Bumpstead Barn, Steeple Bumpstead

Suffolk. Sleeps up to 8

Bumpstead Barn is surrounded by its vast garden on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Steeple Bumpstead in the Suffolk countryside. It is between Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds though further south. To the east, you will discover the charming, much photographed village of Lavenham which is considered to be Britain’s best preserved medieval village and one of Suffolk’s most important wool towns. At every turn in Lavenham you will encounter medieval charm with characterful timber framed buildings lining the narrow streets and lanes. Lavenham has also gained a ‘foodie’ reputation with excellent restaurants and pubs. The village offers a rich history. In Tudor England, Lavenham was the 14th richest town thanks to its famous Lavenham Blue broadcloth. There are over 300 buildings listed as being of architectural and historic interest, including the beautiful Church of St Peter and St Paul, Little Hall, The Guildhall and De Vere House. The celebrated Guildhall is a spectacular timber-framed building built around 1530 by the religious Guild of Corpus Christi. The renovated Guildhall is located in the historic market place and today tells the stories of Lavenham’s fortunes. Little Hall, built in the 1390’s was once home to the Causton family and is now a museum owned by the Suffolk Buildings Preservation Trust. St Peter and St Paul Church was built at the height of Lavenham’s prosperity by Thomas Spring III in the late 15th century. The Old Grammar School is another amazing building. It was open from 1647-1887 and is a Grade I listed building whose many pupils included the famous painter John Constable. De Vere House is also know as the De Vere Hunting Lodge, the last house in Lavenham to be owned by the Earls of Oxford. Lavenham boasts a wonderful array of art galleries including the Crooked House Gallery, a building full of wonky charm. There are many charming cafes and restaurants. Lavenham is very proud of its strong links to America. The Lavenham airbase was home to the 487th Bombardment Group of the 8th US Army Air Force who flew 185 missions and more than 6000 sorties during WWII. There are some delightful walks in and around Lavenham. One is the Lavenham Woodland walk, part of the Old Lavenham to Long Melford Great Eastern Railway line. Not only is is beautiful, there are 24 varieties of butterflies that have been seen in the area.

Bury St Edmunds, the home of Saint Edmund, the original patron Saint of England boasts award-winning restaurants, excellent shopping, beautiful parks, historic buildings and many annual festivals. The magnificent St Edmundsbury Cathedral stands in the stunning Abbey Gardens among the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund.

You may want to head into Cambridge for some cultural treats or shopping. There is something for everyone in Cambridge. You might like to go punting on the River Cam, enjoy a picnic in the park, cycle around the impressive network of cycle paths, visit the stunning university buildings or join a walking tour of the city. King’s College Chapel is celebrated for its choral services including the famous A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, broadcast live by the BBC to the nation and around the globe on Christmas Eve. The University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum houses world-class collections of art and antiquities spanning centuries and Kettle’s Yard is a fantastic gallery for 20th century art and contemporary art. Theatre lovers are very happy with performances straight from the West End. There are also many alfresco music gigs.

It is also easy to visit the dramatic and beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast and the wonderful, popular seaside resorts of Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Southwold and Felixstowe from the barn.