If you're after a home with history, this eighteenth-century barn comes with a healthy dose of character. We love the red brick and charcoal-toned cladding, while beamed ceilings and walls inside make it feel so effortlessly cosy. Fortunately, the amenities are fit for the twenty-first century, and your hosts' attention to detail is impressive. You'll sleep well in the quietness of the countryside, within soft Egyptian cotton and feather-filled bedding, and can look forward to an energising breakfast thanks to a thoughtful welcome hamper. Set within picturesque farmland and just a short walk from the Stour River, this home's ideal for nature lovers planning to explore the surrounding countryside and quaint villages that Constable made so famous, with plenty of traditional pubs to drop into for a swift half along the way.

Home truths:
* You'll need a car to make the most of this rural location – there's onsite parking right outside the entrance to the cottage
* As a working farm, you may occasionally experience the everyday comings and goings of rural life such as horses, tractors and sonic scarecrows
* You are welcome to bring a well-behaved dog
* Your hosts are more than happy to provide recommendations and helpful local information
* Those with mobility issues may struggle with the open wooden stairs