Old Valley Farm

Description

Intro
Venture south across the River Blyth and you’ll find Old Valley Farm, a beautifully refurbished, Grade II listed, 17th-century farmhouse that was once owned by English impressionist painter Philip Wilson Steer. Charles Rennie Mackintosh stayed here in 1914 – a visit during which he painted his famous botanical paintings and was arrested and imprisoned for being thought a German spy! Today’s guests will have no such worries – this magnificent Walberswick property offers the warmest of welcomes and, thanks to its wealth of period features and furnishings, will be the setting for a truly magical seaside escape.

Bedrooms and bathrooms
Every night-time need is accommodated here. Three lavishly-furnished bedrooms on the first floor are spacious and full of character; one features a metal-framed super-king size bed and has an en suite shower room, while two others contain zip-and-link beds which can be made up as twins or a king-size and a super-king – just tell us which you’d prefer and we’ll take care of it. A family bathroom and ground floor cloakroom complete the line-up of farmhouse conveniences, but that’s only the beginning of the bedtime story… around 20m away at the top of the garden, in direct line of sight from the dining room, you’ll find the Garden Studio where a further king-size bedroom leads to a bunk room and bathroom – perfect for a family of four or those needing ground floor facilities.

Cooking and dining
Classic styling – including stone worktops, bespoke units and limestone flooring – combines with all ‘mod cons’ to keep the kitchen at the very heart of this family-friendly farmhouse. Here you’ll enjoy the use of an American style fridge freezer, Miele dishwasher, Lavazza espresso machine and an electric oven and induction hob. The kitchen houses a washing machine while a tumble dryer is in a hallway cupboard close by, and there’s an elegant dining room which, complete with table, ten chairs and French doors leading to the garden, make this the ideal space for everyone to get together and make the most of the self-catering experience.

Outside
Recently landscaped, the garden here has outside seating and patio areas that are perfect for both sun worship and wildlife-watching. There’s private parking for two cars to the front of the farmhouse, and the River Blyth is just the shortest of strolls away… crabbing competitions are an essential part of any holiday here!

Practicalities
Old Valley Farm exudes family-friendliness, and this extends to the provision of two travel cots as well as two toddler bed guards, one high chair, an assortment of toys and a baby monitor connecting the Studio to the main house. Four-legged friends can join in the holiday fun too – one well-behaved dog is welcome and a second will be considered on request; we kindly ask that dogs stay within the tiled areas of the property. Oil-fired central heating keeps everything cosy and there’s a woodburner in the elegant sitting room to add warmth and an air of romance. And, as with any ancient dwelling, period fireplaces, exposed beams, some steep staircases and low doorways all add to the character here – we’ll be happy to explain why these shouldn’t be an issue if you have any concerns. Please contact us if, too, if you’d like to know more about booking this stunning property for a smaller party – reduced prices are available for six people using the main house only at off-peak times.