The property
Bury St Edmunds 7 miles. Set in a row of charming, flint-walled terraced cottages, Bluebird Cottage is a wonderful dwelling in the village of Higham, nestled in sweeping open countryside, midway between Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Higham is an ideal base for a group or family of four to explore a beautiful area of the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border. Park in the off-road parking space to the rear of the property for a fuss-free arrival, before stepping inside this characterful cottage. Renovated throughout, original fireplaces and rustic wooden doors combine with a contemporary kitchen and stylish bathroom, making Bluebird Cottage a welcoming place to stay.
On the ground floor a well-equipped kitchen has all the amenities needed for a memorable self-catering holiday, including an oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, washer-dryer and fridge-freezer. The dining room leads off the kitchen, with seating for four guests to enjoy mealtimes. A cloakroom can be found adjacent to the kitchen for your convenience. Step into the bright and airy sitting room after the day's adventures; with sofas to curl up on with your holiday read and a Smart TV for an evening of film, it’s just the place to relax and unwind. Make yourself at home in one of two delightful bedrooms, both with king-sized beds, storage space and restful décor. In between the bedrooms is a stylish and good-sized bathroom, with the option of a relaxing soak in the tub or a quick rinse in the walk-in shower. Bluebird Cottage offers two garden spaces; an enclosed front garden with lawn area and a gravelled path leading to a sheltered porch, whilst the rear patio garden has an outhouse for bike storage and is ideal for a barbecue on a sunny evening. The cottage is surrounded by open fields, with excellent cycle and walking routes through charming villages and rolling Suffolk countryside. Nearby Ickworth Park and Anglesey Abbey, both National Trust-owned country houses, provide beautiful parkland and gardens.
Take a short journey into one of the pretty neighbouring villages where you will find cosy country pubs. In nearby Barrow, dine in style at The Weeping Willow, pick up fresh fish and chips, or find your self-catering essentials in one of two convenience stores or welcoming post office.
Historical sites and quaint streets await in Bury St Edmunds, with the fascinating ruins of Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens just next to St Edmundsbury Cathedral, with beautiful grounds, perfect for a picnic in the sunshine. Enjoy fine dining in a wide range of eateries, or a night at the movies in the independent Picture House or Cineworld.
Drive a little further and you will step back in time in Lavenham, considered to be one of Britain’s best preserved medieval villages, where over 300 buildings are listed as being of architectural and historic interest. Wandering along narrow lanes, past timber-framed houses and the stunning Guildhall, you’ll find antique shops, galleries and cafés.
Newmarket, just 7 miles to the west, is home to the National Horse Racing Museum and Links Golf Club, with leading supermarkets and a variety of traditional eateries to fuel your day. Farm shops in Tuddenham and Denham Farm, just a couple of miles from Higham, provide a large range of local produce and deli items. The Garden Centre in Tuddenham has a popular café and a wide array of plants and shrubs.
Jump onto the A14 and head to the west to the spectacular city of Cambridge, famed for its rich cultural and academic heritage. University Colleges; an impressive collection of over 18 museums and galleries; the Fitzwilliam Museum, home to a large collection of art and artefacts; the renowned Cambridge University Botanic Garden, and excellent shopping, means that Cambridge has something for everyone. Meander through the city and take in the beauty of the university colleges and gleaming spires or lie back and enjoy a relaxing punt along the river. The Suffolk coast and picturesque seaside towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh are within easy reach, if a day on the beach is on your wish list. With Bluebird Cottage as your base, there is so much to see and do in this wonderful part of Suffolk.
About the location
BURY ST EDMUNDS
Thetford 13 miles; Ipswich 27.5 miles; Cambridge 28.1 miles; Colchester 34.2 miles
Bury St Edmunds, locally referred to as Bury, is a historic market town and civil parish found in Suffolk, East Anglia. Boasting over 1000 years of history to discover, it offers plenty to see and do at any time of the year. Describe as being 'Suffolk's foodie town', you can expect to find plenty of tempting eateries to assist you on your self-catered stay including all of pubs, restaurants, cafés and takeaways galore, as well as there being a good selection of supermarkets and convenience stores for those seeking fresh ingredients or any picnic essentials. Admire the beautiful architecture of the town whilst visiting both its high street and independent stores, with abbey ruins and gardens, art galleries, Suffolk's only cathedral and Moyse's Hall Museum to find too, offering something for all tastes. Visit the 200 acres of Nowton Park where you can walk amongst the landscaped lands of Suffolk's countryside, or take a trip to discover the beauty of Thetford Forest Park, spanning over 18,730 hectares, here you can find serene walking and cycling routes as well as attractions such as High Lodge, Lynford Stag, Lynford Arboretum, the Harling Woods and so much more. The coast can also be reached via a scenic drive, where you can find the traditional seaside towns of Felixstowe and Clacton-on-Sea, while Ipswich, Cambridge and Colchester are all within reach too.
