Category: Have Fun

Do you like fun?  I thought so.  It’s very rare that anyone says ‘no’ to that question. Here’s a quick roundup of places you can seek out cool and fun experiences near Woodfarm Barns.

Scroll down the page until you find something that tickles your fancy, then click the title for more information.

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River Stour

River Stour Suffolk

My favourite river in Suffolk

The Stour stretches all the way from Sudbury, out through the meandering Suffolk countryside of Bures, Wormingford, Nayland, Stratford St Mary, Dedham and then to Mistley and Manningtree where it heads out to the sea. Admittedly it’s now ventured across the border into Essex but it’s still beautiful. The river path is full of stunning landscapes and the river itself makes for some wonderful boating. This stretch is my favourite kayak route

Possibly the most breathtaking part of the journey and closest to Woodfarm is the bit between Dedham and Flatford, with beautiful scenery and old houses, culminating in the National Trust site at Flatford

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River Orwell

River Orwell Suffolk

From its source river, the Gipping, Orwell heads out to the sea on the Suffolk coast

We have named all the barns in the meadow after local Suffolk rivers; Alde, Deben, Gipping, Orwell and Stour. The River Gipping is the source river for the River Orwell (the barn next door!), and also hooks up with the river Stour

Charles Dickens wrote about the Gipping and Orwell rivers and the latter is where the writer Eric Blair took his pen name ‘George Orwell’ from after his love of the river and the area

 

 

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River Gipping

River Gipping at Sproughton Suffolk

The River Gipping is the name given to the River Orwell above its tidal limit

The River Gipping flows through Stowmarket to Stoke Bridge in Ipswich via Needham Market, around 4 miles from Woodfarm

We have named all the barns in the meadow after local Suffolk rivers; Alde, Deben, Gipping, Orwell and Stour. The River Gipping is the source river for the River Orwell (the barn next door!), starting in nearby Mendlesham Green and was altered with the addition of 15 locks between Ipswich and Stowmarket. In recent years the navigation, as this section was known, has undergone restoration and offers a great walk known as ‘The Gipping Way’, which uses the towpath for most of its route

Charles Dickens wrote about the rivers Gipping and Orwell

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River Deben

River Deben at Woodbridge Suffolk

The river Deben gives nearby Debenham its name, where it starts its journey through 25 miles of Suffolk to the sea near Woodbridge

Debenham is a quaint little village and a popular place to visit, as many of our guests do. And yes, it is where the department store gets its name as the founder lived here before setting off some 300 years ago to London to set up his high class haberdashery. He did quite well!

We have named all the barns in the meadow after local Suffolk rivers; Alde, Deben, Gipping, Orwell and Stour

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Richardsons Smokehouse

Richardsons Smokehouse Orford Suffolk

Superb traditional smokehouse by the quayside in Orford

They smoke two types of cheese for six days; mature English Cheddar and Long Clauson’s blue Stilton

Garlic Bulbs, locally made sausages, including Pork and Venison, Pork and Garlic and a very hot Chorizo, three different type’s of Pate, Salmon, Kipper and Mackerel as well as Salmon Fish Cakes

My personal favourite is their smoked Hock of Ham, which is phenomenal. They marinate them in a mixture of Cider and Black Treacle, boil them for hours, cover them in Brown Sugar and flash roast in the oven until they are black and crispy! Wow!

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Rendlesham Forest

Rendlesham Forest Suffolk

A great back to nature walk near the Suffolk coast

Miles and miles of footpaths through a fabulous forest as well as lots of ‘off-piste’ rambling

You can even follow the UFO trail! In December 1980 several sightings of a UFO were reported and there is much specualation and controversy surrounding this story. Many people think these ‘mysterious’ events are the most significant UFO incident in the UK. Unbelievably there is no actual evidence but check out the trail and decide for yourself!

I’m no expert but there is an old air force base next door. Hmmmm?

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Rattlesden Gliding Club

If you’ve ever fancied having a go at Gliding, come to Suffolk!

We’ve teamed up with Rattlesden Gliding Club to offer our guests an exclusive short-term membership!

With breath-taking views of Suffolk as experienced only by the birds, why not combine a break here at Woodfarm Barns with the silence and tranquility of a glider flight?

See the earth from a different perspective. We know from taking off and landing during our foreign holidays, is an eye-opener. But to do this at a more peaceful and elegant pace is a real experience. Apparently. Sorry, I’m chicken!

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Otley Hall

Otley Hall

A beautiful 16th century moated, Grade 1 listed Hall in the heart of Suffolk. It’s still a family home and is set in 10 acres of magnificent gardens in the tranquil Suffolk countryside

Although a prviate residence they welcome bookings for tours of the Hall and Gardens throughout the year. There’s a ‘check availability’ link on their website so you can see if your preferred date is available. The Gardens and their popular Cafe are also open on a Wednesday from May to September

PLEASE do not visit without making an appointment!

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Stowmarket: Museum of East Anglian Life

Museum of East Anglian Life

A social enterprise sharing the history of life in East Anglia through historic buildings, collections and landscape. The Museum of East Anglian Life is the largest independent museum in Suffolk, their vision is ‘that people are inspired by the past to make positive change in their own lives.’ Continue reading Stowmarket: Museum of East Anglian Life