Gardener's Cottage | Holiday Rental in Ipswich, Suffolk

Holiday home
Gardener's Cottage at Holbecks House is a lovely annexe to the stables in the grounds of the owner's B&B in Hadleigh. With three bedrooms, a double and two connected twin rooms, it sleeps six comfortably. There is also a shower room, kitchen, utility and sitting room with woodburner. Outside there is off road parking, a 'secret' garden with furniture, and shared access to the estate's extensive grounds. Gardener's Cottage is a lovelybase for exploring this vast area.

Accomodation Details
Three bedrooms: 1 x double, 2 x twin (one accessed via the other). Shower room with shower, basin and WC. Kitchen with dining area and pantry. Utility with basin and WC. Sitting room with woodburning stove.

Area
The pretty, ancient market town of Hadleigh lies deep in the Suffolk countryside between Ipswich and Sudbury.

Region
Picturesque rolling Fens, unspoilt beaches, and pretty waterways - East Anglia is a dream holiday destination. Norfolk offers beaches, saltmarshes and quaint villages whilst equally as charming are the coast and countryside of Suffolk.

Amenities
Oil fired central heating with woodburning stove. Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer, Smart TV with Freeview, DVD, WiFi. Fuel, power and starter pack for stove inc. in rent. Bed linen and towels inc. in rent. Travel cot and highchair on request. Ample off road parking. Lawned garden with raised patio, furniture and BBQ. Two well-behaved dog welcome (£25 pet charge applies per pet). Sorry, no smoking. Shop and pub 10 mins walk. Note: 4pm arrival. Note: There is a steep staircase in the property so may not be suitable for people with limited mobility issues. Please note that this property only accepts bookings on weekdays. No Saturday or Sunday check-ins will be accepted. Please note this property does not accept worker bookings.

Andrew S

November 2022

The cottage was warm, comfortable and very clean. It has a wonderful setting, close to Hadleigh but is quiet and secluded. It was well equipped and we look forward to staying here again.

Christine T

We enjoyed our week. The setting is beautiful and it was good to have our own private garden - our 2 dogs loved it. The walk down into hadleigh was pleasant and gentle. Strongly recommended.

John O

October 2022

Having lived in Suffolk in my teens this was an excellent place to stay and appreciate old haunts. We shared the cottage with our sons from London and Sydney which worked well. Yes, the cottage is 'well-lived-in' as some other reviews suggest, but it is clean and cosy and in a wonderful location. If you want 21st century design and decor this is not the place for you. If you want character and seclusion, it most probably is.

L7979MCrichardc

May 2022

This was our second stay at this lovely cottage with its expansive and beautiful gardens. This year we were a month later in April and the fruit trees were in full blossom We noted from our last stay rereview, which was during March how lovely the gardens were and it would be wonderful to see them again a month later. We were not disappointed. On the negative side the interior decoration is looking very tatty, but we noted that some of the furnishings have been updated so perhaps the cottage will soon have a full make-over to justify the price

Alan C

April 2022

We stayed at Gardener's Cottage for 7 nights and it was perfect for our needs. A great location set in a beautiful part of the country. Would definitely stay here again. The owner was very welcoming and helpful and a nice touch was the flowers and welcome pack in the kitchen.

GillR379

March 2022

We spent three nights at the Gardener's Cottage, having previously visited the Garden Flat last year. Perry is a very accommodating host and offered to look after our dogs whilst we were at a funeral. In the end we decided to leave them in the Cottage while we were out, which again Perry was fine with. The benefit of the Cottage over the Flat is 1) there's a decent shower and 2) a private garden for the dogs. The Flat is probably posher and has a TV in the master bedroom but the shower is handheld over the bath. The Cottage is more quirky with a very steep staircase but has more space. The bed linen in both properties is divine! We love both of them and will definitely be returning. The parkland is wonderful and we can't wait to visit in decent weather! (It rained most of the time we were there!)

DayTrip35007514932

February 2022

if you are a fan of clean lines and modern then this is not for you, if you like history and pedigree and prepared to appreciate old then it works. Four legged friends welcome in the pubs in Hadleigh and that is no more than a 20 minute walk.

hco2812

September 2021

The cottage is in a lovely, quiet location with beautiful countryside right on the doorstep. However, the standard of the property is not what you would expect for the price paid. The interior would benefit from some much needed tlc and more consideration taken on the furniture choice to maximise space. The cottage wasn’t very clean either. For example, dead flies between the double glazing and the sitting room had a very strong smell of dog which meant it was impossible to relax in there. This is an expensive holiday cottage and in it’s current state, I would not recommend staying here.

Dr Ross

September 2020

Good walks on public rights of way from this property..

Dr Ross, September 2020

This was a short weekend break for our family and when we arrived in the early evening the cottage was lovely and warm and very welcoming.. It was exactly like the photos and had been set up to be COVID aware. The cottage is very rustic and has excellent outside space which, because of the weather we were unable to use but looked perfect if you were staying there in the summer. If you want , you are near enough to the town of Hadleigh to walk there , and there is a nice riverside walk nearby. The information we received before we arrived was very helpful and the owners had helped out with the places in the area where we could book a meal for the Saturday night. Plenty of hot water and towels. A real home away from home. Loved it!

Mrs Gaitens, September 2020

August 2020

We stayed at the cottage for a week during the summer holiday.. The location was wonderful and it was very peaceful too. The cottage has everything you need - kitchen fully equipped, washing machine, dishwasher, hot water. I would definitely recommend to choose this accommodation and this accommodation will definitely be our first choice for future holiday. I retained one start for accuracy of listing. This is due to a confusion of the garden use. The cottage sits on the massive land which is divided into 3 massive gardens with a pond in between. Neither listing or pre-arrival instruction indicates about what garden we were allowed to use. There was no sign on the next garden which is divided by the gate and there was no lock on the either gates which could naturally indicate as “no enter” sign. As a result I had to contact an owner on our first morning to ask permission to use second garden which we were kindly allowed. Yet my family also entered a third garden and the pond area, however the next day we were visited by the owner and were politely asked not to do that again as it wasn’t allowed. So I would be appreciative if this would be made clear on the listing or pre-arrival instruction time avoid uncomfort and confusion to both parties. Especially we stayed we our 3 very energetic young boys who love to run around. Another slight uncomfort were caused by the team with a gras/ bush cutting machine . They have arrived at the cottage just after 8am on our 4th day of the stay and caused lot of noise right underneath our bedroom windows. This also coincided with our son’s birthday when he was opening his presents. This wasn’t pleasant but didn’t cause too much disturbance. Again, it would be much appreciated if we were given notice that this work will occur. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would recommend this accommodation to anyone with children - it’s a great place with massive garden and peaceful environment.

Mrs Belcher, August 2020

March 2020

Warm and cosy cottage within beautiful grounds.. Lovely views from every window. Dog friendly and numerous walking routes from the grounds. Within walking distance to small interesting town with plenty of eating places.

Mrs Morris, March 2020

It was exactly as it said .. .. restful, comfortable and peaceful. We had a lovely weekend in Tge Gardeners Cottage and would definitely do it again

Ms Elimelech, March 2020

February 2020

Lovely cottage in a beautiful location.. Perry was a fantastic host and certainly ensured our stay was enjoyable.This is a great place to bring your dog with numerous picturesque walks. We look forward to coming back for another stay in the future.

Mrs Ducker, February 2020

We had a wonderful stay in the cottage in beautiful surroundings.. The cottage is well equipped and the children loved playing in the garden. Is a great location to explore. We had a day at lavenham and explored sudbury, and braintree. Walks on your doorstep and hadleigh is a lovely little town. Had a great stay.

Mrs Smith, February 2020

December 2019

This is a lovely old cottage but is in urgent need of some attention and in the details of the property it neglected to mention a very steep staircase which I found difficult to use so I ended up sleeping downstairs on the sofa also the shower had no power when you pay the amount asked you expect things to be adequate and if needs cannot be met either lower prices or be honest we did mention the shower to the owner and they said we have a lot of comments about the shower but do not act on the feedback the owner was very nice and helpful when we had to speak to him about the boiler I have to say it has put me off renting cottages for holidays..

Mrs Burns

March 2019

The gardeners cottage, hadleigh, was warm and comfortable, lovely quiet situation within holbeck house extensive grounds.. Easy access to village and local pubs free parking and good choices to eat or just browse. Owner very helpful and able to sort any queries quickly. We would recommend to come again. It would be lovely to have few more walking books local area.... Welcome pack appreciated too on arrival. Thank you 10/10

George H

December 2018

This is our third family holiday at Gardener's Cottage, In tow are three teenagers aged 12 to 18 ( a 12 year old really should be considered a teenager) and an exuberant working cocker spaniel. The location is great for long country walks straight out of the backdoor with an off-lead dog, no need to add driving to the mix. The village/town has all things necessary for a family holiday, large Morrissons, an Adnams shop, a second hand book shop, decent pubs and several fish and chip shops. Everything is in walking distance, except it is probably a good idea to drive to the supermarket. Inside, the cottage is pretty much as it was two years ago,very clean, cosy. and well equipped. I have seen other reviews saying the cottage is cold, we have found that the trick to keeping it at the right temperature (both heating and cooling) is the careful management of which internal doors are opened and closed. The key to a warm upstairs is leaving the kitchen door leading to the stairs open. We particularly like the fact that the internal latch doors can also be used to isolate specific areas of the house so that we can contain the dog after a muddy walk. He cannot open them with his nose like he does to the doors at home. Outside at night it is very quiet, except for the owls and very dark. This, combined with comfy beds and a nice glass of wine, means a decent night's sleep. A large bath would be a great addition, but it is difficult to see where this could be located in the current layout. Somewhere to hang smart clothes is also needed As our holiday draws to a close we are still extremely happy with what this place offers and will no doubt return again.

652jessicam

This December 2018 I am reminded of the terrible stay we had last Xmas at Gardeners cottage . I had booked this cottage as a treat. However it was cold, dirty and stank of dogs. My sister got an allergy from the dog hair and we both got bad colds which lasted a month after our stay. Had we not had a visitor that we had not seen for 20 years,over on Xmas day, we would have left after one day. As it was we left 2 days early. On the only plus side the beds were very comfortable and the owner provided Ecover products as we requested. This property was very expensive and I warn you - the owner puts different prices on different websites. We asked for a refund of the difference we found and provided evidence of the differing price structure and rates but the owner refused. The most miserable Xmas I've ever had.

Juliet M

We booked this place as an Xmas treat for ourselves, the owner charged us £768 for five nights last Xmas 2017 and for that price we expected some sort of special place. But when we got there we were shocked by how very dirty, very basic and very cold it was. It reeked of dogs. It was painfully cold, especially upstairs. It had no thermal insulation to speak o., The kitchen floor was covered with an unspeakable brown, greasy deposit which we hoped had nothing to do with dog's bottoms. And to cap it all there was a HUGE dog flap in the kitchen, roughly covered over by a black bin bag taped onto it. The wind just whistled through it, counteracting any effect of central heating. We wanted to turn tail and run back to our nice warm, clean houses but had to sadly remain for an Xmas day guest. Complete and absolute misery!! What a dreadful, smelly, over priced place. We felt really stupid for falling for the advertising hype!

Mr Faber

September 2018

Excellent cottage -- had everything you could need --- very comfortable beds.. Lovely garden with fox to greet us on arrival !! Excellent dog safe garden with good sitting out and dinning area. Very quite and beautiful location with lovely walks from front door. We would love to return -- so much to do in the area

Mr Lynn-mulholland

August 2018

The cottage is a little 'tired' looking, it was sufficiently clean and tidy but could do with a spruce up everywhere ( including the areas that cannot be initially seen ( i.. E. out of sight out of mind areas!). Some of the rugs are threadbare and paint is falling away from walls in some areas albeit carpets were good and not to say paint was stripped away everywhere. Shower was poor in the sense not powerful, very slow. A power shower is a must to improve this cottage. Outside seating was placed under low branch trees and plants and stinging nettles so we did not sit in that area. Tables and chairs outside need replacing as old ( and look it) and no cushions available for the rattan furniture. Could do with sun loungers/reclining chairs to have that added piece of luxury that makes a good hoilday. This is not a main business area for the owners ( B&B being their main interest) and this shows. It is ok and meets the basic needs without exceeding expectations. The owner was nice and polite and left us to it which was great. The gardens and outdoor space were wonderful. The above are ways to improve this cottage in our opinion, that said, we had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the cottage.

Mr Holmes

April 2018

Excellent cottage and garden.. Perfect base for touring Suffolk and Essex.

Mrs Campbell

March 2018

This was the perfect fit for a quiet safe family break.. Lots of places to visit nearby and easy walks direct from the cottage.Walled private garden a huge bonus.

Mrs Tidmarsh

December 2017

Dog friendly cottage that more than met our expectations.. Lovely rural setting with great dog walking from the doorstep. There is an access road that runs through the property which is not fenced. During our week stay we only saw one car driving to the main house. Cottage is in the owners grounds who were unobtrusive and welcoming. We had one minor problem during our stay which was quickly sorted. We stayed for the first week of December and the central heating was enough to keep us warm. There is a log burner which we didn't use as we were warm enough without it. Grandchildren visited whilst we were there and enjoyed running around the garden and watching the pheasants from the windows. Other reviews had said that beds were hard and yes I did find the bed firm but didn't stop us sleeping well. Walk into Hadleigh took about 10mins and torch is needed if walking back in the evening. We had a lovely stay and if visiting this part of the country again we will return.

Mrs Buggins

November 2017

Dishwasher in the wrong place should be moved into kitchen.. The beds are a high standard and so comfortable better than most holiday let's. Had a lovely time and would certainly book again maybe for longer it is quite and peaceful and in the summer I would think really beautiful. On the whole a lovely place to stay

Guest

October 2017

My husband, myself and our dog have just had a super weeks stay in the Gardeners Cottage on the Holbeck Estate in Hadleigh. The cottage is a super place with everything you could possibly need from a washer/ dryer, freezer, fridge, dish washer, log burner etc etc It's very clean and comfortable with plenty of space. The cottage is set in it own grounds with lots of open fields and in a very quiet and peaceful location. On arrival we had been left fresh milk, butter, bread and eggs which we thought was a lovely touch as we were ready for a drink after after our five hour journey. We were left contact telephone numbers in case there was anything we wanted. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would not hesitate to return again in the future

The most wonderful character cottage, not only in the glorious setting of a country estate, but walkable to the historic and fascinating town of Hadleigh.. It had an abundance of dog friendly inns and restauarants, surrounded by a dozen charming villages all within half an hour, and just as fascinating. Future holidaymakers need telling to make a beeline for three miles away Kersey, which is straight out of a film set with its ford crossing the village road. We only marked accuracy of listing down a mark, because you failed to include its dishwasher and hair dryer supplied, making it even more attractive a proposition. Finally, thoroughly impressed with the way Sykes Cottages kept us regularly updated and included a 'week before' reminder. As ex Cestrians we think we've discovered a new friend.

Jill R

September 2017

The location of this cottage is amazing, set in acres of beautiful countryside. Hadleigh is within easy walking distance and has a great Friday market. Take a torch if walking at night! Our family consisted of 2 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 children aged 4 and 6 and 2 small dogs. The cottage was very well equipped and had an outhouse and private garden with a BBQ. The bedrooms were were cosy and the beds very comfortable. Downstairs was spacious and had everything you needed and a woodburning stove for chilly evenings. Our host Mr Coysh was very helpful in meeting our needs. A wealth of things to do for families of all ages, beaches, crabbing, Jimmy's farm, swimming pool all very close though you would need a car.

Georgina H

August 2017

Having stayed in the depth of winter, we came back in the height of summer. This time we were able to appreciate the gardens a bit more. Very quiet, very private, decent outdoor furniture and a barbecue - although it did take us about five days to locate the switches for the outdoor lights. Gardener's Cottage is clearly a dog friendly, family let and while I agree it isn't in pristine condition, neither is our own home. We found everything we wanted for a week long stay, the kitchen is well equipped, the bed linen clean, the cottage inviting. A real plus for us is a large utility room just off the kitchen diner. Our dog is crated at night and this space is ideal for his crate which can be left up and ready for bedtime. The owners are on site but far enough away in 'the big house' to be completely unobtrusive. They checked that we had everything we needed shortly after we arrived and then left us alone. It can be intimidating when the owners of a rental property are close by, but not so here. We are discussing the possibility of a third visit.

Easy walk to Hadleigh for dinner (take a torch)

Fantastic venue.. Welcome package. Access to amenities. Many and varied local attractions, for all ages, within easy reach. Very friendly and accomodating host.

Spiritlove11

May 2017

This cottage is spacious and set in beautiful grounds with private garden at the back. We expected it to be a little shabby as it is dog friendly but we did find it rather dirty. Thick dust everywhere, TV and the stand, on the fire, dead flies on every windowsill, and the bathroom is dreadful, especially the toilet. Also found the mattresses very hard. It needs a good clean and new bathroom. We left a day early.

130holidayk

March 2017

My family of five stayed at this beautiful cottage in its idyllic setting, with huge woodland trees and rolling green open space. I couldn't recommend this gorgeous getaway more highly, made even more special by perry the owner with his generous and kind hospitality.

The cottage was very peaceful .. It was well equipped with everything we needed.

January 2017

We arrived 23rd December with my wife, 3 kids (16,14 & 10) and an energetic spaniel for a 7 night break over the Christmas holiday. The setting t is fantastic, with great countryside walks for the dog and a 10-15 minute stroll through the grounds into Hadleigh itself. We live within earshot of the M25, so it took a little while for the kids to adapt to the darkness and quiet. The cottage itself has real character was very clean and is furnished appropriately for a family. Although it didn't matter to us as ball gowns and suits were not required, the only potential downside for some would be the limited hanging space for clothes, but there is ample drawer space. Downstairs was very cosy in the evenings, the wood burner being a welcome addition on the nights it reached -6C outside. Upstairs was a little cooler but still very comfortable and the kids had to use the extra provided blankets to keep warm on the colder nights. Overall there was plenty of space so it did not feel we were on top of each other. Would we go back, well we might just have to so that we can can compare the brisk winter walks with summer strolls to the excellent pubs in the village

We booked a dog friendly property for Christmas suitable for two adults, three children and a spaniel. We knew nothing about the cottage or Hadleigh village apart from what we had found on the internet. It turned out to be a delightful experience. The cottage is a conversion at the end of a stable block, it is in the grounds of a large house but quite a way from the main house itself. It meant that the dog could be allowed to run free away from roads. The cottage is well equipped, we managed to cook Christmas dinner for five but ran out of serving dishes and ended up improvising with dessert bowls - fine until we came to Christmas pudding and found we had leftover veg still in the dishes. Pudding and cream was served in tea cups to the hilarity of the children. The cottage is decorated in a mismatched country house style. The bed linen was white and pristine - we didn't allow the spaniel upstairs. The condition downstairs reflects a property suitable for dogs and children, perfectly clean but showing signs of wear and tear. We were left wood for the wood burner and found milk, eggs and bacon in the fridge. Downstairs was cosy but upstairs quite cold, the children made use of the extra bed linen provided. It would have been warmer if we had not kept the door between upstairs and downstairs firmly closed because of the dog. There were additional electric convector heaters but we didn't use them. Outside was minus six and very frosty! The surrounding countryside provides excellent and varied dog walking. We are planning a return visit in the summer.

Mrs Jones

June 2016

The cottage was stunning, the inside was lovely and very comfortable, and the gardens and grounds were a joy. It was peaceful and relaxing. We really liked the chance to bring our dog and having such lovely walks from the door. Would recommend this cottage.

rosiec131

April 2016

Had a very relaxing and enjoyable stay. Lovely quiet hide away. Cottage had everything we needed. Weather was good throughout to either; lounge in the back garden, walk around the grounds with the dog, including plenty of footpaths for walks, exactly what we was looking for. The village itself is quaint with a Morrison's just a minute away from the High Street if needed. Was greeted by the owner a little while after we arrived which was a very nice and welcomed gesture. All in all had a very good week and would make this a regular holiday.

Mr Wood

March 2016

Gardener's Cottage is generally well-presented cottage with everything needed for a relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings.

Mrs Courtier

July 2015

Gardener's Cottage was the perfect place for a relaxing weekend with friends. The Cottage is gorgeous and full of character. Beds, linens and facilities were excellent. The private garden is a particular plus, not only well maintained but with plenty of outdoor furniture. The owner was extremely helpful and generous. It was a place that we all would love to return to so full marks to all concerned: a very lovely spot and close to all amenities. We cannot wait to return!

Miss Edmondson

A lovely Cottage in an idyllic location.

Mr Goulding

May 2015

An excellent holiday accommodation overall, made even better by the grounds and private garden access associated with the rental. The owners were very welcoming and attentive to our needs. The locality of Hadleigh town and associated heritage walks and shopping facilities were another bonus. We were delighted by our stay and would not hesitate to re-book or recommend.

Mr Krause

The massive English garden plus the surrounding rolling hills are beautiful. This is a special place that does not disappoint. The cottage is sizeable and comfortable. The owners are friendly and at your service. What a pleasant positive surprise!

Ms Cooper

February 2015

A wonderful private, little cottage. Had superb grounds and surrounding areas to explore. Both the dog, our grandparents and our one year old son thoroughly enjoyed their stay - there is something for everyone. The owner was friendly and incredibly helpful, the cottage was equipped with everything we needed and we had a superb stay.

Dramyloid

January 2015

On a cold weekend you would hope that a holiday cottage would be a cosy retreat - not so this one, what's more the owner wants payment for wood for the fire just to bring the temperature up to something habitable. There is no clothes dryer and no DVD player (contrary to the ads). No visit from the the owner to check on the central heating or to tell us the basics such as where to put the rubbish. Overall the property did not live up to expectations. I am sure things look very different in the summer. The surrounding Suffolk villages and countryside are of course great.

Trevor57lilley

December 2014

Stayed as went to see my father who lives in hadleigh so arrived late but no problems lights were on and place very warm. Woodburner gave additional comfort but you will need a car but taxis were cheap. Will want to go back

Mrs Duncalf

November 2014

The Cottage is a great location - easy to find, peaceful and out of the way. The gardens are very well kept and the cottage is very well equipped with crockery etc. and lots of storage. The beds were very comfortable with fresh clean linen.

Mrs Hilton

October 2014

We found the owners to be very, very pleasant people. The cottage was so comfortable in tranquil surroundings with lots of walks available locally. Good range of shops in Hadleigh (Adnams shop recommended). The week spent at the cottage was so relaxing. We felt it would genuinely be hard to improve on the experience.

highpeekaboos

August 2014

Had a wonderful family holiday plus dog and discovered Suffolk. I would recommend this cottage to anyone..and enjoy the fantastic secret gardens..

Mrs Bryant

June 2014

A well-appointed cottage in quiet surroundings yet within a 20 minute walk of a pub serving excellent food. Particularly appreciated being able to sit in a spacious secluded garden. The best cottage we have ever had.

Mrs Lovett

October 2013

The property was in a lovely condition. The gardens around it were nice, and the freedom of being in the countryside away from noise made for a really relaxing holiday.

Gillian G

We booked this cottage as it was central and could accommodate a family of 5 adults and our dog, we were not disappointed. It was a 10-15 minute stroll to the high street through lovely grounds and countryside. The cottage had everything we needed and was very clean, it wouldn't take much to up the rating it's been given, if I was being very picky I would have wanted a dishwasher and power shower, but that's just me.

Mrs Miller

August 2013

We had a fabulous week staying in the Gardener's Cottage. Beautiful surroundings, wonderful walks, and a lovely picturesque village close by - amazing butchers and farm shop too! The owner, was great at recommending attractions and pubs in the vicinity - nothing was too much trouble.

Tell us about your rental experience while staying at Gardener's Cottage. Let us know if the listing matched your expectations. You can share your comments about the location, property owner/manager and all the unique features that made your stay a memorable one.

Write a review

Gardener's Cottage in Ipswich, Suffolk