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Crossways Farm

UK England East Anglia Suffolk Stowmarket

01449 740 325   Brettenham Road Hitcham Suffolk IP77NT

A beautiful medieval farmhouse with a spacious B&B wing for your exclusive use.

Set in two-and-a-half acres of gardens and grounds in the village of Hitcham, bang in the middle of the bucolic Suffolk countryside, Crossways Farm is a Grade II-listed, 14th-century farmhouse that would be an enticing place to stay whoever was running it. But, as luck would have it, it's the home of Yalda Davis, who has turned part of this beautiful, old beamed building into as comfortable and welcoming a B&B as you could wish for, with two guest rooms in the far end of the west wing which she rents out on an exclusive-use basis.

There is a separate private entrance and staircase, a spacious bathroom and a private breakfast and sitting room with a wood-burning stove. The two bedrooms (one double, one twin/triple) are furnished with luxury mattresses, hypoallergenic pillows and duvets, Egyptian cotton bed linen, Freeview TVs and DVD players and and tea and coffee-making facilities – and whether you book one or both, the accommodation is reserved exclusively for you. Breakfast is delicious and locally-sourced, including eggs from Yalda's own chickens, and Yalda also serves you tea, coffee, homemade elderflower cordial and cake or biscuits on arrival. You can also purchase her delicious homemade cakes, biscuits, ice cream and other produce to take home, and environmentalists will be pleased to know that the property's power is in part provided by the solar panels that Yalda has recently installed at the back of the garden, hidden by trees.

Above all Crossways Farm is a great place to come with your family. In summer you can enjoy your own private area of the beautiful garden, complete with hammocks, table and chairs – and there's a swing and a den which children will love. There is a paddling pool for hot days, and a rowing boat for exploring the small lake in grounds (life jackets are available for little people), plus a slightly bumpy but full-size tennis court for matches between non-serious players (Yalda can provide racquets and balls). Yalda is also always happy to introduce the various animals who share the grounds with you – and to provide carrots to feed the goats and grain to feed the chickens and ducks. The kids can also join her in collecting the chickens’ eggs that you will have for your breakfast.

As for things to do, the medieval town of Lavenham is just a few miles away, and well worth a visit, although the area immediately around Crossways Farm is itself perfect for walking, with various circular walks accessible on foot from the house. The quiet country lanes of this part of Suffolk also provide plenty of opportunity for easy-going cycling, and Yalda has maps to help you explore, as well as child bikes, seats and helmets of various sizes to borrow. There are lots of pubs within easy cycling distance – not least the renowned if rather posh Bildeston Crown and the more accessible Swan Inn in Monks Eleigh. And if the weather doesn't cooperate, there are games to play and books to read and a microwave and cooking equipment for a stay-at-home dinner.

As Yalda says, Crossways Farm is more than a place to stay, it is a restorative place for all ages to relax in peaceful surroundings while enjoying the countryside and its wildlife. We're lucky she has decided it share it with us.

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Reviews

Rated ★★★★★ over 4 reviews

★★★★☆

Beautiful place except for pig

I stayed here last month. Beautiful room, fantastic hosts. But I woke in the middle of the night to find a gigantic pig in my room. I was shocked and immediately rushed out to find the owners. To be fair, they were excellent and moved me to another room straight away. Apparently the pig had wandered in through an open door and since I didn’t lock my door...in it came. But apart from that, it was a great stay. Plus they gave me a 75% discount! And their breakfast was great...I wonder if the sausages and bacon were made from my late night guest! Great people, great place, cool pig!
May 31, 2019 by Corey Dean
★★★★★

Just perfect

Yalda is a perfect host makes the best breakfast you will ever have and the house and gardens are just perfect.
Aug 9, 2017 by Heather Chambers
★★★★★

Family-friendly holiday

Our stay at Crossways Farm was wonderful. The farmhouse is full of character and very well kept, with a vast, lush garden hiding gems such as duck pond with a wooden bridge, two colourful hammocks to snooze under the trees, a boathouse, a children's den and of course the goats, chickens and rabbit that roam around - such a joy for the little ones to explore. Breakfast is plentiful and of excellent quality, its ingredients locally sourced or home-made and part of it is cooked to order. You won't leave the table feeling hungry! The accommodation is very comfortable and there are many little touches that make a difference to your stay (homemade, delicious cake and elderflower cordial upon arrival, chocolate on your pillow, nice toiletries in the bathroom, lovely quality sheets etc.). It is well equipped to welcome children with all the essentials such as potty, high chair, toys, DVDs and books, plastic crockery and cutlery and a comfy bean bag where our baby loved to sleep! Yalda, the owner, is extremely welcoming and friendly and she was fantastic with our toddler, taking her to collect the eggs from the chicken house, introducing her to the rabbit and goats and so on. There are lots of fun activities for families in the area but you might find you'll be reluctant to leave Crossways Farm for too long, as it offers so much entertainment for little ones already!
Jun 20, 2017 by Irene
★★★★★

First trip away with our baby

We had our first trip with our 2 month old baby for my husband's birthday. It was a lovely 3 nights spent mostly walking the local footpaths and meeting the wonderful and friendly animals, and curled up by the wood burner. Yalda is a fantastic host who always makes sure you have what you need and has a really genuine love for the farm and to make you feel at home. Her breakfast was amazing and she gave us a special vegetarian menu as our whole family is veggie. Our in laws came with is to stay which was great! And we did a day trip to Lavenham where we ate at the greyhound pub (they have a veggie menu there too). The accommodation is all kept to a luxuriously high standard so it feels like a real treat staying there! We'll definitely be back every year to stay so our little one can get to know the animals and we can have a relaxed and peaceful time - it's so blissfully peaceful and quiet there too! Oh and Yalda made Matt a yummy chocolate birthday cake too! Her breakfasts are just the best!
Mar 16, 2017 by Charly Jolly

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