As April gets under way, we're excited to finally share our March feature for the 'Dog Friendly UK' Calendar with you - and it's Suffolk! We've been to this beautiful county several times before but never with the dogs so we were very excited to discover everything that Suffolk has to offer in dog friendly.
Remember the Beast from the East last year...(who could forget?!) Well, that's where our journey to Suffolk began...
We made our way down to the heart of rural Suffolk on a cold, snowy morning. The countryside may have been blanketed in snow but that just made it look even more beautiful. We were very excited about this calendar visit as there were two legs to it. We were going to be staying at Woodfarm Barns and one of their sister barges afterwards.
We were welcomed on arrival by the lovely owner, Carl, who greeted the pups, helped us with our bags and showed us around. We were staying at Alde Barn which has a luxury hot tub and fully enclosed garden for the dogs! There are seven luxury cottages on site - all of which are dog friendly as well as award-winning and it's easy to see why...
The barn is packed full with everything you could possibly need. Including an iPod Dock, Nespresso coffee machine, TV, log burner, AGA, dog bowls and even slippers for the hot tub. There's also a fully enclosed 2 acre meadow for the dogs and an outdoor shed which all the guests have access to. It holds bikes for you to go out and adventure on in the day and DVDs for you to enjoy in the evening. You're even welcomed with a little gift basket - there's one for both you and the dogs!
Your lovely welcome hamper includes everything you need for a cooked breakfast for your first morning in the barn including bacon, eggs and milk. There's also homemade cookies, fresh fruit and, for the dogs, there's a gift pack from Bob and Lush and Woodfarm Barns poop bags - perfect for when you're out exploring! You literally don't need to bring anything with you other than yourselves and your clothes...
After unpacking the car and discovering everything our holiday home had to offer, we went off for a walk. Carl had mentioned a lovely circular walk passing a small Victorian church, so we put on our coats and went exploring...
The Suffolk countryside was breathtaking - so remote and peaceful made even more beautiful by the snow...
After a lovely walk, we decided to take the pups to the meadow to warm them up and stretch their legs. It's fully enclosed and filled with fun obstacles like tunnels, logs and tyres for your dog to practise their agility on.
There's also a separate secure section within the meadow for puppies and nervous dogs to have some space if the meadow is in use. With every detail thought of, it's easy to see why a previous guest had written in the guestbook "we have never been to such a dog friendly place!"
If you're lucky enough to get snowed on while the pups play, there's an upright barge (tying in with their sister site) complete with seating and shelter...
After a play in the snow, we headed back to our barn to make some dinner and curl up with a movie by the fire...
The next morning we awoke nice and early ready for a day filled with exploring. Not before we made a start on our home-cooked breakfast first though!
The breakfast basket is bound to be a welcome sight to any guest in the morning. There's no need to go out and buy something as it's all there ready and waiting for you - all you need to do is cook it and enjoy...
After we had finished our breakfast, we headed off to the seaside. OK, it may not have been a great day for it but when you're near the coast then why not?!
Southwold is a little drive away from the site and totally worth it. Even on a cold and snowy day, it was just stunning!
You'll be pleased to know that the southern part of the beach allows dogs all year round so if you're visiting when it's a bit warmer then your dogs can enjoy a splash!
Southwold Pier is just steps away from the town centre and welcomes dogs on leads. There are plenty of shops and cafés on the pier and they also run regular fun events.
If you fancy something local then why not visit the Adnams Café? Famously brewed in the coastal town, their café is just a short walk away from the pier. They serve their own beer, coffee and food and there's also a shop inside where you can purchase all their beers, gin and lots of other branded goodies including dog bowls.
They're dog friendly, of course, which means that you can have a refresh while they do too in these adorable dog bowls...
After enjoying a warming coffee and slice of homemade cake, we browsed the shop for some goodies. Taking home with us some of their gin as a present for my mum and some beer for us!
The sun was setting so we headed off back to the car ready for our dinner at a local gastropub...
The Dog at Grundisburgh is just a short drive away from the barn and is very dog friendly throughout (well, it has to be really with a name like that). In fact, since our visit, it has been named the Dog Friendly Pub of the Year so you know it's super dog friendly...
There's blankets and a photo of all of their four-legged friends on entry, doggy artwork and cushions throughout and their logo is (you guessed it) a dog!
Wilbur and Paisley were greeted with a little dish of doggy biscuits and warmed up by the roaring fire while we browsed the menu...
The food is all home cooked and locally sourced from the Suffolk countryside and shore. They have lots of themed menus on and it was burger night when we visited.
There was also homemade crab ravioli, slow roasted lamb shoulder and Sutton Hoo chicken breast on the menu as well as many other mouthwatering dishes.
There are lots of gluten free and vegetarian options on the menu too so there's plenty of choice for everyone...
They also serve over 30 gins, regularly changing cask ales and craft beers. So whether you go for a drink or a meal (though we'd suggest both), you're bound to find something to love! A log fire for the dogs and a romantic dinner for two by candlelight, could it be any more perfect?!
Once we returned back to the barn, we decided to test out the hot tub. There's nothing more satisfying than slipping into a warm tub on a freezing cold, snowy night...
Plastic glasses are provided specially for the hot tub so you can enjoy a glass of bubbly while you're in the bubbles! Obviously the dogs can't join you, but they can enjoy free roam of the garden as you're safe in the knowledge that they are nice and secure. Or you can leave the bottom half of the stable door open on the barn so they can walk in and out as they please. As you can see, Wilbur & Paisley opted to sit in their bed on the seating area by the hot tub...
The next morning we awoke fresh-faced and ready to try something completely different! Today was the day that we were going to stay on the barge...
But first, we were off to Easton Farm Park to meet the animals. Yes, that's right, Wilbur & Paisley were able to come with us and meet these cuties at the farm!
Well-behaved dogs are always welcome at Easton Farm Park and they even hold a Dog Day specifically for our four-legged friends!
There were lots of adorable animals to see there as well as fun things to do. There are indoor play areas for the kids, a café and loads of fun activities held throughout the year including 'hold a chick', pony and cart rides and 'hug a bunny'. Which activities are being held depends on when you visit - visiting in spring is highly recommended so you can meet all of the gorgeous babies including bunnies, kids and lambs!
If you're lucky enough to visit then, you may also get the chance to feed these cuties...
The farm also runs educational workshops and there are informational points throughout teaching you and the children about the animals and the farm itself.
Once you've exhausted seeing all of these cute little faces (if that's at all possible?!) then pop to the café for a bite to eat.
There's plenty of choice from jacket potatoes to sandwiches - all cooked fresh to order. We enjoyed a spot of lunch and the chef was kind enough to bring out a tub of sausages for the dogs...
We then set off, it was now time to make it over to the barge and we were very excited! We were staying at Twee Gebroeders, a fully restored Dutch sailing barge.
You may think staying on a barge would mean that you have to compromise on some necessities. Well, it doesn't at all! This barge is packed with 2 cabins sleeping up to 4 people, a modern shower room and a kitchen and dining area with a range cooker. You wouldn't think it but a lot can fit into a 64ft barge!
There's also a sofa for you to relax on in the dining area as well as a TV and DVD player. So once you've enjoyed your home cooked dinner, you can chill out with a glass of wine and a movie. If there's nothing on the TV, then don't worry - there's a couple of shelves of DVDS and books to choose from just under the TV.
We opted for 'Reservoir Dogs' (well, it has dogs in the title!) and a bottle of red...
We also got to enjoy a few of our goodies from the Adnams store including a gin and tonic and IPA...
There's a TV in the bedroom too so if you fancy snuggling up on the bed instead then you can! Wilbur was quite happy with a cosy blanket and a comfy sofa though...
As with the barn, you also get their delicious breakfast basket and some goodies for the pups. This time, branded Woodfarm Barges poop bags and tasty biscuits too...
If you're lucky with the weather then you can enjoy your breakfast out on the seating area on the deck. Or just sip on your morning cup of tea (in your branded Woodfarm Barns mug no less!) and take in the beautiful scenery...
After breakfast, we decided to go for a little walk and explore the local town of Woodbridge. It is a small but bustling market town with lots of independent shops and cafés to visit. There's a little park just off the town centre where we took the pups to stretch their legs before finding a place to enjoy a cup of coffee.
We found a lovely little dog friendly place called The Tea Hut which is just off the boating lake. It has some outdoor decking which would be perfect for a sunny day.
We couldn't resist treating ourselves to a slice of one of their mouthwatering homemade cakes before we headed off home.
And with that, it was time to say goodbye. We had an amazing time in Suffolk and are already planning our next visit...
We hope you enjoyed reading our blog all about our Dog Friendly trip to Suffolk. With thanks to Woodfarm Barns & Barges, The Dog at Grundisburgh, Easton Farm Park and Southwold Pier for our visit. We had a great time and hope to be back!
If you visit any of our recommendations then please do share your photos with us on Facebook, we love seeing them. Our 'Dog Friendly UK' Calendar 2019 is still available to purchase here and you can get your paws on an exclusive offer to get yourself some free champagne and handmade Suffolk chocolates at Woodfarm Barns & Barges in it too.
We'll be back next month with a blog all about our Dog Friendly trip to Northumberland!
Until then...
Love, nose licks & waggy tails,
From the WildPaws team x
