Fun Short Courses and Activities to do on Your Suffolk Break

Log cabin holidays are generally about relaxation and unwinding; however, a laid back holiday isn’t for everyone and if you are holidaying as a couple, or with friends, you may want to combine your break in with a fun activity, or a unique learning experience. This could be anything from cookery courses, to arts and crafts, sailing or diving. Here we shall look at some of the things you can do during your break away.

Windmill Lodges is an exclusive complex of just seven log cabins tastefully arranged around a tranquil fishing lake. Our log cabins are the ultimate in luxury as each has its own private hot tub, comfy leather sofas, luxury beds, as well as all the modern conveniences to make your stay comfortable.

If you want to combine your log cabin holiday with some of the fun, short courses on offer in the region, here’s just a short glimpse of what is available. We have compiled just a small sample of the things to do on your break but there are many other activities to get involved in that are not listed here.

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Courses and Activities in Suffolk

Cookery Courses

With the rise in TV cookery programmes, such as ‘Come Dine with Me’ and the ‘Hairy Bikers’, plus a flood of food related articles in the media, more people are gaining an interest in home cooking. If you love fine food, Suffolk is the place to go as excellent local produce is available and there are also a number of short cookery courses on offer. Why not combine a short cookery course with a break at Windmill Lodges and practice your new found skills in the fully equipped kitchen?

Aldeburgh Cookery School runs a series of oneday courses in a wonderfully relaxed environment which is certain to fuel your enthusiasm of fine food. The cookery school courses are made up of two, two and a half hour cookery sessions, with a break for a delicious lunch with wine. Courses range from Thai cuisine, to modern British and Indian. Just contact the cookery school direct to find out prices and availability and you can look forward to combining your stay with a tasty food experience.

Art Courses

If you want to capture Suffolk’s beautiful landscape on canvas, there are several one day arts courses in the region and you can combine these with a stay at Windmill Lodges. Each year over 170 short courses (including day courses) are on offer at Flatford Mill. This stunning building features in several paintings by one of Suffolk’s most famous artists, John Constable.

Art courses at Flatford Mill are extremely varied, so you will always find something to appeal.  Choose from a range of learning experiences, from making willow sculptures for the garden, to making a stained glass panel in a day, sketching and painting, photography, water colours and even green wood working. You can take your creations home with you at the end of the day and this fantastic, enjoyable experience will make your log cabin holidays even more memorable.

Activities

Some of you may want to use your break to try out sports or other pursuits that are available in Suffolk.

A popular activity in this region is sailing and there are various sailing courses in Ipswich for those who love the water. Day sails, afternoon or evening sails are available and you can do as much or as little of the sailing as you like. It’s perfect for couples, or groups of friends with a mix of people who like to get involved, and those who like to just sit back, relax, and enjoy being on the water.

Other water related activities in Ipswich are diving courses and there are plenty of places to go for a diving experience. Diving courses range from those aimed at beginners, to those who want to improve their skills. Just browse the internet to find the right one for you.

Craft Courses

If you like to learn about various crafts, you have come to the right place as Suffolk has lots of one day craft courses on offer. You can try your hand at just about anything from pottery to knitting and even basket weaving.

If you want to custom design your own pottery piece, the Ceramics Painting Studio and cafe is based right on the Thoroughfare in Woodbridge. Instead of having a day or hour’s long course, you just choose an item of pottery to decorate and the studio staff will glaze and fire it for you, ready for you to collect.

Meanwhile, for something different, Willowmead Studios in Otley offers various Saturday activities. You can also arrange weaving courses on dates to suit you. It must be noted that all the activities on this page are featured only as a guide to what is available. So to find out more about this, or any of the other courses in the region, just contact the course provider direct.

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Unusual Places to Visit in Suffolk

If you dream of luxury log cabin holidays in Suffolk, Windmill Lodges offers a relaxing break away and the freedom to see the region’s most beautiful - and unusual - sights at you own leisurely pace.

Windmill Lodges is the perfect destination for your log cabin holidays as it is a real home from home where you can feel truly pampered with all the wonderful luxuries that make your stay so special.

Whichever log cabin you book, you’ll discover your very own private hot tub, an attractive veranda overlooking a peaceful fishing lake, and a tasteful, cosy interior with sumptuous beds, soft leather sofas and all the mod cons.  Guests of Kingfisher Lodge are in for an even bigger treat as they have all this, plus the exclusive use of an infra-red sauna - said to offer a variety of health benefits.

Many of our visitors look forward to visiting the region’s most popular attractions, but it is always an added bonus - and sometimes even more interesting - if you stumble across some quirky or unusual sights.

Here we spotlight some of Suffolk’s many treasures, including bizarre and extraordinary buildings that make great photo opportunities. Although you can’t see inside all of the buildings featured here during your holidays in Suffolk, they are certain to provide lasting memories of your stay.

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Extraordinary Sights in Suffolk

A major landmark in Thorpeness is ‘The House in the Clouds’ a colourful, curious and almost fairy tale like building that seems to defy gravity as it rises out from the ground, seemingly into the clouds. This remarkable structure was originally a water tower built in the 1920’s and the 50,000 gallon water tank was masked so the building was in keeping with the other properties in the village.

The House in the Clouds has an interesting history as it was peppered by gunfire from anti-aircraft guns based in the village during World War Two. The tank was repaired, but the size of it was reduced. After a little over half a century of use, the tower was rendered  obsolete in 1977 when the village was provided with a mains water supply. Two years later the 70 ft high property was converted to a house with 68 steps, five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The House in the Clouds isn’t the only tourist attraction in Thorpeness; this Mock Tudor village has a beach and an artificial lake inspired by the novel Peter Pan, by J M Barrie. The author was a friend of the Ogilvie family who bought the village and surrounding land in the early 20th century.

Another unusual sight to see is Fantasia, a miniature pink cottage that lies in the centre of a car park on the seafront in Aldeburgh. It always draws admiring glances and was said to have been recently sold (to a private owner) for around £250,000. Fantasia has just two rooms - an upstairs bedroom and a living room - and a tiny toilet and sink.

It is believed this charming cottage - that has been likened to a doll's house - was originally a fisherman’s cottage. Past owners made up for the lack of bath or shower with daily dips in the sea.

Aldeburgh is a wonderful place to visit where other attractions include Moot Hall, a court room and parish hall that once lay in the centre of the village. The early 16th century building has been used for council meetings for around 400 years and the Parish Clerk is still based here. It also houses a museum.

Why not follow in the footsteps of Benjamin Britten and take a leisurely stroll along the seafront (he used to enjoy walks in the area)? On your walk you’ll see the strange looking scallop sculpture dedicated to the composer. If you like fresh fish, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to buy catches direct from the fishermen - whose huts line the beach - so you can cook up a treat when you get back to Windmill Lodges.

If you enjoy hearing about the history of the area, Dunwich is another remarkable place to visit. It was the capital of Kingdom of East Angles in the Anglo-Saxon times, although coastal erosion has seen much of the town disappear into the sea. As the legend has it, in stormy weather, you can still hear the bells of the ancient churches submerged under the sea. In fact, all eight churches that existed in the 13th century have been swept away in the various storms of the 13th and 14th centuries.

To find out more about Dunwich, visit the museum to see this incredible story brought to life. Visits to the museum are free, but donations are always welcome. The museum is open weekends in March, 2 pm - 4.30 pm, daily April - September, from 11.30 am - 4.30 pm, and October daily, from 12 noon until 4 pm. 

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Exploring the Great Outdoors in Winter

Exploring the Great Outdoors in Winter

If you are visiting Windmill Lodges for a winter break in Suffolk then you may want to wrap up warm and explore the local area. Winter walks are an excellent way to get out, enjoy some fresh air and build up an appetite for lunch or dinner.

Fortunately Windmill Lodges is just a short drive away from the Suffolk heritage coastal area, which is one of the prettiest parts of the county. There are lots of places to go for a picturesque walk and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Windmill lodges offer an exclusive development of luxury log cabins which are ideal for weekends, short breaks or even longer holidays in the colder months. Each cabin has a coal effect feature fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen with all bed linen, towels and tea towels provided, making it snug and cosy. Even better still is the exclusive use of your own private hot tub during your winter log cabin holidays!

Whether you are familiar with Suffolk and enjoyed holidays at Windmill Lodges before, or are visiting the county for the first time, there are many wonderful outdoor places you can visit in winter. In this article, we tell you about some of these places that are ideal to explore during the cold season.


Aldeburgh

The seaside town of Aldeburgh is a perfect place to take a walk along the water’s edge with your friends or partner. The world famous fish and chips make a terrific warming lunch after a walk on a cold winter’s day. Alternatively, you can pop into one of the places along the high street for tea and a bite to eat to warm up when it starts to get chilly or browse around the fantastic local shops. For a longer walk along the beach you can stroll along to the nearby village of Thorpeness and visit the meare for a boat ride or a warming cup of tea at the café. The walk along the shingle beach is just under 3 and a half kilometres and makes a bracing challenge there and back on a bright winter’s day.

If cycling is your thing then the coastal roads and bridleways between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness offer a great area for cycling with quiet country lanes and relatively flat terrain. Or you can come inland towards the village of Snape and explore the Alde valley by bike or foot and visit the local pubs for a snack or full lunch along the way.

Woodbridge

Woodbridge is a lovely place to walk around on a cold winter’s day with lots of places you can warm up in and pop in to enjoy a glass of mulled wine or a cup of tea and a bite to eat. There are a variety of tearooms, coffee shops, pubs and The Crown Hotel for more substantial lunch in Woodbridge.

If you fancy a walk that takes in the local sites and wildlife then the Tide Mill walk from Woodbridge to Melton is about 1 and a half miles and takes around 3/4 of an hour. The walk is part of the bigger “Sandlings Walk”, which is a route from Ipswich to Southwold. This Tide Mill section takes in the views across the River Deben to the ancient burial site at Sutton Hoo and the boats and wading birds near the Tide Mill.

There are a host of walks you can do in Woodbridge from between 4 and 1 miles long and some are suitable for young families with buggies around the town itself. A popular walk is the Railway walk, which starts at Woodbridge station and takes in the town, countryside, the River Deben and goes out to the Seckford Hall Hotel and Golf club with its beautiful grounds.

Stowmarket

The Museum of East Anglian Life is an open air museum in the centre of the Suffolk market town of Stowmarket.  Most of buildings are closed in winter, although the recently restored Abbot’s Hall is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays all year round. However, the outdoors area is still open for walks and you can take a stroll around the grounds and the nature reserve throughout the winter months for a reduced admission price.

There are also various events that take place here during the winter including craft fairs and activities for Bonfire night and Christmas.  On the fourth Wednesday of every month there is a “Welly Walk”, which is a guided walk around the grounds. Expect to get muddy as you meet the animals that are kept there and find out about East Anglian life throughout the centuries. 

Click here to find out more about our log cabins or to book during the winter months

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Rural Breaks Away - Arts and Crafts in Suffolk

Log cabin holidays with Windmill Lodges would not be complete without sampling all the local produce Suffolk has to offer. Suffolk is a rich county for food and crafts and a break here is perfect if you like all things handmade. Suffolk is now known as the “curious county”, because of all the interesting things we do and make here; from pottery to paintings, woodwork and metal work, there are many talented craftsmen and women in Suffolk and you can always find something beautiful to take home.

Windmill Lodges is an exclusive development of luxury log cabins set in a peaceful location right in the heart of the countryside and just a short drive to the beautiful heritage coast. Our log cabins have all been awarded 4 or 5 stars by the English Tourist Board and suit families, couples or groups of friends equally for a holiday or weekend break at any time of the year. All our accommodation is fully equipped for self catering log cabin holidays and comes complete with its own decking area and hot tub. 

Holidays with Windmill Lodges are so special you’ll also want to bring back some of the wonderful local produce or handmade items and crafts as a keepsake of your stay. Taking home something handcrafted and locally made is a great reminder of your visit. If you like handmade items and quality local produce, here are some of places you can visit to buy a souvenir of your log cabin holidays.

Click here to enjoy a rural break away in a log cabin in the heart of the Suffolk countryside


Snape Maltings

Snape is a picturesque village famous for its converted Maltings, which is now a world renowned concert hall and the home of the Alderburgh music festival. The Snape Maltings complex also includes nine independent shops selling fantastic gift items and some locally made crafts and foods including home ware, books, art, cards, clothes and toys, so you will always find plenty to inspire you. In fact, there is so much to do at Snape Maltings that you can spend a lovely leisurely day there browsing in the shops for gifts and fine foods and then stop for mid morning coffee or tea and a cake at either of the café’s in the Snape Malting complex: Café 1885 or The Granary tea shop. After a long walk beside the River Alde, it would be time for lunch and a pint of local beer in the traditional 16th century Plough and Sail pub which prides itself on its home cooked local food in beautiful surroundings.

On the first Saturday of the month there is a farmers market held at Snape Maltings where you can buy fresh local produce such as breads, cakes, cheeses, honey and free range meats.

Woodbridge

Woodbridge is a bustling market town on the banks of the River Deben with restaurants, cafes, pubs, swimming pool and cinema. Woodbridge boasts well over 100 independent shops so you can pick up some incredible locally made gifts to take home. 

For an unusual craft idea that’s as fun to make as it is to keep, then Jars of Clay in the Thoroughfare is an ideal place to visit, especially if you have a family to entertain. Choose a piece of pottery and relax with a hot drink and a cake while you decorate it with your own design. You can then come back and collect your fired and glazed pottery a few days later.

If food is your thing, then a must for any serious foodie is a visit to Woodbridge Fine Foods in New Street. Selling local vegetables, pies, fish and shellfish and meats, Woodbridge Fine Foods also has an extensive deli and a selection of fine wines to choose from too.

For something really contemporary, RE+NEW, which is all about all things made in Suffolk, is the place to go. This art gallery prides itself on its local and sustainable products that include new and restored furniture by local craftsmen. They have their own brand of stationary, which is fantastic for artwork or as a journal and is designed by R+NEW’s owner Geoff Witts.

Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh is a fashionable resort, which provides a little bit more sophistication than your average seaside town. No gaudy amusements here, Aldeburgh is home to some stunning local art and contemporary gifts, homeware and clothes shops. Art and photography really come into their own on the Suffolk coast and Aldeburgh has many art galleries that exhibit and sell local work.

Coastal Images on the High Street have fabulous examples of colour and black and white landscapes and seascapes from the Suffolk coast. You can buy from them when you visit or, if you decide to buy later, when you return home, they have over 250 images that can be purchased online along with a selection of frames and mounts to compliment your picture.

With a selection of local art, ceramics, stoneware and sculptures, Aldeburgh Contemporary Arts have an eye-catching collection of unusual gifts for you to take home as a memento of your stay in Suffolk. Artists of particular local note are Paul Evans, whose landscapes of the Suffolk coast were the inspiration for the owners to start the shop, and Robert Greenhalf, a leading wildlife artist whose work often centres around Minsmere nature reserve.

Stonham Barns

Stonham Barns is just east of Stowmarket off the A1120. It is a great day out for all the family with various craft and gift shops, a 9-hole golf course, an owl sanctuary and ample parking.  You can spend the whole day here browsing around the shops, watching the owl and falconry displays, having lunch or a light snack or even having beauty treatments at the Beauty Barn Salon.

Stonham Barns Garden centre is a great place to find seeds, houseplants or cuttings to take home as presents. All the plants are grown on site so the centre can advise you on their growth habits and how to keep them.

The Gift Barn sells many different gifts both sourced locally and from around the world including candles, cards, toys, jams, biscuits, sweets and toiletries.

Stonham Barns host several special events throughout the year including craft weekends, where you can pick up something locally made as a gift or for yourself. You can always give them a ring or visit their website to find out what is on before you visit.

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