Dogs love going on holiday. All the dogs we see at Woodfarm Barns and Woodfarm Barges always appear to be having a great time. Our corner of beautiful Suffolk is chock full of great places to take your dogs for an explore. If your hound is particularly ‘characterful’ then you might be interested to know there’s also a rather good dog trainer nearby!
Scroll down the page until you find something that tickles your fancy, then click the title for more information.
The Shoulder of Mutton is a real free house, set on the Suffolk & Essex border, in the charming village of Assington. They offer a superb range of wine, ales, and lagers, as well as award winning cider from across the county.
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
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
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
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
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?
Great country pub just outside Needham Market serving only Vegetarian food
Based in the little village of Great Bricett is East Anglia’s first and only exclusively vegetarian pub!
Vegetarians and Vegans come from far and wide to try their wares and as a meat eater myself I can vouch for the tasty menu!
A wide choice of homemade dishes using fresh and locally produced ingredients, proprietor Jan Wise aimed to realise her dream of providing top quality and varied meat free cuisine in a comfortable and relaxing surrounding. And she has done it!
Great riverside pub near Woodbridge, re-opened in 2013
It’s out on the Bawdsey peninsula, miles from anywhere but worth the trip!
The building was originally called Ferry House and dates back around 350 years. It has a large walled garden and the garden has great views of the River Deben and across the adjacent peninsula to Felixstowe
They are very dog-friendly and have a great menu with many fresh fish dishes and as well as offering the obligatory traditional Suffolk Adnams ales they regularly have guest ales too. Main dishes average around a tenner and they also have a good wine selection
An impressive 16th century stately home in the village of Long Melford, Suffolk. Historically it’s the ancestral seat of the Parker Baronets. All I know is, we go there a lot and it’s a huge hit with our guests here at Woodfarm!
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!