About Boatmans I Your Suffolk Holiday Cottage Hideaway

A simply magical, detached self-catering property with beams inside and roses round the front door. Boatmans Suffolk holiday cottage in Letheringham is more than just a characterful, quaint and cosy rural retreat – it’s a traditional Suffolk pink and pantiled gem like no other, full of log-burner warmth and home-from-home comforts. The tranquil setting is stunning and its own beautiful expanse of well-maintained riverside gardens has a high degree of privacy.

Most of the rooms, together with the large conservatory, offer magnificent views down to the River Deben and over the surrounding woodland. Wherever you are, the relaxing, tranquil setting is always truly yours to enjoy.

Boatmans Suffolk holiday cottage is equipped to the highest standard of comfort and meticulously well cared for by its loving owner, Jan. Much attention to detail has been dedicated to preserving the natural charm of this Suffolk village gem. A real treasure in so many ways, it is above all homely and unpretentious – and we take great joy in sharing it.

Amenities

The cottage has an oil-fired central heating system with radiators throughout, including a large radiator in the conservatory, making it useable all year round.

There is a multi-fuel, woodburning stove/open fire in the sitting room.

A portable fan is provided for the hot summer months for your comfort.

The kitchen has a kettle, microwave, fridge/freezer, electric eye-level double oven and hob with extractor above it.

There is a breakfast table (seats 4) in the kitchen, dining table/chairs (seats 4) in the large conservatory and outdoor table/chair sets on the top patio.

The cottage has one bathroom featuring a:

  • a very large roll-top bath with central taps
  • large shower cubicle with power shower
  • WC
  • bidet
  • wash basin

Sleeps 2+1 in 2 bedrooms:

  • 1 super-king – in spacious, beamed, upstairs bedroom with TV and DVD player
  • 1 standard single bed with an additional pull-out bed – on ground floor

Washing Machine: guests are welcome to use the washing machine located in the owner’s outside wash room if required

The property doesn’t have a dishwasher, but… we have been known to award a special prize for the guests who carried out the best quality washing up by hand during their stay!

There are TVs/ DVD players in both the sitting room and the upstairs bedroom.

Boatmans also has a CD player with surround sound speakers in the living room and conservatory.

There is free WiFi throughout the cottage and a wireless speaker.

There is a pleasant, peaceful and secluded sun-trap patio alongside the conservatory with table and chairs – ideal for alfresco dining at any time of day, or that glass of something special as the sun goes down over the views of this special landscape.

Boatmans’ very private and extensive riverside garden is fully enclosed (by fences/ hedges/trees and the river), terraced and accessed via slopes and steps.  The well-planted gardens go right down to the water’s edge and the property’s private landing stage. There are benches on several levels and garden chairs to enjoy the space.  We even provide a picnic basket and rugs!

A rowing boat, 2 person Ocean Duo kayak and a canoe are provided for guests to explore a 2 mile-long stretch of the River Deben directly, including down towards nearby Letheringham Watermill.  Life jackets are available for guests using these facilities.

Fishing the river directly on-site is permitted – along the sizeable waterfront, or from the small private landing stage.

The grounds lend themselves to enjoying picnics by the river or barbecues on the top patio by the cottage.

The property has its own private entrance and large off-road parking area (for 4 vehicles).

An equipment storage shed in the grounds, near the parking area, is made available to guests for storing bikes/charging e-bikes, fishing tackle, their own canoes, paddleboards and other water activity equipment.

Traditional pub/restaurant – a pleasant walk away in the picturesque village of Easton.

Golf – pay and play course near Wickham Market at Glevering.

Horse riding (with farm café) – near Wickham Market at Valley Farm Equestrian Leisure (British Horse Society Approved).  If you’re into horses, Easton Farm Park is just a short walk away and has some amazing Suffolk Punch rare breed horses.

Cycling – the cottage is on the waymarked Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route (nearest sign just down the lane on the tiny village green triangle), which leads through many picturesque local villages and scenic countryside.

Walking – quiet lanes and a great network of local footpaths make this area ideal for gentle scenic walks from the door.  We provide a huge folder of directed walk ideas, so you can wander just up the lane to listed Letheringham Church or explore further afield at your leisure.

Places to visit – from Easton Farm Park with its lovely vintage tearoom, just across the fields, and Framlingham Castle and museum (5 miles away) to first class fish’n’chip favourite Aldeburgh, Southwold, Thorpeness and RSPB Minsmere on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, there’s a great crop of places to explore all year round.

Enjoy a *** FREE *** Active Health or RSPB Birdwatching Treat on us

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.

Accommodation I Boatmans Suffolk Holiday Cottage

Access to Boatmans Suffolk holiday cottage is primarily through the garden room/conservatory via the path/patio from the parking area/rear garden. The front door gives direct access into the sitting room via the porch.

The cottage does contain split thresholds/steps. Please see the Need to Know section below for more details.

Ground Floor

  • Large conservatory with dining table/chairs, sofa, armchair and bench, opening out onto a patio area with table/chair sets for alfresco dining.
  • Country kitchen with painted wooden units, appliances and breakfast table/chairs for four.
  • Single bedroom with additional pull-out bed.  Windows open into the conservatory (located off the kitchen).
  • Sitting room with beamed ceiling and comfy seating, set around brick fireplace with multi-fuel stove (located up steps, off kitchen).
  • Front porch with space for storing boots and coats (located off sitting room).
  • Inviting beamed bathroom with roll-top bath, separate power-shower cubicle, WC, bidet and basin.

First Floor

  • Beautiful beamed bedroom with one super-king size bed – a spacious area with uninterrupted views over the river and Suffolk countryside.
  • Large picture window providing elevated views of the river and woodland beyond.  There are two further windows on the gable ends.
  • TV and DVD player – relax with a film favourite or good book from the DVD library or shelves of novels.
  • 100% cotton bedlinen supplied.
  • Choice of slim or plump pillows for your personal comfort.
  • Warm, cosy – romantic even! – and fully carpeted throughout.
  • Staircase access directly into the room (with bathroom immediately below).
Master bedroom at Boatmans holiday cottage Letheringham Suffolk

“Boatmans was the cleanest and nicest cottage that we have stayed in…
we cannot rate this cottage highly enough”

“We were here over the festive period and were delighted to find the entire cottage full of decorations,
complete with stockings by the fireplace and a beautiful tree.
This cosy house made our holiday!”

Outside – Gardens & Grounds

  • Large driveway for off-road parking
  • Sunny patio with barbecue, tables, chairs and views to garden and river
  • Large lawned garden, with benches, shade-giving trees and riverside launch platform/jetty.
  • Large shed for guest storage of own activity equipment (e.g. bikes, canoes, paddleboards, fishing tackle etc).

We want you to get the very best from your stay and really relax, with no worries from the moment you arrive in the Boatmans bubble.

That’s why we strive to include everything you need for the most comfortable cottage stay.  From oil-fired central heating, electricity and logs for the fire (limitless) to bed linen, towels and can’t-really-do-without-it WiFi.

Boatmans even provides boating facilities, so you can enjoy time on the river if you wish – well, it seems only natural at Boatmans!

As soon as you arrive, you can put the kettle on, or find the corkscrew, then “sip back” and relax, courtesy of our generous welcome pack.  And whilst you’re enjoying that holiday-starts-here tea/coffee cuppa (with fresh milk and biscuits), or bottle of wine, you can start to plan how, or when, to use our extra special gift to you …

As a welcome, thank you and gesture to help you relax and enjoy even more, we provide either a voucher for entrance for two adults into the RSPB Minsmere Reserve (or to use in the gift shop if you’re RSPB members) or day pass to the leisure pool, sauna, steam room, gym, jacuzzi and running track at nearby Ufford Park Woodbridge.

Sorry, but we do not accept pets.

We regret that the cottage cannot accommodate children under the age of 6, due to its close waterside location.  For further information, please call Jan.

Smoking or vaping is not permitted inside the property.

Steps at the property
Much of Boatmans’ charm and character comes from its age and quirky nature.  Whilst this historic Suffolk holiday cottage offers the convenience of a ground floor bedroom and bathroom (for those with limited mobility), it is worth noting that there are a number of steps between the living rooms. 

Please see the cottage floor plans in the galleries above for details.

If you require more information regarding accessibility in/around the property, please get in touch.

Home Safety
Boatmans is equipped with smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarm, fire blanket and fire extinguisher.  There is also a first aid kit in the cottage.

Arrivals & Departures:
Arrivals from 4pm / 16.00h –  there is a key box/code access to Boatmans, so you can arrive any time from then at your leisure.
Departures by 10am / 10.00h .

Boatmans’ owner, Jan, lives next door and is normally on hand to help should you have any issues during your stay.  Please note there is a significant distance between the properties and the gardens are secluded by extensive trees/hedges and a fence.  This ensures you can enjoy your own private space. 

Bookings:
For minimum duration of stay, changeover days, cottage availability and rental prices, please click here .

For information including deposit, payment and cancellation policy details, plus full booking information, terms and conditions, please contact Jan.

A special place to make memories

Looking for a romantic break for two? What about some active family time-out in the country to get away from it all? Or maybe just an inspirational moment or more time to yourself… Book a stay at Boatmans Suffolk holiday cottage – discover a little Suffolk patch of paradise.