Hi I’m Mark After travelling the world, I decided to settle down in Suffolk twenty years ago and started my own little business with a beautiful old derelict farm complex, which I converted into six lovely little cottages for people to escape from city life and enjoy the wonderfully rural experience that this area amazingly has, despite it’s close proximity to London. I love what I do and am ‘Hands On’ with welcoming guests to my own six cottages, as well as looking after my Cottage Agency 'The Grove Cottages' that soon developed as other owners came asking me to take on their cottages and give them the same level of personal customer care, attention, and promotion that we are known and appreciated for. I don’t want to be a huge company, I’m very happy to have a small agency where personal involvement is always the priority and where I can pick only places which I love and know inside out to join us. I am always available to answer any questions and above all else I want you to be in a cottage that suits you, so you will become our ambassador. Please do ask me a question about this cottage and I will give you a very honest answer. Best Wishes Mark - The Grove Cottages.

This bright and airy cottage cottage has an open plan living area with a high vaulted ceiling. A big, comfy sofa and armchair encircle a cosy wood burning stove. Up a couple of steps is the split level kitchen and dining area, the kitchen is very well equipped and laid out. There are views out onto one of the finest remaining examples of a Grade II listed, brick and flint barn in Essex – it’s impressive and really quite beautiful. Along the corridor is the shower room and a very charming bedroom with a king-size bed, French wardrobe and plenty of storage space. The lane outside is tiny and very quiet and the property is surrounded by fields and open farmland. This is a really cosy and comfortable place to relax, unwind and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside. It’s close by some great visitor attractions, some interesting towns and villages and offers a perfect mix of countryside and culture. One Babe-in-Arms is welcome but we do not provide cots or highchairs Up to 2 Pets are are welcome: Banned Dogs: Please also note that if you are considering bringing a dog breed which may be thought of as a danger or a concern to others, and definitely any Banned Dogs, then Please check with us first before booking and we will discuss the suitability of our cottage for you and your pet. There is a 20 Pound charge per pet for up to 7 nights. Please note that cottage owners cannot accept pets that have not been paid for, so please make sure that you have paid for your pet before arrival. The Gardens This self-catering cottage has its own enclosed garden with fruit trees where you can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside, there are tables, chairs, and loungers supplied and a BBQ if you are in the mood. A 20% deposit is payable at the time of booking and the balance due one month before arrival. Full payment is due if the booking is less than one month away. If you need to cancel you can receive a full refund up to 30 days before arrival.

This is lovely rural area with a lot of history like the local church which was a crusader church modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem or the Norman Castle at the local village Castle Hedingham, the countyside dips into unexpected valleys and woods and is criss crossed with footpaths and tiny lanes. The Stables is situated near the little village of Great Maplestead in some delightful countryside on the Suffolk/Essex border. Bikes are provided for you to enjoy exploring the tiny lanes that meander round the countryside and inevitably bring you to a pub. (maps are supplied if you need any extra help with that) Step out of the cottage and you are in lovely rolling countryside with miles of footpaths, ancient woodlands and pretty hamlets to explore. On your walks through the bluebell woods, you might come across herds of fallow deer and other wildlife and there is even a protected badger set nearby.