Guide For Your Stay
We want you to get the most out of your holiday at Bucks Farm, so this section of our website is a digital guide for you to use before and during your stay. It includes detailed information about your cottage, the farm, swimming pool, gym, and animals - as well as ideas about the local area and places to visit and eat.
If you require any further help or additional information, please don’t hesitate to ask us - Luke & Nic Andrews - or call us on:
The Farmhouse: 01986 784216
Luke’s mobile: 07913 963895
Nic’s mobile: 07774 142583
We hope you enjoy your stay.
A Quick Introduction
Bucks Farm dates back to the 1500s, with its traditional timber-framed, 'Suffolk-pink' farmhouse, and holiday cottages converted from the old Victorian barns that used to support crop and pig farming.
We bought the farm and business in 2017, also adopting the original collection of animals, which now include chickens, goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs and two shetland ponies - all of which you are welcome to help feed.
There is lots to do at Bucks Farm whatever the weather, and we’re ideally located here in the Blyth Valley if you want to venture out for the local beaches or shopping. We've included some ideas and recommendations in the following notes to help answer most of your questions - but if you do have any further queries please don’t hesitate to ask us.
Nic and Luke Andrews
Your holiday cottage
WiFi
We provide free wireless internet access in all our cottages.
| WiFi Network Name | WiFi Password |
| BucksFarm_Guest | hollidayguest (two 'lls') |
Hot Water & Heating
You’ll have either an oil-fired or electric boiler in your cottage for hot water and heating. The hot water is set to stay on permanently, and the central heating is regulated via the thermostat on the wall of your cottage. If you need any help with either of these - please do just ask us.
Wood Burning Stoves
Each cottage has its own wood burner, and we provide logs for the fires. If you need a top up please do help yourself to logs and kindling from the Wood Shed. If you need any help at all with lighting fires, please just ask.
Books and Toys
There are lots of books, toys and board games in the Games Room, which you're very welcome to bring back to your cottages to make life easier. Please do return them to the Games Room before you leave. Thank you.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in or around the cottages. If you’re smoking outside, please be considerate of other cottage guests, and bin your cigarette ends. Thank you.
Bed linens, bathroom towels and bathmats are all provided. We also provide tea towels and oven gloves for the kitchens. (Please note: we do ask you to bring your own towels for swimming – thank you).
Soaps & Cleaning
We provide handsoaps in each of the bathrooms and kitchens. Washing up liquid, sponge and cloth are also provided in the kitchens, along with cleaning & sanitising spray and cloths under the sink. Each cottage has its own hoover and dustpan and brush.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT put any cleaning liquids or wipes down sinks or drains, as this will kill our on-site waste and water treatment system that relies on 'friendly' bacteria. Please only use the sprays, cloths and wipes provided and bin them after use. Thank you.
The cottage kitchens include all standard equipment, including double oven/grill, microwave, dishwasher (tablets provided), microwave, fridge/freezer, toaster, kettle, and also a Lavazza (A Modo Mio) coffee pod machine. We provide a small selection of pods, and you can either bring your own or purchase some 'emergency' pods from our small gift shop. Please note - the coffee machines only fit Lavazza pods labelled 'A Modo Mio'. Washing machines, tumble dryers, irons and ironing boards can be found in the communal Laundry Room. If you do need something extra, please do ask us.
Barbecues
Barbecues and coals are provided for each cottage and are kept in the Wood Shed, along with cleaning materials. Please do ensure these are cleaned and returned after use. Thank you.
Unexpected Events & First Aid
Occasionally we experience power cuts in bad weather – so you will find a torch or a lamp under the kitchen sink, as well as a small FirstAid kit. Details for medical contacts and A&E centres are listed towards the end of these notes.
Hot Tubs
Two of our cottages have Hot Tubs in their own private gardens, and these are always emptied and sanitised before each new arrival. They take a few hours to heat up, so please note - they may not be hot for your first night, but will be steaming by morning !
Rubbish & Recycling
We’re trying to recycle as much as possible, and ask for your help by placing items in the relevant wheelie bins in the Recycling & Rubbish Area next to the Bike sheds. Please follow the directions in the notices provided next to your kitchen bins, and as follows:
| BLUE Wheelie Bins | General Recycling - Rinsed and unbagged |
| GREY Wheelie Bins | General 'mucky' Rubbish - In Bags |
| PLASTIC or CARDBOARD Box | Glass Items |
Thank you for making the effort !
A heads up: bin day is early Tuesday morning, so we remove the wheelie bins on Monday evenings (Recycling bins one week, Rubbish the next), to put them at the end of our drive for emptying. They will be back in place mid-morning Tuesday.
If you are planning on having friends or family to visit, please just let us know before they arrive so we’re aware of new people on-site - Thank you. Please be aware we are happy for visitors to join you in the cottages and to say hello to the animals, but facilities such as animal feeding time, the games room and the swimming pool are for use by cottage guests only.
Around the farm
The Swimming Pool
On Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays: two dedicated sessions are scheduled and allocated for each cottage, between the hours of 10:00am and 5:30pm. The pool is also open for any cottage guests to use between 8:30am-10:00am, on a shared basis.
For added flexibility, there is also a 'Trading Board' in the pool lobby, for you to offer up your session to other guests if you know you are going to be out for the day. You can also then take advantage of sessions offered up by other cottages.
Please note that use of the pool is restrcted to cottage guests only - we are sorry but visitors are not permitted.
It is important that you have changed and left the pool building within your allocated time please – as outside of the cottage guest swimming hours, the pool is also used by locals (helping to pay for our running costs !)
*Fridays and Mondays are changeover days, and so single sessions are allocated for each cottage to have a swim on the evening of their arrival, but
*Please note there is no swimming on your morning of departure.
CODE FOR ENTRY: 5309
Press the numbers on the door lock firmly and turn the oval handle to the RIGHT. Any problem with opening the door just Press ‘C’ to clear then re-enter the number.
Please remove outdoor shoes before entering, leaving them in the lobby, and please do shower before you swim to help maintain the chemical balance of the pool.
No food or drink in the swimming pool or gym room please. Thanks.
In the pool hall, there are two curtained changing cubicles, a shower room, and a separate wc with washbasin and baby changer. Please do leave your swimming towels and costumes on the clothes airers provided, as they dry really well overnight in the pool hall. There are lots of inflatable pool toys provided but you're welcome to bring your own.
Safety
Please ensure all children are accompanied by an adult when entering the Swimming Pool Hall. No children under 16 are allowed to swim unless accompanied by an adult.
A full safety list is posted on the notice board in the Pool Lobby.
Always check the doors are locked when you leave to prevent children entering on their own. Thank you.
The Gym
The Gym/Fitness Room is next to the swimming pool and is open for use between 7am – 9pm. Please note the gym is only for use by those over 18 years old.
CODE FOR ENTRY: 5309
*Please change into clean trainers to use the gym*
When you enter the Gym, please sign in the visitor book near the entrance and sign out when you leave. The RED master switch on the far wall turns on the electricity for all the machines.
In the gym there are two shower rooms and a wc. There are around twelve machines including two treadmills, an elliptical trainer, two rowing machines, multiple bikes/spinners and cross trainers, plus weights machine, bench press, and stretching equipment. See the dedicated web page for more detail. Please enjoy your work out and switch off lights and power when you leave. Thank you.
Dry / Infra red Sauna
There is also a dry sauna in one of the Gym shower rooms. Please switch on to heat up around 45-60 mintutes before you wish to use it.
The Games Room
Is in the next building along from the Swimming pool & Gym. For the big kids (!) there is table tennis, table football and a small pool table, as well as lots of toys and books that younger children will enjoy. You are also welcome to take any toys and books back to the cottages to play with during your stay.
Outside Play Space
We have lots of open areas for burning off some energy. There is a wooden playframe with swings and slide, and there is a large green space in front of the pool house with trampoline, football goal, and lots of sit-on toys like tractors and buggies.
We also have some childrens and adult bicycles you can borrow too, including a tandem if you fancy a challenge !
Animal Feeding
Everyone is very welcome to help us feed the animals at around 9am (each day except Fridays and Mondays). Children should be supervised at this time please.
We look for eggs – although not so much in winter as the chickens stop laying ! We feed the hens, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs, our pet sheep and our Shetland ponies – Dora and Locket. Children can do as little or as much as they want.
Very occasionally we have to alter feeding times because of our own family commitments but we will let you know of any changes. And to help keep Bucks farm a fun and safe place for all ages, there are hand sanitiser stations located around the farm, as well as antibacterial hand wash in the cottages.
Dogs
Very conveniently, you'll find our fields are right at your doorstep – so you’re very welcome to walk in the fields surrounding the farm with your dog. They must be on a lead if there is livestock grazing - but we will inform you on arrival which field/s are free to let your dog off the lead for a good run.
Leave gates as you find them – open or shut - and please remember always to keep your dog on a lead on the farmyard as our chickens are free range!
Please don't leave your dog unattended in the cottage except when using the pool or at animal feeding time.
There is an area beyond the goats if you need somewhere quick for exercising. Please always collect dog poo and put it in a plastic bag in the GREY bin in the Recycling Area.
We’d be really grateful if you could also please keep dogs out of bedrooms, and off the sofas & furniture. Thank you.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
Our new EV Chargers are located in our main car park for easy access. Simply use the QR code on each unit to access the 'Fuuse' control App, hook up your own cable, and start charging. Please ensure you bring your own cable to hook up, and PLEASE NOTE: charging is only allowed via the 7-pin EV chargers provided. No other charging options (eg. 3-pin socket/mains connection is permitted on-site).
The Laundry
Is in the same building as the Games Room. There are two washing machines and two tumble dryers, irons and ironing boards, and clothes airers which you are welcome to use as things also dry quite well in there overnight – or please use the rotating dryer outside in the summer. We provide washing powder for guests use too.
There is also a large freezer in the laundry room for extra space. Please feel free to use it.
Going Out / Eating In
We’ve listed a few recommendations for places to eat locally and there are taxis based nearby in Halesworth who are happy to pick you up and drop-off later.
Please Note: Many restaurants, pubs and local attractions get booked up quite quickly, so the advice is to contact destinations well in advance if you can, to avoid disappointment.
Taxi service
01986 - 872829 or 874028
TakeAways
The following are our favourites in Halesworth, but please check availability beforehand:
Delivery usually offered to Bucks Farm:
| Pizza | Papa's Pizza Co. | 01986 874888 |
| Chinese | Happy House | 01986 872165 |
Takeaway/Collection from Halesworth:
| Fish & Chips | Tulula's | 01986 513146 |
| Thai | Sing Tong Neeyom | 01986 873737 |
| Indian | Rajputh | 01986 872800 |
Places to Eat Out
The following are local places to eat which have been popular with us, friends and guests. We recommend you ALWAYS BOOK AHEAD as it is a very popular area.
The Huntingfield Arms, Huntingfield, IP19 0PU
Tel: 01986 798320
Village pub serving good value, tasty food. Homemade puds are a speciality, and they often do special deal nights. The village green out front is a lovely outside space to sit and eat in good weather, and there's a great playground across the road. It is around 2 miles by road. Always ensure you ring ahead to check they’re serving food – and tell Steve you are staying at Bucks Farm !
The Queens Head, Bramfield, IP19 9HT
Tel: 01986 784214
Attractive old Pub serving an interesting seasonal menu, specialising in locally and organically produced food. Good reviews from guests, especially with younger kids. 3 miles. Very good food and service.
The Angel Pub & Cleones Restaurant, Halesworth
Tel: 01986 873365
In the centre of Halesworth, a town pub with a separate Italian restaurant called Cleones. Speciality pizza & pasta. Serving food from about 6.30pm. Food available in the bar too. Families with older kids welcome. Meals in Cleones always good.
The Boarding House, Halesworth
Tel: 01986 948306
On the market square – a fairly modern, creative restaurant/café that offers excellent service and great food. Slightly higher prices than others in the area – but worth the money in our experience.
The Fox Inn, Darsham
Tel: 01728 668436
Located in Darsham village just off the A12, only around a 10 minute drive from the farm. Always really good food, served every day and with a great variety to choose from. They have good seating space and so often a good bet for larger group bookings.
Walberswick - Two very popular pub/restaurants:
The Bell Inn, IP18 6TN - Tel: 01502 723109
Close to the quay and beach – lovely and cosy inside in winter, and large grassed garden in the summer. Excellent, good value food. Dogs welcomed inside and sausages can be ordered ! Does get very busy, and often will not take bookings, so best to get there earlier rather than later.
The Anchor, IP18 6UA
Tel: 01502 722112
Also does really good food and is another favourite of ours. More of a restaurant than a pub, also with outside space. Gets very busy so make sure you call in advance to book.
The Harbour Inn, Southwold, the Quayside, IP18 6TA
Tel: 01502 722381
Good pub food and fish dishes. Please check out their website: www.harbourinnsouthwold.co.uk
Plough & Sail, Snape Maltings, IP17 1SR
Tel: 01728 688413
Excellent food in a beautiful setting. Ideal base for gentle walks along boardwalks through the reed beds, lovely shops on site, and a world-famous music centre ! Can get busy, but worth the trip.
The Local Area & Facilities
Supermarkets
Big ‘edge of town’ Co-op 5 mins away on the main road into Halesworth. (Left at bottom of our drive, straight ahead onto the main road at the bend/T-junction, and the shop entrance is located off the first roundabout).
Opening hours Monday-Friday 8am-10pm, Saturday 8am-8pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Shopping & Delis
Do visit the pedestrianised 'Thoroughfare' in Halesworth. There are some great Delis and Coffeeshops where you can sit outside. There is also a Spar shop, butchers, fish shop and grocers – all good value and very friendly service. There are also great charity shops and a fantastic toyshop. Park in the second carpark you come to, for free first hour (must display a ticket regardless), and walk through the 'welcome' archway onto the Thoroughfare.
Petrol/Diesel
The Co-op, and also Hammonds on A144, Norwich Road.
Cashpoints
There are free cashpoints in the Coop, and in the Post Office.
Post Office
Is at the back of Coopers Hardware store in the Thoroughfare in Halesworth.
Chemists
Boots in the Marketplace, and independent chemist at the Cutlers Hill Doctors surgery.
Doctors & Minor Injuries Unit
Cutlers Hill, Bungay Rd, Halesworth, IP19 8SG
(3 miles from Bucks Farm)
Tel: 01986 874618
Accident and Emergency (A&E) – 24 hours
James Paget Hospital, Lowestoft Rd, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth NR316LA
(27 miles from Bucks Farm)
Tel: 01493 452452
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY
Just off the A47 bypass. (32 miles from Bucks Farm)
Tel: 01603 287325
Dentist
Hooker House, Quay St, Halesworth, IP19 8EP
Tel: 01986 872113
Chiropodist
Angel Podiatry and Osteopathy, Halesworth, IP19 8SW
Tel: 01986 874531
Police Station
The Police station, Bungay Rd, Halesworth, IP19 8HJ
Tel: 01986 835300
Local Beaches
Southwold
Attractive, traditional seaside town with a famous and quirky pier with entertainment for the kids, gift shops and coffee shops. Colourful beach huts on the seafront to stroll past on the way to the town. Good pubs, shopping and eating places. The famous Adnams brewery and the working Lighthouse are all based in the centre of town.
The beach is great - mixed pebble & sand – and ranges from busy at the pier end, right down to almost deserted at the south end where you can find the quay, and look across the mouth of the Blyth to Walberswick on the other bank. (25 mins drive from BF).
Walberswick
Attractive, unspoilt little village with a couple of craft shops, cafés and two pubs. Small village green with a simple playground. A Foot Ferry (rowing boat) runs across to Southwold in the peak season, but you can also walk to Southwold via a footbridge further up the river (5-10min walk from the quay). Lovely walks through the reed beds, and beautiful flat sandy/pebbly beach with dunes. Great places around the quay and footbridges for crabbing. We have a selection of crabbing equipment in the bike sheds which you are welcome to borrow. (25 mins drive from BF).
Aldeburgh
A bit further south down the coast, pebbly unspoilt beach. Lifeboat Station is great to look around. Maggie Hamblin’s ‘Shell’ sculpture on the beach is great for kids to clamber over, north of the town. Good to park there and take the 10 min. stroll south along the beach past the fishermans’ huts and into the town itself.
Delicious Fish & Chips, wonderful ice-creams and lots of places to sit out for food or just a coffee on the High Street.
Dunwich
Dunwich is a great beach and an interesting place if you like a bit of history. Once a leading international harbour and one of the busiest ports of England, but hit by huge tidal surges in 1287 washing hundreds of buildings into the sea. Lots of ‘remains’ to see at the church and village museum. Fish & Chips, ice creams etc. at the beach café, and great sit-down food at The Ship Pub. Simple, pebbly beach with evidence of coastal erosion for the geographers amongst you(!) and a great base for walks and some bird watching.
Dunwich Cliffs & Minsmere
Dunwich Cliffs is a great place to visit with a lovely stretch of beach, access to public hides to view across the RSPB Nature Reserve, interesting inland walks and a great little National Trust Cafe and shop on the top of the cliffs at the coastguards cottages, which does fab cakes ! (PS: The parking is National Trust so you may have to pay if you're not members - but it's worth it).
Lowestoft
Further north (around 30 mins. drive). Lovely sand on the south beaches, lots of commercial seaside trappings to be enjoyed, Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park and Great Yarmouth Pleasure Park are a bit further up the coast.
BUCKS FARM COTTAGES FIRE SAFETY POLICY
All cottage guests: please familiarise yourself with these fire safety procedures:
POTENTIAL HAZARDS WITHIN THE COTTAGES, SWIMMING POOL, GYM AND GAMES ROOM:
- Any electrical appliance that develops a fault.
- Any cooker that is left unattended during cooking.
- Paper, rubbish, clothing or other combustibles that are left too close to heaters, boilers or the wood burning stoves.
- Central heating boilers.
- Electrical items containing batteries including computers, video and digital cameras.
- Mobile telephones.
- Candles: are not permitted for use in or around the cottages.
- Smoking: prohibited in and around the cottages.
- Charging of electric vehicles or bicycles: not permitted using the power supply from the cottages.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE:
Without stopping to pick up personal items, leave the building you are in via the nearest exit.
Once you and your group are out of the building, please move to the swimming pool green. When you are in a safe position, telephone for help.
Contact us - the owners - as soon as possible by calling:
Farmhouse: 01986 784216
Luke’s mobile: 07913 963895
Nic’s mobile: 07774 142583
Or contact the Emergency Services directly giving the location details:
Bucks Farm, Cookley Street, Halesworth Road, Cookley, IP19 0LX.
Please note all the cottages are protected by R.C.Ds (electricity circuit breakers that prevent electric shocks), the boilers are serviced each year and the chimneys are swept each year. All cottages and facilities are fitted with fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
Bucks Farm Gift Shop
Our little gift shop is next door to the Laundry & the Play room. It is an ‘honesty’ shop – please record what you buy in the book provided – and leave your cash (or cheques for purchases over £10 only please due to bank charges - and made out to ‘Bucks Farm Suffolk') in the cash tin please. If you spend a significant amount and leave cash, please let us know - and Thank you !
Gifts include Bucks Farm mugs, pens + fridge magnets
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