The peace, tranquility and protected landscape status of its large private river garden makes Boatmans self-catering cottage at Letheringham a brilliant base for Suffolk birdwatching breaks, get-away-from-it-all stays and even a spot of gentle boating.
Boatmans’ river garden is big, naturally beautiful and totally unexpected. But it’s no surprise that all its visitors fall in love with it all year round. Located in a Designated Special Landscape Area by the Deben, its gently flowing river, large lawns, mature trees, shrubs and woodland backdrop attracts all sorts of fish, waterfowl, garden birds, plus mammals great and small (humans included!)
Simply sit back, put your feet up and enjoy the bird song on the terrace. Drink in a good book on the sun-filled patio – or the river and woodland views perhaps, accompanied by glass of something special. Stroll down to the landing stage to catch that blue flash of a kingfisher or park life a while and watch the natural world go by.
At Boatmans, you’ll always find peace, quiet and something of interest in the riverside garden – even out of season or viewed from the conservatory.
Spotted woodpeckers, nuthatch, sparrowhawks, cuckoos and kingfishers. Black caps, willow warblers, owls, swans, Marsh harriers even, plus all the garden birds on or underneath the nut-feeders.
One guest counted 25 different species! We can’t promise you’ll spot them all, but don’t forget your binoculars – it’s simply a great place for Suffolk birdwatching breaks!
To make your Boatmans stay extra special, we’ll include a FREE gift card in your welcome pack to enjoy either the RSPB Minsmere Reserve (to make your Suffolk birdwatching break complete!) or a relaxing day at Ufford Park’s health and fitness suite (pool, sauna, gym etc) near Woodbridge.
Bet you can’t resist pushing the boat out and messing about on the river at Boatmans. Nothing beats seeing the world from the water. Bring your own watercraft (canoes, kayaks or SUPs/paddleboards) along if you wish – the quiet, mile-long River Deben stretch is ideal for gentle adventures directly from the garden and private jetty.
Set up your fishing rod directly in Boatmans’ garden and while away the hours in peaceful pursuit of pike, perch, dace, roach and other fine fishy fellows. Some can be slippery and more elusive: others quite a catch.
Angling guests have been delighted by their large, private and free waterside pitch, especially with only otters and kingfishers as competition!
At Boatmans, winter brings magical snowdrops and frosted branches.
Autumn reveals its true colours and free-falling squirrels in full acrobatic swing.
A garden bursting with green tree buds becomes an iconic memory of spring.
And ah, those lazy, hazy, picnic days of summer down by the river and evenings watching the stars …
The Suffolk pink, historic beamed cottage complements the garden and its timeless, natural surroundings just perfectly. Sleeping 3 people in 2 bedrooms, it is ideal for couples, friends, active young families, Suffolk birdwatching breaks, countryside escapes and gentle river adventures.
