Happy Dogs hang out at Woodfarm
By Carl Scott
Happy dogs is what we like. That’s why we try to ensure they have the best holidays, as well as the humans they drag along with them.
We’re not rocket scientists; we just know that if we have happy dogs, we have happy owners. And as they (you) are the ones who pay to stay, then we have a win/win! Dogs love dog friendly holidays!
So how do we ensure we have lots of happy dogs? Well…
Fully-enclosed gardens
All of our Barns and the Woodfarm House have their own fully-enclosed, secure gardens. You can rest assured that your pooches are safe and can nip out for a wee. They can enjoy our own little slice of the Suffolk countryside whilst you put your feet up and chill out.
Dog Treats
The first thing we do is leave doggy treats in all the barns and barges. We have a great selection box from Bob & Lush that we leave for our canine guests. We are also fortunate to have Doodledales just around the corner from Woodfarm Barns so we usually have some of their mixed ‘pick n mix’ treats too!
Guaranteed Happy Dogs in Woof-farm Meadow
We have a fully secure, 2 acre doggy fun meadow across the lane from our Barns. It’s just for your dogs to run around, smell all the amazing smells of rabbits, pheasants & muntjacs. There’s a couple of places for you to sit and let them run wild with other four-legged friends that they meet.
Our meadow really is the the place that Woodfarm Dogs go to socialise.
Dog Walks on your doorstep (and gangplank)
Whether you’re in a Barn or a Barge, you have fabulous dog walks right from your front door, ensuring happy dogs every day!
If you’re at Woodfarm Barns, then you step out onto our lane and turn right down to the stunning Crowfield Church.
If you’re aboard one of our Dutch Barges, you have fabulous river walks directly from the gangplank. Twee Gebroeders in Woodbridge offers walks in either direction along the River Deben, with some amazing sights and wildlife. At Onderneming at Snape Maltings you have the most stunning and tranquil walk, all the way to Aldeburgh if you wish.
If you walk from Snape you’ll come across this view at Iken, taken by our photographer friend Gill Moon.
Dog-Friendly Pubs
Ok, let’s be honest here, this is more for you lot than the dogs but it’s another win/win. Dog-friendly pubs in Suffolk usually means that dogs are spoilt. When dogs are spoilt, dogs are happy. When dogs are happy, humans are happy. It’s quite simple really.
Here’s a blog post I did yonks ago featuring a bunch of dog-friendly pubs across Suffolk.
Roaring log fires and Underfloor heating
All the Barns have underfloor heating and very cosy woodburning stoves. Woodfarm House has a fabulous open fire that the dogs love. And our cavernous Dutch Barge Onderneming has a woodburning stove too!
There’s no log fire aboard Twee Gebroeders but there is an amazing double range cooker that hounds love snuggling up in front of. Does make cooking difficult though!
Dog Life Jackets aboard the Barges
For those who are worried that their dog may decide to pop over the side for a swim when you are up on deck, then we have doggy life jackets in all sizes.
You can relax knowing they’ll be safe.
Once inside, there’s no way the dogs can get out so you can breathe easily!
Dogs in the woods
We are blessed to have so many forests and woods all around us, whether you’re Barning or Barging. From the Barges you have Tunstall and Rendlesham Forests between Snape and Woodbridge, which are both wonderful, and your dogs will have a whale of a time!
From the Barns, we have Thornham Walks and Hoppit Wood just ten minutes away, again giving you space for the dogs to stretch their legs and enjoy themselves.
Dog-Friendly Beaches
From Walberswick to Southwold Denes, from Thorpeness to Dunwich.
We are so lucky to have a choice of incredible beaches along the picturesque Heritage Coast of Suffolk.
There are many that you and your dogs can access all year round and there are some with seasonal restrictions.
Dogs at our TWO (!) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Yes we are greedy. We weren’t content with one Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we had to have two within easy reach of our Barns & Barges. And both feature some fabulous dog walks.
Suffolk Coast & Heaths and Dedham Vale are truly beautiful. Both barges are within the former and Dedham is well worth a visit. The walk from Dedham to Flatford is a real favourite of mine, as well as being one of my fave kayaking spots.
Dogs Welcome Award from Visit England
Ok, your dogs may not be too excited about this but this award does give you the comfort that we meet the exacting standards set out by Visit England.
