Walks in Suffolk near our Barns & Cottages

Here’s the best walks in Suffolk near our Barns & Cottages

You don’t need to be a rambler or a Womble to enjoy taking a walk around Suffolk when renting one of our Barns. Sure, it might make things more exciting, but it isn’t a strict requirement. To make sure that you’re heading off in the right direction, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best strolls to take when joining us in sunny Suffolk.

Crowfield Church

Next door but one to our Barns for rent, Crowfield Church is one of the few remaining timber-framed churches in Suffolk. It’s also the only church in Suffolk with a timber-framed chancel. Accessible from an old Roman road between Coddenham and Stonham Aspal, the church is situated in a distinctly fairytale setting beside an old moat and manor house. Just as impressive as its majestic 16th-century exterior, the interior of this church boasts a glass set of royal arms as well as expertly restored woodwork. Far from being the preserve of history buffs, a stroll from our Barns to Crowfield Church promises to make for a truly Suffolkian experience.  

Broomhill

Whilst Suffolk has plenty of attractions to make it worth a visit, it also has an incredible community that makes staying here a real joy. Amongst many other things, it was the community of Suffolk which created a winding walk from Coddenham to Hemingstone. A mere three miles from our Barns, this walk begins on a public footpath opposite the Dukes Head pub up Love Lane that affords fantastic views of Shrublands Hall, no doubt one of the finest country houses in Suffolk. Along this footpath, there are a number of benches and picnic tables which make it a perfect route to take if you’re planning on a little alfresco dining. The community behind this route have also gone to great lengths to ensure that none of the natural surroundings has been impacted in the name of a good wander. What this means, of course, is that there are plenty of interesting flowers to take in when making your way through the route. 

Once you reach the bottom of the hill, the path brings you to the side of Hemingstone Hall, a privately owned Jacobean manor house that is undoubtedly a jewel in the rural crown of Suffolk. At this point, you can either double back on yourself or extend your time out walking by heading East. Unsurprisingly, a lot of people choose to double to reach the deli and coffee shop in Coddenham Hall that provides all the refreshments that any Suffolk adventurer could desire.

Needham Lake

Come rain or shine, a walk around Needham Lake promises to be a key feature of any holiday in Suffolk. Created in the 1970s when the construction of the nearby A14 created a pit that consequently flooded with water, this lake has since become home to plenty of wildlife and features a host of picnic areas for those visiting for the day. An occasional host to open-air theatre performances and other outdoor events, Needham Lake is only a ten-minute drive from our barns, and boasts all the hallmarks of an idyllic countryside retreat. 

Hoppit Wood & Lake and Hoggs Kiss Meadow

This is a real hidden gem and can be found by heading north out of the village, where there is a parking sign directing you to the right and the wood is just a short walk beyond the crematorium.

It’s a community project, acquired in 2004 using grant funding and it has been planted and managed by the community themselves. It’s totally unspoilt and just offers a great walk with fantastic views of Debenham.

Apparently, a ‘Hoppit’ is a small meadow by a house. I thought it was a little fella from Lord of the rings but what do I know!? The lake is very tranquil, dotted with water lilies and is a nice easy stroll around. There’s a small apple orchard that was started in 2008, with some further planting in 2010.

The wood is 11 acres in all with a mix of field maple, hornbeam, oak and ash, as well as other species such as spindleberry, elder, dogwood, goat willow and alder. There’s also a wildflower meadow with an abundance of species such as ladies bedstraw, St John’s wort, cowslip and primrose to name but a few.

The wildflower meadow is to the right as you walk up and then the Hogs Kiss Meadow is to the right of that. This is a further 7.5 acres (Grid ref TM177634) which was also planted by the local community, in November 1998 as part of the Trust’s ‘Woods On Your Doorstep’ project. This is a real hilly woodland of ash and oak with a Hazel coppice in the centre and another wildflower meadow at the bottom on the ground that apparently is of some archaeological interest.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to book one of our Barns if you’re not already here, and lace up your walking boots!