The Bucket List: Planning your perfect Suffolk break

Imagine a hassle-free, stress-free, tailor-made concierge service, that lets you unwind without any fuss. Yup, you just imagined The Bucket List.

For years we’ve toiled to bring you a ton of the very best ideas to make your Woodfarm break memorable. Now we’ve made it even easier for you, by pulling loads of the best ideas together… Because you’re worth it!

We have hundreds of pages now, dedicated to telling you all about what makes Suffolk (and Tuscany) wonderful, but The Bucket List is our way of ‘packaging’ it into suggested day out itineraries for you: Things that work together, highlighting all the best bits of Suffolk. Because we know Suffolk like the back of our hands!

Great Pubs, the best Dog Walks, where to buy fab Food and Drink, Tea Rooms and Coffee Shops, Historic House, Dog-Friendly Beaches, and tons more.

A three night weekend is better value than two.

The idea of The Bucket List is that each month we present you with an itinerary for a 3 night break, to take all the planning out of it for you. It’s just part of our constant desire to make sure you have the best experience with us. There’s so much research going back years, proving that many people (as many as a third!) value holidays more than a pay rise, and if you’re too busy ( or just can’t be bothered) to plan that free time, then we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you! Because we care.

We do offer a 2 night weekend, but at the Woodfarm, the longer you stay, the lower the price per night. Not only that, but we have so much feedback from guests who tell us that they wish they’d stayed longer.

As it’s packed with ideas you know on Sunday night you can just relax and enjoy another night in your Barn or Barge and make the world wait another day, whilst you carry on soaking up Suffolk.

And our four night Monday to Friday midweek break is even better value!

With a new The Bucket List every month, you could also pick ‘n’ mix the days as the list grows, and if you are staying with us a for a 4 night midweek break, you can either have a day off to laze about in your Barn or Barge, or pick another day from another list!

So without further ado, here is your first Bucket List…

The Bucket List #1

DAY ONE: Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh and Thorpeness

Take a look around Snape Maltings as there is so much to see. Gifts and homewares, furnishings and furniture, plus a big food hall. Plus great walks along the River Alde.

Whilst you’re at Snape, p-pick up a picnic at Earsham Street Deli, for a decadent treat. If the weather isn’t conducive, then do what I do and head to sea wall at Aldeburgh and Slaughden for a ‘Car-nic’, watching the waves whilst eating some foodie goodies. Can’t beat it!

If you’re staying aboard Onderneming then this of course is a no-brainer. If you’re staying with us elsewhere, then do take a look at Onderneming when you get to Snape, you can’t miss her!

Aldeburgh itself has a great little High Street, and beachfront. Make sure you stop and admire Maggi Hambling’s Scallop, en route to Thorpeness.

Thorpeness is a wonderful, quirky curiosity of a seaside village. Take a look at video and blog.

Head back to Aldeburgh (ten minutes) for dinner at The Regatta. Owned by the same brothers who put their heart and soul into The Plough and Sail at Snape Maltings, and The Golden Key in Snape village. It’s Dog friendly: mention you are bringing a dog when booking!

Take a look at our Suffolk Beach guide while you’re at it.

DAY TWO: Suffolk Food Hall, Pin Mill

Pin Mill is home to The Butt & Oyster, which is a Suffolk institution, with wonderful views of the river Orwell. This tiny hamlet offers wonderful walks along the river. We highly recommend this for a great lunch, and a walk along the river from the path behind the pub. You can walk for miles along here and it’s a joy, with or without dogs. Walk through the car park and along by the houseboats, then keep going for as long as you like. You can also walk along the river in the other direction too.

A short drive from Pin Mill, The Suffolk Food Hall and Cookhouse Restaurant has a panoramic view of the River Orwell and is a great destination for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. Not only that, as the name suggests, there is an amazing food hall here. Our suggestion here after a lovely lunch and walk at Pin Mill, is that with an inhouse butchery and bakery, as well as a fabulous cheese and deli counter, fresh fruit & veg, and an abundance of local produce, you pick up some of your favourites for a cosy evening back in your Barn or quirky Barge.

DAY THREE: Lavenham & Long Melford

Both of these villages (8 miles apart) are steeped in history, and were once part of the beating heart of the Suffolk wool trade. They are jam-packed with stunning medieval architecture and charm. Offering tea rooms, antique shops, and boutique clothing, both are popular with tourists and locals alike.

A long walk along both High Streets will certainly rack up your steps for the day.

Kentwell Hall, Long Melford. Step back in time with a look around this historic hall, open to the public. You could spend at least half your day here! Kentwell is closed during the winter, but there is still tons to see and do in Long Melford, including Melford Hall, which is virtually opposite Kentwell on the village green, and it has a longer season. Dogs are allowed in the grounds.

Also on the green is the Black Lion, which for years has been one of my favourite spots for lunch, or just a drink. It’s a gorgeous, grand building, but still very laid back and homely. Dog friendly, and with a dog menu, so ‘Bone-appetit’!

Then hit the High Street to wander round the antique shops and boutiques. Right at the other end is a huge antiques warehouse. You can park along the High Street, though it gets busy in the summer.

Lavenham has long been a favourite of mine, and I very nearly bought places to turn into holiday cottages there. Twice! It offers more antique shopping than Long Melford, and more tearooms than you can wave a stick at! The Cock Horse Inn is a great dog-friendly place for lunch or dinner. If you fancy somewhere posher, then book lunch or afternoon tea at The Swan. Dogs are welcome in some dining areas.