
The Perfect Rural Retreat for you and your Dog
By Carl Scott
There are times in life when everything feels too fast, too noisy, too online. The countryside doesn’t just offer a change of scene. It offers a proper pause. A chance to draw breath. Picture a Barn door opening onto your own fully enclosed garden. A log burner crackling away while the kettle’s on. A hot tub bubbling quietly under the stars. That’s what a proper rural retreat is all about.
Woodfarm Barns and Barges have offered this kind of escape since 2009. Not a gimmicky break or a themed getaway. A real, comfortable retreat where time slows down just enough for you to remember how to enjoy it again. All the comfort you want, all the peace you didn’t realise you needed.
A Location That’s Quiet but Not Cut Off
Our Barns are tucked down a country lane in Suffolk. Just outside Stonham Aspal, yet close enough to make exploring easy. Guests often say it’s like finding a secret spot they never knew existed. You’re not miles from civilisation, but once you’re here, it certainly feels like it.
The Barns sit in their own private setting. There’s a small car park, and after that, it’s all trees, sky, and birdsong. It’s proper countryside, but not so rural that you’re stranded. You can still nip to Framlingham, Debenham or Needham Market. You can get to the coast in a little over half an hour, or spend the day wandering the lanes and fields that surround the barns.
Barns and Barges That Feel Like Yours
There’s a real choice here, depending on how you like your rural retreat to look.
The Barns are traditional on the outside and incredibly comfortable on the inside. Vaulted ceilings, oak beams, log burners, underfloor heating, modern kitchens and bathrooms. Each one has its own enclosed garden and most (All but the Granary Barn) have their own hot tub. They all sleep two humans and they’re the ideal romantic retreat for couples.
The Dutch Barges are something else entirely. If you like the idea of a floating getaway with proper charm, this is it. Twee Gebroeders is in Woodbridge, and Onderneming is moored at Snape Maltings. They both have character in spades and all the essentials you need. It’s a different way to escape, but with the same ethos as the Barns—peace, comfort, and a little bit of magic. These are more aimed at the family and friends market. Twee Gebroeders sleeps four and Onderneming sleeps six to eight.
We warmly welcome up to three dogs in each of our properties.
It’s the Comfort That Makes the Difference
This isn’t “back to basics.” It’s about getting away without giving anything up. Decent Wi-Fi, smart TVs, comfy beds and fluffy towels are all standard. The kitchens are properly kitted out. You’ve got your own space, your own garden or gangplank, and your own time to do as much—or as little—as you like.
And then there’s the hot tubs. Seven of the eight Barns have them. Tucked away in private spots where you can sit back with a glass of something and watch the steam rise into the Suffolk sky. People often say it’s their favourite part of the stay.
Dog-Friendly Done Properly
Dogs aren’t just allowed. They’re part of the plan. You can bring up to three per stay, and they’re as welcome as you are. Every Barn has an enclosed garden. There are towels, bowls, dog treats and even an outside shower if your pooch comes back from a muddy walk.
Then there’s the dog meadow. A two-acre fully enclosed space where they can run around, play, and just be dogs. It’s not a token gesture—it’s a proper part of what makes a stay here so good for dog owners.
Even the Barges are dog-friendly. You’ll find dog life jackets on board in case you’re nervous, and a whole new set of riverside and woodland walks to explore right from the mooring.
Exploring Suffolk While Keeping It Simple
One of the reasons people love it here is the balance. You can stay put and do very little, or head off for a day of exploring. There are so many walks and cycle routes on your doorstep. Or you can visit places like Lavenham, Southwold, Orford or the RSPB site at Minsmere.
Farm shops, delis, tearooms and vineyards are scattered all over the place. The coast is close. Big skies and wide beaches are always within reach. And if you want a bit of structure, there are guidebooks and local tips in every property. All curated with real attention to what guests actually enjoy.
A Reputation Built on Experience
This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan business. It’s a collection of places that’s grown through word of mouth and repeat bookings. Over a third of guests come back, and at the time of typing getting on for 1,500 of them have left glowing Five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, Google and Facebook.
There’s also the awards. Visit England Gold Awards, the ROSE Award for service excellence, and a whole bunch of others. But we tend to let the reviews speak for themselves. Because when people say they’ve finally had the break they needed, that’s what really matters.
Booking Is Straightforward and Honest
There are no tricks here. You can book a weekend, a mid-week break or a full week. Arrivals are usually Friday, Sunday or Monday. If there’s a short gap between bookings, we sometimes offer shorter stays too.
There’s a £50 discount for first-time newsletter subscribers. And if you’d prefer to spread the cost, we offer an interest-free instalment plan.
Virtual tours on the website let you explore every room before you book. And if you’ve got questions, you can just get in touch. Carl answers every query personally. It’s never some call centre in another country. It’s just us. Humans (ish).
What Makes It the Perfect Rural Retreat?
It’s not just one thing. It’s the combination.
The location. The surroundings. The Barns and Barges. The attention to detail. The comfort and the freedom. The fact that your dog’s having as good a time as you are. The hot tub under the stars. The walks, the fields, the pace of it all.
You don’t need to arrive with a plan. You just need to turn up.
Whether you’re coming for a birthday, an anniversary, a break from the noise of everyday life, or just because you can—it’s all set up for you to relax into. There’s nothing forced or fancy. Just proper countryside, properly looked after.
And maybe that’s what a perfect rural retreat really is.