Earsham Street Deli @ Snape Maltings
Earsham Street Deli @ Snape Maltings. Yes folks, our fave deli are now open with their second emporium of everything amazing in the world of food, and it’s smack bang next our Barge Onderneming at the iconic Snape Maltings, here in sunny Suffolk! Staunch Woodfarm followers, will know that we have worked closely with Michelle and her fabulous team at Earsham Street Deli in Bungay for donkey’s years. They have lovingly put together countless hampers for our guests at Woodfarm HQ, as well as a whole host of fabulous prizes for some of our competitions over the years. Not…
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Canine Dip and Dive!
PLEASE NOTE – THIS IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT A FABULOUS DOG SWIMMING ACTIVITY BUT YOU ARE NOT ON THEIR WEBSITE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CALL THEM ON 07795 078125 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT http://caninedipanddiveclub.co.uk/index.html. At Woodfarm Barns and Barges, it’s no secret that we love dogs. We love them so much, in fact, that we let them write blogs on our website and have made both of our barges dog-friendly. This means that your furry friends can make holiday memories along with you when visiting Suffolk. Of course, in the hot weather, we realise that it is incredibly…
Holiday Barge adventure: a voyage aboard Onderneming from Snape Maltings to Lowestoft.
Perfect weather and a perfect trip for a Holiday Barge. Almost…Our magnificent Dutch Holiday Barge Onderneming went into dry dock in Lowestoft in March 2022, to have some minor work done to the hull, seals etc. We put together a Youtube video to share with you our epic journey (well it was epic for us anyway!) up the Heritage Coast of Suffolk. There will be more to follow as what goes up, must come down… As you can see, we had amazing (though extremely cold!) weather, scenery, and the most incredible sunset and sunrise! It was a 24 hour journey…
Takeaway options when renting our Barges
Kenneth Grahame, the author of children’s classic The Wind in the Willows, once famously remarked that “there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”. Far be it from us to challenge an icon of English literature, but at Woodfarm Barges, we would like to humbly submit that “there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats with some nice food”. To make our case for this revision as best as we can, we’ve gathered together a selection of takeaway options…
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The Best Walks Around Woodfarm Barges
At Woodfarm Barns and Barges, we’re incredibly blessed when it comes to our surroundings. Situated amongst the green, rolling fields of Suffolk, we’ve got plenty of scenic walks for our guests to enjoy when renting one of our Barges. To make it easy to find the one that’s best for you, we’ve rounded up a few favourites. Sailor’s Path – Snape Maltings Starting outside of our ‘Onderneming Barge’ at Snape Maltings is the Sailor’s path. The Sailor’s Path is around 6 miles long, and in parts, is intertwined with the Suffolk Coast Path which takes you to the picturesque…
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WIN an amazing ‘All About Suffolk’ Deli Hamper!
Our favourite foodie emporium, Earsham Street Deli in Bungay has just announced that they are opening at Snape Maltings, right next to Onderneming in 2022! So we’ve teamed up with them once more to give you the chance to WIN a wonderful hamper from Suffolk! The new Deli will be amazing for our guests, not only staying aboard Onderneming, but it’s also only 20 minutes from Twee Gebroeders in Woodbridge. It’s also going to be a great place to pick up some delicious treats for our Barn guests when visiting Snape and Aldeburgh on a day out. It’s only 35 mins from Woodfarm…
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A Dog’s Day at Woodfarm Barges
Following my delightful trip to Woodfarm Barns, I was more than a little excited to discover that The Humans had booked a weekend away on board a barge with Woodfarm Barges. The announcement of this news, however, had me curling my paws. I’ll relay it to you now, fair reader, as it was an altogether ridiculous spectacle. Barging into the room (pun intended) after a day at work, Human 1 not only woke me from my peaceful slumber, but offended my eyes with a garish sailor’s outfit he’d adorned to deliver the news. “Guess where we’re off to?!” he screeched with all the…
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5 Reasons Why You Have to Rent a Barge in Suffolk This Summer
Kenneth Grahame, celebrated author of The Wind in The Willows, once famously declared that “there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as messing about in boats”. Whilst the Barges available to rent Woodfarm Barges are moored, we’re still confident that our guests are able to discover the truth of this wisdom when enjoying a holiday on board either Onderneming or Twee Gebroeders. Dating back to the 1800s, our converted Dutch Sailing Barges are comfortably furnished and equipped with everything guests would expect from modern holiday accommodation. From cozy cabins to comfortable saloons and all…
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10 of the Best Places to Wine and Dine in Suffolk
At Woodfarm Barns and Barges, we’re committed to providing the best possible experience for couples looking to get away for a holiday in Suffolk. Situated amidst beautiful countryside surroundings and equipped with hot tubs and cosy bedrooms, we’re fairly sure that our accommodation has everything you could possibly require for a memorable romantic break. We’re confident, too, that the location of our Cottages, Barns and Barges make it easy for guests to do all of the things they could possibly want to do when taking a break, whether they’re celebrating a special anniversary or simply enjoying a summer holiday.Read…
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Secret Suffolk: 5 of the Best Hidden Gems You Should Know About
Every county in the world has its hidden gems and Suffolk is no exception. Behind every one of its standout attractions, there are various exciting destinations tucked away just waiting to be discovered by the more informed traveler. From a forest and walking trail rumoured to be visited by UFOs, to a farm full of rare breeds, there’s a lot more to our floral and historic county than meets the eyes.Read the full article on the Woodfarm Barns website…
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Snuggle Up In Suffolk: How To Plan The Perfect Romantic Summer Staycation
We’re pretty confident that Suffolk rivals the big boys when it comes to romantic holiday destinations. We’re so confident, in fact, that we previously mentioned it in the same breath as Paris and Venice when describing the best place to take a couples holiday. Doubling down on this suggestion, we’re back to provide you with a detailed plan for the perfect romantic staycation in Suffolk. From fine dining to long walks on the beach and even horse riding, we’ve got everything you could possibly desire from a couples holiday right here in our beautiful county. Whether you’re marking a…
5 Reasons Why You Have to Rent a Cottage or Barn in Suffolk This Summer
At Woodfarm Barns and Barges, it will come as no surprise to learn that we believe renting a Cottage or Barn for a holiday in Suffolk is the best thing you can do in summer. Providing you with everything you need to relax in comfort and style, our Cottages and Barns allow you to experience everything that our fantastic county has to offer from a comfortable and superbly equipped base. Read the full article on the Woodfarm Barns website…
“The Dig” Brings Suffolk to the Small Screen
“The Dig”, a brand new film from Netflix has turned the spotlight on to Sutton Hoo, a location directly opposite our barge Twee Gebroeders at Woodbridge. The featured image is me at Sutton Hoo years ago. Can’t imagine why they didn’t ask me to star in the film! Starring the multi award-winning Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, the film tells the story of how Edith Pretty, a landowner in 1939, requested a local archaeologist to look into some unexplained mounds on her estate. After plenty of digging, it transpired that beneath these mounds was a royal burial chamber complete with…
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See the lights at Helmingham Hall’s Illuminated Garden Trail
Thinking about something different to do for Christmas this year? Helmingham Hall’s Illuminated Garden Trail is a festive extravaganza, set to light up the 510-year-old private estate – it’s really a sight to see! Taking place from 2nd to 13th December, the Illuminated Garden Trail at Helmingham Hall is perfect for a romantic evening out while you’re staying in Suffolk at our Barges or Barns. Not only will you be able to experience the grounds of this amazing private estate all lit up for Christmas, there will also be some delicious food available, as well as independent shops and…
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Directions and some extra info for your Woodfarm Barges break
Here’s some extra information such as how to get to us, links to things to do, arrival & departure info, deposit and balance info etc. You might want to save it to you your phone. PaymentsWe take a deposit of £100 per Barge at the time of booking, with the balance being payable one month before arrival (extended to two months for Christmas and New year bookings). If your stay is within a month of booking (or within 2 months if for Christmas or New Year) then the total amount is due now.Directions for our two barges;For OndernemingSnape Maltings,…
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See the autumn red deer rut in Suffolk
The red deer rut is a one-of-a-kind spectacle of nature and marks the height of autumn in the county of Suffolk! For everything you need to know about how to see the red deer rut in Suffolk, read on… What is the red deer rut? Taking place in autumn, specifically the month of October, the red deer rut is a part of the mating process for red deer. Mating begins with the females of the species gathering in a large herd. This herd is then joined by large, fierce stags, who are ready to intimidate each other in front…
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The Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival 2020 – what’s happening?
The Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival is a much-loved event in the Suffolk event calendar – however, this year’s event will be a little bit different. Read on for the lowdown of what’s happening during the 2020 festival. What is the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival Widely regarded as one of the best annual food festivals in the country, this event brings together dozens of local producers of fresh food, drink, confectionery and more. It’s the place to be if you want to fill your fridge and pantry with mouth watering produce – and indulge in a cheeky, freshly-made…
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Why take a unique Barge holiday?
Thank you for taking the time to consider staying at one of our Suffolk Holiday Barges. Still mulling over your booking? Below are some reasons that might help you make a decision! Please let me know if you have any queries by calling me directly on 01449 710032, or emailing carl@woodfarmbarns.com. You can even WhatsApp me by clicking below… We’re dog-friendly We say this on nearly every page of our website – but we still get questions about our dog-friendly status! Yes, we welcome up to three dogs on each of our Barges. Included in your holiday will be…
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What to bring for a beach day with your dog
As spring and summer approach, what could complement the warmer weather more than a trip to the beach with your dog? Just like humans, many dogs will adore the fresh air and the chance to run around – and if your dog is a strong swimmer and the current isn’t strong, maybe even a dip in the sea! However, it’s important to be prepared when going to the beach. Just as you wouldn’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen, you should also bring a few items for your dog’s wellbeing. Read on to find out what to bring (aside from…
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Get your fill of classical music at Snape Maltings
Love classical music? Or just want to try something different? Not only is the Suffolk music scene bursting with life in the genres of pop, rock, jazz and more, it’s also a hub for classical music – and arts complex Snape Maltings is the number one place in the county to get your fill. The history of Snape Maltings Built in the 19th century by entrepreneur Newson Garrett, the maltings were originally intended for converting barley into malt for beer production. Snape, the village in which the maltings are situated, although small, had a bustling inland port in the…
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Where to see wildlife in Suffolk
Thanks to Suffolk’s varied landscape, a huge range of wild animals call the county ‘home’, including rare birds, mysterious marine animals and even snakes! However, you don’t have to go aimlessly traipsing around in the depths of Suffolk to spot these creatures – there are dedicated nature reserves all around the county, managed by specialist charities who maintain natural habitats so that our wildlife can thrive. If you’re staying in Suffolk to spot a skylark or an adder (we weren’t joking about the snakes!), there’s no better location to rest your head than our historic, dog-friendly holiday barges. These…
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Adnams Brewery Tour
If you’ve heard about Suffolk’s rich and varied food and drink offerings, you’ve probably heard of Adnams Southwold (very often shortened to ‘Adnams’), one of the county’s much-loved, historic breweries. Adnams is proud of the fact that beer has been produced on the same site of its Southwold brewery for over 670 years. The brewery’s history began in 1345, when Johanna de Corby and 17 others were charged in court for serving illegal measures; however, it wasn’t associated with Adnams until 1872, when brothers George and Ernest Adnams purchased it. Since then, the brand has been making iconic beers,…
Suffolk pubs near Woodfarm Barges
What’s more British than heading to the pub for a spot of lunch on your staycation? At Woodfarm Barges, we’re in two prime locations for some of the best pubs in Suffolk: Onderneming is moored on the River Alde at Snape Maltings and Twee Gebroeders is at the Tidemill in Woodbridge. Both of these locations feature an array of delicious local cuisine and cosy pub atmospheres within easy reach. The Anchor, Woodbridge, IP12 1BX 5 minute walk from Twee Gebroeders 25 minutes from Onderneming The Anchor is a great pub, with a buzzing atmosphere. Just a five minute walk…
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Our new dog passport
At Woodfarm, we’ve always made it clear that we don’t just tolerate dogs – we welcome them! That’s why we’ve designed a dog passport for you and your pup, full of handy info, tips and recommendations, and a very special offer… The next time you and your dog(s) come to stay with us, we’ll provide you with your own ‘Principality of Woodfarm’ dog passport. We recommend personalising it straight away with your dog’s info on the profile page! Then you can have a flick through and read about all the special dog-centric features at Woodfarm and in the surrounding…
Where to play golf in Suffolk
If your golf game is feeling up to par (sorry, I had to) then Suffolk is the perfect place to bring your clubs for a golfing holiday. Take a few hours by yourself, with your partner or with friends and sample the best that our county has to offer, from beginner-friendly pitch and putts, to advanced links courses. If you’re planning on coming to Suffolk for a golfing holiday, why not stay with us at Woodfarm Barges? Our unique, historic Dutch barges make for a fantastic stay, and we’re just a short drive away from a wide range of…
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Indulge in the finest Suffolk foods at Aldeburgh Food Festival
Did you know that the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival is happening this weekend? Taking place across two days, this festival celebrates the best of what our county has to offer in terms of locally sourced food and drink. At Woodfarm Barges, you can stay right in the middle of the action on our unique, historic Dutch barge, Onderneming. You can be the first person through the gates of the show – and the last, depending on how many samples you want to consume! 100ft in length and 18ft wide, Onderneming is an incredibly spacious home-away-from-home for you, five…
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What to do at Dunwich Heath
Often called ‘the lost city of England’, the historic village of Dunwich on the coast of Suffolk is worth a visit for its heath, beach and ruins If you’re after a family day out or a walk with the dog, Dunwich is an excellent place to visit. A half-hour drive from our Onderneming barge at Snape Maltings, and 35 minutes from Twee Gebroeders at Tidemill, Dunwich is easily accessible for a day trip of any length. But what is there to do in this village of less than 200 people? Plenty, actually! For such a small area, it is…
Head to Suffolk for unique homeware and antiques
Sure, there are those who like their homes to consist of shiny new furniture and decor, but there are also many of us who prefer to deck out our homes with antiques and homeware from independent shops. If you’re part of the latter, Suffolk is perfect for you. There are dozens of exciting independent stores in Suffolk stocking everything from the weird to the wonderful – and plenty near our luxury, dog-friendly barges and barns, too! Whether you fancy a new Persian rug or a centuries-old fireplace, there is plenty to peruse while you’re here. In fact, we’ve put…
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See our favourite Midweek Mutt-Shots from 2019
If you follow us on Facebook, you’ve probably seen our Midweek Mutt-Shots. If not, this is where we give our followers a theme, and they respond with a photo of their dog! The images have ranged from hilarious to downright adorable, and we love scrolling through everyone’s contributions each week. It’s a nice little pick-me-up for everyone at Woodfarm. Although we find it hard to choose a favourite each week as there are so many brilliant entries, we usually manage to come to an agreement and pick one or two dogs who we think fit the theme perfectly. It’s…
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A dog-friendly day trip to Felixstowe
Suffolk boasts many old-worldly seaside towns which still offer remnants of the heyday of British staycations. One example is Felixstowe, a dog-friendly destination with plenty of quirks. From its century-old pier adorned with jangling penny machines and ice cream stands, to its pristine four-mile-long promenade and stunning Martello towers, Felixstowe succeeds at protecting its history. Here, you’ll find a town which has seen many small renovations over the years, but which has remained largely the same in terms of its general landscape and size. However, being the largest container port in the UK, Felixstowe is growing faster than ever…
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Win a free holiday for Woodfarm Barges and Barns’ 10th birthday
We’re celebrating Woodfarm’s 10th anniversary with another competition! This time, you’ll have the chance to stay aboard our Twee Gebroeders barge in Woodbridge or our Granary Barn in Stonham Aspal. Both are dog-friendly and both present wonderful opportunities to take a well-earned break in the beautiful Suffolk countryside. There are many reasons to come to Suffolk, like the fresh country air, the picturesque seaside and the charming towns and villages dotted throughout the county. Here, there’s plenty of room for you and your dog to roam about – not to mention an abundance of award-winning pubs to visit when…
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Newbourne dog walking trail with views galore
For scenic views of the river and countryside and a delicious pub meal, head to the small-but-charming village of Newbourne with your dog and venture on this easy circular walking trail around the nearby parishes. Newbourne is just a 15-minute drive from our Twee Gebroeders barge at The Tidemill in Woodbridge, and 30 minutes from our Onderneming barge at Snape Maltings. Here, you’ll find a dog walking trail which takes you through the villages and parishes of this area, encompassing expansive countryside and riverside views. The walk takes you past two dog-friendly pubs which present the opportunity to rest…
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Explore Suffolk in a canoe
Our dog-friendly, Suffolk-based, 19th century Dutch sailing barges may be static on their respective rivers, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t take to the water to see Suffolk! The River Alde – © Copyright Roger Jones and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence When you’re staying with Woodfarm Barges, think of your accommodation as a static luxury holiday cottage on a stunning waterway. You get all the benefits of a relaxing river stay, without requiring any experience in sailing – simply hop aboard via the gangplank and you’re set! If, however, you would like to try…
Woodfarm Barges’ favourite Woodbridge restaurants
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as stimulating your tastebuds with some delicious local cuisine while on holiday – and Woodbridge in Suffolk has some great options. Visit this small, quintessentially English town, which is situated on the doorstep of our Twee Gebroeders barge, or just a 20 minute drive away from our Onderneming barge at Snape Maltings. Here, you’ll not only find traditional shops and picturesque walks along the river, but also a number of excellent restaurants. Some might find it surprising that such a small town in rural Suffolk has so much to offer in terms of eating…
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Eating at the Deben Inns during your Woodfarm Barges stay
There are many highly regarded places to eat in Suffolk, and it’s probably because of the county’s exceptional local produce, which can only be a good thing! You only have to look at a pub menu and it’ll be inundated with the word ‘local’ next to everything from fish to ice cream. It’s this utilisation of our resources which makes our restaurants, pubs and cafes so great. You can bet your bottom dollar that something fresh and exciting will appear on the menu throughout the four seasons, because there’s just so much for chefs to experiment with. One Suffolk-based…
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How to reduce plastic waste on your Suffolk holiday
I can sense that we’re getting closer, albeit very, very slowly, to a plastic-free future. Wouldn’t it be so much nicer if we watched the news and instead of shorelines littered with tonnes of plastic bottles and crisp packets, we saw crystal clear waters, golden sands and abundant wildlife? Well, until the powers that be make some pretty hefty decisions about the rate at which they produce and dispose of un-recyclable waste, it’s up to smaller businesses like us and people such as you to make small changes to help the greater good. It’s easy to reduce your plastic…
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Here’s why you should consider a holiday in Suffolk
Have you ever thought about taking a holiday in Suffolk? We think you should! Although we’re a little biased, there are many reasons why Suffolk ought to be next on your holiday agenda. To help convince you, we’ve created a short blog post over on our helpful online guide to Suffolk, Where Do We. Suffolk’s scrumptious local food and fantastic restaurant options have got to be right up there with the best in the UK. Plus, the rural and coastal walks suit all ages and abilities, and will have you reaching for your camera time and time again! Suffolk…
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Doing our bit for Blue Cross Suffolk
Blue Cross Suffolk is all about animals and you probably know by now (and if you still don’t know, where have you been?!) that our luxury, historic Dutch barges are dog-friendly. That’s right, your canine friends don’t have to stay at home! We’re more than happy for them to enjoy your holiday with you. It’s this dog-friendly approach that has led us to help Blue Cross Suffolk with their fundraising efforts. Originally based in Felixstowe, the Blue Cross’ Suffolk rehoming centre moved to larger facilities in Ipswich in order to increase their capacity. Here they look after dogs, cats…
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What’s on in Suffolk in spring 2019?
Spring is an exciting time in Suffolk. A simple drive through the countryside will reveal a landscape bursting with nature and wildlife. From blossoming flora to newborn animals, there’s an air of vitality in every forest, field or farm. However, it’s not just the rural areas that are having all the fun. Suffolk towns are full of life as the days become warmer and us locals migrate to our favourite hotspots for delicious seasonal grub and fun activities. With plenty to see during this time of year, there’s no better place to rest your head than Woodfarm Barges. Our…
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What to pack for a holiday on a houseboat
If you’re tired of boring hotel rooms in uninteresting locations, we recommend trying a houseboat holiday. More specifically, a stay on one of our luxury, dog-friendly barges based on Suffolk’s breathtaking waterways. This unique experience will leave you with unforgettable memories – and most likely a hunger for more holidays just like it! However, with a houseboat holiday being such a one-of-a-kind style of trip, it can be difficult to know what to pack in your luggage. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide of essentials to bring with you. In the meantime, we hope you’ll consider…
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Holiday Postcards from Suffolk – with stamps!
Holiday Postcards are as quintessentially English as it gets, and we’ve been giving them away to Woodfarm guests for years. But now we’ve got some new ones and we’ve decided to go the extra mile and even put stamps on for you! Even with the advent of social media, we all know that holiday postcards are still very much part of our break. Maybe they won’t be one day but let’s live for today! We designed our own postcards years ago and our guests at Woodfarm Barns have been sending them to their friends and family for yonks. We’ve…
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DOG-FRIENDLY REVIEW FROM A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
This Dog-Friendly review from a unique perspective took us by surprise when it came in the other day. We like to think that Woodfarm Barns & Barges are universally appealing, and it’s this reason that we get all types of guests staying here. Read on and you’ll see why we were taken aback with this review! This Blog Post is over on our other site Woodfarm Barns so just CLICK HERE to have a read of it, you’ll be glad you did. It’s a review of a stay in one of our Barns but the ethos and quality is the…
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Pets Pyjamas Gold Award for Woodfarm Barges!
Pets Pyjamas are a national site for all things to do with travelling around the UK with your dogs. And we’ve just won one of their annual awards! The nice people at Pets Pyjamas contacted me a while back to tell me we’d been nominated in their 2018 awards. That was nice to hear as we had just been awarded Gold for all our Barns and Barges by the other nice people at Visit England. We also have their Pets Welcome Award too! When they got in touch to tell me that we had won, I was over the…
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Christmas Holiday Barge Advert
Christmas Holiday Barge search in full swing? Sorry but we can’t help as our barges (and our cottages) are full again this year. Have a read though if you’d like to know how the grey matter works in the Woodfarm Marketing Team! Well it’s that time again in Christmas Holiday Barge land. The kids get excited in October. Grown ups get all worked up by the end of November. Then as the days tick by, it just turns into a frenzy. Yep, you got it… the fever pitch anticipation ahead of the release of the annual Woodfarm Christmas ad…
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Pets welcome – Luxury dog friendly Suffolk @ Woof Farm Barges!
Woof! Are you in need of a dog-friendly Suffolk holiday? Bring your human to Woodfarm Barges, where you and your furry friends make up a massive proportion of our guests. Our Suffolk holiday barges offer plenty of room to stretch your paws out, with large cabins where you can roam about to your heart’s content, and treats galore! We combine our dog-friendly ethos with the luxury that many don’t expect to find in holiday accommodation accepting dogs. Our beautiful barges are cleaned to a high standard, and offer amazing features such as double cabins, fully fitted kitchens and…
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Dog-friendly Pubs & Restaurants in Suffolk
If you’re looking for a holiday in Suffolk, you’ll be pleased to know that we have so many superb, dog-friendly pubs and restaurants to choose from! Many have log fires, traditional decor and great food. Not to mention a range of fabulous local beers, ciders and wines from such brewers and vineyards as Adnams, Greene King, Aspall, The Earl Soham Brewery, St Peters, Hellhound, Calvors and Wyken & Shawsgate Vineyards, to name but a few. Below, we’ve listed some of our favourite dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in Suffolk. Whilst you’re staying in one of our beautiful holiday barges with your…
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Deben Leisure Centre for staying active
The Deben Leisure Centre is a superb gymming and swimming facility in Woodbridge and available for our guests to use whilst they are staying aboard our barges (or barns) The Deben Leisure Centre is a short walk from Twee Gebroeders in Woodbridge and only a 20 minute drive from Onderneming so if you’d like to keep your gym or swim routine up during your stay then this is the place for you as you can ‘pay and play’. It’s an excellent facility in what was the old local authority swimming pool building. It’s had a £3.5m facelift and the…
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Snape Maltings : our epic voyage
Our Dutch Barge Onderneming is now moored as your ‘floating holiday cottage’ at the iconic Snape Maltings. This is the story of our epic voyage round in July 2017 I say epic, but Snape Maltings isn’t exactly in the frozen Tundra so it was all a little bit, errrr, fine actually. And with no frostbite as we did it during beautiful weather in July on the Suffolk Coast. However, as we love a pun and we are now moored on the River Alde, we called our little movie ‘Scott of the Aldetarctic’ (it’s my name, geddit?) Snape Maltings is…
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Snape Maltings Open Barge Day
Snape Maltings is a cultural Mecca in Suffolk and we are holding an ‘Open Barge’ day on Sunday 19th August aboard our recently relocated Dutch Holiday Barge to give you all the opportunity to come and have a look around before you book. PLUS we will give a discount voucher to everyone who comes and the chance to WIN a FREE BREAK!! Open Barge is like an Open House. But on a Barge. At Snape Maltings; we’re not rocket scientists! We are so pleased to be working with Snape Maltings and to give our guests the chance to take…
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FREE Holiday Barge or Cottage Break in Suffolk
Our Holiday Barge business is newer but we’ve had our Holiday Cottage business for almost a decade as I write this and yet we are still working on new ideas to entice people. We thought giving a FREE BREAK away just for keeping in touch with us was a Win/ Win! We’ve really made a name for ourselves our the last 9 years with our Holiday Cottage business and since 2017 we’ve had a Holiday Barge business too! We’ve appeared on the BBC and ITV, as well as featuring in The Times and Dog-Friendly Magazine too! So why are…
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Snape Maltings and Woodfarm Barges!
We are absolutely over the moon to bring you some incredible news about Onderneming. As of 21st July 2018 she will be moored at the iconic Snape Maltings! Location, Location, Location! Pin Mill has been a great location for us in the year since we purchased the barge, but we’ve been looking for somewhere with more to offer our guests. And with Snape Maltings, we’ve come up trumps! The plan is that in July 2018 we are to be moving Onderneming to Snape Maltings, slightly further up the coast. It will offer much better access to Aldeburgh (6 miles away),…
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ITV & Woodfarm Barges (I’m on the telly!)
So there I was aboard Onderneming last week and ITV turned up! I was happy minding my own business when reporters Kate Prout and Becky Jago turned up and said hi! They were in Suffolk filming a piece on dog walking in Suffolk as part of the ITV series ‘Tales & Trails; Dog Walks in East Anglia’. They’d stumbled across us online as somewhere dog walkers could stay and enjoy some luxury whilst their dogs could enjoy some nice walks so they thought they’d pop along and have a look. I did always dream of being on your screens…
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Dog Friendly Magazine and Woodfarm
We had an amazing 6 page spread in the June 2018 edition of Dog Friendly Magazine, when writer Emma Bearman came to stay aboard Onderneming after a stay at one of our Barns on dry land Read all about it HERE
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The Times features Onderneming!
Following The Times newspaper featuring our other Dutch Barge Twee Gebroeders in February 2018, we are delighted that Onderneming has now been featured by them too! We thought it was pretty cool to have a listing in The Times for Twee Gebroeders in their list of ‘Love Nests: Great Places for Two’. This has given us some great kudos as the travel supplement of The Times is such a well known source for travellers and holidaymakers. Well imagine our delight at finding out that they have now featured Onderneming too! She has featured in their list of the top…
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The Times and Twee Gebroeders
The Times featured our beautiful Dutch Barge Twee Gebroeders this week in their ‘weekend’ supplement We are so pleased that The Times saw fit to put a little piece into their ‘weekend’ paper on Saturday February 3rd 2018 They had a page on ‘Love Nests – Great places for two’, in The Times Travel section, featuring 16 suggestions around the country and Twee Gebroeders was one of them! The Times said “Get away from it all on a converted Dutch sailing Barge on the River Deben in Woodbridge, Suffolk. There’s plenty of character onboard, with a red range in…
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Last Minute Deals
Our barges are often booked far in advance. We are fortunate enough to have loyal guests who come back again and again. This means that last minute availability is pretty rare. The best way to make sure you get the best last minute deals is by checking the availability grid below. The Green sections are the available breaks. Sometimes we have last minute cancellations. If you want to catch one of these rare opportunities your best bet is to join the mailing list. Fill in the form below and hit the ‘subscribe’ button and I’ll enrol you in the…
12 days of Christmas offer from Woodfarm
We all know the words to the 12 days of Christmas but we’ve re-written it just to give you a very special Christmas present from us, worth over £60! We did our own take on the 12 days of Christmas last year for our Barns in Stonham Aspal to bring you a very special offer and it went so well we’re doing it again this year! You may think that it is a much treasured traditional, seasonal song and shouldn’t be tampered with. However, in true Woodfarm style, we do like to buck the trend so we’ve kinda juggled…
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WIN A SUFFOLK HOLIDAY WITH MUG SHOTS!
Get a £25 Discount on your next Suffolk Holiday with us, just for sending us your Mug Shots! We’ll also enter you into our PRIZE DRAW to WIN a FREE BREAK too!!! For some time now we’ve encouraged our guests to take their Woodfarm Mugs away with them to remind them of their Suffolk Holiday, and we’ve certainly got through thousands now so we know you like them! But it’s about time we saw them in use around the country. There are thousands of our Mugs around the UK and abroad now and we figured it’d be nice to see where they’ve gone. So why…
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A Woodfarm Christmas Message. Sort of
A WOODFARM CHRISTMAS MESSAGE. SORT OF I wrote this and sent it to our VIP Rewards Group, aka our Database. It’s not really a Christmas message, it was just some ramblings but I was overwhelmed by the response that I got, with so many incredible positive messages, that I thought I’d share it on the websites and Social Media. You can read it. Or not. If you don’t, then I just wish you a Happy Christmas. Wow! That was some year! You might find this interesting, you might not. But for my last newsletter (traditionally the Christmas one) of…
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Photography and Suffolk in perfect harmony
Great photography requires real skills, and landscape photographer Gill Moon has them in spades! When I met Gill, it was as the previous owner of one of our beautiful Dutch Barges ‘Twee Gebroeders’. It was only when we’d shaken on a deal that I realised her passion for photography. This image is one of my favourite examples of Gill’s photography. This is Twee Gebroeders, when she was on the River Orwell. And now, we all have the opportunity to admire her work as she presents a collection of images showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Suffolk Coast. Here’s…
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River Cruise from our Barges or Barns
Fancy taking a Suffolk River Cruise when you’re staying at our Barges or Barns? Then the Jahan from Deben Cruises is a perfect way to spend a couple of hours This River Cruise operates from the tiny little Suffolk hamlet of Waldringfield where you’ll be welcomed aboard the MV (Motor Vessel) Jahan for a 2 hour journey by boat along the beautiful river Deben. Your River Cruise will take you around one of the most scenic and stunning spots on Suffolk’s Heritage Coast. The Deben Estuary is tidal and is a Special Protection Area within one of our two…
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Bird Watching in Suffolk from our Barges
Bird Watching is wonderful form of wildlife observation and we are so fortunate to be able to offer guests a choice of two barges to stay aboard, with a twitchers heaven right from the deck! If Bird Watching is your passion then we’d like to introduce you to some of the wonders that Suffolk has to offer. And as much of the enjoyment of Bird Watching is detecting species by ear as opposed to by sight, then the serene rivers of Suffolk offer a fabulous platform to be able to do this from. RSPB Minsmere is a hugely popular…
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Woodbridge Cinema – a unique experience
The Woodbridge Cinema, ‘The Riverside’ is a unique combination of movies and food, just a five minute walk from Twee Gebroeders, our romantic Holiday Barge by the Tidemill in Woodbridge, and only a 25 minute drive from Onderneming in Pin Mill. As the name suggests, the Riverside Woodbridge Cinema, sits just a stones throw from the River Deben, right next to Woodbridge Station. This is genuinely a unique offering, with superb food served in their restaurant and bar, as well as a large patio area for Al Fresco dining, then a quaint independent cinema and theatre. The Woodbridge Cinema, ‘The…
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Walking along the River Orwell
The River Orwell is home to a number of sailing clubs, some stunning scenery and one of our Dutch Sailing Barges, Onderneming (Enterprise in English) The Butt & Oyster is one of the best known pubs in Suffolk, well known for its great beer, great food and great views. It’s the hub of the hamlet of Pin Mill on the River Orwell and just a gentle stones throw from Onderneming. The pub gets its name from the oyster fisheries, originally a major export from the river Orwell. The reason we start by mentioning the pub is that Onderneming is…
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Shotley Peninsula on the doorstep of Onderneming
Nestled between the rivers Stour and Orwell in Suffolk, the Shotley Peninsula is a beautiful out-spur of villages and farmland that has been designated a Special Protection Area. Shotley Peninsula is named after the village of Shotley and the smaller settlement of Shotley Gate; this unique section of Suffolk has plenty to offer a visitor looking to spend some time on dry land when staying on a Woodfarm Barge. ‘Onderneming’ is moored on the peninsula and Twee Gebroeders in Woodbridge is less than half an hour away. The Shotley Marina is one of the highlights of the area and is…
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Dive into history in the Castles of Suffolk
With its rich farming lands and its proximity to the continent, our area has needed the Castles of Suffolk to watch over and protect us for any centuries. Therefore the Castles of Suffolk afford us some of the best maintained and most impressive Castles in the UK. So when you’re enjoying the wonderful rivers of Suffolk, why not make landfall once in a while to visit some of them? One of these Castles has recently been made world famous by Suffolk’s own superstar Ed Sheeran, whose recent hit song ‘Castle On A Hill’ was written about one of our…
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Win a FREE Break on a Holiday Cottage Barge !!!
Here’s your chance to WIN a FREE Break aboard a beautiful Holiday Cottage Barge as we launch our new brand! Yes, a completely FREE BREAK aboard Twee Gebroeders, a Holiday Cottage Barge, moored in Woodbridge, Suffolk is waiting for you if you’re the lucky winner picked out of our hat in this simple competition! We are absolutely over the moon to be able to bring you news of the expansion of our Suffolk Holiday Cottage business, with not one Holiday Cottage Barge, but TWO!!!! We have developed a fabulous reputation over the last 8 years at Woodfarm Barns, for…
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Wonderful food at the Table Woodbridge
The Table Woodbridge is a tremendously popular brasserie restaurant located in one of the most beautiful and historic market towns in our area. Whilst enjoying the river Deben on Twee Gebroeders, one of our Dutch Sailing Barges you are very likely to find yourself wandering into the town a fair bit as you will be moored on the quayside just a few minutes walk away. It is an excellent hub of local tourist attractions as well as being a stunning example of a charming Suffolk market town itself. We would throughly recommend it and you’ll walk past The Table…
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The Suffolk Ski Centre near our barges
The mighty peaks of the mountains of Suffolk loom like gods over the country. The ever white snow covered tops of the Suffolk ski centre calling skiers from all around the world to compete on their dangerous and challenging pistes, each more exhilarating and beautiful than the last…well no actually. Suffolk is actually quite a flat county and not at all well know as a Ski destination, this is what makes Suffolk Ski Centre so unique and important to the area. Conveniently situated just on the outskirts of Ipswich and only a couple of miles from the town’s stunning…
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Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB
Come and explore the stunning Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty on your Woodfarm Barge break. There are beautiful places to visit all around the world. However we don’t have to fly off to an exotic far away location to experience some of the best that mother nature has to offer us and the Suffolk Coast and Heaths is one example on our doorstep! Right here in Suffolk we posses 55 miles of absolutely stunning heritage coastline which is part of an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) featuring 155 square miles of breathtaking unspoilt landscape.…
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Jimmy’s Farm in the heart of Suffolk
Jimmy’s Farm became a household name when the BBC made a documentary about Jimmy Doherty’s farm near Ipswich in Suffolk. It’s easy to see why Jimmy’s Farm has proven to be such a popular destination for local residents of Suffolk as well as visitors from all around the UK and beyond. There is so much on offer there for children and adults alike. This rare breed’s farm is open to all and offers a wonderful taste of the rural life that Suffolk is so famous for. Visitors to Jimmy’s Farm are able to feed the animals from bags of…
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Explore Dog Friendly Suffolk from one of our Barges
Dog Friendly Suffolk has so much to offer and either of our Holiday Cottage Barges are the perfect base to explore Ok, we admit it, we’re a little biased. But we really love Dog Friendly Suffolk! Open fields, wide skies, fresh air and clear streams. It really can be a K-9 paradise here. There are literally hundreds of miles of footpaths and bridal ways here in Dog Friendly Suffolk. All of which are guaranteed to be enjoyed equally by two and four legged explorers. (though it’s important to note that Dog must be kept on leads when crossing farmland)…
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Dedham Vale from your Suffolk Holiday Cottage Barge
Dedham Vale on the Essex-Suffolk border has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and it’s easy to see why. We think Dedham Vale is an ideal piece of East Anglia to explore when you’re staying on a Woodfarm Barge. Even if you’ve ever visited the area personally there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with some of the wonderful vistas on offer in this Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). That’s because Dedham Vale has inspired some of our most famous artists in history to produce paintings of it’s natural beauty. Constable and Gainsborough, among…
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Walking along the River Deben in Suffolk
The River Deben offers some of the most beautiful scenery in England, let alone Suffolk. And what better way to enjoy it than with a walk along its banks? We are so lucky to have some wonderful walks along the banks of the River Deben, where we have one of the Woodfarm Barges, Twee Gebroeders, moored next the iconic Tidemill. Heading North From the Tidemill, walk along the river to Wilford Bridge, which will take you about 20 leisurely minutes or so and is as far as you can go in a sailing boat. Take a canoe or kayak…
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Fabulous local produce at the Suffolk Food Hall
The Suffolk Food Hall has developed a well earn’t reputation as the ‘Champion of champions’ for local Suffolk food. We think this makes Suffolk Food Hall an ideal spot to visit when exploring our county staying aboard a Woodfarm Barge. Just ten mins from Onderneming and around fifteen from Twee Gebroeders. By providing a permanent famers market with all the convenience of a supermarket it’s not hard to see why The Countryside Alliance judged it to be the best Local Food venue in the entire UK & Ireland when they compared all the pervious winners over the past ten…
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Wonderful food & drink at The Crown Woodbridge
The Crown Woodbridge is an excellent place to stop in and ‘refuel’ after a long day’s sightseeing around Suffolk. When you’re enjoying the river Deben aboard our historic Dutch Sailing Barge ‘Twee Gebroeders, you’re very likely to find yourself ambling through this quaint little town, looking for somewhere to eat or drink and the Crown Woodbridge is just minutes away. Woodbridge is only a 25 minute drive from ‘Onderneming’ at Pin Mill too and well worth a visit! If you’re keen on somewhere to fill your belly that offers the finest locally produced Suffolk food and drink with…
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Orford Castle on the beautiful Suffolk Coast
Small for a Castle but never the less well maintained and mighty, Orford Castle is well worth a visit when you’re in Suffolk staying on a Woodfarm Barge. What Orford Castle lacks in size it makes up for in quality. It is one of the most complete keeps in the UK and its unique polygonal tower makes it a true one-of-a-kind. With a history dating all the way back to the 12th century, there’s much to uncover at Orford Castle. The Castle has been embroiled in much drama over the centuries. Including family infighting, uprisings and foreign invasions. So…
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The Butt and Oyster on the River Orwell
The Butt and Oyster is one of Suffolk’s favourite and most well known pubs. And it’s just yards from Onderneming, our fabulous Dutch barge moored at Pin Mill Named after the part the pub played in the old oyster trade in Suffolk, The Butt and Oyster is part of the Deben Inns Group and typifies what they do so well. Great pub, great food and great beer. The Butt & Oyster is one of their two best locations (in my opinion, other opinions are available, but wrong) They also have The Maybush at Waldringfield, near Woodbridge, which is my…
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The Anchor Woodbridge near our holiday cottages
The Anchor Woodbridge is just minutes from Twee Gebroeders; it’s the ideal place for quick pint or home-cooked meal. If you’re staying on the beautiful river Deben here in Suffolk then there’s a very strong possibility you’ll be stopping into this delightful market town for a drink at some point and the Anchor Woodbridge is a proper old pub! One of the most popular watering holes in the town, as well as the most convenient to the quayside. When you first enter the pub you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s a tiny place. But you’ll soon discover…
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The Tidemill Woodbridge – an iconic Suffolk landmark
The historic Tidemill Woodbridge makes for a great location for a break on a Woodfarm Barge There are few things in this world that are better than spending some quality time on the wonderful water ways we’re fortunate enough to enjoy here in East Anglia and a visit to the Tidemill Woodbridge is a great one to add to your bucket list. Many of us are happy to simply go with the flow and see where the water takes us. However, if you’re looking for a great place to visit at the end of your journey, then the beautiful…
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