Baked to Perfection

Go back a few centuries and this building was the bakery for the surrounding farm, providing sustenance for the owners and workers. Rather remarkably, the original oven is still here, although it has been repurposed as an open coal fire.

This is just one of the charming period features that have been retained, along with the brick floor, ceiling beams, lime-washed plaster walls and a kettle that was used for laundry and brewing beer. By comparison, many of the antique furnishings are more contemporary, but they're perfectly in keeping with the romance of the address.

When the weather's pleasant, there is a selection of outdoor spaces to enjoy, from a private patio area to an orchard at the front of the house and acres of grassland from which it's possible to embark on walks into the surrounding Suffolk countryside. If you prefer to cycle, the host can lend a few bikes and show you the way to the South Suffolk Cycle Route. The medieval village of Lavenham is just over ten minutes away in the car, too.

Home truths:
*There's off-road parking available for guests
*The bedroom and bathroom are on the first floor, so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility
*A cot and high chair can be provided, although guests need to bring their own linen
*There are six other cottages on the site and these share most of the outdoor spaces and the laundry facilities with this home
*A basket of logs for the fire will be provided with more available at an additional cost
*The host will occasionally provide guests with eggs, herbs and fruit from the farm