Out and About
A stay at The Old Rectory can be as active as you want it to be-perfect for a relaxing break or for exploring East Anglia’s nature and heritage.
If you are looking to recharge your batteries, our high quality comfortably furnished cottages in tranquil surroundings mean you can do as little or as much as you want. However, we have listed below some of the activities that might tempt you out.
Firstly, within walking distance we have the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum and St Peters Brewery. The village’s own Museum houses 50 aircraft; a large inside display, as well as buildings showing the history of other aviation related organisations- Very interesting for aircraft enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike.
The Brewery is a firm favourite with our guests – with its fine range of Traditionally brewed beers, it is little wonder why, the tutored tastings are so popular.
The picturesque market towns of Bungay, Beccles and Harleston are all within 20 minutes drive- all provide the opportunity to shop in individual shops rather than the national chains found in most towns now and also host a good range of excellent restaurants and pubs.
If you want a change from country living visit Norwich. It is the UK’s most complete medieval city with its network of winding streets and over 1,500 historic buildings. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts, cinema and festivals provide plenty of cultural opportunities – And all only 19 miles away.
Fancy a day at the sea? Southwold or Lowestoft are both within 20 miles. Known as the “Jewel of Suffolk”, at Southwold you can visit the renovated Victorian pier, golden beach and colourful beach huts. Southwold is also the home of Adnams Brewery. A trip to Lowestoft will enable you to boast that you have visited the most easterly town in Britain- the eclectic mix of wide expansive award-winning beaches, rich maritime heritage and Broadland links makes Lowestoft an attractive place to visit. Or what about a visit to the attraction hailed as Britain's Tutankhamun to see the burial ground of an Anglo-Saxon king containing a ship fully equipped for the afterlife (but thankfully, no body!)
The Old Rectory offers an excellent base for guests who wish to walk, cycle, fish or watch birds.
For walkers there are numerous footpaths including the Angles Way and Bigod Way- all of the cottages have Ordnance Survey Maps and we also have a small library of books detailing local walks.
Suffolk is one of the best areas in the UK for bird watching all year round – Dunwich Heath, Minsmere, Benacre Broad and the newly opened Hen Reedbeds are all a short drive away from The Old Rectory.
Anglers are well catered for with plenty of local fishing spots (we have compiled a list of local fishing facilities) whilst The Godric Way provides a selection of cycle routes.
Gardeners are spoilt for choice with many interesting gardens in the area; some of the best can be found at Somerleyton, Wyken Hall and East Ruston – there are also a large number of private gardens that open under the NGS. Or why not visit Bressingham Gardens where you can enjoy a ride through the glorious gardens created by Alan and Adrian Bloom on one of the four working railways and visit the national “Dad’s Army” collection.
And after a day out what is more perfect than to relax on a bench in the Orchard or by the Pond with a glass of wine?
