About the property

This centuries old cottage started life as a cart shed and retains a wealth of original features. Beamed and with vaulted ceilings, the cottage has a traditional wood burning stove as well as central heating. All accommodation is on the ground floor and will suit any group from families with babies and toddlers to those with some mobility restrictions (the second bathroom includes a wetroom shower and assistance rails).

Grounds

French doors lead onto a fenced garden, beyond which is the moat. The garden includes a lovely sun terrace as well as a good variety of attractive planting and small grassed area. A gate leads to a gravel track beyond which are the grazing meadows with sheep and cattle.

Minimum Hire

3 nights except in high season when it is a week.

Parking:

There is parking for at least 3 cars outside the cottage.

This property is ideal for any age group:There is a full sized table tennis table in the roofed "hovel" as well as a dart board and basketball net.

There are a number of grass tracks around the farm and visitors are welcome to wander as they wish - DO CLOSE GATES BEHIND YOU. Beyond the farm is a comprehensive network of footpaths meandering around The Saints - a series of small villages all with their own fascinating church. This is a wonderful area to explore either on foot or by bicycle.

For the Children:

Youngsters will love their holiday at Shepherd's Watch, whether they visit in the depths of winter or high summer. Lambing starts in early January continuing through to the middle of February. Calves are born in the early autumn and turned out onto the grazing meadows in the spring. Hens (of various exotic breeds)and guinea fowl roam the grounds. Swallows nest in the stables and the barns. There are kingfishers on the moat, hares in the fields and a pair of barn owls living in the woods beside the paddock. There is large walled garden behind the farmhouse which all ages are welcome to enjoy with swing, swing boat and trampoline and a summer house.

Just 10 minutes away is the, grade I listed, South Elmham Hall with guided walks and history tours of the house and grounds. Breakfast, coffee, lunch and afternoon tea is served in Batemans Barn Cafe on Sundays

Eating and drinking

The kitchen is well equipped and the welcome cake delicious (you can order more if you wish to during your stay). Home produced lamb and eggs can be purchased from the farm and other local produce can be purchased from The Waveney Farm Shop in Wortwell, Harleston. Nearby Halesworth is home to a good butcher, fishmonger, two good greengrocers and a Co-op Rainbow Express as well as other small convenience stores.

If you would rather eat out there is an excellent choice of pubs and restaurants in the area including, Cleones Italian Restaurant, at The Angel Halesworth . Offering authentic Italian food, including delicious homemade pizzas straight from the oven, and generous portions of homemade pasta. All vegetables and meat are sourced locally and the pub also serves a good traditional menu. Booking necessary to avoid disappointment.

Just twenty minutes away is Bungay where you will also be spoilt for choice. The Olive Tree, Near Bungay , another great Italian restaurant or The Castle Inn ,The Bahn Thai or traditional Fish and Chips from the Golden House in Earsham Street.

St Peters Brewery is worth a visit either to sample the excellent traditional beers or enjoy a meal in the unique venue, St Peters Hall.

For further information on the things to do and places to visit in the area, please look at our own online guide Visit Southwold .

Property description

• All accommodation is on the ground floor

• Entrance to Shepherd's Watch is via two steps or a gentle ramp

• The hall has hooks for coats etc and plenty of space for storing walking boots, buckets and spades

• The living room is open plan. The L shaped kitchen is well equipped with electric oven and hob, microwave, toaster, kettle, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge with small freezer compartment (a large freezer is also available), filter coffee maker.

• The dining area has a stripped pine table and six chairs and open shelving and cupboards with amply cutlery and china

• The sitting room has two sofas and two armchairs, traditional log burning stove, coffee tables and lamps, flat screen TV and DVD, side table with CD, stereo, maps, games and a large store of DVDs. French doors lead out to the garden

• Bedroom 1 has twin beds zipped as a large double, bedside cabinets and lamps, chest of drawers, wardrobe, a large selection of books. Windows to two sides of the room make this a sunny room ( for twin beds, please request at time of booking)

• Beside bedroom 1 is the family bathroom with w.c. (with grab rails) and basin, large wetroom shower (with grab rails) and seat (suitable for those with some disabilities), heated towel rail

• Bedroom 2 - A double bedroom with en suite bathroom. Double bed, bedside tables and lamps, chest of drawers with CD player and wardrobe

• The en suite bathroom has bath with overhead shower, wash basin and w.c., heated towel rail

• Bedroom 3 - A twin bedded room with lamps, chest of drawers and wardrobe

• Outside

• The garden is reached via french doors from the sitting room or via a fenced and walkway from the front of the cottage

• The garden includes a large terrace with table and chairs, parasol and barbecue. There are two wooden loungers with cushions. The garden is attractively planted and includes a grassed area. It is fully fenced and gated.

• Beyond the garden gate is a sheltered garden bench

• Paths beyond the gate lead to the fields, the vegetable garden and the chicken houses.

• A path from the front of the cottage leads through to the farm garden where there is a trampoline, swing and swing boat and summer house - all of which are available for guest use

• There is a covered area with lighting to the side of the cottage with table tennis table, darts and some toddler's toys

• Sheep and cattle graze in the paddocks so please do close all gates after you

• There is off street parking in the yard beside the cottage for two to three cars

• Services

• Bed linen and towels, underfloor and central heating are provided

• A cot and high chair are provided (please bring bedding for the cot)

• Wi fi is available for your lap top

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

• 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.