Visit some of Suffolk’s Most Famous Ancient Buildings and Country Houses While Staying at Windmill Lodges this Autumn

If you are taking a log cabin holiday in Suffolk this autumn, or at any other time of year, you will most probably want to visit some of the county’s most famous country houses or national trust buildings.

Log cabin holidays with Windmill Lodges offers the perfect chance to relax, unwind and find out what this beautiful county has to offer. If you enjoy touring ancient buildings during your log cabin holidays you won’t be disappointed. There are some fantastic ones to discover including the 16th century Moot Hall in Aldeburgh (where the council still meets) and the historic castles in Framlingham and Orford.

Sight-seeing is one of the most popular pastimes for visitors to Windmill Lodges. If you want to find out more about this region during your self-catering break in Suffolk why not take a look at some of the county’s most famous country houses or national trust buildings? It will give you some wonderful photographic opportunities which will serve as a lasting memento of your stay.

During your short break or long weekend away, you will find many historic buildings and country houses to visit. While we won’t be able to feature all of these here, we have put the spotlight on what we feel are five of the best.


Our Top Picks of Country Houses and Historic Buildings in Suffolk

Ickworth House in Bury St Edmunds is the most popular tourist attraction in Suffolk, receiving 150,000 visitors a year. 

The house was built in 1794 - 1830 by the eccentric Earl of Bristol. It is surrounded by 1800 acres of parkland and woodland where you can take a stroll, or enjoy the stunning Italianate gardens which feature the Victorian stumpery and Temple Rose Garden. You might also get to see some of the deer herd.

If you love history, you can find out more about ‘upstairs and downstairs’ life by discovering the servants’ quarters in the Rotunda basement. Ickworth House is ideal for people of all ages and has plenty for children too, including games, trails and an adventure playground.

Lavenham Guildhall is an hour’s drive from Windmill Lodges and is well worth a visit during your log cabin holidays. The 500 year old Tudor building is owned by the National Trust and is still used as a function hall today.

Lavenham is known as one of the best preserved medieval villages in England. It was one of the wealthiest villages in the country and made its fortune on the back of the cloth industry. The Guildhall can be found on the edge of the market place and has a museum, walled garden and dressing up box for the children!

Kentwell Hall is an idyllic moated Tudor mansion in Long Melford, Sudbury, which is just over an hour’s drive from Windmill Lodges.  Visit the hall and gardens and the rare breed farm.

There are some fascinating Tudor re-enactment days which take place on set weekends all year round. This brings the mansion to life and gives you a fascinating insight into what it was like in Tudor times. On the Tudor days, the hall and estate is completely transformed with servants, craftsmen, labourers and more.

If you are taking your log cabin holidays this autumn, you may also have the chance to visit Bawdsey Manor, where you can get a five hour tour of the building by appointment only. By booking in advance, you can get the chance to visit the manor on Wednesday October 10th at 11 am.

The Victorian-built Bawdsey Manor earned its place in the history books during World War Two as the place where radar technology was developed to spot enemy aircraft.  This technology helped protect the country from aircraft invasion.

The visit costs £28.50 and includes coffee, a tour of the gardens, manor, lunch and a visit to the exhibition in the transmitter block.

Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich is a 500 year old country house set in beautiful surroundings in Christchurch Park. It offers the chance to step back in time and see period rooms.

The mansion is also a haven for art lovers as it houses an exhibition of paintings by John Constable. This is the largest collection of paintings by the Suffolk artist outside London. Entry is free (closed Mondays).

Click here to view our Suffolk log cabin accommodation for your luxury UK country break

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Discover the Beauty of the Suffolk Countryside this Autumn with Windmill Lodges

Log cabin holidays in Suffolk’s picturesque countryside present an ideal chance for a get-away during the autumn months. Autumn is one of the most beautiful and colourful times of year: when the ground is covered in crisp golden leaves and the weather turns cooler, although it can still get quite sunny during the day. So if you intend to spend your UK log cabin holiday at Windmill Lodges this autumn, you are set for a real treat. Just wrap up warm and go for a brisk stroll with your friends or loved ones, or explore the countryside by car to find out just what this wonderful county has to offer.

Windmill Lodges offers year round indulgent log cabin holidays which are popular whatever the season. Our log cabins feature four or five star accommodation including cosy coal effect log fires, under floor heating (some log cabins only), luxury beds and inviting hot tubs - the ideal combination for a glorious autumn retreat.

If you are spending your holidays in Suffolk this season, our cabins are set in an idyllic location which offers the perfect place to unwind and recharge your batteries. You can choose a complete relaxed break and enjoy all the facilities that Windmill Loges have to offer, or combine our luxurious accommodation with a trip out into the countryside. However, for the more adventurous, there are plenty of activities available to take part in on your log cabin holidays.

Here we shall look at some of the things to do in Suffolk during your country break in autumn. We have provided recommended places for nature lovers, adventure activities and up and coming festivals to visit.


Autumn in Suffolk for Nature Lovers

Suffolk is a great destination for nature lovers and what better way to be at one with the countryside, than spending your log cabin holidays with Windmill Lodges? A popular place to visit for bird watchers is the RSPB nature reserve at Minsmere, near Westleton, which is just 15 miles from Windmill Lodges.

Here you can expect to see kingfishers, bearded tits, marsh harriers and bitterns. And watch out for some of the migratory birds - including the odd rare visitor from North America! A popular event in autumn is the spectacular red deer rut. There will be a deer viewpoint staffed at weekends from the end of September to Sunday October 23 where visitors get the chance to see rutting red deer.

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns is another great destination to head for during your log cabin holidays. Here you can see these beautiful owls and other birds of prey at first hand. An added attraction is the Meerkat Kastle where feeding sessions take place daily at 11.30 and 3 pm.

Autumn in Suffolk for the more Active

If you are looking for a more active break away, there are plenty of opportunities to get fit during your autumn holiday.
One of the most popular activities is cycle riding. You can hire bikes from the specialist hire centre at Darsham or take along your own bicycle to use during your break. For the really energetic, there is an official 88 mile cycle route which takes between two and four days to complete!

For something different, head to the dry ski slope at Suffolk Ski and Leisure Park, Wherstead, Ipswich, which is open seven days a week. However, if you don’t want to ski, there is a chance to have a go at tobogganing, snowboarding, wall climbing, golf or have a go at high ropes.

Adrenalin junkies may also want to have a go at paint balling at Thetford Forest, which takes about an hour to get to by car. Or closer to home is the Skirmish Paintball Centre, Ipswich. Alternatively, if you have a head for heights, make your way to Thetford, High Lodge, for Go Ape - a spectacular tree top adventure.

Have Fun at the Autumn Festivals in Suffolk

For those of you who want a more relaxed break, there are plenty of festivals taking place across Suffolk this autumn.

For art lovers, the Halesworth Arts Festival is another popular event, taking place from October 8 - 23rd. It gives you the chance to discover more on a host of different art subjects including: painting, film, music and performance theatre. Halesworth is 14 miles from Saxtead and is just under half an hour’s drive from Windmill Lodges. 

Other festivals and events include the Framlingham Autumn Arts Festival, held on October 14th - 16th. For avid readers among you, the Southwold literature festival takes place on November 10 - 14th.

Windmill Lodges - click here to view our luxurious log cabins with hot tub, right in the heart of the East Anglian countryside


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Immerse Yourself in Suffolk’s History - Your Guide to Some of the Historic Villages to Visit

Suffolk has a wealth of history, so if you are interested in bygone years there are many fascinating places to visit during your log cabin holidays including some wonderful historic villages.

While you will not be able visit all the locations listed here,Windmill Lodges is a great starting point to explore the surrounding area and enjoy a peaceful country break.

Here we shall look at the history of some of the ancient or historic villages in east Suffolk and give you some interesting snippets of information.

So if you are planning to immerse yourself in history during your log cabin holidays, here are a few of the attractions you can see along the way.

Windmill Lodges in East Anglia - Click here to view our four and five star luxury lodge accommodation for couples, groups of friends or families.


Historic Villages

Saxtead
If you are interested in years gone by, you will not have to travel far from Windmill Lodges to see Saxtead village’s attraction: Saxtead Green Post Mill. The grade II listed building is an 18th century corn mill, open to visitors on Fridays and at weekends and bank holidays during the spring and summer months.
Milling stopped taking place here when the last miller, Alfred Stephenson Robert Alfred, died in 1947, but it is still in full working order.  The mill was built on the site of a mill built in the early 1300’s. Climb the steps of the triple floored, 46 ft high mill to see the working machinery.

Dunwich
Just a thirty minute drive (15 miles) from Saxtead is the ancient ‘village’ or town of Dunwich where you can discover more about its eroding coastline. Incredibly, 1500 years ago, Dunwich was the capital of East Anglia. In 1086, the Domesday Book records a population of 3,000, but this has dwindled to around 80 people as most of the town’s buildings have disappeared into the sea.
Dunwich’s decline began in the late 13th century when a massive storm hit the East Anglian coast. Further storms hit in subsequent years and all eight 13th century built churches, hundreds of homes, and the harbour were eventually swept away. It is said the church bells can be heard beneath the waves at certain tides. You can find out more about the town by visiting Dunwich Museum.

Shingle Street
Shingle Street, which lies between Orford and Bawdsey, is a coastal hamlet with a fascinating history. It was once a fishing village and many buildings were obliterated during the Second World War, including the only pub: The Lifeboat Inn. During the war, there were many mysterious goings on including reports of a failed German invasion.

The civilian population were evacuated in May 1940 but there were no eyewitness reports to back this up. However, official documents have since shown this evacuation relates to a time when The Lifeboat Inn was used to test an uncharged chemical bomb.   

Without the right sea defences, it is said that Shingle Street will disappear into the sea within the next 20 years.

Lavenham
The medieval village of Lavenham is just 23 miles from Saxtead and is awash with pretty timber framed buildings - 320 of these in total. Lavenham was once the centre of the wool trade. It was granted a royal charter by Henry III which saw a rise in its fortunes and in the early 1500’s it was ranked the 14th most prosperous town in the country. The timber framed houses were built for people to show off their wealth, including Lavenham Priory and the Guildhall.

Take a wander around the village and visit the independent shops, boutiques, cafes and pubs.  The 15th century Swan pub has an interesting history and you can even see a wall here signed by allied servicemen stationed at Lavenham Airfield during World War One. American servicemen, including the legendary American jazz musician Glenn Miller, had drinks here before going on missions.

Snape
Snape (13 miles) has a history that stretches back two thousand years as there is evidence of some sort of settlement here during the Roman times and it was used as burial site in Anglo-Saxon times.
The village became a tourist destination for more than 150 years in the 18th and 19th centuries when it was used by race-goers. It also had a small, but busy port in the 19th century and three windmills - one, Hudson Mill, played a role in Suffolk’s Gold Rush after experiments here led to the creation of a new form of fertiliser which made some people’s fortunes.

Today Snape Maltings is the home of the world famous Concert Hall, which serves as the main venue for Aldeburgh Festival, founded by Benjamin Britten, one of the most important composers in the 20th century, and tenor Peter Pears, who lived and worked with him for more than 30 years.

The Maltings is a busy tourist destination and offers a great day out with many independent shops based here including clothing, antiques, books, crafts and homeware shops. After a day’s retail therapy, you can enjoy a cake at the tea room or a pint in the local pub.

Orford
Orford was an important fishing village in the Middle Ages and a 12th century castle was built here by Henry II who wanted to establish his royal influence in the region. The 27 metre high tower was regarded as the best keep in England and overlooks the Orford Ness. It was thought that the design of the keep was based on a hall in Constantinople by John II Komnenos.

As well as viewing the castle, you can make a day of your visit and take a river cruise, eat out at one of the local pubs or enjoy fine food at the two restaurants: The Crown and Castle Hotel and the Butley-Orford Oysterage.

Sealand
Although this certainly does not come under the bracket of historic villages, the world’s smallest nation, called Sealand, lies just seven miles off the Suffolk coast. Just 27 people (claimed) and 4 (permit residing) live on this 550 sq metre island - which even has its own declared prince and princess, currency and stamps.

While it is unlikely you may visit it during your trip, it is interesting to know that there is, albeit unrecognised, an independent sovereign state off the Suffolk coast!

It has been occupied since 1967 by British Major Paddy Roy Bates and was established as a nation in 1975. It also has its own newspaper, sporting events, national flag and national anthem.


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Holidaying in a Log Cabin with Friends

Log cabin holidays offer a wonderful opportunity for a quiet escape to a rural location in Suffolk; they provide the perfect retreat for groups of couples or single friends wanting a relaxing break away.

Windmill Lodges have such an appeal, they make visitors want to return time and time again. Our log cabins are cosy, luxurious, equipped with all the home comforts, and are hidden in the heart of the countryside so they offer the perfect chance to wind down and get away from it all.

There are many reasons why people choose log cabin holidays with a hot tub over and above a hotel for a long break or a weekend away with friends. Log cabins offer self-catering accommodation, so you have the freedom to set your own agenda and get up when you choose. You also get a lot more accommodation for your money and you don’t have to walk down long corridors or go on separate floors to visit each other’s hotel rooms, just gather in the sitting room for a chat in the evenings.

Spend your self catering holidays with Windmill Lodges and you can enjoy luxury rooms with en-suite bathrooms and family bathrooms, spacious accommodation, fully equipped kitchens (so you can take it in turns to cook up a treat), bbq (in season), coal effect log fires, and to top it all, each lodge has its very own private hot tub.

All our timber cabins overlook a tranquil catch and release fishing lake and, in the summer months, you can enjoy a revitalising swim in Windmill Lodge’s pool. See below to find out more about why log cabin holidays make fantastic breaks with friends.

Windmill Lodges, Saxtead - Click here to view our luxurious four and five star wooden cabin accommodation for a holiday in East Anglia at any time of year.

Log Cabin Holidays - Girls Holidays and Weekends Away

If you want to spend a girlie weekend away in the countryside, log cabin holidays are a superb way to wind down away from the stresses of work or family life. 

Perhaps you are a busy mum and you and your friends want a restful weekend away from the hectic demands of family life? If you are single, you may want a fun-filled weekend with your closest pals to shop, visit the local pub, enjoy pampering sessions at a local beauty salon, or have a long walk and a chat.

If you are looking for retail therapy on your girls’ log cabin holidays, Woodbridge, Framlingham, Aldeburgh and Snape Maltings, are all good for shopping and you can find some interesting independent shops and boutiques to inspire you.

For a relaxing pamper, the nearest beauty salons are Simply Beautiful at 3 Old Mills, Market Hill, Framlingham, and Retreat at 12 - 14 Well Close Square, Framlingham. And in the evening you can enjoy a walk to the Old Mill House, Saxtead, to eat out, or alternatively have a night in and chat over a bottle of wine, relax in-front of a DVD, or have a bubble in the outdoor hot tub.

Most of our log cabins are suitable for breaks away with the girls including the Bullfinch, Wagtail, Woodpecker and Goldfinch, which are all four star two bedroom log cabins. Kingfisher is our most luxurious two bedroom log cabin and is a 5 star retreat for adults only.

Log Cabin Holidays - Holidays for Couples

It is always fun to go holidaying with friends who are also couples, as you get the best of both worlds. You can go off in different directions and enjoy some alone time together as a couple and have days where you get together as a group and explore the local countryside and attractions this beautiful region has to offer.

In the evenings, you can go back to the log cabin and enjoy a chat and a meal (using some of the local produce that you have bought) or go down to the nearest pub and reminisce about your day.

There are many wonderful places to visit during your log cabin holidays in Suffolk. Seaside attractions such as Southwold, Aldeburgh and Walberswick are fantastic during the summer months. And, if you are a history buff, the Anglo Saxon burial mounds at Sutton Hoo are well worth a visit. Alternatively, go for a wonder around Orford or Framlingham Castle, followed by a meal and a pint at the local pub.

Pubs that are good for food in Orford are the Kings Head and the Jolly Sailor and the two restaurants, which both serve delicious food, are Trinity at the Crown and Castle and the Butley Orford Oysterage. If you are heading to Framlingham Castle, The Castle Inn serves food using local and in-season produce.

Again, most of our log cabins are suitable for holidays with couples including the two bedroom lodges Goldfinch, Wagtail, Woodpecker and Bullfinch. The Kingfisher cabin is the ultimate in luxury and is available at certain times of the year. Our largest log cabin is the Greenfinch which has three bedrooms, sleeps six, and benefits from a spacious open plan lounge area.

Log Cabin Holidays - Family Holidays

If you have children, it is great fun to take your log cabin holidays with another family as it keeps the children occupied with friends to play with, and you can explore the local attractions as a group or family.

Windmill Lodges is a safe and quiet location which is ideal for family breaks. You can either book our largest log cabin, the Greenfinch, or book log cabins next to each other and the children can wander between the two to visit their friends.

At mealtimes, the children can all gather in one of the log cabins to wind down in-front of a DVD before bed, while the adults enjoy chatting and catching up on their day. Or you can take it in turns with the babysitting and enjoy a romantic meal out.

There are plenty of activities to do. From fun family attractions such as the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary in Stowmarket, Africa Alive Zoo in Lowestoft, Museum of Anglian Life in Stowmarket, Eastern Farm Park, Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, the beaches along Suffolk’s coastline, to - for the more active - skiing at the dry ski slope in Ipswich.

Boating is always great fun and there are many places to hire boats to explore the Suffolk countryside including at Flatford, where boating costs just £8 for one hour or £5 for half an hour.  Here you can explore the beauty of Constable Country and scenes immortalised on canvas by Suffolk’s most famous artist John Constable.

If you are looking for log cabins next to each other for your family break, it is advisable to book well in advance. Alternatively our spacious three bedroom Greenfinch Lodge sleeps up to eight.

Click here to find out more about our luxury breaks away in Suffolk for couples, groups of friends or families.


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Whether you are a couple, vacationing with family, or groups of friends, Windmill Lodges is a great place to spend a break at any time of year. We provide luxury four and five star accommodation and, if you plan to spend your break sight-seeing and visiting Suffolk’s many attractions, our log cabin holidays with hot tub offer comfortable surroundings to rest and unwind in.

If you want UK self-catering holidays in sumptuous surroundings, Windmill Lodges provides the ideal retreat. Facilities include a shared swimming pool (summer months only), private hot tub, four poster bed, en-suite bathroom facilities, leather sofas, log effect fires, under floor heating (some cabins only) and a fully equipped kitchen. We ensure your cabins provide a cosy home from home environment where you have access to all the latest technology including TVs in all of the rooms, free Wi-Fi, Freeview, DVD player and CD player.

Windmill Lodges offers total relaxation in beautiful and tranquil surroundings, as each cabin overlooks a private catch and release fishing lake. You can be at one with nature as you are right in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. However, Suffolk is not only known for its countryside, it is also steeped in history and if you enjoy visiting museums, ancient sites and historic buildings, there are plenty of places to visit. Here is our log cabin holidays at-a-glance guide to some of the ancient attractions in the area.

For a luxury UK break - click here to view our log cabin accommodation



Ancient Buildings in Suffolk

If you want your log cabin holidays this summer to have an historic slant, the Suffolk Coastal District alone has some 2,700 listed buildings and 59 of these are grade I listed, so there is so much to see in this area. Listed buildings can include farmhouses, town houses, churches, bridges, windmills, water mills ­- even letter boxes!

You certainly won’t have to travel far to see the Post Mill at Saxtead Green. This was built in 1860 on the site of a former mill which dated from the early 14th century but stopped operating as a working mill in 1947 and was restored ten years later.

A little further afield, Moot Hall (16.5 miles) is another fascinating attraction and can be found on the sea front at Aldeburgh. The 16th century timber framed building has been used for parish council meetings for 400 years and the town clerk’s building is still there today.  

If you enjoy art, you will love to take a visit to Flatford and see the buildings and scenery that inspired one of the country’s most famous artists, John Constable. Flatford Cottage is a 16th century building that houses an exhibition of Constable’s life and works. Take a stroll around the village and marvel at the scenery and timber framed buildings and take a boat trip on the river.

If you simply love historic castles, Framlingham Castle (3 miles) and Orford Castle (16 miles) were both built in the 12th century and are just a short drive from Windmill Lodges.  It was built by the Bigod family, a name thought to have inspired the word ‘bigot’. Roger Bigod accompanied William the Conqueror in his invasion party.  Orford Castle has the best preserved keep in Britain.

Historic Sites in Suffolk

As well as ancient buildings, Suffolk is teaming with historic sites and Windmill Lodges is a great base to start from. Arguably one of the most famous is Sutton Hoo: an ancient Anglo Saxon burial site unearthed thanks to the visions of Edith May Pretty in the 1930’s who, having had dreams about a funeral procession and seeing the spirit of an armed warrior on the mounds, decided to investigate. She presented the ship-burial treasure to the nation.

Coastal erosion is something that has happened throughout history - but in some places it occurs more than others. Dunwich is an attractive seaside village just 17 miles from Windmill Lodges and, if you are spending your log cabin holidays with us, it is well worth a visit. Some 1500 years ago, it was the capital of East Anglia but now most of the town, harbour and the ancient churches have fallen into the sea.  Dunwich Museum explains more about the history of the village.

Further afield (38 miles) is the Anglo Saxon village of West Stow near Bury St Edmunds. It is a reconstruction of the early Anglo Saxon village and you can find out just what it was like to live in those times. Here you can see the houses, try out the furniture and smell the wood smoke! You can also take a stroll in the country park.

Museums and Country Houses in Suffolk

The Long Shop is a former factory in Leiston, 15 miles from Windmill Lodges, and offers a fascinating trip back in time. Did you know that they had purpose built factory production lines here even before the Ford factory in the US? These were introduced by Richard Garrett III, grandson of the company’s founder who built a new workshop for this in 1852.

Ickworth House, Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds, (32 miles) is Suffolk’s most popular attraction and is where you can explore acres of parkland and find out about the history of the country house. Ickworth Lives is a newly restored servant’s basement where you can discover just what ‘upstairs downstairs’ life was like in the 1930’s. There are also living history days where you can find servants doing their duty about the house.

If you are interested in war history, Bentwaters Museum is well worth a visit where - not to be missed - there is the fully restored War Operations Room and Battle Cabin. The museum reveals the history of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge from the Second World War right up to more recent times when the US Air Force withdrew in 1993.

Click here to out more about Windmill Lodges’ four and five star UK luxury country break accommodation in Suffolk

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Spend Valuable Family Time in an Idyllic Log Cabin this Summer

Windmill Lodges offer luxury family-friendly log cabin holidays right in the heart of rural Suffolk. Although overseas holidays are an attractive way to spend your vacation, they are not always practical, especially if you have young children or babies. It is generally much easier to spend a holiday closer to home. And what better way to spend your break than in a beautiful log cabin? Our log cabin holidays will leave you and your children with lasting memories of your stay and you will bring back fantastic photographs of your visit.

Windmill Lodges has a safe and tranquil location surrounded by open countryside and there are plenty of things to do both on and off site. As well as a host of family-friendly attractions, including miles of Suffolk heritage coastline to explore, if you are looking to spend the day on site, our log cabin holidays are perfect for this. We have an undercover swimming pool for the children to splash about in (open Easter to October) and each log cabin has a hot tub to relax and unwind in at the end of a busy day.

Windmill Lodges log cabin accommodation - Click here to view our luxurious UK holiday cabins

Why Self Catering Family Holidays Closer to Home Are More Relaxing

If you choose log cabin holidays in the UK, it means you and your family can enjoy more quality time together. You don’t have to worry about flight delays, how to amuse the children on the journey or all those hidden charges and extras such as seat bookings, airport taxes and baggage limits. Instead, all you need to do is pack up your car with family essentials and baby care items and go.

Here at Windmill Lodges, our log cabin holidays offers spacious accommodation, including plenty of room for a travel cot, and we supply fresh towels, bed linen and even cosy bathrobes, so you don’t have to bring them with you!

Another benefit of log cabin holidays at home rather than abroad, is that you don’t have to worry about hotel set meal times or feeding fussy eaters. All of our lodges have fully-equipped kitchens so you can cook up something the kids enjoy, or pack up a picnic to eat at one of the family-friendly attractions. You can also team up with another family and spend your holidays on site at the same time, which is great for you and your children as they have ready made friends on site.

Log Cabin Holidays: On-Site Facilities For Young Children

Log cabin holidays with Windmill Lodges are idyllic for young families as there are plenty of facilities on site or nearby - including meandering in the Suffolk countryside and trying your luck in the catch and release fishing lake.

The Old Mill House pub is within walking distance of the site and serves hearty pub meals with fresh local ingredients. It has a children’s menu with all the firm favourites such as burgers, bangers, chicken, pizza, roast dinners and scampi. There is also a children’s play area for your kids to let off steam. After a busy day, it’s time to go back to the cabin where you and your children can unwind in-front of a DVD or Freeview, listen to a CD, or surf the web.

Where to Take Young Children and Babies?

If you are holidaying with young children, it can sometimes be difficult to find places to take them. However, you don’t have to worry about this if you are taking your family holiday in Suffolk, as there is plenty in the area to keep your youngsters occupied.

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is fairly close by at Stonham Aspal (9.4 miles away) Stowmarket, and it offers care and rehabilitation for owls throughout the region. It has 70 birds of prey and your children can watch one of the daily flying displays (between April and the end of September). There are all sorts of activities for your young ones including a play area, mini maze, woodland walk and picnic areas. You can buy ice creams and drinks here and there are baby changing facilities.

Another fantastic place for kids is the Stowmarket Museum of Country Life (14 miles away) which is a 75 acre open air museum right in the heart of Stowmarket. The children can see working machines, take a peak into the 15 historic buildings, explore 3 km of woodland and riverside nature trails, and meet the animals. There are interactive displays and a cafe bistro to eat in when the children get hungry.

If you have young ones, also in Stowmarket is the Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, on Gainsborough Road. Here you will find the Playworld Ocean Adventure, which includes ball pits, scramble nets, slides, an inflatable area (May to October) and a toddlers area. There is a play and swim option offering good value for money and you and your children can relax in the cafe afterwards.

If your children and tots are fascinated by engines and steam locomotives, the Mid Suffolk Light Railway Museum in Stowmarket (14 miles away) is a great place to take them. You can also see original station buildings here.

Easton Farm Park in Woodbridge (6 miles away) is another popular family day out and as well as the chance to meet and feed the animals, there are soft play facilities, including play areas for the under 3’s, baby changing facilities and the chance to grab a sandwich, pizza or an ice-cream when the children want a break from all the excitement. They can enjoy pony rides, hug a bunny and see farm animals at first hand.

Baylham House, Rare Breeds farm in Baylam (17.6 miles, between Needham Market and Great Blakenham near Ipswich) gives your tots a chance to meet these wonderful rare breed farm animals. All the children are given a bag of food to feed the pigs, goats, and poultry. There are plenty of chances for the kids to let off steam with a stroll and most of the walkways are pushchair friendly. Baby changing facilities are available and the staff can microwave baby bottles on request.

Further afield, Africa Alive in Lowestoft (30.2 miles) is one of the UK’s largest animal attractions and it can really feed your children’s imagination. They can see giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, aardvarks and more and enjoy a free ride around the site. There are baby changing facilities, children’s toilets and bottle warming facilities as well as plenty of places to go for a snack and an ice-cream.

Relax and unwind in a luxurious log cabin at Windmill Lodges, Suffolk - click here to view our accommodation.


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Log Cabin Weekend Breaks in Suffolk - A County Crammed With Things to Do!

Log cabin weekend breaks are a wonderful idea whether you are going as a family, couple or getting away with friends. They are ideal at any time of the year as they refresh the soul, recharge the batteries and give you something to look forward to.

Windmill Lodges is a great destination for log cabin weekend break in the UK, set in the heart of the beautiful Suffolk countryside. It is an unspoilt and tranquil site for relaxation and peace and has a real sense of getting away from it all. However there are also plenty of different activities available for families, groups and parties of friends.

For couples looking for a romantic getaway then our Chaffinch lodge is ideal. This four star, one bedroom log cabin, sleeps two people in a beautiful four-poster bed and is perfect for intimate log cabin weekend breaks.

We have a variety of lodges for families to choose from as the majority of our accommodation sleeps six + people and are therefore perfectly suited for log cabin weekend breaks with the children. Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Wagtail and Woodpecker all sleep six with Greenfinch able to accommodate eight.

The ideal lodge for short breaks for slightly smaller groups of friends is our Kingfisher lodge. This luxury five star accommodation is for adults only. It has under floor heating in the kitchen and bathrooms, two patio areas and a decked area too, a fully equipped kitchen, Sky HD TV with the full movies and sports packages and of, course, a hot tub to relax in.

Whichever one of our lodges suits your specific needs, with so much to see and do in Suffolk, you will have a fantastic time whenever you take your self catering holiday with us.

Log Cabin Weekend Breaks - Family Activities in Suffolk

For families wanting log cabin weekend breaks, Suffolk is the ideal county with so much to see and do from the country to the coast. Log cabin weekend breaks with the children make a perfect escape at any time of the year in Suffolk but if you visit in summer then Southwold is the place to head for.

Southwold is a quintessential English seaside town that still has a working lighthouse as one of its main attractions. Tours of the lighthouse are available and make a great treat for the children who love to climb to the very top and look out to sea. The beach makes an ideal day out with all the family, with the iconic beach huts that line the prom and the award-winning pier to visit too. Food and drink are no problem in Southwold, from traditional seaside fish and chips on the front to smart restaurants and friendly cafes in town.

In cooler weather a great day out for the family is the National Trust site at Sutton Hoo. This 255 acre estate looks out over the river Deben near the market town of Woodbridge and is home to an amazing archaeological find of an ancient Anglo-Saxon royal burial site. Educational as well as entertaining, the whole family can walk around the burial mounds, visit the award winning exhibition, be an archeologist for the day with one of their special kits and dig in a custom made trench, fire bows and arrows, come face to face with warriors and really experience ancient history.

All year round, the coastal village of Orford provides lots for the family to do. The village is dominated by the 12th Century castle, which is now looked after by English Heritage, and attracts many visitors throughout the year. The castle is also home to the Orford Museum with exhibits from the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods.  For families who love the great outdoors Orford Ness Nature Reserve has a fascinating array of flora and fauna. Now protected by the National Trust, this nature reserve is known internationally, not only for its importance in wildlife but also for its World War 2 military connections. The remote area was used during the last century for top secret testing by the MOD and this history is very much part of the area. With the guidebook on offer you can explore the area and on the special children's trail there’s the chance to become a spy for the day!

Log Cabin Weekend Breaks - Romantic Activities in Suffolk

Romantic log cabin weekend breaks are a great way for a couple to relax, unwind, forget about the stresses of work and home and re-connect with each other. Suffolk can be a most romantic county with beautiful country and coastal walks for you to stroll along hand in hand, great local food and drink from fine dining to cosy country pubs and pretty market and seaside towns to explore.

One such town is Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast. Unlike traditional seaside towns Aldeburgh is very grown up. It doesn’t have any amusement arcades, pier or rides for children. But sitting on the beach eating the world famous fish and chips is a must. The locally caught fish and chips are much sought after with customers queuing around the block at opening time often with a pint of local beer from the nearby pub in hand and even sometimes a bottle of champagne. Aldeburgh does attract the “smart set” with its boutiques, art galleries and restaurants and is the place on the coast to see and be seen. As Aldeburgh was Benjamin Brittan’s home for many years, in June it hosts the Aldeburgh Music Festival. A selection of classical and contemporary concerts are on offer with many taking place in the nearby village of Snape at their beautiful Maltings which has been skilfully converted into a concert hall.

If you would rather not visit Suffolk in high summer, then there is still plenty to do for a couple wanting to potter, relax and enjoy each other’s company. The pretty market town of Woodbridge, just in from the coast, suits cooler weather with its mix of local and modern high street shops, coffee bars and local cafes. There is a cinema here, The Riverside Theatre just right for catching a romantic film before heading off to eat in one of the towns many pubs or restaurants. Just outside Woodbridge are two luxury hotels, Ufford Park and Seckford Hall, that both offer spa day packages, a perfect way to while away some precious time together if the weather isn’t being kind to you outside.

Log Cabin Weekend Breaks - Activities for Groups of Friends

Getting away from it all with friends can be a great experience. Whether you are a party of four, six or eight, log cabin weekend breaks in a group will be a fun, relaxing, sociable time with lots of laughs and fantastic memories to take home.

Activities for groups of friends are well catered for in Suffolk and there is a lot to do for all tastes.

Adnams brewery in Southwold is an internationally renowned company with its heart still very much set in Suffolk. A great activity for friends is an Adnams brewery tours. The hour long tour of the brewery lets you see how their famous beers are made. The tour is followed by a 30 minute tutored beer tasting session, finishing with a visit to the cellar and kitchen store where there’s also an opportunity to taste some of the wines on offer and select a bottle of beer to take home.  Although Southwold is obviously at its busiest in the spring and summer this would be an ideal activity on rainy days or in the autumn and winter as it’s based inside.

For lovers of the outdoors and adventure Go Ape! Is a treetop experience like no other, set in the heart of Thetford Forest. After your initial safety briefing you get into your harness and are free to fly through the trees on the high wires, rope bridges, zip wires and treetop crossings. The course takes around two to three hours to complete. Perfect for the summer months the course does stay open from February to November and very little, apart from high winds, ice and lightening will stop activities. Wet weather makes the course muddy, which can add to the fun and skill of negotiating the obstacles. Once you have completed the course there are walking and cycling trails all through the forest for you to enjoy as a group. Set in 30 acres of Thetford Forest, this is the company’s original site, and won the Suffolk Tourism Awards - Best Tourism Experience for 2011.

If your tastes lean towards something altogether quieter and less hectic then Minsmere Bird Sanctuary run by the RSPB could be just the thing for you and your group of friends. This is a great activity for spring, when the birds are returning from their winter migration and the lighter evenings mean you can spend longer observing them and their movements. Even if you are not a group of dedicated twitchers this is still a fascinating and calming day out for a group where you can learn so much about the local wildlife and take in the stunning scenery. Group bookings must be made in advance and then you will be met on arrival and given an introduction to the reserve. For those new to bird watching and keen to try it, guided walks can be booked and the reserve staff are always on hand to answer questions and point out rare and interesting birds to beginners.

For UK holiday cabins with hot tub, look no further than Windmill Lodges - offering luxury accommodation in the heart of the Suffolk Countryside


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