Sally’s Nest

Why you'll love staying here

Sally’s Nest is a secluded, timber-clad barn conversion set on a 70-acre working arable farm in the tiny village of Wenhaston, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Thoughtfully restored, it’s ideal for couples or solo travellers looking to explore the surrounding countryside and the Suffolk Heritage Coast.

Guests are welcomed with a generous hamper, complete with a bottle of wine and fresh flowers from the friendly owners, setting the tone for a relaxing stay. Downstairs, the open-plan living space is bright and airy, with a well-equipped kitchen and a dining table for leisurely breakfasts and intimate suppers.

Adjacent, the sitting area offers plenty of comfortable seating arranged around an electric wood burner-style stove, ideal for unwinding in the evening with a glass of wine and a good book. During the festive season, guests can enjoy Christmas decorations and a twinkling tree, adding a touch of magic. A conservatory with floor-to-ceiling windows frames sweeping views across the surrounding fields, making it a lovely spot to enjoy a morning coffee as the sun rises.

Completing the accommodation is a bedroom upstairs that comes with blackout blinds to ensure an undisturbed night’s sleep, along with a sleek shower room.

Outside, there’s a small patio with dining furniture and a parasol, and a footpath leads directly from the cottage through the farm to the village, where you’ll find a traditional country pub with a welcoming garden, a well-chosen selection of beers and ciders, and good food. While there, it’s worth popping into St Peter’s Church, home to the Wenhaston Doom, a rare pre-Reformation wall painting depicting the Last Judgement.

For nature lovers and bird watchers, Sally’s Nest is perfectly placed for exploring nearby reserves such as RSPB Minsmere and the National Trust’s Dunwich Heath and Orford Ness. Their diverse landscapes, including heathland, woodland, reedbeds, and coastal lagoons, support a rich variety of wildlife. Keep an eye out for avocets, bearded tits, Dartford warblers, nightjars, and bitterns, and the occasional harbour porpoises and seals out to sea.

A little further afield lies Aldeburgh, a picturesque town said to serve some of the best fish and chips on the Suffolk coast. Its promenade is lined with pastel-coloured 19th-century houses and distinctive landmarks, including the 400-year-old Moot Hall, a Martello tower, a converted windmill, and a Norman church. On the beach, you’ll find a monument to composer Benjamin Britten, who had strong ties to the town, and Aldeburgh continues to have a vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries and an annual music festival.

Also within easy reach is Sutton Hoo, the awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial ground and one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of all time. Visitors can take in views over the site from an observation tower and explore exhibitions featuring original and replica treasures, including a reconstruction of the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, offering a fascinating insight into Anglo-Saxon life.