A Village Full of Activity - A Spotlight on Snape

If you are heading to Windmill Lodges for your weekend breaks in Suffolk, and enjoy shopping and culture, the village of Snape has a fabulous retail complex that is open all year round. Full of history, Snape Maltings is a great destination for those who are looking for the best the county has to offer – and you can combine your visit with a night at the Concert Hall, established by two of Suffolk’s most famous former residents.

Windmill Lodges is a perfect destination for those who want to combine a country break with luxurious self-catering accommodation. All of our lodges are rated four or five stars by the English Tourism Council, and all have high spec facilities, including your own private hot tub –  while one of our lodges even has an infra-red sauna! 

If you love browsing independent shops and discovering hidden gems, Snape Maltings is just a thirty-minute drive from Windmill Lodges and offers a great day out, whatever the weather. If you are visiting over the Christmas period, one top tip is to pop into the Food Hall, where you can stock up on some fabulous festive treats.

Why Visit Snape?

Snape has a fascinating history, which dates right back to Roman times when it was an important site for salt production. In the Anglo-Saxon period, it was a burial site, and a number of artefacts discovered here can be viewed at the Aldeburgh Moot Hall Museum. And, in the 18th and 19th centuries it became a prime tourist destination, where an annual race meeting was held at the Snape Race Course on the banks of the River Alde.

Today, its most popular tourist draw is the Maltings, and the concert hall here is the venue for the annual Aldeburgh Festival. It serves as a permanent reminder of Snape’s most famous former resident, Benjamin Britten, who established Snape Maltings’ Concert Hall with his partner, tenor Peter Pears, in 1967.

Fascinating Independent Shops

If you love retail therapy, Snape Maltings is a shoppers’ paradise. The stunning collection of shops include a house and garden shop, clothing boutiques, bookshop, toy store, craft shop, antique shop, art galleries and a food hall. You can easily set aside a whole afternoon for to browse and buy, and, if you are Christmas shopping, this is the ideal destination to find interesting decorations and gifts for friends and family.

Delicious Local Food

When you are all shopped out, Snape Maltings has some fabulous eateries where you can relax and unwind. For tea and snacks, head for the tea room, or if you want something more substantial, Cafe 1885 serves delicious lunches. For a more relaxed atmosphere, the Plough and Sail pub is a popular venue and serves traditional pub lunches and local ales.

For those of you who want to buy local fare and cook up a treat at Windmill Lodges, the food hall is a fantastic place to head for, and you can find some amazing festive buys from cakes to chocolates, chutneys, pates, sauces, spices and local wines. There’s also a monthly Farmers’ Market on the first Saturday of the month, where you can buy direct from local producers. You will be spoiled for choice here as you will find an array of tempting locally grown and home made products such as cheese, honey, chocolate, herbs, spices, pâté, fudge and wild meat.

Excellent Scenery

If the weather isn’t too nippy, and you want to burn off those calories, you can enjoy a picturesque stroll along the Alde Estuary. Short and long walking routes, varying from 2-12 miles, can be downloaded from the Snape Maltings website. These walks are suitable all year round and, if the weather is cold and fresh, you can warm up with tea and cake afterwards.

Stunning Boat Trips

Boat trips run during the summer season, from late spring to early autumn, giving you the chance to explore the beauty of Suffolk from the water. Each trip takes 45 minutes and heads in the direction of the village of Iken and back. Sailing times do vary, so it’s important to check ahead so you can be certain of when to board.

A Year Round Music Programme

The Snape Malting Concert Hall has a full programme of events throughout the year. From family concerts to classical music, singing, poetry and theatre, you will always find something of interest. Shows and events are extremely varied, so it is best to visit their website to see what is on during your stay at Windmill Lodges.

Windmill Lodges – click here to view our luxurious log cabins with hot tubs in Suffolk

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Fishing Expeditions on Your Holidays in Suffolk

If you are arranging lodge holidays in East Anglia, you will find that there are many activities in the area for all the family to enjoy. With its beautiful coast, Suffolk is a top location for those who want to go sea angling, and there are many places where you can go fishing in lakes and rivers during your stay here. Everyone, from beginners to expert anglers, is bound to find something to get them hooked.

The seven luxury log cabins at Windmill Lodges are arranged around a private catch-and-release fishing lake. This attraction is only open to guests staying at our site in rural Saxtead. We also offer fishing equipment to hire, if you so choose, at an additional cost.

Here we will discuss just some of the great places to go fishing during your UK based holiday.

Great Places to Go Fishing

Aldeburgh –This famous resort is only 13 miles from Windmill Lodges. The sloping shingle beach here is a popular location for sea fishing during family holidays in this area of the UK, with parking available by the beach at the Slaughden end. Many people head for the town beach area because of the easy access, but experts tend to go for the deeper water in areas such as the fishing spot by the Martello Tower. Codling, whiting, sole and dogfish are among the types of fish caught in Aldeburgh. Beach fishing matches are sometimes held here.

Southwold – This is another attractive resort within easy reach of our site, with the distance between the two being about 18 miles. Southwold Pier is a popular visitor attraction in its own right, but also has its own angling club, with members fishing from the end of the pier every day. You can buy a day fishing permit as a non-member, and fish between 9 am and 4 pm. Southwold Harbour is also another popular spot, although there are strong tides here. Types of fish include codling, mullet, bass and sole.

Walberswick – You can park near to the beach at Walberswick, 18 miles from our site, and the whole stretch between the resort and nearby Dunwich is a popular location for sea fishing. This is a particularly popular area to catch bass during the summer. Walberswick is also famous for its crabbing, which is a popular summer pastime for families enjoying lodge holidays in this part of East Anglia. Local shops sell bait and youngsters can spend hours catching and admiring the crabs, as long as they put them back afterwards. An annual crabbing championship used to be held here, but has now been stopped, due to the sheer numbers attending.

Orford Ness – The Ness is a shingle spit best known as a wildlife haven owned by the National Trust, but it is also a popular spot for sea angling. The best way to get to the Ness is by boat, taking a ferry from Orford Quay, which is around 15 miles from Saxtead.

Suffolk Water Park – As well as sea angling, there are also plenty of opportunities for freshwater fishing during lodge holidays in East Anglia. Rod licences are needed for all fishing of this type. Suffolk Waterpark in Bramford, about 18 miles from Saxtead, is a popular venue with nine different lakes, including two specially geared to training. It is privately owned and day tickets are available. The fish in these include small roach and tench, while the larger lakes contain carp and pike. The waterpark offers professional training for novice anglers of all ages.

Manor Farm Fishery – Among the many options for coarse fishing in Suffolk during your holidays is this mixed fishery at Swilland, near Ipswich, 11 miles from Windmill Lodges. The two lakes are stocked with fish including carp, bream and roach.

About Windmill Lodges
Couples seeking romantic lodge holidays in East Anglia and families looking for fun and relaxation will all find that Windmill Lodges is the answer. With each log cabin having luxurious fittings including a private hot tub, the site is a top choice for holidays in Suffolk. Contact us to find out more about our four and five-star accommodation.

Click to see our log cabin lodges to enjoy relaxing hot tub holidays in Suffolk

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Hot Tub Breaks in Suffolk – Why Christmas in a Log Cabin is the Perfect Way to Spend Your Festive Break

Spending Christmas or New Year in a cosy log cabin right in the heart of the English countryside may sound like a dream come true. However, with Windmill Lodges you can do just that as this exclusive complex of just seven log cabins offers hot tub breaks in Suffolk all year round. So, instead of cooking for extended family over Christmas, or juggling a complicated rota of visiting friends and relatives, you can spend a relaxing break away over the holiday season and completely unwind in your own private hot tub.

As our festive gift to you, the good news is that Windmill Lodges is offering discounted breaks over the festive season, so you can enjoy all the luxury of four and five star accommodation for less. Here, we put the spotlight on why family holidays in log cabins, Suffolk, will create a Christmas full of fond memories.

Click here to find out more about Christmas hot tub Breaks in Suffolk

Why Spend Christmas in the Suffolk Countryside?

Whether you are a couple, or a family, taking a short break in the UK countryside over the festive period can be the answer to the perfect Christmas. Instead of organising the festivities, you will have the chance to relax and enjoy each other’s company without any distractions.

Trouble Free Festive Treats – If you enjoy cooking, while the children explore the complex’s picturesque grounds, you can get creative in the fully equipped kitchen by cooking up a treat with some wonderful seasonal fayre bought from one of the local farmers. Or why not head to one of Suffolk’s Christmas Fairs, where you will find an array of scrumptious delights from local hams, seasonal vegetables, chocolates, cheeses, and delicious homemade Christmas cakes?

Don’t Want to Cook? -  If you would rather completely relax this Christmas, why not eat out? The Old Mill House, which is just a short walk from the complex, is serving Christmas dinner. (Places are filling up fast so book early to guarantee a seat). For an alternative treat this Christmas, Windmill Lodges can organise caterers, so you can enjoy a blissful break with everything done for you. Just contact us in advance to find out about the range of services, availability and prices. These vary over the festive period but range from on-site catering, to ready prepared meals, or festive hampers.

A Warm Welcome Awaits – At Windmill Lodges we do our best to make Christmas an enjoyable and memorable experience. We pay attention to the little details that will make your festive break special. Each of the log cabins will have its very own decorated Christmas tree, festive lights, and all our customers will have a gift from us – a welcome basket which includes mince pies, and a few more surprises!

A Home from Home – Our log cabins provide a wonderful home from home, which is one of the reasons why we have customers that return year after year to enjoy hot tub breaks in Suffolk. As well as your own private hot tub on the veranda, you’ll have all the home comforts such as a cosy log effect coal fire, WiFi (to keep in touch friends and relatives over the Christmas period), flat screen TVs (so you can listen to the Queen’s speech at Christmas and raise a glass in the New Year to the chime of Big Ben), plus a DVD and CD player, so you can enjoy the spirit of the day with some Christmas carols.

Access to Babysitting Services – A holiday is a time to relax with your loved ones and spend quality time with the kids. However, it’s also chance to treat yourself to a night out, so you can reconnect as a couple. Although Windmill Lodges does not offer an on-site babysitting service, we will provide you with a list of recommended babysitters who you can contact to find out about prices and availability.

About Windmill Lodges

Windmill Lodges is offering the perfect festive get-away at the best possible prices. Just get in touch now to organise your UK Christmas break

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Get into the Festive Spirit this Season and Visit Suffolk’s Best Christmas Fayres

With the festive season already here, now is the perfect time to combine your short breaks in log cabins with a spot of Christmas shopping. Suffolk has some wonderful festive markets and independent shops, where you can find the ideal gifts for friends and family. This article puts the spotlight on Christmas Craft Fayres in Suffolk at just some of the county’s top shopping destinations. And, why not combine retail therapy with some sight-seeing, for the perfect break away?

Windmill Lodges offers idyllic log cabin breaks where you can relax in luxurious surroundings on a small, exclusive complex in the heart of the countryside. Here, you can enjoy the luxury of four or five-star accommodation with all the facilities you need to create the perfect home from home, including log effect coal fires, Wi-Fi, a fully fitted kitchen, soft leather sofas, en-suite facilities, sumptuous beds, and all the benefits of your own private hot tub, so you can completely unwind. And the good news is, Windmill Lodges is offering discounts over the festive period.

Click here to see the accommodation, seasonal discounts and availability for your Suffolk country Christmas breaks in log cabins.


Festive Fayres in Suffolk – Our Pick of the Best

November

Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 – Minsmere
Why not combine a visit to the RSPB Centre at Minsmere with some festive delights? From 11 am until 4pm, you can sample some festive treats, enjoy product demonstrations and catch up on your shopping. If you are visiting Minsmere with the youngest members of the family, they will have the chance to take part in craft activities. A memorable experience for all ages!

Sunday 17 – St Peter’s by the Waterfront
If you are combining a trip to Suffolk’s country town with a hot tub break away, don’t miss out on the annual Christmas Craft Fayre, held in the beautiful surroundings of St Peter’s Church by the Waterfront. This 15th century church, now a concert venue and heritage site, is hosting a craft fair selling locally made goods. The event takes place from 10 am until 4 pm, and can also make a day of it by enjoying a sumptuous meal in one of the restaurants overlooking Ipswich’s marina. There are a number of independent shops around the Waterfront area, or you can head into town for some shopping delights.

Sunday 17 – The Athenaeum Bury St Edmunds
If you want to combine Christmas shopping on your short breaks in log cabins with a visit to the historic town of Bury St Edmunds, head to the November Christmas Craft Fayre. The Athenaeum is open from 10 am until 4.30 pm, and you can browse more than 60 stalls for Christmas gift ideas.

Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 – Ipswich Christmas Market
Right in the heart of Ipswich town centre, and open until late, this colourful Christmas market is well worth a visit. It’s your chance to stock up on some Christmas gift ideas and sample some delicious food and drink.  Browse the 50 or so stores, and sample some cider, mulled wine, or local brews at the beer festival. There’s also a host of entertainment laid on including rides, family activities, live music, and a chance to meet Santa. Don’t eat before you go, as there will be food and drink galore.

December

Sunday 1 – Framlingham Charity Christmas Fayre
You’ll be spoiled for choice as the Market Hill Christmas Fayre is one of three local celebrations on the same day. From 11 am to 3 pm Framlingham will play host to a wide range of stalls selling a host of festive delights from roasted chestnuts to floral arrangements, Christmas gifts and cakes. To add to the Christmas spirit, Leiston’s Royal British Legion band will play carols from the afternoon. The event will round off with a ‘Light up a Light’ carol service at St Michael’s church, organised by St Elizabeth’s Hospice.

Sunday 1 - Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre
Here’s another chance to combine Christmas shopping with a visit to the medieval market town of Bury St Edmunds. Some 100,000 visitors are expected during this spectacular three-day event, which combines stalls with some fantastic entertainment. The Fayre is being held all along the Butter Market, where you will find a Farmer’s Market and browse more than 30 artisan stalls.

Sunday 1 – Woodbridge Christmas Fayre
Promising to be THE Christmas Fayre in East Anglia, the picturesque town of Woodbridge is hosting a grand event along the Thoroughfare and Cumberland Street. From 10 – 5 pm you can browse some fantastic, locally made gifts and sample delicious, regional produce to take back home. Suffolk is full of shopping gems, and if you love independent stores, Woodbridge is an amazing shopping destination with a wide range of fascinating stores from arts and crafts to delicatessens and jewellery stores. So, why not combine your short breaks in log cabins, with a visit to this historic town?

Friday 13 – Framlingham Christmas Festival
Framlingham will be brought to life again at a magical Christmas festival, followed by late night shopping from 6 pm until 9 pm. The town will be lit up with festive lights and trees, and there is chance to soak in the atmosphere with a snow machine, and an array of entertainment such as table top games, a raffle with big prizes and a mass balloon release. You can enjoy delicious Christmas treats such as roast chestnuts, mulled wine, and a hog roast, and there’s plenty of opportunity to stock up on stocking fillers and gifts. The highlight of the event is the arrival of Santa by horse and cart!

Suffolk Weekend Breaks –  click here to see Windmill Lodge’s luxury accommodation.

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Traditional Suffolk Recipes to Enjoy During Your Holidays in Suffolk

There are plenty of traditional recipes which you can enjoy during your holidays in Suffolk. The county is well-known for its delicious food, and a big advantage of staying at Windmill Lodges is that you can choose to do your own cooking in the superb kitchen of your own log cabin, or visit some of the excellent local restaurants.

Windmill Lodges is at beautiful Saxtead, near the Suffolk Heritage Coast, and has a choice of seven luxury lodges, each with a private hot tub. All the kitchens have a full range of equipment, while in the 5-star Kingfisher the range of items available extends to include a range cooker and a bread maker.

Here we are going to look at some of the recipes which you might like to try.

Click to see our range of  log cabins for relaxing holidays in Suffolk, East Anglia.

Shopping for Suffolk Food

A recent tourist survey showed that one of the main attractions for visitors to the county is the choice and quality of food available. Among the most popular places to shop for unusual delicacies are the county's wide choice of farm shops and farmers' markets, where you can buy fresh local meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, as well as juices, sauces and many speciality products. A monthly market is held at the Snape Maltings food hall, which features delicious foods from many local producers.

Buying fresh fish from huts on the beach at Aldeburgh is another treat to enjoy during your Suffolk holidays. There are also many excellent butchers and delis to discover, as well as pick-your-own fruit. You can sometimes buy fresh fruit, vegetables and free-range eggs from people's gardens if you notice a poster at the end of their drive.

Special food celebrations in Suffolk include the annual Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, which runs from late September through to October, and the Framlingham Sausage Festival in October. Late October sees the Suffolk Herring Festival, based at Middleton Farm Shop near Westleton. All of these events feature cooking demonstrations and many other attractions, and promote Suffolk food and cookery.

Suffolk Recipes

Starters

Oysters are a luxurious locally-produced treat available from producers that include Pinney's of Orford, who have collected them for more than half a century at Butley Creek. You can simply serve them with wine vinegar, onions and lemon for a sophisticated starter, or poach or grill them if you prefer. If you are not a fan of oysters, smoked fish pate is another good local option, and thinly-sliced brown bread will go well with both.

Another favourite choice for a starter is Suffolk's famous smoked ham, available locally from producers such as Emmetts of Peasenhall and Neaves of Debenham. Ham and melon is one of many combinations which will make a fantastic start to your meal, or you could serve slices of ham with a fresh salad.

Main Course

Suffolk Fish Pie

This pie can be made from whatever fresh fish is in season, and you could even use a mixture of different kinds. Boil a sliced onion, carrot, parsley, five whole peppercorns, a bayleaf and a little salt in 600ml of water for about eight minutes. Then add about 0.7kg of fish – non-oily kinds like cod or haddock will work best – and simmer for 15 minutes.

Next, drain the cooked fish, keeping some stock for the sauce, and place the fish in a greased baking dish. Slice six boiled potatoes and place them around the fish. Then make a thick sauce from the stock you have kept, together with 30ml of butter, 60ml of flour and 300ml of milk, season to taste, and cool. Stir 50ml of cream together with an egg yolk, and add it to the cooled sauce. Pour the sauce over the fish and potatoes and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Put the dish in an oven heated to 200 Celsius and cook it for about 15 minutes.

Dessert

Ipswich Almond Pudding

This traditional 18th-century recipe is a sweet and warming dessert which still tastes good today. Mix 450ml of milk with 150ml of double cream, warm it in a pan and add 60gm of breadcrumbs. Stir in 60g of sugar and 170g of ground almonds, then take the pan off the hob and let it stand for five minutes.

Beat three eggs together well. Next, add them to the mixture, stirring it all well, and pour it into a large greased ovenproof dish. Put a small knob of butter on the top. Put the dish in a tin containing water, which needs to be below the level of the dish. Bake the pudding for half an hour in an oven preheated to 150 Celsius. Traditionally this is often served with soft fruits or a fruit compote.

About Windmill Lodges

Located near Framlingham and Woodbridge, Windmill Lodges is the perfect base for holidays in Suffolk. Whether you are seeking a romantic break or a family holiday, our log cabins will provide you with top-quality accommodation.

Follow the link to see our log cabin lodges to unwind in during your Suffolk holidays.

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Romantic Short Breaks – Why Log Cabin Holidays are Ideal

Spotlighting Suffolk's Lost City of Dunwich

Spending log cabin holidays at Windmill Lodges in Suffolk gives you the perfect base to explore many historic towns and villages. Set in the heart of the countryside, our luxury lodges are ideal for both couples and families, with each cabin having its own private hot tub.

One of the most fascinating places to visit in the area is the lost city of Dunwich, which is said to have been the capital of East Anglia in the Anglo-Saxon period and at one time had eight churches. It gradually fell into the sea because of coastal erosion, and is now a small village with around 120 inhabitants. But legend has it that, when the tide is right, you can still hear the church bells from beneath the waves.

Dunwich is only 14 miles from Saxtead, where Windmill Lodges are situated. You can have a great day out there during your log cabin Suffolk holidays, exploring the beach and the Dunwich Heath National Trust site, visiting the museum and eating the village's famous fish and chips.

Seeing How Dunwich Was Claimed by the Sea

During a visit to this unique village, you can get a glimpse of its past as a major city and port by visiting Dunwich Museum, which has a detailed model showing what it was like in the 13th century. The museum is open from March to October and admission is free, although donations are welcome. A short film, detailing how Dunwich was lost to the sea, makes a perfect introduction. There are also varied exhibits covering the area's history from Roman times right up to the Victorian period and later. A cannon recovered from a shipwreck off the coast is on display outside the door.

Among the museum’s most haunting items are photographs showing how the tower of the last medieval church, All Saints, was finally lost in 1919. However, one buttress was saved and placed in the churchyard of the Victorian church of St James. You can also walk around the remains of the 13th-century Franciscan priory of Greyfriars, where the old gateway and part of the refectory give a feeling of what the whole site would have looked like before it fell into ruin.

Unspoilt Beaches

If you are looking for an unspoilt stretch of Suffolk shingle to visit during your log cabin holidays, then Dunwich Beach is ideal and offers an attractive alternative to the busier resorts nearby. This beach has a large car park, toilets and plenty of space to walk around. It is also very atmospheric, so it is likely that you will find yourself listening out for those lost church bells. If you are a sea angling enthusiast, it is also possible to go fishing off the beach. Different types of fish can be caught at varying times of year, including flounders and whiting.

Wealth of Wildlife and Nature

For anyone wanting to discover more about Suffolk's wildlife, the National Trust's Dunwich Heath site offers the chance to explore a stretch of rare heathland habitat. Birds you might spot here include the Nightjar and Dartford Warbler, while lizards, adders and grass snakes also live here. During the summer months, the flowering gorse offers a colourful display. As well as heathland trails, the site also includes sandy cliffs leading down to a section of beach owned by the Trust.

The Trust's site is right next to RSPB Minsmere, which is one of the most famous bird reserves in Britain, offering the chance to see a large number of birds, including waders and the iconic avocet. The Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT), RSPB and Natural England also work in partnership to run the Dingle Marshes reserve, in between Dunwich and Walberswick, a good place to see marsh harriers and bitterns.

Yet another wildlife site is the Dunwich Forest reserve, run by the SWT, RSPB and the Forestry Commission. And, following the Coastal Circular Walk between Dunwich and Walberswick, nature lovers will have a chance to see the different countryside and wildlife along the way.

Great Places to Eat

One reason Dunwich is so popular to visit is that it is famous for its fish and chips. People travel from far and wide to visit the beach café, Flora's Tearooms, and are happy to stand in a long queue in order to eat there. The large wooden hut is open from spring to the end of November, with plenty of space to sit outside if you prefer. Although it is best known for its fried fish, there are also other dishes on the menu. 

The Ship pub in the village is another great place to go for fish and chips, as well as many other meals. If you want a cup of tea and a homemade cake, then the Clifftop tea room at the National Trust's Dunwich Heath is a good choice, and there is also a fine tea room at RSPB Minsmere.

About Windmill Lodges


Sheer relaxation is guaranteed on our log cabin holidays in Suffolk, with all our lodges offering four or five star luxury. Each cabin is fully equipped, with everything you need for the perfect break.


Click here to see Windmill Lodges’  family-friendly holiday accommodation in the Suffolk countryside

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Suffolk Holidays – Cultural Events in 2013

If you are taking holidays in Suffolk, you will soon discover that the county is rich in culture, ranging from its many historic sites to music, art and literature. It is worthwhile checking what’s on during your stay, so you can attend one or more of the many special events in the region.

Windmill Lodges is a great place to stay during your UK break, set amid beautiful countryside. With just seven log cabins, all offering four or five star luxury, it is an exclusive resort, quiet and secluded, and you are in easy reach of some of the prettiest places in the county – including Aldeburgh, where composer Benjamin Britten spent most of his life and founded the famous festival, and Flatford, where artist John Constable lived. The site is also close to major historical sites such as Sutton Hoo.

Click here to browse our luxury holiday log cabin accommodation for your country breaks in Suffolk


What’s on in 2013

September (28-29) Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, at Snape Maltings. Around 90 exhibitors from the local area will showcase their food and drink at this festival weekend, which will also include demonstrations by chefs and workshops on everything from sausage making and cake decorating to beer and wine tastings. The weekend is just the beginning, though, as all kinds of foodie events will be organised across the surrounding area running through to October 13. These range from an introduction to breadmaking to a heritage walk in Dunwich and tours of the Crunchy Seeds factory in Leiston.

October (4-6) Aldeburgh FlipSide Brazilian Festival, at Snape Maltings. As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, the country's art, music, literature and dance will all be taking centre stage at the FlipSide Festival, organised together with the FLIP literary festival in Brazil. Top Brazilian writers taking part include Adriana Lisboa, Bernardo Carvalho and Milton Hatoum, as well as famous British authors including Ian McEwan, Ali Smith and Will Self. The festival will open with a concert entitled The Boys from Ipanema, which will pay musical tribute to the creators of Bossa Nova, Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim. Another musical highlight will be a performance by Brazilian superstar Adriana Calcanhotto, a leading singer-songwriter. Children's events will add to the carnival atmosphere, and there will also be a chance to enjoy Brazilian street food. You need to buy tickets for the various events.

(19-20) Military Re-enactment at Landguard Fort, Felixstowe. You can take a trip back in time during this weekend staged by the 95th Rifles group, which will include displays of all kinds of military skills from the Napoleonic Wars, including musketry and drill. Visitors will need to pay the fort's normal admission fees.

26-29 – Storm of Stories in Aldeburgh. Theatre company Wonderful Beast is set to lead a four day celebration of the sea over the half-term break, including many free events. Highlights will include shows involving local schools, music, dance, storytelling and a pop-up writing clinic. Among the main shows planned for the festival is Strange Fish, a dramatisation of folk tales from Russia, Scotland and India featuring Bharatanatyam dancer Anusha Subramanyam together with Russian baritone Mikhail Pavlov. There will also be a Concert of Stories featuring top French performance storyteller Abbi Patrix.

November (8-10) Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, in Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. This annual celebration of poetry is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. It has become a major event which attracts poets and their readers from a wide area, and this year 30 poets will be taking the stage, with 56 different sessions, workshops and performances over the packed weekend. Ian McMillan, Grace Nichols and Craig Raine are among the well known poets taking part.

(21 – 24) Britten Centenary weekend at Aldeburgh Music. Holidays in Suffolk can be enjoyed all year round, and Aldeburgh Music's year-long celebration of composer Benjamin Britten's centenary will finish with a host of special events over the weekend of what would have been his 100th birthday, November 22. The main performances include a Centenary Concert and a performance of Britten's 'A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra', both at Snape Maltings Concert Hall. There will also be a special celebration by the Aldeburgh Music Club, which Britten founded, in Orford Church.

Looking forward to 2014, many more special events are planned, including a feast of classical music at the Aldeburgh Festival, roots music at the Maverick Festival at Easton Farm Park, the Stamping Ground Festival of Americana at Stonham Barns, and much more.

About Windmill Lodges

If you are planning a log cabin break in Suffolk, Windmill Lodges will give you a perfect base in the heart of the countryside, within reach of many beauty spots and top attractions. Each of the luxury log cabins at our site in Saxtead has its own private outdoor hot tub, while the Kingfisher lodge also has an infrared sauna.

Windmill Lodges Holidays  – click here for full details on our choice of Suffolk log cabins

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