Hadleigh 4.4 km, Monks Eleigh 3.4 km, Lavenham 8.2 km, Long Melford 13.8 km, Ipswich 15 km

The House: An old threshing barn sympathetically refurbished and retaining many fine features to create a wonderful holiday home for all the family. The galleried dining hall is magnificent,the views stunning, the layout excellent. With three lounge areas, a really large farmhouse kitchen and a dining room Old Barn would comfortably accommodate two families who want privacy as well as company.

Grounds: French doors lead out to the heated swimming pool (shared with Stable Cottage) to the rear of the barn whilst at the front of the barn is a fenced private courtyard garden with shrubs and planting and a seating area with barbecue. The stable yard beyond has a great collection of toddler's toys including pedal tractors and dumper trucks.

Beyond the yard are acres of beautiful meadows, a superb fishing lake and beyond that a small paddock with miniature ponies, tame geese and chickens. There is a large fenced field with enormous play fort - the children will love it - and with all this space you can even enjoy a game of football.

The River Brett, Semer's ancient woods and the delightful little village of Kersey are all within a short walk.

Parking: There is plenty of off road parking.

Sleeps 8 in 2 king sized doubles, 1 twin and 1 bunk bedded room. There is a full sized wooden cot. Ideal for adults and children alike; babies are really well catered for with provision of stair gates, changing mat, cot, high chair etc..

Minimum Hire: Three nights; except in high season when it is a week in which case changeover is on a Friday.

Also: No smoking, no pets.

Eating and Drinking: The wonderful farmhouse kitchen comes with an excellent supply of kitchen equipment, large fridge and ample freezer space, so cooking will be a joy. Supplies of fresh local vegetables, free range meats etc., can be purchased near by at Hollow Trees Farm Shop where there is also an excellent cafe and farm walk for children. The Bell in Kersey is a great traditional Suffolk pub (you might have seen it featured in the Meerkat advert) with good food and a really nice atmosphere. For a really smart meal try The Bildeston Crown or the The Great House, Lavenham.

Entertainment: Flat screen TVs, DVD players and music centres. There is an excellent choice of DVDs and CDs for you to enjoy, as well as a really wide selection of books and games for all ages.

Packing tips: Wellingtons and walking boots will be very useful so you can enjoy those beautiful countryside walks, a delight at any time of year. Bicycles if you like cycling, the country lanes are a delight. Bring your fishing rod if you fancy some carp fishing and don't forget beach towels, fishing nets, crabbing lines as you can reach the Suffolk coast in around forty minutes. And of course your swimming costume!

Property description

• Ground Floor

• Utility room - the tiled floor will tolerate outside boots and shoes, there are plenty of hooks for coats as well as a large fridge freezer, chest freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer, lots of fitted cupboards

• Kitchen: Flagstone floors in this large farmhouse kitchen with kitchen table and eight chairs, 2 oven electric cooker, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, toaster, and kettle. Sliding windows open to the dining room beyond

• A magnificent room with double height ceiling and gallery - the dining room has a large dining table and chairs (loads of room for a Christmas dinner) with side board and floor to ceiling bookcase with a large selection of books. There are sofas and coffee tables overlooking the window, a good spot for reading the papers or relaxing after the meal. French doors open onto the rear terrace and the heated outdoor pool

• The drawing room has a wood floor with rugs, a large wood burning stove, two large sofas, armchairs, flat screen TV with DVD, stereo with CD players, antique cabinets, coffee tables and lamps

• Beyond the sitting room is a small games room which doubles as a coat and boot room with door to the private terraced garden

• The wooden staircase leading to the first floor is circular but not steep and has a rail

• First Floor

• The staircase leads up to the gallery overlooking the dining room, this is heavily beamed and has a vaulted ceiling with large chandelier

• Family bathroom with laminate flooring, bath with hand held shower and electric shower, wash basin, w.c., bidet, storage cupboard and radiator with towel rail above

• Bedroom 1 : A double bedroom with king sized bed, bedside tables and lamps, fitted wardrobe, vaulted ceiling and east facing window with views over the meadows and lake. There is a full sized wooden cot available

• Bedroom 2: A bunk bedroom with bedside cupboard, wardrobe with drawers

• Follow the elegant gallery around (there is a single step) to

• Bedroom 3: A twin bedded room with bedside tables, wardrobe and dressing table and chair. Door leading to shared en suite bathroom

• Bedroom 4: A double bedroom with king sized bed, bedside cupboards and lamps, wardrobe with shelves and hanging space, chair and window overlooking the surrounded countryside. Door to shared en suite bathroom

• En suite bathroom with large corner shower, wash basin, w.c. and heated towel rail

• There is a first floor sitting room with magnificent views over the surrounding fields and the lake where there is a sofa, coffee table, writing desk and chair and wi fi

• Outside

• A gated sunny private terrace with barbecue and seating area

• French doors lead from the large dining room to the heated swimming pool

• Beyond the barn is the stable area, once home to National point and hunter chaser horses including several national champions, now one of the stables now stores lots of outside toys which holidaymakers' children are welcome to use. There is a raised pond and fountain in the middle of the yard

• Beyond the stables is a track leading to some Dutch barns where the ponies, geese and chickens roam. Take the children to feed the chickens - they are very friendly

• There is a large, well stocked fishing lake where holidaymakers are welcome to fish

• The track leads onto a large field with children's play fort and football goal post

• The rest of the farm is made over to pasture and meadow land and visitors are welcome to roam the fields and follow the paths to the river

• Services

• Full central heating throughout the property

• Bed linen and towels are provided. Please bring your own towels for swimming. All duvets (summer and winter) and pillows are fibre filled so suitable for those with allergies.

• In consideration of other visitors please do not smoke in the property

• A Good Housekeeping deposit of £150 is required with the full or final payment. This deposit is refundable as long as Booking Conditions are met.

• Loads of parking in the drive

• The pool will be heated from mid May to the end of September (weather permitting)

• A limited broadband / wi fi service is provided. Internet reception can be patchy and the connection provided should NOT be relied on for work use and is unsuitable for games or downloading of films. Please bring connection cables as you may have to attach your laptop to the router. Excessive use of the internet will be charged at cost.