A shephard's hut called Borleymere: Is this the most romantic holiday accommodation in Suffolk?

LAVENHAM, U.K. - April 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Four acres of wild flower meadows and woodland, a private lake, complete seclusion and a luxury, handbuilt shephard's hut for holiday makers who love nature and utter peace and quiet. This is Borleymere, in the tiny hamlet of Borley Green, on the Suffolk/Essex border.

Owners Jeremy and Charolotte Hamp planted over 3,000 trees, dug out a lake and sowed the seeds for the wild flower meadows nearly twelve years ago and now this little slice of paradise is a haven for a variety of wildlife. The idea for building a shephard's hut to let out to paying guests came about in 2012. Plans were drawn up, local craftsmen were commissioned and the result is the most beautiful and idyllic place to escape from the stresses of modern life.

This is a wifi and TV-free zone, and all the better for it. Instead, the entertainment at Borleymere is watching the ducks, moorhens and the odd kingfisher or heron on the lake, admiring the beauiful night skies in the evenings and listening to the wildlife in the meadow and woodland. Lying in the hammock under the willow tree with a chilled glass of wine, luxuriating in the peace and tranquility and waiting for dinner to cook on the barbeque, is a sublime experience.

The Hamps have equipped Borleymere with luxury and comfort in mind, from the handmade bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy duvet and woolen throws for extra warmth, to the woodburning stove in case of chilly evenings. From the thoughtfully equipped kitchen (in a separate wooden hut), to the shower room/compost toilet with beautifully scented, handmade soaps and cosy, cotton bathrobes.

There is even a welcome basket on arrival, filled with local produce - bread, eggs, bacon and fruit and a selection of books, games and lots of information on the surrounding area. Two bicycles are available for guests to borrow and explore the gentle landscapes that make this part of the world such a pleasure to visit. Long Melford with its two historic houses and a plethora of antiques shops and art galleries is nearby, as is the market town of Sudbury and Thomas Gainsborough's House and the medieval jewel in Suffolk's crown, Lavenham, is also within cycling distance.

Borleymere is available for holiday lets from April-end October and can be booked through The Grove Cottages www.grove-cottages.co.uk

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Notes to Editors:  

Press enquiries: Karina Coghlin, PR: T 01787 211115; M 07847 504116; E karina.coghlin@btinternet.com

Grove Cottages: Mark Scott, Director: T 01787 211115 E mark@grove-cottages.co.uk

Images: High res images are available on request. To view low res images and further details on Borleymere, please visit http://www.grove-cottages.co.uk/Borleymere%20Shepherds%20Hut/

The Grove Cottages Factsheet:  

The Grove Cottages was founded 15 years ago by Mark Scott, who left his normadic life as a film director behind, to settle in Suffolk and set up his holiday cottage business. Mark knew Suffolk well from childhood holidays in the county and when he saw Grove Farm for the first time, he knew it would be a place people would want to stay, surrounded as it is by beautiful countryside with miles of footpaths to explore, the stunning medieval village of Lavenham and other places of interest nearby.

The farm is Mark's home that he shares with his wife and two daughters and next to the house are six workers' cottages that have been lovingly restored to create the holiday homes that match Mark's vision of “romantic cottages in the countryside, close enough to London so people can easily visit for a few days, to recharge their batteries and enjoy this lovely county.”

As his business grew, other cottage owners approached Mark to ask if he would promote their businesses too and so The Grove Cottages grew into a successful holiday cottage agency with properties across Suffolk, which together enjoy an average annual occupancy rate of to 83% with some cottages reaching 95%.

The Grove Cottages has 39 cottages in its portfolio ~ 35 in Suffolk, three in Essex and one in the Czech Republic, which is also a second home for Mark and his family. The agency is currently expanding further into Essex and is interested in working with people who have suitable properties that would sit comfortably with the rest of the collection.

Each cottage is hand picked by Mark and must meet strict criteria: each property must have bags of character and have been 'restored rather than renovated'. Fitted carpets are a no-no and exposed beams, open fires and uneven, hand plastered walls are highly desirable. 'Quirky, cosy and romantic' are also words that describe the cottages well and this is exactly what visitors to the agency's cottages have come to love and expect over the years. The Grove Cottages has a high proportion of repeat visitors, some of whom are working their way around the entire collection!

Apart from the look, feel, quality and comfort of each cottage, the warmth of welcome and added extras are also part of The Grove Cottages experience. A generous welcome basket greets visitors in each cottage and there will be always be someone there on arrival to open the door and help weary travellers settle into their temporary home-from-home. Often there will be bicycles provided free of charge and there are always plenty of maps and useful information so that people can get out and about and explore the delights of the surrounding countryside.

The Grove Cottages also has an online guide to Suffolk www.thesuffolkguide.co.uk which showcases the best of what the county has to offer.

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