Chobbs Barn | A luxury retreat, perfect for honeymoon couples and special occasions

This has to be one of our favourite romantic retreats. Somehow Chobbs barn ticks all the right boxes; a picture perfect character exterior, beautiful interior, private garden and a very warm welcome to one of Suffolk’s hidden gems. Owners Aly and Tim have pulled off something very special here, effortlessly combining old and new.

The barn’s rugged exterior makes it look like it’s been there for hundreds of years whereas in fact it was purpose built recently. This means you get all the comfort and mod cons such as underfloor heating without compromising on character and charm.

Open the front door and expect a big surprise. Our initial words were ‘wow’ as we were welcomed by the view of the garden through the extra large sliding doors, giving the open plan cottage a light and spacious feel. The beautiful oak frame and vaulted ceilings give the place instant character, added to by the oak latch doors and pretty windows.

You’d be forgiven if you thought the interior would be countrified but instead you’ll find clean, modern lines and contemporary furnishings and fittings. It’s this combination of old and new that gives Chobbs Barn its unique look and feel. There’s a large and seriously comfy sofa parked in front of a large flat screen TV with DVD player. The cottage has a good selection of DVDs and you can pop your iPhone or iPod in the docking station to enjoy your favourite tunes.

The kitchen area is spacious and well equipped and comes with lovely extras such as the Nespresso coffee maker and a generous welcome hamper, giving you the sense that the owners really want to treat you to a very special stay.

The cottage has been cleverly designed using a central wall to divide the living space from the bedroom area. This gives it a modern atmosphere, but keeps the bedroom shielded off from the rest of the cottage giving it the needed cosy feel to properly relax. From the bedroom you have direct access to the wet room with spacious and powerful shower, hand basin and toilet. The nice touches continue in here with fluffy towels and Molton Brown toiletries.

Outside there is a private garden with a lovely patio to enjoy your breakfast in the morning sun and a lounger to soak up the afternoon rays. The cottage is also dog friendly – bring your pooch and it will be spoilt with a couple of Bonios and a warm welcome from dog loving owner Aly. So much so that we suspect our four legged friend Saffy would have been dognapped had the opportunity arisen!

Even though still relatively undiscovered this area has so much on offer. Chobbs Barn is located on a quiet lane which forms part of the Mid Suffolk footpath with plenty of other footpaths either side, perfect for dog walking or a leisurely stroll. The charming town of Eye is also only a ten minute stroll away and offers local shops, restaurants and cafes.

If historic Suffolk is of interest then within easy reach you’ll find gems such as Lavenham - one of the best preserved medieval towns in England, the beautiful historic town of Bury St. Edmunds or Sutton Hoo where in 1939 the largest Anglo-Saxon royal burial site was uncovered.

For lazy days out we recommend the cute seaside town of Aldeburgh or the fashionable Snape Malting where you’ll find a great selection of galleries, shops and eateries as well as the home of the Aldeburgh Music Festival. Norwich offers good shopping and is only 20 miles up the road. The pretty small seaside town of Southwold is located on the Suffolk Heritage Coast and has a working lighthouse, brightly painted beach huts, an award-winning pier, busy harbour and great beach, making it a quintessentially English resort town, perfect for that relaxing day out.