Lavenham

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Hidden away next to ancient woodland in rural Essex, this cabin is a British getaway that overflows with quirk and charm.

Inside, classically styled furnishings, such as the tufted Chesterfield, oak dining table and the four-poster bed that's come straight out of a fairytale, rub shoulders with the eclectic animal portraits that dot the wall, the antler chandelier and antique-style gramophone — which actually works in case you're in the mood for a boogie. The copper rolltop bathtub that lies just next to the bed is another decadent touch that we can't help but salute.

The home's exterior is full of pleasant surprises, too. When the weather's warm enough — and even when it's not — you can sit out in the home's hot tub, before drying off on one of the egg chairs next to the roaring fire pit. It's possible to hear the sounds of wildlife from the neighbouring forest, as well as the occasional roar from Colchester Zoo, which is less than ten minutes' drive from the home.

Elsewhere in the local area, the huge Abberton Reservoir takes five minutes to reach in the car and offers spectacular birdwatching opportunities. The local village of Layer de la Haye, with its pair of pubs and farm shop, is a ten-minute walk away, too.

Kooky Cabin

Nestled in a picturesque Suffolk village, this quaint and private studio offers a relaxing country retreat for two. The open-plan space features a mahogany super-king size bed, a cosy living room with an electric log effect fire, and a cleverly designed self-contained kitchenette. While the studio shares the landscaped gardens, there is plenty of privacy. Explore the nearby Dedham Vale, Stour Valley, and the medieval village of Lavenham, or simply enjoy a short stroll to the local pub. With its charming setting and proximity to historic sites, this studio is an ideal choice for a romantic countryside getaway.

Cockleshell Cottage

Just over an hour from London is this lovely home in the picturesque Suffolk countryside. In a fairytale setting, the extensive gardens are brimming with wisteria, roses and fragrant shrubs. There is also an ornamental vegetable garden where you may help yourself to bundles of fragrant herbs and fresh eggs from the hen coop. The house has a generous living area inside and out and is ideal for extended families looking to spend quality time together. The sociable kitchen allows for both group cooking sessions and aperitifs shared around the large kitchen table. The open-plan living area at the heart of the home presents the perfect place to relax, with comfy sofas around the log burner. There's also a stunning dining room, which offers a beautiful scene for more celebratory dinners and formal affairs. Enjoy peace and tranquillity in this lovely home or set out to discover the fabulous local country walks and attractions. Explore the nearby coastal villages, reachable in under thirty minutes, or why not try boating on the Stour river? With vineyard tours, antique hunting, and cream teas to be enjoyed in many local villages, you'll be in a prime location for taking in the best of the Suffolk countryside. The house is within easy walking distance to a friendly village pub, an excellent farm shop, and a family-friendly country cafe.

Under The Pergola

Right in the heart of Constable country, this romantic cottage is love at first sight. Once part of an 18th-century dairy, you'll find oodles of charm and history inside – original Suffolk white brick floor, high arched ceiling exposing all the ancient beams and pretty redbrick walls. It's as cosy as it looks, with a sumptuous sofa and a crackling fire to snuggle up in front of on wintery nights. The kitchen is small, but it has everything you need to rustle up a delicious meal using herbs from the garden or something sweet with the apples and pears from the orchard. Tuck into your fare on the enchanting, foliage-wrapped patio, while sunny days call for a picnic as you explore the gardens and picturesque countryside on your doorstep. 

The walking and cycling in this area are great – your host provides bikes you can borrow, and this cottage is dog-friendly, so you can bring the pups along. Head down to the local pub for a pint (it's about fifteen minutes away on foot), or pedal to the tiny Medieval villages dotted around – our favourite is Lavenham, about six miles away. And with Ipswich and the Suffolk Coast less than an hour's drive, exploring the other postcard-worthy villages is a breeze.

Asking For Roses

This pretty 16th Century cottage is full of character and light. Relax on the large enclosed courtyard with its beautiful blossom tree and flower baskets – it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of rosé wine. At night the tree is lit up with twinkling lights giving the space a magical feel.

If it gets a bit chilly, head inside and sit next to the large inglenook fireplace with its cosy wood-burning stove. We love this room with its historic beams and antiques. If you don’t fancy eating out, rustle up a dinner using some local fresh seafood from the fisherman’s huts at Aldeburgh, a twenty-minute drive away.

Closer to home, the centre of Wickham Market is 50 yards away, where you’ll find a range of shops including a butchers, antique store and beauty salon, as well as an arts centre. There are a couple of restaurants here as well as a fish n’ chips shop, while there are many pubs nearby, including one in the village of Ufford, a one to two-hour walk from the cottage (or a four-minute drive). Your lovely hosts provide bikes for free, too, if you want to explore the area on two wheels.


Chaffinch Cottage

Just outside the village of Little Bentley, a five-minute walk from the local pub and a ten-minute drive from Colchester, this rustic barn is nestled on a working farm. Previously a popular children's café with fun play areas both indoors and out, it's an ancient barn that retains a great deal of rustic charm. 

Quirky and imaginative, it's a family home with an emphasis on keeping the little ones entertained (and safe – it's fully child-proofed). The huge living space is dominated at one end by a log burner, with aged leather sofas and throws perfect for cosying up on winter nights, while the other end features a super cool, Scandi-style kitchen – complete with a professional café coffee machine that's been left in situ so you can play barista. Fun things about this room include the chalkboard wall, a movie projector for film nights and an indoor hammock chair.  

One of the bedrooms is aimed at kids, with twin beds, funky lights, chalkboards, toys and books. But as if that wasn't enough, they have a whole play area in the main space, where imaginations can run wild thanks to a wooden teepee, a wooden shop and a range of homemade superhero capes to choose from. There's more outside with a willow tunnel and mud kitchen. As the sun sets, toast some marshmallows around the fire pit before heading to your cosy beds.

Gooseberry Fool

The picturesque village of Southwold sits on The Suffolk Coast and Heaths, one of only forty-six regions in the country officially labelled an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. We think the best way to discover this exceptionally beautiful landscape, is to stay in an exceptionally beautiful home. On a street of candy-colored cottages, an eight-minute walk from Southwold Pier, your home is painted in a dreamy pale blue, with terracotta roof tiles, and a cute white door beckoning you inside. Built in 1850, you’ll love the original features like exposed wooden beams, a winding staircase, and wood-burning fireplace in the lounge. We think this is the perfect spot to settle down on the sofa, crack open a bottle of fizz, and say cheers to the start of your holiday. Another option would be sipping champagne in the luxurious freestanding tub, or taking celebrations out to your private patio on a sunny afternoon. When you get peckish, take a wander to your nearest chippie, three minutes away. Protect your portion of fish and chips from the seagulls as you stroll one minute down to the promenade and take in the fresh air from the North Sea.

Pale Blue Gull

Escape for some fresh coastal air and bring your friends or family members along with you. It's a spacious and stylish apartment with plenty of seating, pops of colour and tasteful decor. Ideal for a small group, this contemporary home offers comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a sleek kitchen and a chic dining area – we especially love the Eames-style chairs and funky artwork. While this is a modern build, and a well-presented one at that, there's a warmth here with the vibrant scatter cushions, comfy throws and green houseplants that makes it feel like home right away. The real highlight of the apartment is outside space – complete with garden furniture, a barbecue and a tall wooden fence for added privacy – sitting out on the patio with a glass of chilled wine is a dreamy way to bookmark any day if you ask us. Perfectly placed, walk to sandy Great Yarmouth Beach in less than twelve minutes and be at Nelson's Monument and the lively town centre in under half an hour. We'd especially recommend a trip to the Merrivale Model Village if you're after a fun family day out – as with most of the popular attractions, it's well within reach here. 

Town Is By The Sea

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.

Baked to Perfection

In one of Suffolk's prettiest villages, this lovely Victorian home is just what the doctor ordered. Cosy, quaint and beautifully decorated, it's a carefully restored piece of history that feels like home from the moment you open the door. Entering through a gate at the rear, you won't miss the charming cottage garden – beautiful at any time of year but breathtaking in the summer.

Packed with character, this home is the perfect size for a family, with a comfortable living room, large country kitchen and a pretty dining room. Thoughtfully designed with a homely feel and artistic touches, we can't think of a better place than beside the open fire of an evening. And just up the hidden staircase, you'll find enchanting bedrooms with original wood floors. 

On fine days, open up the French doors in the kitchen to the glass-covered terrace – perfect for alfresco meals. Or take a stroll to one of the village's three pubs. From here it's easy to head off on a walk or bike ride locally, or to explore the nearby village of Long Melford, famous for its antique shops, pubs and restaurants. There are two National Trust properties on your doorstep and the home is so pet-friendly the hosts even leave out a water bowl and treat for their arrival.

Tea with Aunt Ada

If you're looking for somewhere that embraces slow country living yet has all the little luxuries you'll need for a getaway, this converted goat shed is sure to do the trick. Situated on the grounds of a family-run farm dating back as far as the 1300s, we think it's the perfect bolthole for a romantic, restful weekend in the great outdoors.

Inside, vaulted ceilings sport original wooden beams, while enormous glass walls flood the space with sunlight. Books and board games line the shelves, cushy sofas are perfect for snuggling and a delightful wood burner keeps everything toasty warm on chilly evenings. We love the small but well-equipped kitchen – you'll have everything you need to rustle up dinner – and the sumptuous bathtub is just the ticket after an invigorating walk through the countryside. On summer days, take your relaxing onto the private courtyard garden, gathering around the fire pit and firing up the barbecue for an alfresco feast when you grow peckish.

Spend sunny afternoons strolling around the farm, admiring the prehistoric ponds – they're some of the last remaining ones in the country. This home is nestled in the heart of the Brecks, where wild forests, craggy heaths and twisted pines are rife for rambling. It sits along the Peddars Way – ideal for walkers, cyclers and horseback riders travelling along the ancient route – plus it's within easy reach of Norwich and an hour's drive from Norfolk's stunning beaches when you fancy a day by the sea.

The Goat Shed

Nestled in a luscious tree-filled garden in the Essex countryside, this characterful home is just as enchanting on the inside as it is at first glance. Brimming with one-off antiques and eye-catching wall art, the spacious house has been lovingly decorated by its discerning owners. There are plenty of interesting trinkets and vintage books to riffle through, in between drinks on the patio and meals around the walnut dining table.

If you value privacy and seclusion, this home is for you. As you amble through the vast garden, the only souls you'll spot are the horses grazing in a neighbouring field. The blissful expanse is ideal for families, who can play games and enjoy picnics on the well-tended grass.

Sible Hedingham is your closest village, just a two-minute drive – or sixteen-minute walk – away. The pretty hamlet houses two traditional pubs where you can indulge in wholesome British grub. If you fancy a city day trip, you'll reach Cambridge's historic centre in just under an hour. Walk the cobbled streets, visit the university and punt down the River Cam.

Book a stay in one of the best homes in Lavenham.

We selected the 3858 homes worth renting in this location

Who's coming along?

Home spotlights in Lavenham

KOOKY
CABIN

COCKLESHELL
COTTAGE

UNDER THE
PERGOLA

We've selected the top 3% homes in Lavenham.

Most popular homes in Lavenham.

Asking For
Roses

Chaffinch
Cottage

Gooseberry
Fool

Pale Blue
Gull

Town Is
By The Sea

Baked to
Perfection

Tea with
Aunt Ada

The Goat
Shed

Asking For
Roses

Chaffinch
Cottage

Gooseberry
Fool

Pale Blue
Gull

Town Is
By The Sea

Baked to
Perfection

Tea with
Aunt Ada

The Goat
Shed

Antique
Heart

Check rates and availability for Lavenham.

Book with Plum Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Book a stay in one of the best homes in Lavenham.

We selected the 3858 homes worth renting in this location

Home spotlights in Lavenham

KOOKYCABIN

COCKLESHELLCOTTAGE

UNDER THEPERGOLA

We've selected the top 3% homes in Lavenham.

Most popular homes in Lavenham.

Asking ForRoses

ChaffinchCottage

GooseberryFool

Pale BlueGull

Town IsBy The Sea

Baked toPerfection

Tea withAunt Ada

The GoatShed

Asking ForRoses

ChaffinchCottage

GooseberryFool

Pale BlueGull

Town IsBy The Sea

Baked toPerfection

Tea withAunt Ada

The GoatShed

AntiqueHeart

Check rates and availability for Lavenham.

Book with Plum Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the best in Lavenham?

KOOKY
CABIN

COCKLESHELL
COTTAGE

UNDER THE
PERGOLA

Asking For
Roses

Chaffinch
Cottage

Gooseberry
Fool

Pale Blue
Gull

Town Is
By The Sea

Baked to
Perfection

Tea with
Aunt Ada

The Goat
Shed

Asking For
Roses

Chaffinch
Cottage

Gooseberry
Fool

Pale Blue
Gull

Town Is
By The Sea

Baked to
Perfection

Tea with
Aunt Ada

The Goat
Shed

Antique
Heart