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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

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Marlesford Farm Cafe’

Farm Cafe Marlesford

Excellent farm shop and cafe’ right on the A12 so easy to get to for anyone visiting Suffolk’s Heritage Coast

The owner sources the best ingredients and strive to produce the best roadside food possible. It’s had high praise in many national newspapers including The Times, The Independent, The Guardian and many others. They use fresh, local produce, using over 100 local suppliers

Not only a great stop off for a cuppa or to pick up some food for supper, they also sell a range of gifts here too

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Lavenham: Farmers Market

Lavenham Farmers Market

Lavenham host one of the best farmers markets in the county, visiting is a must during your stay in Suffolk!

All products at the market come from within a thirty mile radius, and are sold by the producers themselves, so you can be assured that you are trying some of the very best that Suffolk has to offer.

Continue reading Lavenham: Farmers Market

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Jimmy’s Farm

Jimmys Farm

You know what this is surely? It’s been all over the telly for years now. However, if you’ve never been you are in for a treat!

Superb farm shop, restaurant, butchery, clothes & gift shops and farm trail

Famous for being a mate of Jamie Oliver, Jimmy has built a phenomenal empire here, attracting hundreds of visitors to Suffolk every day

You must eat in the restaurant whilst you are there because a) It’s good and b) My nephew is one of the chefs!

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Ickworth House & Gardens

Ickworth House

Ickworth is a National Trust property; an amazing house set in 1800 acres of stunning woodland

The origins date back to 1253 with a timber house that no longer exists. What is here now is an impressive house dating back 100 years, with its centre-piece, the incredible ‘Rotunda’ providing an imposing sight as you approach

This in 2012 from our first of many visits;

We toured the house, starting in the basement, which is ‘staged’ as it would have originally been, with the finishing kitchens, the pump rooms and some of the servants’ quarters. It’s very life-like, giving us a real sense of how life was 100 years ago for the working classes

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Hollow Trees Farm Shop & Trail

Hollow Trees

Fabulous Farm Shop, Farm Trail and Plant Centre in Mid Suffolk

I use to live round the corner and remember this place as a big old shed selling a small range of farm produce. It then grew organically (scuse the pun) into  what it is today, which is a triumph of rural business development/ agricultural diversity

A brand spanking new, purpose built complex selling a range of local produce, including much of their own, as well as a huge range of other locally sourced products. The food is always of a superb quality and not overly priced at all!

They have a great little cafe’ / restaurant in there too, as well as a really interactive farm trail, which is a big hit with kids