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Hill farm retreat

Hill Farm Retreat - a delightful holiday destination in Suffolk, a perfect location to relax & unwind
(3)

20/09/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 6 - Hill Farm Retreat (3)

Believe it or not, one of the most stressful things to sort and put in place was a separate phone line to be able to offer Wi-Fi for our guests. It took Melanie a total of 7 months and many phones calls to get this sorted!

We were very fortunate to have parents that are keen gardeners, whom took on the role to make sure the site had some lovely plants and flowers for guests to admire. We even have our own grown apples, pears, plums, apricots, almonds and herbs on site for our guests to use and enjoy. We even have own little wild flower area at the bottom of our driveway.

We spent many hours and lots of thought trying to make the site the best experience possible for future guests.

We currently only have 2 lodges available for our guests to book, but we are planning on getting a third next year and then the forth there after. We have so many ideas and plans for the site and hopefully these will all be in place in the coming years.

We have been open for just over a year now and we are very thankful for all of the guests that have stayed with us so far and have left us some great feedback and even some lovely treats. We have met some lovely people along the way and welcomed some returning guests.

Thank you for reading The Story Behind Hill Farm, we hope you have enjoyed learning our story and please continue to watch us, as we continue to grow 😁

16/09/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 6 - Hill Farm Retreat (2)

From February 22 to June 23, we worked every spare minute we could clearing the site, building walls, laying concrete, cleaning bricks and getting all of the ground work, plumbing and electrics in place alongside the brilliant skilled trade men. We spent many hours trying to figure out the best lay out of the site to make sure all the lodges, would have some privacy along with shelter whilst using the hot tub. Gavin’s talents came into play once again, using his welding skills making a fabulous wall feature using all the metal work and tools we found around the farm over the years, which you’ll see walking down the steps to the lodges. We wanted to make sure that we kept some of the original farm house where it stands, so it can become a feature to the site too. You can even see an old fire place, the original bay windows, the front door and the front steps, which show many years of footfall. We decided to keep the car park away from the lodges, to prevent a flow of traffic whilst guests were enjoying the views and the peace of the site. The car park is located at the top of the site and we decided to include some shelter too. As you walk from the car to the lodges, you will see original flooring all around and we decided to turn the space next to the car park, a communal area where guests can use a BBQ and a firepit/pizza oven, along with some seating. We also included a Pegola over some of the communal area, using some of the old telegraph poles from the old farm. We still have loads more planned for the communal area to make this space more inviting for guests and eventually have more facitilities to use. So, watch this space.

11/09/2024

🌞WOW🌞

What a great second summer we have just had 😁

We would like to say a massive thank you to every single guest that has stayed with over the Summer, starting with Latitude weekend all the way through. Guests whom stayed for the first time over Latitude weekend have already booked their stay for next year 😁

We have received some great reviews, feedback and a thank you note and we had back to back bookings.

We even managed to have a professional photo shoot during that time and we’ll be uploading some new photos soon, so please keep an eye out for them.

September only has a couple of 2 night stays available and October is starting to fill up too 😁

If you’d like to come away for an Autumn short stay, please check out our social media and website to book.

08/09/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 6 - Hill Farm Retreat (1)

In February 2022 when storm Eunice hit Suffolk, it blew the roof off of the old wood mill, and blacksmiths building which was situated over the majority of the site. It gave us the push to start clearing the rest of the site ready for the holiday let’s.

We spent the next 4 months attending holiday let and Glamping shows to find the right accommodation that we felt would be best suited for our site. During this time, we even managed to explore the lovely countryside of Penrith.

In September 2022 we finally ordered our first 2 lodges, which were delivered in December 2022.

31/08/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 5 - Planning Permission & Covid

Once the extension was completed, Gavin being Gavin and not wanting to sit still and being a very ambitious person! We decided to start the process of achieving planning permission once again, but this time for 4 holiday let’s. After many obstacles, lots of surveys and many meetings and emails, we achieved planning permission in August 2019.

In 2020 when Covid hit, like most people we were stuck at home and not able to work. For us as a family like others, it gave us some time to enjoy some quality family time together. It also gave us time to do work outside and a lot of this time was clearing the section of the garden where we had planning permission for the holiday let’s. After lots of digging and moving of dirt and brambles, we found the old original Farm House. This was a very exciting time for us and we all had fun finding old fire places, flooring, glass bottles of all shapes and sizes and even a well with fresh spring water.

23/08/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 4 - Daughter no.2 and More building work

In August 2014 we welcomed our 2nd daughter Jessica, who arrived 1 week early, so not as eager as her big sister Imogen!

As mentioned in Part 1, planning permission wasn’t easy to get for our house, which prevented us from getting the house of our dreams. Gavin being the ambitious person he is, we managed to achieve planning permission for an extension. After much hard work, dust and late nights once again doing as much work as we could ourselves, we finally got the house of our dreams in December 2019 and what a kitchen!

16/08/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 3 - The Wedding

In July 2012, we finally tied the knot after 18 years of being together. We were lucky that we got to have the wedding of our dreams, in our own back garden.

Lots of work was involved getting our garden ready for the occasion installing fencing and cutting the vast grassed area.

We got married at the local church and had a marquee in our garden, where we got to celebrate in style with family and close friends. Little Imogen was our little flower girl along with her cousins and even the dogs Lou and Ellie joined in the celebrations.

10/08/2024

🌞SUMMER HOLIDAYS 🌞

Still looking for that last minute short break during the month of August. We only have 2 lots of 2 night stays left this month.

🌞 Bee Lodge - 20th August - £389 - 2 nights
🌞 Robin Lodge - 30th August - £435 - 2 nights

Click on the bio link or the Contact Us tab to book😊

09/08/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 2 - Building our home & our 1st daughter
We are very hands on people and we’re not scared to get our hands dirty and try new skills. During demolition of the Coach House, we spent many a dark evenings cleaning bricks and stacking them for use later on, after a full days work. I specifically remember wearing head torches during the winter months, doing this.

During the new house build, we carried out jobs that we were able to, every evening after a days work from fitting insulation to painting internally and externally.

We finally moved into our new home just before Christmas in December 2009.

In May 2011 we welcomed our baby daughter Imogen, who decided to arrive 3 weeks early weighing 4lbs!

01/08/2024

The Story Behind Hill Farm

Part 1 - Where it all began & 10 puppies

We are Gavin and Melanie and we bought Hill Farm back in 2008 as a derelict farm.

It was very overgrown everywhere and the old Coach House was well past being repaired. Achieving planning permission was a challenge to say the least, which took us 1 year to get and then 1 year to build our family home. During this time, we lived in a static caravan, which was positioned where Hill Farm Retreat Car Park is now.

During these 2 years, we also decided to let our Black Labrador Lou have puppies. Lou had 10 puppies in total, 2 golden and 8 black. We decided to keep the golden bitch Ellie, who is still with us to this day. Lou and her puppies took over one of the bedrooms in the Static Caravan until they went to their new homes. We definitely like a challenge, as a lot of family and friends say!

15/07/2024

Another change over, another great review and they’ve already booked to come back with more of their family 😁
They also had a Ploughman’s Graze Box as an additional extra, which they thoroughly enjoyed 😊

11/07/2024

🌞SUMMER HOLIDAYS🌞

WE ONLY HAVE 2 STAYS AVAILABLE DURING JULY LEFT

Still looking for a getaway for the start of the Summer Holidays, why not check out Hill Farm Retreat. We have limited availability in both lodges:

Bee Lodge = 29th July - 2 nights, was £685 now £419

Robin Lodge = 22nd July - 2 nights, was £736 now £395 or 3 nights, was £747 now £399.

🌞Private sheltered hot tub
🌞Fire Pit/Pizza oven
🌞BBQ
🌞Sheltered free parking
🌞Memory foam king size bed
🌞Child size bunk beds (Robin only)
🌞Sofa bed
🌞Self catering kitchenette
🌞Bluetooth speaker system
🌞32” smart TV
🌞Close to Southwold, Walberswick, Dunwich, Aldeburgh beaches
🌞Close to lots of lovely nature walks including Minsmere RSPB
🌞Plus lots of other local Suffolk attractions

Click on the bio link or the contact us tab to see prices and book 😁🌞

03/07/2024

After five years of meticulous planning, a couple has launched their boutique holiday business, Hill Farm Retreat.

02/07/2024

We still have some availability in both lodges throughout July.

Bee Lodge only has 2 and 3 night stay available, but Robin has 2, 3, 4 and 7 nights stays still available.

🌞Private sheltered hot tub
🌞Fire Pit/Pizza oven
🌞BBQ
🌞Memory foam king size bed
🌞Child size bunk beds (Robin only)
🌞Sofa bed
🌞Self catering kitchenette
🌞Bluetooth speaker system
🌞32” smart TV

Click on the bio link or the contact us tab to see prices and book.

Don’t forget we have a Summer Sale on at the moment 😁

30/06/2024

We had the privilege of welcoming some returning guests this weekend and they left another great feedback.

It’s so lovely seeing and welcoming returning guests 😁

29/06/2024

As a small business, we like to support other local small businesses in the area.

We have the privilege of working closely with all the lovely ladies at The Village Store Wangford, whom supply fresh milk, artisan bread and biscuits for our guests within their complementary welcome crates.

We work closely with the lovely Jess at The Salad Box, offering additional extras of Graze Boxes to order. Choosing from a combination of Savoury, Sweet, Savoury & Sweet mix, Ploughman’s, Charcuterie and Afternoon Tea.

We also now pleased to say that we are working closely with the lovely couple Leigh and Henry at Bridgefoot Stores in Reydon. We are now pleased to offer another additional extra of Breakfast Hampers to order. We offer 2 person and a 4 person hampers whether it be a Veggie Hamper or a Meat Hamper.

All of these businesses use locally sourced products.

Thank you to you all for working with us in the past and moving forward.

25/06/2024

We had the privilege of dressing up the lodge again for a guests 40th Birthday 🥳
They ordered a Graze Box from the lovely Jess at The Salad Box, which they enjoyed 😁
We also received a great feedback from them too 😁

23/06/2024

🎉Hill Farm Retreat is 1 Year Old 🎉

We opened our dream business after 5 years of hard work and Hill Farm Retreat welcomed its first guests back on the 23rd June 2023. What a great 1st year it has been, we have welcomed over 150 bookings from a variety of guests couples and families of all ages Guests have travelled from all over the country from Scotland down to Cornwall. We’ve received some great feedback and marked at 5 out of 5 on our booking platform. https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/lodges/hill-farm-retreat-hilp?sortorder=12&features=3730%2c4064%2c3083&utm_source=social-share&utm_medium

Hill Farm Retreat is a delightful boutique holiday destination set in the backdrop of the wonderful Suffolk countryside and within the grounds of Hill Farm, Wangford. This location is perfect for those who want to get away from it all either as a couple or small family but want to be within easy reach of all the amazing attractions Suffolk has to offer.

We currently have 2 lodges available with a further two planned in the future these are both slightly different layout inside, one having the addition of a child’s cozy bunk beds and the other more suited to couples. All come with their own private sheltered hot tubs for the ultimate in relaxation. There is a sheltered communal area with a BBQ area and a fire pit/pizza oven to use and enjoy on those chilly nights, we even have a private sheltered car park. We have lots more ideas to add to the site in the near future that we think will make Hill Farm a real retreat experience so watch this space!

We would like to thank all our guests and the local companies that we work along side for your support in our first year of trading.

Please check out our website
www.hillfarmretreat.com

18/06/2024

Some more great feedback from our recent guests 😁

15/06/2024

The calendar says June, but the weather says otherwise 🌧️

But don’t worry here at Hill Farm Retreat we have you covered for all weathers. We have heating inside our lodges and our hot tubs are under shelter to use all year round. We also have our fire pit/pizza oven and BBQ under a Pegola in our communal area.

From feedback from previous guests, they feel nice and cosy inside the lodges during the colder months and they love being able to use the hot tub in all weathers 😁

We still have some availability for this month, July and August. Please click on the bio link or the contact us tab to see prices and book 😊

13/06/2024

🌞We are part of the Hoseasons Summer Sale 🌞

Hill Farm Retreat is a delightful boutique holiday destination set in the backdrop of the wonderful Suffolk countryside and within the grounds of Hill Farm. This location is perfect for those who want to get away from it all either as a couple or small family but want to be within easy reach of all the amazing attractions Suffolk has to offer.

🌞Private sheltered hot tub
🌞Fire Pit/Pizza oven
🌞BBQ
🌞Memory foam king size bed
🌞Child size bunk beds (Robin only)
🌞Sofa bed
🌞Self catering kitchenette
🌞Bluetooth speaker system
🌞32” smart TV

Click on the bio link or the contact us tab to see prices and book.

11/06/2024

Some recent reviews 😁💪

We’ve still got some availability for June, July and August, why not treat yourself 😊

Click on the bio link or Contact us tab to see prices and book 😊

08/06/2024

🎶 🎭 SOUTHWOLD ARTS FESTIVAL 🎶🎭

Planning on visiting the Southwold Arts Festival 22nd - 29th June 2024, why not come and stay at Hill Farm Retreat. We are only 4 miles away from Southwold and we offer a luxury self catering lodge, with your own sheltered private hot tub 🛀

We have limited availability in both lodges. Please click on the bio link or the contact us tab to see prices and book 😊

04/06/2024

💥LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY THIS WEEKEND💥

Fancy a last minute get away for this weekend 7th June 2024, then why not check out Hill Farm Retreat. We are a delightful boutique holiday destination set in the backdrop of the wonderful Suffolk countryside and within the grounds of Hill Farm. Our location is perfect for those who want to get away from it all either as a couple or small family but want to be within easy reach of all the amazing attractions Suffolk has to offer.

We have availability in our Robin Lodge.

💥Luxurious Self Catering Lodge
💥Memory foam king size bed
💥Child size bunk beds (Robin only)
💥Small sofa bed
💥Own private, sheltered hot tub
💥BBQ and Fire pit/pizza oven in communal area
💥10 minutes from the seaside town of Southwold
💥Lots of lovely country walks in the area
💥20 minutes away from Minsmere RSPB

Click on the bio link or the contact us tab to see prices and book or drop us a message 😊

02/06/2024

We still have some availability for the month of June for both lodges, for 2, 3, 4 and 7 nights. Mainly midweek stays available with the odd weekends too.

Really hoping the sun will finally come out 🌞🤞

Fancy a last minute break away, please click on the bio link or the contact us tab to book or send us a private message for more information 😊

26/05/2024

Another change over day today 😁🧽🪣 Another great feedback 😁 Really good to see that our presence on social media is working 💪 ☺️

23/05/2024

Our wild flower corner is looking bright and vibrant 😊🪻🌻🌺🌸🌼😊

21/05/2024

Change over day again today 🧺🚰🪣🧽

Some more happy guests leaving some great feedback 😁

18/05/2024

💥MAY HALF TERM💥

Still looking to get away for May half term, then why not check out Hill Farm Retreat. We are a delightful boutique holiday destination set in the backdrop of the wonderful Suffolk countryside and within the grounds of Hill Farm. Our location is perfect for those who want to get away from it all either as a couple or small family but want to be within easy reach of all the amazing attractions Suffolk has to offer.

We have limited availability in both lodges.

💥Luxurious Self Catering Lodge
💥Memory foam king size bed
💥Child size bunk beds (Robin only)
💥Small sofa bed
💥Own private, sheltered hot tub
💥BBQ and Fire pit/pizza oven in communal area
💥10 minutes from the seaside town of Southwold
💥Lots of lovely country walks in the area
💥20 minutes away from Minsmere RSPB

Click on the bio link or the contact us tab to see prices and book 😊

If you find there are issues booking any last minutes, please contact us direct.

Address

Hill Farm Retreat , Hill Road, NR34 8AR
Brandon
NR348AR

Website

https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/lodges/hill-farm-retreat-hilp?sortorder=12&features=3730%2C4064%2C3083&utm_source=social-sha

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Videos

🎄❄️✨PLEASE go and checkout out this 🔗link 🔗 to our 🆕 ‘Hill Farm Retreat Walk Around’ video !!🎄❄️✨ 🩵MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR lots of love Hill Farm Retreat xx🩵

❄️ ✨Christmas has now officially landed here at Hill Farm Retreat❄️✨ We hope YOU all have a joyful Christmas this year🎄❄️✨⛄️ #christmas #holidayretreat #hillfarmretreat #winter

We had these two arrive just before Xmas and a much needed break. Back at it tomorrow and full steam ahead to get things finished and open. 2023 is going to be a good year 😎🙏🏻😁