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Vancouver Barn
Sutton, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Style: A traditional Suffolk barn now beautifully converted into luxury and spacious holiday accommodation
Setting: In the heart of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to the Suffolk Coast and the River Deben.
Vancouver Barn is one of three mid Victorian farm buildings known as Vale Farm Barns. It started life as a five-bay weather-boarded barn with slate roof and its outward structure remains very similar to its original design. Today the bays are gone, replaced by state of the art kitchen, enormous open plan sitting / dining room and four luxury bedrooms and bathrooms. If you want top quality spacious, comfortable accommodation surrounded by stunning countryside, look no further.
Grounds: A terrace with table and chairs reached via french doors from the sitting room. Beyond the terrace are lawns and a complex of cart sheds and open barns with table tennis, a laundry and storage for bicycles, sailing equipment etc
Surrounding Vale Farm Barns are 3,000 acres of farmland, two thirds of which are farmed in conjunction with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to ensure the conservation of the rare flora and fauna of one of the few remaining areas of undamaged Sandlings heath. Sheep graze the heathland areas, where the nightjar nests whilst horses and ponies canter around the meadow pastures. Pine belts protect the light sandy fields from erosion. There are secret copses of ancient trees much favoured by deer, four hundred year old orchards. Holiday at Vancouver and you will have access to the tracks and pathways which criss cross this rare and fascinating landscape.
Ideal for: A large family gathering, group of friends or even a wedding group with up to 17/18 staying at Vale Farm Barns - wedding parties by special arrangement only. Outdoor-loving groups will enjoy the freedom of the walks, cycle paths and bridleways. Trecking can be arranged from Poplar Park Equestrian Centre, and if you don't want to ride but would like to try your hand at carriage driving, this is also available on the estate. Just a few miles from the sea you can bring along your RIB or dinghy, which can be launched at near by Bawdsey, from where there is a foot and cycle ferry across the Deben to Felixstowe Ferry.
Whether you a member of the National Trust or not Sutton Hoo is well worth a visit and is just a few minutes along the road to Woodbridge (a 10-15 minute drive). Woodbridge on the other side of the Wilford Bridge was once a wealthy ship building town and Armada ships as well as many fishing vessels were once built here. Today it is a sleepy market town, its waterfront and the town centre - where you will see many ancient buildings - well worth a visit.
A little further afield is Orford, don't miss the castle and the quay and Aldeburgh and Thorpeness both with lovely beaches and lots to see and do.
Eating and drinking: There is loads of organic local produce available including of course fresh caught fish. With such a choice it is hardly surprising that the country's best chefs flock here and there are great restaurants in Woodbridge, Orford and Aldeburgh. Adnams beer is rightly world famous and served in some excellent country pubs. There are two pubs within around a 15 - 20 minute walk of Vancouver Barn The Plough at Sutton and The Sorrel Horse at Shottisham, and just a couple of miles away in Alderton you can get great Indian takeaway from the Swan Pub.
Children: They will love it. OK there isn't loads of 'organised' entertainment but they will have the chance to enjoy walking and riding, sailing (there are summer courses at Bawdsey) and swimming, crabbing and cycling. Let them travel back in time and learn something about the joys of holidays in the country - and when you return to Vancouver there is plenty of space for indoor and outdoor games, leisurely meals, DVDs and book reading. Please note wif fi connection is, like the county, slow! For a really unusual treat during your stay, hire one of the two tipis on the Broxtead Estate - a fabulous special treat for teenagers. Prices from £80 per night. Call us or email info@suffolkcottageholidays.com for more details.
Packing tips: Beachwear and Wellington boots. Riding hat, bikes and sailing gear.
Ground Floor - Large glazed doors open to the hallway and staircase
- The kitchen is fully fitted with butler sink, dishwasher, electric hob and double oven, microwave and American style fridge freezer.
- A step down from the kitchen takes you to the enormous open plan dining / sitting room
- The dining area has a large dresser, serving table and dining table seating 12 to 14; there is a second table ideal for games and puzzles, which can be used as an overflow dining table when taking Vancouver Barn in conjunction with Brand Barn and Sewell Barn
- The sitting area has sofas, sofa table, arm chairs, TV, DVD free view and sound system and log burning stove.and french doors opening on to the terrace
- There is a second separate sitting room with TV / DVD, a fantastic snug for the children or adults with sofa and bean bags, coffee table and lamps
- There is a ground floor cloakroom with wash basin and w.c.
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First floor - A magnificent galleries landing divides the two sleeping areas
- The two master bedroom suites are very different, though equally well finished. Furnishing for the master bedroom to the right of the staircase is Louis the fourteenth style furnishings including a king sized double bed, bedside cabinets and lamps, wardrobe and chest of drawers, A vaulted ceiling and large picture windows overlooking the woodland and meadows beyond make this a really stunning room
- There is deep floor to ceiling shelving just inside the en-suite shower room which has a double sized shower, wash basin, w.c. and heated towel rail
- Beside the master bedroom is a twin bedroom with 3ft single beds, bedside lights and under bed storage.
- The family bathroom has a roll top bath, wash basin and w.c., heated towel rail
- Bedroom 3 has full sized bunk beds, chest of drawers
- Large shower room with double shower, wash basin and w.c., heated towel rail
- The second master bedroom has a king sized double bed and bedside tables and lamps, a fitted wardrobe and a large area of shelving
- The en-suite bathroom has a double shower, wash basin, w.c. and heated towel rail
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