Guests say
Downbridge Lodge in Hoxne receives high praise for its spacious, well-equipped, and immaculately presented accommodation. Guests consistently highlight the peaceful setting, comfortable beds, and excellent amenities, including accessible features and a secure garden ideal for dogs and children. The host is frequently described as welcoming and helpful. The location is ideal for exploring Suffolk and Norfolk, with local walks and a pub nearby, though some note the closure of village shops. Occasional minor maintenance and cleaning issues are mentioned, but overall, guests thoroughly enjoy their stays and would happily return.
The majority of reviews describe the property as spotlessly clean and well maintained, with only one review noting cleaning and limescale issues. The overwhelmingly positive feedback supports a high score, with a small deduction for the isolated negative experience.
Guests frequently praise the peaceful village setting, proximity to countryside and coast, and easy access to local walks and attractions. The closure of some village amenities is noted, but does not detract significantly from the overall positive impression.
Reviews consistently mention spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. A few guests found the beds or sofas less to their taste, but these are minor compared to the many positive comments about comfort and accessibility.
The lodge is described as very well equipped, with modern kitchens, multiple bathrooms, accessible features, and excellent outdoor spaces. Occasional comments mention minor maintenance issues or missing items, but these are rare and do not overshadow the overall high standard.
Many guests mention thoughtful touches such as welcome hampers, toiletries, and dog-friendly provisions. The host is often praised for being attentive and helpful. Please note that gifts or welcome packs are not guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
From picturesque villages to stunning coastlines, it's little wonder East Anglia has been named the top UK destination in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel for 2025. This delightful single-storey barn style property, built in 2020 with lofty vaulted ceilings, provides tasteful and flexible accommodation in the historic village of Hoxne on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. Enjoy countryside and woodland views from the large terrace complete with firepit and barbecue.
This delightful single-storey barn style property, built in 2020 with lofty vaulted ceilings, provides tasteful and flexible accommodation in the village of Hoxne for four guests. Enjoy countryside and woodland views from the large terrace complete with firepit and barbecue. Both bedrooms have 6' super-king size beds which can be configured as 3' singles upon request; along with their own Smart televisions and en-suite bathrooms. Downbridge Lodge is the ideal choice for families and friends alike.
Inside, enjoy the wonderful, large, open-plan living space with a modern kitchen and comfortable sitting room with a contemporary wood burning stove and generous dining area. The accommodation is all on one level and benefits from wide accessible doorways. With vaulted ceilings and bi-fold doors to the terrace, there is a lovely sense of light and space. In addition to the en-suite bathrooms, a useful wet room is provided. Outside, a large stone terrace is the perfect place to enjoy the fire pit, barbecue, or just sit back and admire the surrounding countryside views. The covered outdoor seating area is great for when the weather isn’t so kind and is illuminated for you to enjoy it day or night. A useful lockable shed has plenty of space if you wish to bring your bicycles along. When the gates are closed, the garden becomes fully enclosed as there is also chicken wire behind the hedge.
From the rear of the property, a short walk along a public footpath brings you to the historic village centre of Hoxne, with connections to King Edmund. Hoxne boasts an excellent pub, The Swan Inn, serving delicious meals, fine wines and real ales. Also in the village is a shop with post office and a café and deli, along with the village church. Only 45 minutes drive to the coast at Southwold and historic Norwich, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.
From picturesque villages to beautiful coastlines, it's little wonder East Anglia has been named the top UK destination in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel for 2025. And there's no better place to experience this wonderful region from than staying in luxury on the Suffolk/Norfolk border at Downbridge Lodge, in the historic village of Hoxne.
Additional Information:
One medium or two small, well-behaved dogs welcome (small additional charge). Please do not allow your dog inside the bedrooms or on the furniture; thank you in advance.
Travel cot and high chair available on request. Please bring your own linen for the cot.
Bedding is non-feather.
Please bring your own pods for the coffee machine.
A hot tub can be arranged at an extra cost payable directly to the hot tub company. Contact details can be supplied via the owners after booking.
Reviews (73)
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Confirmed Guest
It’s in a lovely spot but there were several issues : Cleaning was very poor. The kettle should be replaced, it’s full of scum from hard water and has obviously not been descaled in years. I have photos of everything. The taps are also pretty disgusting, the water drips very poorly in one basin due to all the limescale round the taps ditto the kitchen taps. The bath taps leaked when trying to use the hand attachment and the water went everywhere The floors were very dusty and quite a few clumps of dust around. Really horrible smell of very strong spray when we arrived. I am asthmatic and my throat was clogged up the first couple of nights. There are no windows you can open in the bedroom and when we opened the French doors we were plagued by flies the rest of the week probably from a stagnant stream behind the property. It was only 13 to 15 degrees all week so goodness knows what’s it’s been like in the heat this week. I suspect the smell was a fly spray but it was far too strong and not at all healthy to breathe in. There’s an old electric fly contraption but it didn’t work. There were no instruction booklets for the cooker, microwave and dishwasher. We didn’t use the washing machine. Also only five mugs but loads of cups and saucers. For 2 people you need more mugs and cutlery as we don’t need to run the dishwasher very often. Also no draining board and no hooks to hang up towels in the kitchen. There wasn’t a single piece of Tupperware so nowhere to put packets of food ie cereal or anything else that you need to store once opened. We had to use all the bowls and then only had 2 for eating breakfast so had to keep washing by hand. The tv didn’t work in our bedroom as there was a loose connection and it kept cutting out. The sofas were clearly old, ripped underneath and very uncomfortable. Handle missing from drawer in the bathroom and cupboard that didn’t want to close. We think it’s a lovely place, plenty of parking and mostly very quiet. It’s just a shame nothing has been fixed, thrown out or replaced when necessary and we’re amazed at the limescale left on the taps and kettle etc. not acceptable. The owner needs to review the contents regularly and make sure taps and kettle along with general cleaning are properly managed. It feels like it’s been left for years without care and attention.
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Confirmed Guest
Really comfortable well equipped property. Good location - hopefully the Swan Inn will have reopened by the end of the month.
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Confirmed Guest
The lodge was lovely, fitted with good quality furniture and furnishings. Well equipped and in a lovely area. The beds were so comfortable and en-suite bathrooms beautifully fitted out. There was a very generous welcome hamoer including a bottle of wine, which was much appreciated. We took our dog and so were very pleased with the doggie bits for available. There is a pub within walking distance, although unfortunately closed when we were there due to new ownership. The village could have been complemented by a small shop newsagents, however Diss and all its shops was not far away.