“This was once an engine house, supplying Barton Hall with electricity (extremely progressive for the very beginning of the 20th century). The Hall was abandoned after a fire in 1914, and I bought the engine house 100 years later. Over the interim years it served as a forge, a store for fruit and veg (tomatoes still sweetly and stubbornly grow behind the house) and an artist’s studio. My aim was to maintain the same feeling of space it had when I first visited it, so I’ve kept it double height, simple and functional.” Owner, Sandy
She loves
“Eating outside in the private walled garden, listening to birds sing; quite the change from my London life.”
We love
The blend of beautiful vintage furnishings, which include Optima pendants by Danish designer Hans Due and Habitat chairs from her childhood home. Sandy’s sourcing of preloved was both an aesthetic choice and a reluctance to buy new.
You may not love
A peaceful residential setting. No loud groups and the garden shouldn’t be used after 9pm. The mezzanine bedroom has no curtains (eye masks provided). 15 mins to pubs/restaurants.
Sustainability.
Energy supplied by Bulb. The principal aim when furnishing was to minimise buying new stuff. Hence sofas, table, chairs and many of the objects were carefully sourced vintage, and the beds were from Gumtree – though of course topped with comfortable new mattresses and bedlinens!
Surrounds.
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Knettishall Heath -
Wild Swimming -
Canterbury Cathedral -
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Lavenham -
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Abbey Ruins
- Woosters is an exceptional family bakery in the nearby village of Bardwell; pop there first thing and pick up some amazing morning buns and sourdough for breakfast in the garden.
- Cycle and walk at Knettishall Heath, a nearby nature reserve; in summer you can swim in its weir. Or visit Nowton Park, for 200 acres of green space and a quirky maze.
- You’re 3 miles from Bury St Edmunds, which has beautiful architecture, Georgian squares and a fruit and veg market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There are daily tours of the medieval Abbey and its ruins
- Pea Porridge is the owner’s favourite restaurant in town, a former 19thC bakery, with imaginative menus (we love the sound of Essex lamb rump with aubergine caponata, meguez and wild garlic pesto). Try Wright’s Café for local roasted coffee and homemade cakes.
- Abbeygate is a revamped 1920s cinema, showing independent and mainstream titles. It has super-comfy reclining seats and bar service.
- Seek out your own vintage finds. Browse in Bury’s little Smoking Monkey Antiques shop or head to Long Melford for 2 huge antique warehouses
- We love beautiful Lavenham, with its medieval half-timbered houses. Don’t miss the stunning Guildhall of Corpus Christi, founded by the wealthy wool guild in the 1500s.
Details.
- Private house in peaceful surrounds; you’ll see wild deer and hear owls
- 3 double bedrooms, one of which can be twinned. One is on a mezzanine
- 2 bathrooms, one with a bath, one with a walk-in shower; toiletries provided
- Stunning vaulted kitchen with basic ingredients
- Sunken snug with board games, a projector and screen (hooks up to a laptop using a USB), small speakers and WiFi
- Underfloor heating
- Washing machine and dishwasher
- Children welcome
- Dog friendly
- Private walled garden with alfresco dining furniture
- Petrol station for basics 10 mins’ walk away; drive to shops/pubs/restaurants (15 mins)
- Booking conditions: a 3-night minimum stay
- Remember to pack: a laptop for projecting films, a device for listening to music, walking boots
Simple
30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £40 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay. These terms also apply to any booking amendments or date changes.
See our full booking Ts & Cs
FAQs.
Up to 2 well-behaved dogs welcome for a £50 fee. The garden is secure.
There’s WiFi, a projector, speaker, adaptor (bring your own laptop) and screen. We also have a range of games: Scrabble, Balderdash, Pick-up sticks, wooden horse and jockey racing.
3pm / out: 10.30am.
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