| In the village of Chelsworth, near Lavenham, Cafors (the name means 'the house by the river bridge') was built in the 16th century. It was once a much larger and grander house, as the massive sculptured beams and Tudor wood panelled sitting room shows. It easily accommodates two couples and has many beautiful original features. There is also a small enclosed garden.
The farmhouse kitchen is very well equipped. It is cosy with a wealth of ancient beams and a sunny outlook on to the garden. The sitting room has a massive inglenook fireplace and an efficient log burning stove, the ceiling is very high denoting the importance of this building and two of the walls have early Tudor wood panelling to the ceiling.
Chelsworth is actually little more than a string of ancient, pretty cottages mainly on one side of the road facing the water meadows and the church. There's an excellent pub. There are lovely walks around the meadows and up the river valleys straight from the cottage, and the official Suffolk Cycle Route passes by the cottage - bikes are freely provided.
Cost: from about £269 (short breaks) to £696. Pets are welcome. No smoking. |
