Iken Holiday Cottages

Freston is a small village located right on the River Orwell on the Shotley Peninsular. Just a couple of miles south of Ipswich, Freston's most famous landmark is the Freston Tower, a six story Tudor folly that looks out over the Orwell. Freston's Church of St Peter's is a beautiful place to visit and although it was ruined and rebuilt in the 19th Century, its medieval font still remains today.

Our Freston cottages are the perfect base from which to explore some peaceful walks through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Wherstead Explorer walking trail passes through Freston Wood, an ancient, medieval wood with many species of trees including oak, ash, hazel and sweet chestnut. During spring time, Freston Wood's lower reaches are filled with the aromatic fragrance of wild garlic. Freston Wood also has a stunning display of bluebells during late April each year. Many other bridle paths, walking trails and cycle paths can be found in this area. If you head up river towards Ipswich, you'll reach the redeveloped harbour and marina with its galleries, restaurants and bars. If you head down the river you'll reach the famous Butt and Oyster pub at Pin Mill. This is a great place to stop for a drink or a meal and offers views of the river and the iconic red-sailed Thames Barges.

For some delicious and locally grown holiday supplies, a visit to the award-winning Suffolk Food Hall will not disappoint. Its food hall offers an astonishing variety of fresh fruit and veg, sustainably caught fish and locally-reared meat and poultry including Suffolk Red Poll beef. The Suffolk Food Hall complex also includes a kitchen store, garden centre and onsite restaurant which offers a delicious, seasonal menu with views over the river. For family attractions in the area Jimmy's Farm (made famous by the BBC), is just around the corner in the village of Wherstead. Alton Water is also a great place to visit for water sports and has a centre that hires out windsurfing equipment and sailing boats.

The tiny hamlet of Iken is situated in one of the most beautiful and picturesque parts of Suffolk. Located on the banks of the meandering River Alde, it’s surrounded by a network of beautiful walking and cycle trails. A “secret” picnic spot in this area – known locally as “Iken Cliffs” - offers a peaceful recreational area. Resembling a sweeping sandy bay, Iken Cliffs offers some breath taking views of the river meandering in and out of a series of islands, reed beds, mudflats teeming with birds and the ancient church of St Botolph’s.

Iken’s medieval church of St Botolph’s can be reached on foot from our Iken cottages and is set in an elevated position on a former island overlooking the Alde estuary. This ancient building is said to sit on a former important Anglo Saxon site of worship. Our cottages in Iken really do offer a truly peaceful and beautiful holiday base; all set with the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB (Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

During the warmer months, visitors to this area of the River Alde can find a range of water sports on offer including sailing, canoeing and fishing. Other outdoor activities such as horse riding, golf and tennis are also available nearby.

If you love exploring the “great outdoors”, don’t forget to visit the neighbouring forest of Tunstall. This peaceful woodland consists of coniferous plantations and heathland areas and links up with Blaxhall Common. Both Tunstall Forest and Blaxhall Common are havens for many species wildlife including ground nesting birds such as Nightjar and Woodlark. If you’re into cycling, don’t forget to bring your bikes as Tunstall Forest has a 10 mile red graded single-track mountain bike trail.

Customers will find that our Iken cottages are perfectly located for visiting Snape Maltings – home of a world class concert hall and the Aldeburgh Festival of Music and Arts. Easily reached on foot via a tranquil walking trail, Snape Maltings hosts a staggering number of events throughout the year including a food and drink festival, a poetry festival, a literary festivals, Snape Proms, a Brazilian culture festival and a monthly farmer’s market. The fabulous Snape Maltings complex also includes a gastro pub, a home and garden store, stationery/gift shop, a café, gallery and antiques centre.

The sleepy village of Sudbourne is also situated conveniently close to our Iken cottages and is home to a beautiful wildlife reserve called Captain's Wood. This reserve is protected by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and is one of the last few remaining bluebell woods in Suffolk. Visit during the spring time and the uplifting sight of thousands of bluebells stretching as far as the eye can see, will simply take your breath away.

If you’d like to find out more about our Iken cottages, don’t hesitate to call us on 01502 722717 – we’re always happy to help! If you’d like to widen your search and look for a Suffolk cottage in a different part of the county, simply use the search facility. Here you can select your preferred holiday destination, dates and size of property required. We look forward to welcoming you to Suffolk soon!