The Old Farmhouse in Ipswich, Suffolk

The Old Farmhouse Self-Catering

Dating back to 1850, this charming farmhouse in the Suffolk countryside is like stepping back to yesteryear. Sash windows, herringbone bricks and wooden floors, and original fireplaces all combine to create the feel of an escape to a simpler time. Get a fire going in the main lounge on chilly evenings a cosy up together, or get the wood-burner crackling in the dining room for a family dinner. The kitchen has a few vintage touches but is purely 21st century when it comes to the appliances you need for cooking. The second sitting room has a striking stack of logs as a fireplace feature, and there’s a family snug too with a rocking horse alongside a flatscreen TV and plenty of board games to keep you busy.

Then there’s the garden, stretching out at the back of the house and fringed by ancient trees. Here you’ll find outdoor dining on the patio and barbecue should the weather call for an alfresco feast. The lawn is crowned with a pond at the front, where you might spot the odd frog or tadpole between the plants.

This home is in the pretty village of Saxtead, within easy walking distance of a cosy country pub and old windmill. Framlington, with its 12th-century castle and bustling market town streets, is just a four-minute drive (or half-hour walk) away.

Home truths:
*The back garden is shared between the farmhouse and two other homes onsite
*One of the double bedrooms has a zip-and-link bed which can be set up as a twin on request
*As there is a pond in the front garden, children should be supervised out here
*All the bedrooms are upstairs so this place may not be suitable for those with limited mobility