books, games, magazines, local brochures, OS and other maps plus a folder with our special ‘What To Do’ insiders guide to the local area.

Please note that there are no adult bikes available at this cottage but you are welcome to bring your own: This is more of a walking area than family biking.

Babies: Baby cots and high chairs are provided in cottages accepting babies (please bring babies bedding which is not supplied).

Doggie Treats: Water bowl and treat per dog is provided in cottages accepting pets.

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