Cottage with garden

Tucked away in the village of Old Newton near Stowmarket Suffolk is this romantic, single-storey, detached lodge, The Forge. A former Blacksmith workshop, this studio-style lodge is brimming with character, yet beautifully refurbished with contemporary facilities to suit a couple's countryside retreat making it an excellent base to sample the delights Suffolk has to offer. You'll find an off-road parking space on arrival, shared with the owner's driveway, to unpack and get settled in with ease. Step inside to find space for boots, coats, and a separate dressing room with storage space for your belongings. Housing your self-catering needs, rustle up basic meals in the kitchen with a combi microwave/oven, two-ring induction hob, and a fridge with an ice box. Savour a hearty breakfast in the main studio-style space with a table for two to plan the day's adventures. This thoughtfully appointed studio space has stylish furnishings, local wildlife photography, and the bonus of underfloor heating! The centrepiece of the lodge is the old brick forge, now housing a woodburning stove for extra comfort while you snuggle up on the plush sofa to watch TV or read a good book. Set behind the sofa, you'll find a sumptuous king size bed with bedside lamps if you prefer to relax and read among the cushions. With vaulted ceilings and skylights, there's plenty of natural light filling the space as you get ready for the day; a contemporary shower room is just next door with a walk-in shower and heated towel rail. Take a short stroll into Old Newton, where you can pick up any essentials from the well-stocked convenience store and Post office, there is also a Chinese takeaway a minutes walk away, whilst the pretty village of Haughley (1.9 miles) has it own bakery, Indian restaurant and The Kings Arms pub and restaurant for traditional fare, the medieval castle overlooks the village, dating back to the 11th-century. Discover more local history at the market town of Stowmarket visit The Museum of East Anglian Life or take a romantic stroll along the Gipping Valley River Path. With easy access to the A14, continue onto the Medieval Town of Bury St Edmunds, home to an imposing 16th-century cathedral, a fascinating 11th-century abbey and the 12th-century Moyse's Hall Museum, not forgetting the charming market & shops to peruse and restaurants and bars to complete your day. Further afield, you will find Newmarket, renowned for its horse racing, where you will find the National Horse Racing Museum and the 17th-century Newmarket Rowley Mile Course. Be sure to check out the wonderful village of Lavenham, with its timber framed buildings where you can visit the National Trust site of Lavenham Guildhall, also its many antique shops followed by a scrumptious afternoon tea at The Swan Hotel Lavenham. If you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle,the undulating landscape and quiet country lanes and picturesque trails of Suffolk make this perfect for cycling & walking, while seafarers can escape to Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB scattered with woodland and shingle and Sandy beaches within an hours drive away. For an unforgettable romantic holiday in Suffolk, book your stay at The Forge.Stowmarket is a lovely Suffolk market town between Needham Market and Haughley. The town is the largest in Mid Suffolk and has many attractions, including the Museum of East Anglian Life and the nearby River Rat. There are pubs, cafes, restaurants and takeaways to choose from, as well as supermarkets and convenience stores. The picture-perfect village of Haughley, with its traditional thatched cottages, convenience store, pub, and takeaway, is easily accessible from the town.