Cottageline Blog

Diane from Cambridgeshire has returned to Cottage in the Country, she says…….’You might like to know that the reason we came back to you was that it was so much more pleasant and easier to deal with you than it is with the bigger companies (i.e. Cottages4You, etc) and we always get a personal response with no inflexible rules. Thank you so much’

Suffolk is a county steeped in history, and its coastal and countryside scenery has long been a source of inspiration to artists and writers. It’s the ideal place to walk and unwind, with a diversity of landscapes and an impressive network of routes, all well waymarked and easy to follow. Whether you are a local or a tourist enjoying a Suffolk cottage, you are sure to enjoy the selection of walks below.

The Angles Way runs along the border of Norfolk and Suffolk in the beautiful Waveney Valley, while shorter circular routes off this path lead to some of the area’s lesser-known villages.

The Suffolk Coast and Heaths area – designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on 1970 – extends from the Stour estuary in the south to Kessingland in the north and is a low-lying area of astonishing variety, a mix of shingle beaches, crumbling cliffs, marshes, estuaries, heathland, forests and farmland. There are three long distance routes here: the 50-mile Suffolk Coast Path from Felixstowe to Lowestoft; the 60-mile Sandlings Walk between the eastern fringes of Ipswich and Southwold, linking the remaining fragments of beautiful Sandlings Heath; and the 42-mile Stour and Orwell Walk from Felixstowe to Cattawade and Manningtree, around two of the most beautiful estuaries in East Anglia.

Suffolk is famous for its gentle landscapes. Along the river Stour south of Lavenham is 'Constable Country', forever associated with the painter’s most poignant works. Walks between Sudbury and Flatford capture the essential 'Englishness' of the scenery – Flatford is the location for one of Constable's most famous paintings and is now a major tourist attraction, while upstream at Sudbury is the birthplace of another great English painter, Thomas Gainsborough.

To discover a totally different aspect of Suffolk, take a walk in The Brecks, once an ancient heathland. The landscape today is a result of the sandy soil and the winds that have blown across it over the centuries – twisted trees, open heaths, huge horizons and a variety of habitats are to be found in this 370 square miles, with Brandon a good base from which to step out.

I think it’s safe to say that spring is well and truly here after the glorious sunshine that blessed Norfolk l­­­ast week. Norwich is as cosmopolitan as it is historic and there is no better way to really get to know the city than by spending a couple of days in one of the Norwich apartments that are right in the heart of the action.

Personal weekend highlights include cheering on the Canaries at Carrow Road on a Saturday and shopping – Norwich was recently voted one of the top 10 places to shop in the UK! Followed by afternoon tea down in Tombland, and then catching an evening show at Norwich Theatre Royal.

A leisurely stroll along the Riverside on Sunday mornings does wonders for the ‘night before’ feeling while Castle Museum is always a fascinating way to spend a few hours. Perfect finished with a coffee and pastry in one of the many chic cafes along the beautiful cobbled streets. There really is a never-ending list of things to see and do in the city!

Norfolk Country Cottages has holiday apartments available for breaks in Norwich.

Or perhaps you would rather book self catering in Norfolk with a more rural twist and perhaps just pop into Norwich City occasionally...if so then just browse all our cottages in Norfolk. For more information visit www.norfolkcottages.co.uk

'I booked the Coach House (C414) with yourselves for a 3 night stay recently at short notice and just wanted to say THANK YOU for suggesting it as an alternative when our first choice wasn’t available. The village is beautiful and in a good location for visiting other villages, towns and for some great walks. The accommodation was of an excellent standard in a very lovely setting and the food at the local pub was very good, all in all it was just what we needed for a wonderfully relaxing weekend. Kind Regards Lisa' Read More >

Lazy days in front of cosy open fires, spectacular winter walks, indulgent local produce and unforgettable views...what better way to celebrate this Valentines Day than with a romantic cottage holiday in the Lake District. And it’s not too late to surprise your loved one! Lake District self-catering specialists Lakelovers have a number of late availability deals available for the week commencing 12th February. Read More >