Ivy Grange Farm Barn

UK England East Anglia Suffolk Halesworth

  • Sleeps 7+
  • Cosy Rural Retreat
A comfortable converted barn in a gloriously tranquil rural location in the heart of Suffolk

London media world refugees Kim and Nick Hoare created a real slice of rural bliss outside the small Suffolk town of Halesworth when they set up their legendary glamping site a few years ago. They've since morphed their accommodation into a wonderful self-catering barn conversion, complete with three bedrooms and bathrooms, which makes the most of this gloriously bucolic location and makes for a particularly blissful rural escape.

As before, the enthusiasm and passion of Ivy Grange's owners shines through at every turn in this newly converted 17th-century barn, which offers rustic yet luxurious accommodation, with two en-suite double bedrooms and one bedroom with a single and a bunk bed with an adjacent family bathroom. Comfortably sleeping up to seven people, the barn has a cosy wood-burner and underfloor heating, good wifi and bluetooth speakers, and a large open-plan eating and living space with a kitchen equipped with a range cooker, fridge-freezer and dishwasher (and well provided with basics like tea, coffee, milk, oil, vinegar, etc) . They can provide all you need for younger guests, with two travel cots, a high chair, and a baby bath, and larger groups can spread out into the one remaining 'Barn Owl' yurt outside, which is available between the months of April and September. Ivy Grange is a thoroughly eco-friendly option too, with solar panels and batteries powering everything inside, plus an electric vehicle charging point and two brand-new electric bikes for guest use (plus three 'conventional' bikes).

All in all, Ivy Grange Farm is a terrific place to come and relax, and to connect with nature. It's so peaceful, and Kim and Nick have made an effort to retain many of the features that were popular with their previous guests, which means outdoor woodland showers heated by solar power, lots of opportunities to cook and eat outdoors, with a large firepit, barbecue and a magnificent cob pizza oven, and lots of herbs to pick in the garden. There are also those e-bikes for guests to explore the peaceful countryside or the nearby coast, a ping pong table for alfresco matches, games and books for rainy days, and you're only a mile from the nearest pub.

Or you could just stay put: the 3-acre meadow is all yours to enjoy, and full of wildlife throughout the year, from voles during the day to the barn owls that hunt them at night. You could spend many a happy day reading, and dozing and observing, while taking the odd circular stroll, while for families, the field is perfect to let off a bit of steam (there's a treehouse at the end of the meadow). Ivy Grange is also a gorgeous and rather romantic place for a couple or pair of couples (and their pricing makes it very affordable for couples and smaller groups). It's also situated right on National Cycle Route 1, so ideal if you fancy exploring the countryside on two wheels.

Details

Facilities

Three bedrooms, sleeping up to 7 people.

Nearby

Once your batteries are fully charged, there's plenty to do - all the traditional seaside things at Southwold and Walberswick just ten miles away; both offer great beaches for swimming and sandcastles, pubs, wonderful fresh fish straight off the boats, and crabbing! If you're a fan of Roger Deakin's Waterlog, you can try some of his favourite local wild swimming spots (we're always happy to share our favourites with guests) or discover some of the places that W G Sebald explores in his Rings of Saturn novel, all very close to us here.  If you're a bird-lover, simply relax on your decking and watch the yellowhammers, buzzards and bullfinches, or head off to RSPB Minsmere or any of the great Suffolk Wildlife Trust sites.The coastline, the estuaries, the excellent pubs and restaurants serving local food and, invariably, wine and beer!  We are right on National Cycling Route 1, so great to explore the flat and intensely quiet roads nearby (there is a selection of bikes to borrow). The coast is not far away at Southwold, a seaside resort that was gentrified before the term was even invented. As a consequence there are great places to eat and drink, and the bonus of a decent beach and excellent pier with homespun attractions. The handsome small town of Beccles is just a few miles north, the southernmost outpost of the Broads and a great place to hire a boat or canoe to explore the waterways or check out our favourite riverside pub, The Locks Inn at Geldeston.

Food & Drink

Our village community run pub, The Racehorse, is fab for well-kept craft and keg-beers and wines. The Queen's Head at Blyford and Queen's Head at Bramfield are both worth a visit and St Peter's Brewery, a 15th century moated former-abbey, just 5 miles away in "The Saints" is a must. definitely not to be missed. Continuing the theme, if you are a brewery fan, check out Adnams at Southwold and try the brewery tour and check-out the fabulous kitchen store and cafe there. The market town of Halesworth has a good range of independent food shops as well as a larger Co-op, so you don't need to worry about bringing masses of food with you. Westhall village is home to The Racehorse Inn, just over a mile away and a lovely quiet walk or bike ride.

Pricing

From £260 for a 2 -night minimum stay – the Barn accommodates up to 4 adults and 3 children (plus 2 infants), and prices are based according to numbers, so it's cheaper for a couple.

The Owner Says

Want to re-charge your batteries, explore glorious coastline or quiet country lanes by bike or on foot and enjoy some of Suffolk's amazing gastro pubs and restaurants?  Then you've found the right place!  Situated close to the coast in an idyllic rural location we aim to offer just what you need to make your stay enjoyable and relaxing, with bikes to borrow, a fun cob pizza oven and covered outdoor kitchen.

Location

Contact Website  07802 456 087  Ivy Grange Farm Barn, Butts Road, Westhall, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8RN

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Getting There

Despite being so rural, Ivy Grange is easy to reach, close to the A12 and just a short drive from Bungay and Beccles. From Bungay, turn left at Ilketshall St Lawrence primary school (Hog Lane) and then first right (Butts Road) – the site is about half a mile down on the left. If travelling from Halesworth, turn right at the Spexhall crossroads (the first right turn on this road) along Nollers Lane, then take the first left (Butts Road) and follow the road for 1.3 miles, ignoring the right hand turn to Westhall village. The site is on the right.

Hourly trains run to Brampton and Halesworth on the London to Lowestoft line via Ipswich, and Nick and Kim are happy to collect from either station – indeed the site offers an "own steam" discount for those arriving by train, bike or foot.

Facilities

  • Gardens & Grounds
  • Groups welcome
  • Parking
  • Wifi
  • Beaches
  • Eco-friendly
  • Family-Friendly
  • Short walk to pub
  • Walking

Related Guides

See Self Catering in Halesworth

Reviews

Add Your Review

Rated ★★★★★ over 11 reviews

★★★★★

Brilliant place to stay!

Such a brilliant place to stay and reconnect with loved ones. The outside shower and pizza oven were a big highlight. The children loved picking the blackberries and plums. Thank you for being so accommodating and making our stay so comfortable. Stayed August 2022.
Apr 23, 2023 by Lita
★★★★★

Fabulous!

Fabulous place to stay for a peaceful and relaxing break. The outdoor shower was amazing! The barn and yurt are lovely well-equipped spaces. Stayed August 2022.
Apr 22, 2023 by Sue
★★★★★

Wonderful stay!

We had a wonderful stay at The Barn at Ivy Grange Farm. Kim and Nick were brilliant hosts. The Barn was beautiful and very well-equipped with everything we needed. The grounds are stunning and the kids loved exploring. The bedrooms were very comfortable with beautiful furniture. The kids loved the bunk room. Bathrooms were all modern and the outside shower such fun. We had magic evenings toasting marshmallows (provided) over the campfire. Thank you, Kim and Nick, for such a great stay. We hope to return. Stayed August 2022.
Apr 20, 2023 by Grace
★★★★★

Perfect space for a girly retreat!

Staying in Nick and Kim's stunning barn was the perfect space for our girly retreat. The attention to detail was inspiring, the log burner oh so cosy and the beds so very comfortable. Kim greeted us and went above and beyond to help accommodate me and my friends. The meadow is beautiful done with sweet details for any nature lover and I miss the barn and our time there already. Would love to return! Stayed March 2023.
Apr 13, 2023 by Sophie
★★★★★

Can’t recommend enough!

Really lovely place for a nice chilled country weekend. The barn is beautiful with lots of character that has been modernised. Can’t recommend enough! Stayed July 2022.
Apr 12, 2023 by Greg
★★★★★

Beautiful quiet space

The beautiful quiet space felt like a retreat: cosy fires, wild swimming and lots of walks. Nick and Kim were so nice and accommodating. Would definitely recommend this beautiful barn. Loved how it was all powered by solar. We will come back when it’s warm and experience it all over again and explore the surroundings more. Stayed January 2023.
Mar 29, 2023 by Francesca
★★★★★

Beautifully converted barn

Just spent a wonderful cosy weekend break with friends at Ivy Grange Farm. Although only one yurt remains, the barn has been beautifully converted into a spacious well-appointed holiday home. No detail has been overlooked and I defy anyone, not just kids, not to be tempted to take a nap in the bespoke 'bunks' in the third bedroom. As with the yurts, the barn's location is brilliant in terms of accessing everything this part of Suffolk has to offer, from the seaside at Southwold to the southern edge of the Norfolk Broads and Norwich itself. You could just stay in and relax, but I'd recommend you borrow a bike and take yourself up to the Racehorse in Westhall (the community-owned pub), where you're guaranteed a friendly welcome. Stayed October 2022.
Mar 7, 2023 by Karen
★★★★★

Fabulous barn!

Fabulous barn in a great location in a natural landscape surrounded by nature. A great place from which to explore the coastline but also to head out on 2 wheels on the quiet safe lanes and roads. Stayed August 2022.
Mar 5, 2023 by Mia
★★★★★

What an amazing place!

We wanted for nothing. The Barn is beautiful, amazing facilities and so cosy! We loved the nature trail and all the outdoor areas, including the woodland shower. It’s an amazing place to visit as a family and we’ll hopefully be back in the future! Stayed July 2022.
Mar 5, 2023 by Julia
★★★★★

Beautiful accommodation!

Beautiful accommodation with plenty of private outdoor space, thoroughly recommend and hope to visit again. Stayed June 2022.


Feb 27, 2023 by Hannah
★★★★★

Brilliant

We (a group of three families) have now visited Ivy Grange Yurts twice and are already planning our next return visit. The entire set-up makes for the perfect away break for parents, children and couples. The yurts are spotless (on arrival!) and luxurious, with all the necessary facilities for adults to 'fool' the kids (and themselves) that they are having an authentic camping experience - outdoor shower (with lovely hot water), wood fires and barbecues (all ready to be lit), a little woods for the kids to 'lose' themselves in (although they are actually visible to adults pretty much all the time), fully equipped outdoor and indoor kitchens, pick-your-own patches of fruit and veg, jars of marshmallows and fleets of torches (all at the ready), and a lovely big barn with ping pong and football tables, lots of kiddies games and big comfy armchairs (to take cover when it rains). On both occasions we stayed there, there was a couple in the 'fourth' yurt, and on both occasions they seemed to be loving it as much as the families did. The place is big enough and the yurts are spaced out enough that you can have as much or as little to do with others staying there as you like so I think it would be a great place for a romantic break too. Honestly, I can't fault the place!
Jul 23, 2014 by AI AI

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