Rustic retreat in heart of rural Suffolk
House in Babergh District
6 guests · 4 bedrooms · 4 baths
Reasons to book
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
High-end valuePrice for this property is higher than average in the area
About this house rental
Comfortable and spacious house set in an acre of garden away from the quiet road and surrounded by fields - a true country break, within easy reach of local shopping and picturesque historic wool towns including Sudbury, Long Melford and Lavenham, ideal for antique bargain-hunters and countryside ramblers.
Comprises through dining and lounge areas plus kitchen, entrance hall and WC on ground floor, wide staircase leading to 4 bedrooms (2 ensuite + 1 family bathroom) and study on first floor.
Comprises through dining and lounge areas plus kitchen, entrance hall and WC on ground floor, wide staircase leading to 4 bedrooms (2 ensuite + 1 family bathroom) and study on first floor.
Amenities
Pets allowed
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Map of Babergh District
$$$$
Reviews
5.0
We had very specific needs in that we lived between Glemsford and Fenstead End (same road as Cockles) in the early 1970s and we wanted to return and inspire memories of very happy times there.
Cockles was the ideal location being away from the village and incredibly quiet - and light-free at night. In fact, I got good milky way shots with both my cellphone and my camera. So, Cockles is incredibly quiet and peaceful.
The house itself is large and rambling with lots of character plus several rooms in addition to the four bedrooms, two of which have in-suite showers. The kitchen is well-stocked with everything you can imagine or need if you wish to self-cater.
The booking process was quick and easy, while Mark was very quick to respond to questions.
Perhaps I can summarise by saying that this trip comprised only my daughter and grandson (other family members missed the trip through various circumstances), but I hope to return with my wife and her two daughters from California in the near future because it's a perfect base from which to explore the fascinating beauty and history of West Suffolk (I was born and raised in East Suffolk).
4.0
We enjoyed a relaxing few days in Suffolk. The house is a comfortable family home full of character set in a large garden with an eclectic mix of artefacts and a massive book collection. The living /dining area is spacious, the kitchen well-equipped and the bedrooms large and airy. It was however quite dirty in places. We needed to wash some of the cutlery and crockery before use and the kitchen work surfaces were sticky. One of the mattress covers was stained. And there were quite a lot of cobwebs. All these issues could easily be rectified and once addressed would enhance the overall experience.
5.0
Stayed for 4 nights with extended family over Xmas: Lovely time had by all!
If you’re looking for modern and pristine, this isn’t the place for you. If you’re looking for character and country charisma, is this the place for you.
Spacious, comfortable and full of interesting things to look at.
Perfectly equipped for a large group over a festive period, with great views and fresh air too. Great!
Tip: Definitely access the property from the road to the West rather than the farm track Google maps might want to take you from the East (Google thinks this is a road… fine if you’re in a 4x4, interesting if you’re not!). Host gave us a heads up on this ahead of time but one my party still took the track…!
5.0
We had a great long weekend at the house. The house itself is very spacious and well equipped. Beautiful, huge garden, plenty of room for the kids to play. Lot to do in the area, suitable for longer stays too.
Definitely recommend!
5.0
The property is eclectic and in a fantastic location. We had a lovely time. Check in and out process was easy and the hosts were super responsive.
There was plenty of space for us all - just a shame the weather wasn't on our side!
5.0
Wonderful and unique
We stayed here for new year. There were 8 of us, 4 adults and 4 children. The house is very quirky and unique. Full of books and old gimmicks. We loved how the house is remote and surrounded with fields. It was perfect for our little getaway. We will book again.
5.0
Perfect for the family
Overall a very homely and well lived experience. Would recommend to anyone wanting to get away from the world
4.0
Country Retreat
Farmhouse is as described , lovely rural location; lots of places to visit both National Trust and Bressingham Gardens. House has tremendous collection of books. Decorations a bit dated but serviceable. Problem with ladybird and fly hatching one day, but this was resolved quickly by local contact and owner.
4.0
The Rural Suffolk Experience!
Coming from the city, we loved this rural location, the lack of traffic, and the woodpecker daily visiting the beautiful garden!
The Cockles country house is full of history, having loads of interesting books and interesting architecture, with a definite family feel. Some of the rooms might benefit from an update, eg the ensuite bathrooms, but equally this can be part of the quirky charm! Storage heaters and under floor heating worked a treat once they had warmed up. The hosts were kind and helpful, and keen to sort out any issues as promptly as possible. Recommended!
5.0
Relaxing rural retreat to help recharge the batteries
Lovely house in plenty of grounds in a quiet area with just the odd tractor going down the lane by the property. The house itself is full of country charm and character and very well equipped for your stay. If you are looking for peace and quiet this is definitely the place to stay.
Our 2 dogs loved exploring the grounds and the size of the garden made sure they slept well every night!! There are walks from the cottage or a short drive away. Would recommend Clare but our favourite was the National Trust House and Park at Ickworth, just 15mins away. For shopping Bury St Edmunds is a lovely town.
Communication with the owner was excellent and after checking there was a suitable area for a bbq before we travelled Mark made sure a grill was left out for us...nice touch..
Would not hesitate to recommend to anyone
2.0
Beautiful location shame about the property
We had fabulous weather and the location was very beautiful . The property unfortunately was very outdated and very dirty. The bed linen and towels were old and the beds were uncomfortable. The outside furniture was inadequate and the bbq was a joke. Two of the bathrooms upstairs were old and dirty as was the downstairs loo. There was a general smell of mustiness due to the amount of all old books everywhere. The house needs a lot of updating and cleaning to be at an acceptable standard.
5.0
Fenstead End
Nice, quirky, spacious house in a good location. Quite secluded, but 5 mins drive from a village with convenience shop and takeaway. Lots of interesting books in the house + well equipped kitchen. Nice, clean, comfy beds.
3.0
Country break
The house is set in a lovely peaceful area. We had fun exploring the Long Melford, Clare and Lavenham. Seeing a hare on the lawn several times was beautiful.
The house is very well stocked, if anything too well stocked. It was hard to find things in the kitchen as there was so much that was not needed for a holiday stay. We were worried we might leave things behind, as virtually every surface was covered with fascinating books and trinkets.
The house could be wonderful, but it was not clean (cobwebs in several rooms, the fridge and a lot of kitchen equipment was dirty, carpets only vacuumed in centre of room, toaster tray full of crumbs), some of the furniture and carpets have seen better days, taps dripped and the whole place had a bit of a tired air.
We saw a mouse on several occasions and had 2 different sets of flying ants in the kitchen and lounge.
It was a shame, we had a good time, but it could have been great.
4.0
Quietness
The property location was tranquil forpeace and quiet had everything we needed forour stay. Nice areas to drive to and explore..Walks takes 1hr from the house to local pubs.. Neare
st shops in Glemsford approx 3 miles. Recommend Clare Country park for walks and picnics.
5.0
Charming family house
We enjoyed our stay at this fantastic family house. Very warm and cosy. Has all the essentials and an absolute amazing collection of books. Our boys enjoyed playing cricket in the garden.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Babergh District?
The average price for a rental in Babergh District is $109 per night. This rental is $97 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Rustic retreat in heart of rural Suffolk. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Rustic retreat in heart of rural Suffolk pet friendly?
Yes! This house is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Rustic retreat in heart of rural Suffolk?
We found 10 amenities for this rental. This includes pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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