Things to do
Things to do on the farm and nearby
There's plenty to do without leaving the farm, and some of our regular guests tell us they never go out at all. When you do fancy a day out, these are the places we recommend.
Without getting in the car
On a rainy day with young children, there are board games in the cupboards, plenty of books and a smart TV in every cottage for a film. Older children and teenagers usually head for the games room, where pool and table tennis are free to play and table football takes 20p pieces. Many groups set up a tournament and keep score on the chalkboard.
When the weather's fine, the grass in front of the Hall is a good spot for football, cricket or a picnic, and the playground has swings, a climbing frame and a slide. You can also walk around the moat through the orchard, or follow the footpaths to the spinney and down Needham Lane to the pubs in Bildeston, before coming home to the hot tub.
Margo, our golden retriever, is always pleased to say hello.
Days out
The drive times in this table are from our gate.
Place
Drive
Good for
What we think
10 mins
Young families
Farm trail, café and local produce. The best farm shop we know
20 mins
Sightseeing and history
The Crooked House, the National Trust Guildhall and the house used as Godric's Hollow in Harry Potter
Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm
20 mins
Children
Meet and feed goats, pigs, Highland cattle, sheep and alpacas
40 mins
Swimming and watersports
Open-water swimming, watersports, cycling and walks around the reservoir
Felixstowe
45 mins
Seaside
Watch the container ships from Landguard Fort, then the amusements on the pier
Where to eat
The Bildeston Crown, named Pub of the Year by Suffolk & Norfolk Magazine, for a special dinner
The King's Head, Hadleigh, for a good-value Sunday roast
The Six Bells, Preston, small and cosy, for pub food
With young children, where nobody minds the noise:
If you're eating out as a larger group, it's best to book ahead.
When it rains all day
For a properly wet day, we'd suggest Bury Bowl in Bury St Edmunds, or the Omniplex in Ipswich, which has arcades and bowling in the same building.
A walk nearby
Combs Wood, a Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve, is within ten minutes' drive.
Dates worth planning around
When
What
February and March
Lambing at Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm
Early May
Hadleigh Show
May half term
Suffolk Show
Late August
Beer festival at the Red Rose, Lindsey
Early September
FOMO Festival
Mid September
B Natural, a free music festival in Bildeston
Weekend nearest 5 November
Fireworks at the Red Rose, Lindsey
The useful list
Nearest shop: Bank House Stores, Bildeston, 2 miles
Supermarket: Morrisons, Hadleigh
Chemist: Hadleigh or Needham Market
Doctor: Bildeston
Vet: Hadleigh or Stowmarket
Come and stay on the farm
Stays start on a Friday or a Monday, for a minimum of two nights.
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