Out Of Season Holidays in Suffolk - A time To Enjoy The Peaceful Suffolk Countryside

Winter is here and it is that time of year when people begin to think about getting away for a holiday or short break somewhere peaceful, relaxing and picturesque. And what better destination could there be, than a self catering log cabin holiday in Suffolk? Close to London and the Home Counties, holidays in Suffolk are near enough to be just a comfortable drive away - and yet at the same time, they provide a delightful change of scenery and some quite beautiful coastal countryside.

For log cabin holidays, Windmill Lodges in Suffolk offers 7 luxuriously appointed traditional style log cabins, which have been thoughtfully positioned around a delightful catch and release fishing lake, deep in the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Each of our log cabins has been built and fitted out to 4 and 5 star standards as bestowed by the English Tourist Council and the quality of the development has also been recognised and rewarded by Tourism in Suffolk, as well as the Cyclists Welcome, Walkers Welcome and Families Welcome schemes.

Lodges are available in the full range of sizes, accommodating parties of up to 8. They come with modern fitted kitchens complete with a full size cooker, fridge and microwave oven and the kitchen drawers and cupboards are stocked with everything you will need. The bathrooms are fully fitted with baths with shower attachments and come with fluffy towels and bathrobes, so you don’t have to worry about packing your own.

In the lounge area there is a wall mounted coal effect fire and throughout the log cabin there is under floor heating to keep your toes warm at night. Home entertainments include a flat screen TV with all the free to air satellite channels, a DVD player and a stereo.  In the bedroom you will find a luxurious 4-poster or a king size bed, depending on the lodge you choose.

Outside, on the veranda, which provides a wonderful view of the fishing lake, you’ll find seating and an outside dining table and away to one side and fenced off, for your privacy, your own luxurious hot tub under the stars! All in all, the perfect self catering holiday accommodation for an indulgent winter break!


Winter Holidays in Suffolk

Winter holidays in Suffolk can be a real tonic and just what the Doctor ordered to chase away those pre or post Christmas blues. The winter months are a joy here, and whilst it may be cold and even on occasion wet, with the right clothes and some sturdy boots, the fresh air and wide open spaces provide a relaxing break from the daily routine.

The countryside here in Suffolk really is breathtaking. It has been an inspiration to many a poet and artist and continues to capture the imagination and awe of photographers, writers, painters and sculptors to this day. Famous names in artistic history who have been inspired here include Betjeman, Blythe, Britten, Constable, Crabbe, Dickens, Gainsborough, Hambling, Rendell and Eric Arthur Blair, better known as George Orwell. More recently they have been joined by the likes of Bignell, Bullen, Crossley-Holland, Davies, James, Lund-Lack, Oxborrow, Pettersson, Pretty and Rumbles.

All of these artists and many more besides have been inspired by what they’ve seen and heard in the Suffolk countryside, on its heathlands and sandlings and you too, can tap into that feeling and experience the true wonder that the Brecks, the ancient woodlands, the valleys and the Suffolk coast have to offer. What better way to enjoy your holidays in Suffolk, than getting out into the countryside to see what you can see.

There are some particularly nice walks in the area, especially around the nature reserve at Orford Ness. This area of importance, being the
largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe. As such, it is an important breeding and stop off point for large numbers of wild birds. This ex-military testing site has been returned to the wild and it is interesting to see how many rare and fascinating species have reclaimed it.

Any walkers among your party will be in their element here. The Suffolk Coastal Path stretches from Felixstowe to Lowestoft and beyond in both directions and the Suffolk Sandlings Walk passes through Martlesham Heath, Woodbridge, Rendlesham Forest and Snape and both these routes have shorter loops, which are ideal for a pleasant afternoon’s stroll. There are some shorter walks following footpaths around Saxtead, Dennington and Framlingham and, if you happen to find yourself in Framligham, you must visit The Mere. This is a 33-acre lake and nature reserve, between Framlingham Castle and Framlingham College, its circular footpath presents you with some wonderful flora and fauna, regardless of the time of year.

Nature lovers will also enjoy a visit to the RSPB reserve at Minsmere. Here, you can watch the avocets and marsh harriers from discreet hides and listen out for the distinctive call of the bitterns. If you’re lucky, you may even spot one. (they are a bit shy).

So on your holidays in Suffolk you can go for long walks in nature and observe the local wild life but what else can you do?

While holidaying in Suffolk, you can shop in the local towns and villages. The local, ancient and picturesque market towns of Woodbridge and Framlingham offer all of the amenities and facilities you’d expect from small to medium sized towns with the added bonus, that there is a photo opportunity at every turn. Ancient buildings line the streets which themselves are full of local history. With a tide mill and a castle, these two jewels in Suffolk’s crown are filled with local attractions and places of historic interest and throughout the winter months, there is lots to see and loads going on.

The coastal towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh are also lovely to visit. Southwold is perhaps most famous for being the home of the Adnams Brewery Company. Renowned for their passion for producing fine, cask conditioned ales and bottled beers, which they have been doing since 1872, Adnams now produce fine quality Gin and Vodka too. Their products, including Broadside, Explorer and Lighthouse among others, are a staple of many of the pubs in East Anglia and you are virtually guaranteed to find them on tap, if you happen to pop in to one of our local public houses during your stay. Southwold is much more than just a brewers HQ, this beautiful seaside town has been an artist’s muse for centuries. The streets, shops and houses of the town are pretty, in the extreme and the coloured beach huts that line the shore are a postcard manufacturers dream.

Another Suffolk seaside town which you’ve got to see is Aldeburgh. Famed as the home of Aldeburgh music and the legacy of Benjamin Britten, it is a highly fashionable day trip destination and sees regular visits from Londoners, many of which have a holiday home on the Suffolk coast. As a result, the shops, the art galleries, antique emporia and restaurants, are second to none. Fishermen sell their daily catch from huts on the beach, so if you fancy fresh fish for tea, this is the place to come.

Another great joy of taking short holidays in Suffolk at this time of year, is the wonderful produce on offer here. Winter farmers markets occur throughout the region and they are some of the best in the country. For example, the Lavenham farmers market is held on the 4th Sunday of every month and over 30 traders come to the beautiful Lavenham village hall, bringing with them a fantastic range of high quality, local produce. Another farmers market of particular note is held at Alder Carr Farm in the village of Creeting St Mary. Here a large open courtyard is ringed with craft shops and their award-winning farm shop and delicatessen overflows with lovely local produce.

Other foodie days out include The Suffolk Food Hall - probably the largest and best known of Suffolk's farm shops. Started in 2005, this stunning food emporium showcases some of the finest food produced locally. In conjunction with a number of local specialist producers including Hamish Johnston cheeses, Crystal Waters the fishmonger, the Helena Doy bakery, Promotion wines and the Bourne Garden Centre, they provide a great day out for the whole family with quality, traceable, food alongside other local products.

Jimmy's Farm is another must see in the area. Just outside of Ipswich in the village of Wherstead, Jimmy runs his famous pig farm, which has been featured on countless TV shows. The farm is open daily and visitors are invited to come along and learn about farming techniques, food production and nature. There is a woodland trail and an animal paddock at the farm as well as an adventure playground for the kiddies. The farmers market here was recently included in the Guardian's list of Britain's most vibrant food markets.

If one day during your stay, you really don’t fancy cooking, you could always pop into Woodbridge and go on one of their food safaris. Woodbridge food safaris give you the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at some of Suffolk’s best food and drink producers and gain hands-on experience in one of their fascinating workshops and the day is rounded off with a wonderful gourmet feast.

Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside and enjoy a log cabin holiday in Suffolk with Windmill Lodges - click here to view our accommodation

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Winter Log Cabin Holidays - Get Away to the Suffolk Coast

Enjoy a weekend break in our Luxury Log Cabins in Suffolk

Windmill lodges offers the ideal opportunity to take weekend breaks in Suffolk, in a snug log cabin. All our lodges are warm, luxuriously appointed and extremely comfortable and they are located deep in the heart of the peaceful and stunningly beautiful East Anglian countryside.

Here you can spend quality time with a loved one or with family or friends and while you’re here, if you decide to have a look around, you’ll discover what a truly lovely place Suffolk is, to come for a weekend break. Get here on Friday afternoon and over a lazy and indulgent weekend, you can recharge your batteries, go for a wander in the countryside (if you choose to) and above all relax. This will send you back to work the following week, fully recharged, revitalised and ready to face whatever the rest of the week has in store, with the added bonus that you’ll only be back at work a short while before the weekend rolls round again.

Reasons to enjoy your weekend break:

Lots of Peace and Quiet

Weekends off are not uncommon, many people work a five-day week and take the Saturday and Sunday to rest and recuperate but how much peace and quiet do you actually get? Familiar sights and sounds keep you from enjoying your downtime properly and having the neighbours pop in uninvited, doesn’t help either. At Windmill Lodges you get the opportunity to relax properly, to unwind in beautifully unfamiliar, attractive and peaceful surroundings and to actively enjoy your weekend, rather than endure it.

Located near to the old market towns of Woodbridge and Framlingham, Windmill Lodges is ideally placed to benefit from a quiet, rural country aspect whilst being close enough to town for those everyday essentials. Many couples and families come here to spend time alone together and leave the happier for it. They read books and play board games, go for long walks in the countryside and learn to enjoy each other’s company again.

Luxurious Accommodation

When you come to stay at Windmill Lodges for any length of time, whether you’re here to enjoy one of our quiet weekend breaks in Suffolk, whether you’ve come for a four day break or you’re here for a week or more, you will benefit from staying in one of our 4 or 5 star, award winning, luxury log cabins.

Each log cabin has been beautifully equipped with every attention paid to achieving the highest possible standards of luxury. In the kitchen you’ll find a full size cooker and fridge, a dishwasher and a microwave and you’ll find the cupboards amply stocked with all the kitchen utensils, cutlery, crockery and tea towels you’ll need, to be able to prepare and cook all your own meals. The modern bathrooms come complete with soft towels and fluffy bathrobes and to add to the feeling of luxurious warmth, each of the cabins is offered with a coal effect feature fireplace and under floor heating, to keep your feet nice and warm.

Each of our cabins comes with a colour TV, a CD player and radio in the lounge with video, and DVD as well as free WiFi and all the free to air, digital channels. There is also a colour television in each of the bedrooms so you can watch your favourite TV shows from the comfort of your four-poster bed or sumptuous king size bed.

The list of facilities does not end there though, outside you’ll find all the garden furniture you’ll need and a barbecue ready for use in season as well as your very own luxurious hot tub.

We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and as a result, each cabin has been awarded either a 4 or 5 star award from the English Tourism Council.

Plenty of Rest and Relaxation

Faced with the prospect of a couple of day’s complete and total rest and relaxation, there is nothing to stop you from staying in your cabin, kicking back and spending the time enjoying each other’s company. There are no clocks and no timetables, you can do as you like, when you like. This could involve a little mooch around town, a gentle stroll in the countryside, a barbecue or cosy meal in your cabin if you fancy it, the odd pub lunch here and there and a dip in the hot tub whenever the mood takes you.

You could even try your hand at fishing if you like. All of our luxury log cabins have been constructed around our own private catch and release fishing lake. It provides a wonderfully calm and peaceful focal point for our site but it can also be a lot of fun. We keep it well stocked with carp and tench, some of which weigh up to 6lb and you can hire and buy all the tackle you need for a fun day’s angling, from our main reception desk

Fun and Frolics for Everyone!

This time of year is always good fun in Suffolk and you never have to look too far for a festival or celebration of some kind.

Rekindle Love and Romance

Whatever you decide to do with your time away together, the important thing is that you are spending quality time together. In a rushed world that calls upon our time and energy on a daily basis, its nice to know that you can for a short time, stop the merry-go-round, get off and take a breather.

If all we do here at Windmill Lodges is give you the time and space to reconnect with one another and enjoy each other’s company, then we’ve done our job.

Go for long walks together, find a nice restaurant and go out for a romantic meal or better still, buy everything in and cook it yourselves. Dinner by candlelight followed by a moonlit soak in your very own hot tub, what could be more romantic than that?

Whether you are holiday as a family or as a couple, enjoy a long weekend break in a log cabin with hot tub at Windmill Lodges - click here to view our accommodation

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Winter Log Cabin Holidays - Get Away to the Suffolk Coast 

Winter Log Cabin Holidays - Get Away to the Suffolk Coast

Holidays in Suffolk can be enjoyed at any time of year but there are many delights of taking a log cabin holiday in winter. Log cabins provide you with warm, snug, luxurious self catering accommodation in the midst of beautiful countryside. Here at Windmill Lodges our holiday homes feature coal effect fires and underfloor heating to keep you deliciously warm during the colder winter months. Located in Saxmundham, Suffolk near to Framlingham and Woodbridge, our log cabins are arranged around a catch and release fishing lake on a peaceful, family owned site. With nature on your doorstep and a wealth of picturesque Suffolk towns and villages to explore, here are just some of the reasons to take a holiday in Suffolk this winter.

Click here to find out more about Windmill Lodges luxury holiday accommodation available for bookings all year round

Winter Holidays in Suffolk

The winter season is celebrated throughout Suffolk, but nowhere more so, than in its pretty coastal towns. Many of them stage winter markets and festivities, specifically to mark the season and of course, the closer we get to Christmas, the greater the choice of event. Here we have gathered together some suggestions for things to do during the winter months, around the Suffolk seaside towns of Aldeburgh, Orford, Southwold, Thorpeness, Walberswick and Woodbridge.

Aldeburgh

Every weekend in the run up to Christmas, there is something special happening at Aldeburgh, whether its a performance from the English Touring Opera or a classic piece of Beethoven. For the food-lover, Aldeburgh offers a host of pubs, restaurants and eateries and all of them will doubtless be laying on some special spreads throughout the winter months. Check out the fabulous Lighthouse Restaurant, or the Regatta, which has been owned and run by Robert and Johanna Mabey for nearly twenty years.

While in Aldeburgh you should have a look around some of the shops. Musto is here with their own brand of sailing and outdoor clothing as is Pavoni who sell fine Italian leather goods and Lawson’s the delicatessen where you will find some proper seasonal fayre.

You might also want to pop in to peruse the Aldeburgh bookshop, one time winner of British Book Awards in the category Independent Bookshop of the Year. P. D. James once appeared there at the Jubilee Hall to launch her new novel, “Death comes to Pemberley”.

Orford

The wonderful seaside town of Orford is a treasure trove of home cooking and arty-crafty stores and there is always something going on here, especially in the winter months. Be prepared for some wonderful surprises.

You will find here Brinkley's Shed on the foreshore, which is actually run by the local fishermen. From here, they sell their locally caught fish and shellfish and you can’t get much fresher than these.

Check out the Orford country market in the town hall and Orford Crafts on Front St. Pinneys of Orford is another essential stop. They have been serving up fresh fish, including sole, cod, skate, lobster and crab for 50 years and fish is still smoked daily too. The town also has its own bakery, smokehouse and butchers so make a trip to Orford to stock up on excellent local delights.

Southwold

Southwold, the home of the Adnams Brewery Company, always winters well.

Early December is the date for Southwold’s traditional Christmas lights ‘Switch On’. The market square will be open for business with music, shopping, fun and frolics and of course, the Adnams team will be serving up good food and drink to enhance the festive mood. Tickets will sell out quickly though, so if you’re going to be around then, act quickly to secure your seat.

This year from November to January, Adnams will be producing their Adnams Spiced Winter Beer, a 4.0% proof, handcrafted cask beer which uses cinnamon, a touch of juniper and a few other secret ingredients to give a rich warming spiced flavour. It is described as follows “Dark brown in colour, with aromas of orange, cinnamon and chocolate followed through on the palate with a good orange peel bitterness.” and is by all accounts, worth looking out for.

Also great in Southwold is the shopping. Southwold has art and antique dealers aplenty, fine delicatessens and some of the loveliest and most unusual gift shops to be found anywhere on the Suffolk coast.

Thorpeness

The village of Thorpeness is postcard pretty. As you approach the village by car or on foot, you are instantly struck by its out of context architecture. With its house in the clouds, a house that is literally built on stilts, and its windmill, it looks an enchanted place and this feeling is further reinforced when you see the Mere, a large man made boating lake with islands reminiscent of those in the classic Swallows and Amazons.

Originally a tiny fishing village, the area was developed after the Great War as a place for wealthy Londoners to come and holiday. It now boasts a country club and golf course and there are some really lovely country walks too since it is sandwiched neatly, between Aldeburgh and Southwold and you can combine all three, if you’re up for a stomp!

Walberswick

Walberswick is another of those beautiful Suffolk villages by the sea, which are so popular with holidaymakers. At one time it was a busy trading port, moving cheese and bacon, as well as other staples like corn, timber and fish. Nowadays it is a thriving tourist spot which is particularly popular in the summer months.

A large area of the surrounding Suffolk heathland is home to gorse and many types of heather and is protected as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). As such, it cannot be built on and this lends to the exclusive feel of the place. In the village you’ll find quaint little tearooms, posh restaurants, two very good pubs, an art gallery and some original crafts and gift shops.

Famous as the site of the annual, national crabbing championships in summer, the winter is a little less busy, which makes wandering round the village and through the surrounding countryside, all the more pleasurable.

Woodbridge

The lovely old market town of Woodbridge is easily reached from Windmill Lodges and is perfectly placed to provide all your holiday essentials. There’s a great selection of shops, from the olde worlde to a newsagent and supermarket, so you’ll never be stuck for food supplies. There’s also, a wealth of history in the town; the Romans had a settlement here, then the Anglo Saxons took over. Their last King, King Redwald was buried nearby, along with his ship and treasures at Sutton Hoo. If you go to the Woodbridge Museum, you can read the stories and see replicas of the treasures there.

Woodbridge’s Tide Mill, the iconic image of the town which dates back to 1793, stands on the very spot where a similar Mill was erected in 1170 and was itself, the last working Tide Mill in the UK, finally retiring in 1957. Now it has been fully restored, and when you come back to Woodbridge in the summer, you’ll be able to have a look inside.

The town prospered during the reign of Elizabeth I, in industries like the wool trade; weaving, sail and rope making and salt manufacture. Later, in the 16th century, the Port of Woodbridge was expanded to cope with increased shipbuilding and the timber trade and this success continued into the 17th century.

This wealth of history is just waiting to be explored and this year; you can uncover it all, whilst enjoying some of the many winter events that Woodbridge is hosting including the Christmas craft fayre where there are many different stalls selling everything from cards to ceramics, clothing and bags;

Click here to book your winter log cabin accommodation with hot tub at Windmill Lodges in Suffolk

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Holidays in Suffolk - A great all year round holiday destination for families, couples and groups of friends

Holidays in Suffolk – A great all year round holiday destination for families, couples and groups of friends

Windmill Lodges is a select group of just 7 award winning holiday log cabins which have been thoughtfully arranged around a peaceful catch and release fishing lake, deep in the heart of rural Suffolk. Each of our luxurious log cabins is offered in pristine condition and is fully furnished, to a very high standard.

Our log cabins all have their own private hot tub and most come with a luxurious 4 poster bed. The kitchens are very well equipped, featuring all the utensils you’ll need to cook up a feast and modern bathroom suites have been installed for your comfort and convenience, along with coal effect fires and underfloor heating.

All these features go to make Windmill Lodges a wonderful place to holiday at any time of year. Whether you choose to take a short winter weekend break as a couple, snatch a mid week break away from the office in spring, take a long weekend break with friends in autumn or a mid week break in summer with the family, all the facilities are here to ensure that your holiday in Suffolk is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

There is so much to see and do in and around Windmill Lodges and in this part of Suffolk in particular, whether you holiday as a couple, a family or a group of friends, you will always find something to interest you.

Summer Holidays in Suffolk with Windmill Lodges

During the summer months, from Easter right through to October you can enjoy a splash around in our large enclosed swimming pool or go for long walks in the countryside, enjoying the lighter evenings. Later you could enjoy a  barbecue at your log cabin and afterwards, relax in your very own hot tub. Summer holidays at Windmill Lodges are designed to pander to your every whim. If you fancy a bit of sightseeing, you’ll find some wonderful old towns and villages nearby as well as delightful coastal beaches.

Autumn Holidays in Suffolk with Windmill Lodges

Autumn holidays at Windmill Lodges are all about the changing colours. Not quite so hot, it is the ideal time to break out those wellies and go for a stomp in the woods. The area tends to be less crowded with tourists at this time of year too, giving you plenty of opportunity to browse the local shops and visit the local attractions at your own pace. Everywhere is still open so you can take your time to really get to know the place properly. There are some quite wonderful little towns and villages in the area such as Woodbridge, Snape, Aldeburgh, Framlingham and Southwold.

Winter Holidays in Suffolk with Windmill Lodges

Real winters in Suffolk have of late, been crisp, white and beautiful. Imagine a cosy log cabin looking out over a sunny winter scene, trees covered in frost, the sun low in the sky. This enchanting picture can be yours to enjoy while taking a winter holiday here at Windmill Lodges. Come prepared for the weather with the right clothing, such as walking boots, good thick trousers, warm jumpers and a jacket and you’ll love tramping through the countryside and breathing in all that lovely fresh, clean air. It beats a stuffy old office any day of the week and you can even stay here on a mid week break, to relax and recharge.

Spring Holidays in Suffolk with Windmill Lodges

Spring in Suffolk is both beautiful and bountiful. First the snowdrops then daffodils emerge, giving way to new born lambs and blossoming trees making it a lovely time of year to visit.

Whilst here, why not visit one of the region's farmer's markets and stock up on some treats for your holiday?

Farmers' Markets take place every Saturday morning from 9.30 until 12.30 in Orford Town Hall where you’ll find some very fine provisions including hand made bread, cakes and organic preserves, locally produced eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables and flowering plants. As well as the abundance of foodstuffs, you’ll find delightful knitwear made with hand dyed wool and other arts and crafts. Visit the Orford Country Market at The Town Hall in Market Hill, Orford, IP12 2NZ.

The Woodbridge farmers market, at the Community Centre in Woodbridge, IP12 5AU is held on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month between 9am - 1pm and a similar range of wonderful locally produced goods is available here. Why not pop along and pick yourselves up something tasty for lunch or supper? Or visit towards the end of your trip to fill up the car for going home.

Book your holidays in Suffolk with Windmill Lodges which is available for bookings all year round

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Log Cabin Holidays - What to do when you get there

Holidays in Suffolk – Keep the kids amused this summer with a holiday in Suffolk UK

While on a log cabin holiday at Windmill Lodges during the summer months there are plenty of fun things to do that will keep the kids occupied. Aside from the novelty of having their very own log cabin with all the creature comforts of home, including a TV, DVD and stereo system, each lodge has its own private hot tub for them to splash around in. On site there is a large enclosed swimming pool, which is open to residents from Easter to October and a catch and release fishing lake, which is open all year round. They can pick up all the equipment they need for a great day’s fishing from our reception desk.

The fun doesn’t end there either. Off site and within a short distance of Windmill Lodges there is a great selection of exciting things to do. Listed below are just a few of them.

Ten places to take the kids while you are staying at Windmill Lodges in Suffolk

Easton Farm Park - Woodbridge

There is always loads to do down on the farm and this year is no exceptional. You can ride on some of the ponies  and visit the petting zoo to see, stroke and maybe even help to feed the goats, sheep, pigs and piglets, calves, donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs. You can also meet Star, one of the big Suffolk Punch carthorses, go on barrel train rides, pony and cart rides and have fun in one of their two heated indoor play barns.

Easton Farm Park is open daily from 10:30am - 6pm during the holidays.

Sutton Hoo – Woodbridge

Sutton Hoo is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made. You can walk around the ancient burial mounds and learn about the incredible story of a buried ship, which was captained by an Anglo-Saxon King. He was buried here, together with his ship and all of his treasures. There is a full-size reconstruction of the burial chamber, some fabulous replica treasures and some original finds, including a sword that would have belonged to a Prince. You can take a look inside a large Edwardian house and enjoy the wonderful seasonal colours as you walk around the huge estate.

In peak season Sutton Hoo is open daily from 10:30 – 17.00, during the winter months these hours are slightly reduced.

Orford Castle – Woodbridge

This 12th Century castle is remarkably intact allowing you to explore everywhere from its basement, right through its lower and upper halls to its roof, from where you can get a great view of Orford Ness and the surrounding countryside. You can also follow the maze of passages, which lead to its chapel, kitchens and other chambers up in the turrets. The castle has really been brought back to life and although it is quite small, especially compared to Framlingham Castle, it is full of atmosphere and the audio tour will take you right back to the olden days.

Orford Castle’s opening times vary throughout the year but until the end of August, they are open from 10.00 till 18.00.

Jimmys Farm – Wherstead

Jimmy's Farm has been made famous by its TV series and makes for an exciting day out for all the family. It is a working farm, breeding rare pigs but they’ve also got cows, sheep, chickens and much more. There’s a nature trail, a farm shop, a café and playground and they even have their own on site butchers shop. Farmers markets are held here on the 1st Saturday of every month and are growing in popularity all the time, as are their comedy nights, festivals and tractor driving courses.

Jimmy’s Farm is open 7 days a week
Jimmy’s Farm restaurant is open;
Sun to Thurs 08.30 – 17.00
Fri & Sat 08.30 – 16.00 and 18.00 – 23.00

The Pier Beach and Deans Beach - Southwold

These two fabulous sand and shingle beaches are great for swimming, snorkelling, canoeing and body boarding. They both have lifeguard cover in the summer and have regularly been awarded Blue Flag status. They are seaside beaches as English seaside beaches once were and still should be. Lined with colourful beach huts, on a typical summer’s day you’ll find families with buckets and spades building sandcastles and making numerous trips to and from the ice cream van.

Close to the beaches you’ll find restaurants, cafés and sweet shops as well as art galleries and souvenir shops but it’s not all about the tourist or day-tripper. Southwold has its own residential community, many of whom have lived there for many years and as a result, it’s high street boasts a butchers, a bakers, a supermarket and various specialist shops including the Adnams brewery shop selling beers wines and spirits form around the world.

Minsmere – Saxmundham

Minsmere Suffolk is the RSPB’s flagship reserve and a home to the endangered bittern. It is famed for the return of the avocet and offers families and keen birdwatchers a great day out. The mapped out nature trails will take you through a variety of habitats, arriving at excellent bird watching hides and there is a wealth of information on hand for the keen ornithologist, courtesy of the RSPB. Throughout the region, the RSPB have been active, transforming carrot fields into wetlands to attract birds like the bearded tit and crane and maintaining fields and heathlands for stone-curlews. Thanks to the work of the RSPB in this area, clearings in Thetford Forest are now homes to woodlarks and nightjars, as are the coastal forests and Sandlings.

Dunwich Heath Coastal Centre and Beach – Saxmundham

Dunwich Heath coastal centre and beach offers guided walks, family nature trails, tracker packs, smugglers' and history trails, tea-room events, sea-watching, wildlife identification charts and telescopes. There’s a children's play area next to the tea-room if you want to keep your little ones close by, otherwise there’s loads to keep them occupied and the real beauty of it is, they’ll be having so much fun, they won’t even realise they are learning.

Post Mill - Saxtead Green

Saxtead Green Post Mill is one of many corn mills, built in Suffolk from the late 13th century. Its whole body revolves on its base meaning that once upon a time, it could catch the wind from whichever direction it blew and mill corn constantly. The milling process has long since stopped here but the mill itself is still in great condition and in good working order. There are a number of different floors, each housing some very interesting bits of milling machinery and the accompanying audio tour gives you all the information you need about milling and what the machines were used for.

Framlingham Castle – Framlingham

Framlingham Castle is another 12th century castle, like the one at Orford, except this one is much larger and more of a fortress than castle. There is a very exciting audio tour and interactive exhibits, there are themed trails, a castle wall walk, and some spectacular views but the most thrilling thing about this fortress is you can actually imagine a real battle happening here. The walls that are still standing today, are huge and very thick and it has a moat and battlements and it used to have a drawbridge. There’s loads of information inside the castle itself and there’s plenty of stuff going on that both the kids and the adults will enjoy.

Click here to view our family-friendly log cabin accommodation in Suffolk

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Log Cabin Holidays – What to do when you get here?

While enjoying a log cabin holiday in the heart of Suffolk UK, there are many things you can do. Walking, bird watching, fishing, cycling, sight seeing, shopping and relaxing, are just some of the things on offer here at Windmill Lodges – an exclusive development of luxury 4 and 5 star holiday log cabins, all carefully arranged around a delightfully peaceful, private catch and release fishing lake.

About our luxurious log cabin holiday accommodation

Each of our log cabins is very well appointed, featuring all you would expect, to make your stay as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Similar to staying in a Suffolk holiday cottage, but with the benefit of being closer to nature, each cabin is very well furnished with quality pieces including dining tables and sofas. The bedrooms have been made as comfortable as possible too, many of them featuring a delightful four-poster bed with matching quality linens.

The kitchens in our log cabin holiday accommodation include all mod cons and all the utensils you’ll need for serving up a meal either in your lodge around the dinner table, or from the barbecue outside and the bathrooms come complete with their own towels and bathrobes.

Our holiday log cabins are prepared and presented with an eye to affording the highest in luxurious accommodation. Each log cabin comes with its own private hot tub for relaxing in at the end of a busy day. On site there is also a heated swimming pool (open Easter to October).

Outside of the lodges in the beautiful Suffolk and East Anglian countryside there is a huge amount to do for all of the family. Whether you are here for a romantic short break as a couple, or on a family holiday in Suffolk, read on for our guide to things to do on your log cabin holiday.

Walking

The picturesque Suffolk countryside is on the whole, quite flat. Sure, it undulates in places but never to the point where walking becomes anything other than a pleasure. There is a great deal of quite lovely countryside on your doorstep at Windmill Lodges. Red House Farm, where the lodges are situated is located in the village of Saxtead, which is noted for the windmill after which the site is named. The unusual thing about the Saxtead Green Post Mill is that its whole body revolves on its base. It is one of many such mills that were built in this region around the late 13th century.

Further afield the countryside opens up some more, chocolate box villages and quaint little towns give way to fields of crops and wooded areas. Delightful country pubs serve up lovely home cooked meals with a good choice of real ales and a decent wine list. Why not reward yourself after your exertion with some well-earned and hearty sustenance after you've worked up a healthy appetite?

Bird Watching

Suffolk is THE county in which to indulge your love of bird watching. All kinds of birds can be seen here because the landscape is so diverse. The woodlands, marshes, heathlands, and beaches that go to make up this arena, deliver perfect breeding and resting grounds for a myriad of birds both indigenous and migratory.

Among those to be spotted on our shores and in our woodlands are; avocets, barn owls, bearded tits, bitterns, black necked grebes, black redstarts, black tailed godwits, black terns, buzzards, golden orioles, great crested grebes, gulls, hen harriers, hobbies, kestrels, kingfishers, linnets, little egrets, little terns, marsh harriers, meadow pipits, nightingales, nightjars, ospreys, oystercatchers, redshanks, sand martins, short eared owls, shovelers, snipes, sparrow hawks, stonechats, swallows, tree pipits, warblers, .wheatears, widgeons, woodcocks and woodlarks.

Fishing

Another pastime that you can really throw yourself into at Windmill Lodges is fishing and here on site, we have our own catch and release fishing lake to enable you to do just that. The 40m x 60m lake is kept well stocked with a variety of fresh water fish including carp and tench to make fishing the lake as rewarding as possible for all the family, regardless of age or fishing prowess.

At the reception desk on the development you will be able to purchase or hire all you’ll need for a good days fishing including bait, hooks, floats, landing nets and fishing rods. There is even a “how to” book available to buy if you get really stuck. Fishing at Windmill Lodges is excellent fun for the whole family and you don’t have to be a keen angler to really enjoy the day either. Some of our fish just never learn and seem to even enjoy the whole catch and release process!

Cycling

Many of our guests bring their own bikes, strapped to the back of their cars and we have even had those who have visited us by bike, using public transport to get here. This is actually quite easy since Woodbridge railway station is only 14.8 miles away and can be directly accessed via Harwich International, Ipswich, Westerfield, Melton, Wickham Market, Saxmundham, Darsham, Halesworth, Brampton, Beccles, Oulton Broad South and Lowestoft as well as from any connecting station further afield. Or if you would rather hire bikes once you’re here, there are a number of quite local cycle hire shops.

Once saddled up the Suffolk countryside is your oyster. You can pedal away to your hearts content, enjoying expansive vistas and great swathes of unspoilt countryside and since you wont be free wheelin down too many big hills, you won’t have to struggle to get back up them again.

Sight Seeing

Whether travelling by bike or on foot, opportunities for sight seeing and taking photos exist at every turn. In the nearby market town of Woodbridge, you can visit the Woodbridge Tide Mill. The symbol of Woodbridge, if you buy postcards in the town, it is bound to be featured somewhere. It is one of the earliest tide mills still in existence.

Sutton Hoo is another must see visitor favourite. This Anglo Saxon ship burial site is demarcated by a group of low grassy mounds, overlooking Woodbridge from the banks of the Deben. This is the final resting place of Redwald, King of East Anglia. He was buried here with his ship and all his treasure, as was the custom in his day. The burial ground was uncovered in 1939 and is now under the charge of National Trust.

Another great place to visit whilst you’re here is the magnificent 12th century curtain walled castle at Framlingham. This impressive fortress stands guard over the town and is a constant source of education and attraction to visitors. An exhibition within its walls tells the story of its transformation from powerhouse to poorhouse. Throughout the summer, there are regular events staged at the castle including falconry exhibitions and shows for your young knights and little princesses.

Other buildings of historical interest in the area include; Christchurch Mansion, Euston Hall, Eye Castle, Glemham Hall, Hadleigh Guildhall, Holton Saint Peter Postmill, Kentwell Hall, Lavenham Guildhall, Leiston Abbey, Melford Hall, The Malthouse Project, Orford Castle, Snape Maltings, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Saxtead Green Post Mill, Somerleyton Hall & Gardens, Southwold Lighthouse, Thorpeness Windmill and West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, many of which are within fairly easy striking distance of Windmill Lodges.

Shopping

Shopping, whether for essential supplies like fresh bread and meat for the barbeque or for souvenirs of your trip, is amply catered for by the nearby towns of Woodbridge and Framlingham. These come to you with the added bonus of both being really quite charming places to visit.
During your stay, why not take a trip out to the seaside towns of Walberswick, Southwold and Aldeburgh or further inland, but still beautiful, the famous medieval town of Lavenham. Each of these towns is oozes charm and individuality and they attract all sorts of arty types who set up shop selling their wares. You are bound to find a picture you’ll fall in love with or some memento of your visit that you simply cannot be without and don’t forget your camera, you’ll need that too.

Relaxing

If your ideal short break involves doing nothing more than simply chilling out and relaxing, then a short break in a log cabin might be just what the doctor ordered. You can use the time to relax and fully recharge your batteries. There are televisions and stereos in the cabins, and good ones too, but you don’t have to switch them on. You could take the time to immerse yourself in a good book instead, or to touch base again with your partner.

All too often work and family commitments get in the way of relationships and cause us to lose focus on what is really important. A long relaxing weekend away provides the perfect opportunity for you to rekindle your relationship, especially when we tell you that our log cabins feature their very own, private hot tubs. What better way to relax than have the warm water and air bubbles go to work on your tired muscles whilst you lie back and relax, and how romantic, to gaze up at the stars with a glass of wine in hand, no phones, no email, no blackberry – just you.

Click here to view our luxury log cabin holiday accommodation for the ideal short country break in Suffolk, East Anglia

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Hot Tub Holidays - Get the best from your hot tub

Each of Windmill Lodges' log cabins have their own private hot tub, ideal for a relaxing hot tub holiday! Our holiday lodges are beautifully presented and furnished to very high standards and all have been given either a 4 or 5 star award from the English Tourist Council.

Start your day right

There is nothing better than starting the day on holiday with a dip in the hot tub. Whether you are staying at Windmill lodges for a short romantic break with your partner, or are enjoying a luxury log cabin holiday with the whole family in tow, a relaxing soak before breakfast is just what the doctor ordered!

Once you have finished your early morning pampering, our  holiday accommodation has everything you need to enjoy a hearty breakfast. Our holiday lodges are kitted out with fridges, cookers and plenty of cutlery as well as a dining table and chairs inside and patio furniture on the veranda outside, providing everything you will need for a comfortable self-catering break. In fact our log cabins are so well equipped, they are at least as luxurious as a Suffolk holiday cottage but with all the added benefits.

Ease those aching limbs

On holiday in a Windmill Lodges log cabin, you can enjoy the lovely Suffolk scenery that inspired so many artists and poets. You can go for long walks in the countryside or take yourselves off to the coast if you wish. You can go sightseeing to the ancient market towns of Woodbridge or Framlingham and enjoy working up an appetite. You can either stop off at a local pub or return to your lodge to cook up a feast of your own. At Windmill Lodges, when you return, you have the option of  a dip in a warm, relaxing, gently massaging hot tub. A lovely way to round off a long and healthy walk as you lie there imagining shapes in the fluffy white clouds.

A splash around after tea

You may prefer to leave your hot tub treat until after dinner. The Suffolk countryside is a haven for wild life and its fertile soils provide a wealth of locally produced foods including meat and fish as well as fruits, vegetables and bread. The farmers markets which are held in nearby Woodbridge and Framlingham are the places to head for when seeking supplies, either for your dinner table or for the barbecue and you can be sure of a very tasty and healthy meal since most of the produce is organic. Having had your fill and rested a while, what better way to relax and unwind, than to climb into a lovely warm bubbling hot tub, for a splash around after tea?

Romance under the stars

There is something undeniably romantic about lying together in a steaming, bubbling hot tub, gazing up at the stars while enjoying a glass of chilled Champagne. In the spring and summer months, the night sky in this part of the world is generally clear and there are lots of constellations to see. You might spot Orion, Ursa Major or Minor, Draco, Cepheus or even Cassiopeia, you may even catch a sparkle in your partner’s eye as your romance is rekindled.

Click here to book your holiday let accommodation with a hot tub in Suffolk, UK with Windmill Lodges

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