Cratfield Old Press

About this property

Perfect for a romantic getaway, Cratfield Old Press is a quaint and querky bolthole, once the old apple press for a farm orchard in Cratfield. With charm, artistic flair and fabulous design, this outstanding holiday home is perfect for two guests wanting to get away from it all and enjoy a delightful countryside setting.

Cratfield lies between the pretty towns of Framlington and Halesworth, within easy reach of the wonderful Suffolk Heritage Coast resorts of Southwold, Walberswick, Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Cratfield Old Press enjoys access to a four acre estate where there are also other holiday accommodations and a rustic spa. Guests staying here enjoy beautiful, natural surroundings, gorgeous gardens, cycling and walking paths and access to The Firs Suffolk Spa.

Cratfield Old Press was the room where apples were pressed from the orchard to make cider and it was also used to print magazines. The stunning renovation has captured some of its history in a truly beautiful way. With one bedroom, one glorious, indulgent bathroom and a cosy living space, this gorgeous little nest is perfect for a couple. Regrettably, you cannot take any pets to Cratfield Old Press though you can take a baby in a cot. You enjoy a charming, private outside space where you can sit by the firepit mesmerised by the silver birch swaying in the breeze and unwind totally. This is your very own private oasis with touches of luxury as well as some warm and welcoming rustic appeal. You can sip a glass of bubbly in your beautiful freestanding roll top bath and stargaze from the comfort of beautifully adorned super kingsize bed.

This cute little haven enjoys a semi open plan design with a delightful flow between the spaces. Your kitchen is a pink delight with an oven, an induction hob, a stove top kettle and a Nespresso coffee machine. This leads through to your living and dining area with its dining table and chairs for two and its comfy sofa adorned with colourful cushions and crochet blanket. Ancient beams and other nods to the past bring comfort and charm. On cool nights you can snuggle down using your ESSE stove and on warmer ones open your French doors to your private patio terrace. This space leads through to your fabulous bedroom space with its sumptuous super kingsize bed, mellow green tones and exposed brick wall. You will enjoy the sleep of kings in your luxury linens and can stargaze through the huge skylight. Beautiful stable doors slide across to your stunning bathroom. Here you can soak for hours in your stylish roll top bath or enjoy your rainforest shower. The mellow greens have changed to bold, vibrant green tones, striking and beautiful. You will find beautiful collages that offer quirky, artistic appeal.

You can step outside to your pretty outdoor space for an evening around the firepit barbecue, enjoying the nature and peace. Your bistro table and chairs is perfect for a spot of alfresco dining and your deckchairs perfect for your holiday read. You can take a stroll through the beautiful gardens and woodland that cradle this stunning location. You can even book a session in the spa for an indulgent treat in the wood-fire hot tub and sauna. The Firs Suffolk Spa is available to book for private sessions only. You will enjoy the hot tub, the sauna, a bathroom with changing facilities, an outdoor shower, a plunge bucket, drinking water and coffee making facilities. Your private session includes a full day of relaxing and watching dragonflies and the big skies during the day and an evening under the stars. Spa towels are included. You can even book two consecutive days if you are feeling ultra indulgent!

Cratfield Old Press is situated on a gorgeous four acre private estate in the Suffolk countryside. It is close to Framlington, Halesworth and the coast. Framlington boasts an ancient castle as well as excellent independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Framlington Castle is a wonderful place for a picnic. Entrance includes access to Lanman Trust’s Museum where you will learn about the local history. Displays illustrate the power struggles between monarchs and the Lords of Framlington over the ages and the tragic stories of famous family members Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. The Mere, the castle’s outer courts and walls offer spectacular, far reaching countryside views.

Halesworth is another of Suffolk’s very pretty market towns, less than 10 miles from the coast. Many of the town’s buildings date back to the sixteenth century. It is wonderful for an afternoon tea stop in one of the attractive, cosy cafes.

Bressingham is another popular spot. The Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens boasts a collection of working locomotives that will take you around the magnificent gardens and woodland. A trip to the locomotive sheds brings the power of the mighty steam engineering up close. Bressingham has been the official home to the Dads Army Appreciation Society’s collection since 2000 so any of you Dads Army fans know where to head!

On the coast, the quaint village of Aldeburgh is famous for its connection with the composer Benjamin Britten. It boasts a stunning ‘Scallop’ sculpture on the beach which is four metres high and is inscribed with the words ‘I hear those voices that will not be drowned’ from Britten’s famous opera Grimes. There is an annual Aldeburgh Festival which takes place in June and was originally founded by Benjamin Brittan. He was actually born in nearby Lowestoft but spent the last 30+ years of his live living in Aldeburgh. You can visit The Red House where he stayed for a glimpse of his life. Visitors can buy the freshest of catches at the fisherman’s huts on the beach for your alfresco supper or visit the numerous art galleries. The architecture of Aldeburgh is lovely.

Just along the coast, Thorpeness is a magical, mystical village where you will find The Meare, an artificially created, Peter Pan themed boating lake. The landings and tiny islands have Peter Pan names such as  ‘The Pirate’s Lair’ and ‘Wendy’s Island’. Visitors can hire rowing boats and enjoy family rowing on the water. Thorpeness Golf Club is regarded as one of Suffolk’s finest with 18 holes and par 70, just a stone’s throw from the beach.

There are few seaside towns quite so quintessentially British as Southwold. Instagram worthy, pastel painted beach huts line the promenade and the sandy beach is gorgeous. The iconic pier was refurbished and is lined with classy shops, eateries and amusements.  Southwold is home to the famous Adnams Brewery with its brewing rooms set just behind the High Street, adjacent to the town’s iconic lighthouse which you can visit. You can cross the River Blyth to Walberswick, exploring the trackbed of the old Southwold Railway and returning on the little ferry if you want a change for the return. Over a thousand acres of heath and marshland around Walberswick are protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Walberswick offers tea rooms, restaurants, two pubs, an art gallery, village shops and some charming craft and gift shops. Fresh fish can be bought from the harbour huts and crabbing is very popular for children by the harbour. Walberswick used to host the annual British Open Crabbing Championship, raising funds for good causes.

Accommodation

Ground Floor
- Living & dining area with terrace access
- Kitchen wiith oven, 4 ring induction hob, stove top kettle and Nespresso coffee machine
- Bedroom with super-king size bed and en-suite bathroom with roll top bath and rainfall walk-in shower
Exterior Grounds
- Private terrace
- Bistro dining facilities
- Barbecue
- Firepit
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Shared laundry facilities
- Shared spa facilities (please see below!)
- Parking
* This property is within the grounds of other holiday cottages and the owners house.There is a shared laundry room with access to a washing machine and tumble dryer, iron etc.
* The Spa*
The Firs Suffolk Spa is available to book for private sessions only. Guests can book these sessions directly with The Firs Suffolk via email. The Spa is composed of a wood fired outdoor hot tub, a sauna, bathroom and changing facilities, outdoor shower, plunge bucket, filtered drinking water, coffee making facilities. Your private session comprises a full day relaxing and watching the dragonflies and damsons in the day and under the stars in the evening. Spa towels are included.

1 full day (Midday to 8pm) £60
2 consecutive days (Day 1 Midday to 8pm and Next Day 8am to 8pm) £90

Please contact The Firs Suffolk directly on info@thefirssuffolk.co.uk, if you would like to book the Spa during your stay, we will always strive to accommodate all our guests on days of their choosing, so to help us do this, please book with as much notice as possible. Please note that the above prices are just a guide and therefore subject to change.