Suffolk Villages and Towns – Clare

The Suffolk village of Clare possesses a timeless quality, existing as a beautiful modern settlement yet still possessing many echoes of bygone eras.

Along with all the pubs, shops and cafes one would expect from a village, Clare has many unique features which make it a very popular destination among the many people who spend their holidays with us here at Woodfarm Barns.

Here are just a few of them:

The ruin of Clare Castle’s stone Keep is the centrepiece of Clare Castle Country Park. The Castle was build by Richard Fitzgilbert, the cousin of William the Conqueror, who was given the Manor of Clare after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The castle was built to protect the surrounding land. A great view of that land can be had by following the spiral patch around the motte leading to the ruins of the castle’s keep.

History buffs in the village for the castle would do well to pay a visit to the Ancient House Museum too. It is very fitting that one of the oldest houses in Suffolk was converted into a museum in 1979.

The museum illustrates the history of Clare for its visitors and offers them records documenting the histories of  houses and families in the village from as far back as 1550.

For those who enjoy the natural landscapes there’s Clare Common, the former site of the Manor of Erbury, and an easy three and a half mile circular walk taking in much of the stunning countryside.

As well as those attractions there’s an excellent opportunity to visit a woodland in its early stages of development.

At Clare Nuttery you can get first hand experience of the birth of a woodland. Hundreds of young trees have been planted over the last five years, along with boundary hedges and a large pond.

We think that you can’t go wrong with a visit to Suffolk.

If you’d like to stay in one of our luxury cottages then you can check our availability.