Castle House (14)

About this property

The perfect property for family celebrations and group get togethers, Castle House in Orford is as grand as they come. Both the main house and the adjoining Wing Cottage have been renovated for guests' utmost comfort.

Castle House was built in the Edwardian period by the Marquis of Hertford for his mother, who had been living at the family's country estate, Sudbourne Hall (a palatial country house now sadly demolished). Using the very finest craftsmen, the property was refurbished in a contemporary style with spacious rooms for entertainment and large comfortable bedrooms for family and guests. In the 1970s, Castle House was divided to create what is now Castle House and Wing Cottage. In 2013, Wing Cottage was purchased by the current owners of Castle House and both properties have been completely refurbished for holiday letting. Whilst the original Edwardian features have been retained and restored, contemporary bathrooms and state of the art kitchens, log burning stoves etc. have been added to ensure absolute comfort for visitors. Both the family kitchen and the sitting room have seating for 14. Detached, with over 2 acres of garden and parking for around 6 cars, this is the perfect property for family celebrations and group get togethers.

snape 5.5 miles (9km) aldeburgh 12 miles (17km) woodbridge 12 miles (19km) southwold 26 miles (42km) framlingham 13 miles (22km)

This Big House Holiday Property: Castle House, Orford was fully refurbished for holiday letting in the autumn of 2015.  This delightful Edwardian property was extended in 1905 to provide accommodation for the Dowager from Sudbourne Hall. Wonderfully finished throughout, the house retains many of its original features and has large and comfortable reception rooms, substantial kitchens and of course servants quarters. In the mid 20th century the house was divided into two properties - Castle House and Wing Cottage. The two properties are completely self contained and can be booked separately as Castle House (sleeping 10) and Wing Cottage (sleeping 4). At the present time, the two properties are accessed by their own private drives and front doors, a willow fence dividing the two gardens. A gate connects the two drives so there is no need to access the road to move between the two properties.

With sumptuous bedrooms, spacious bathrooms, large and elegant reception rooms, halls and landings and complete reconfiguration of the the kitchens, Castle House and Wing Cottage have been updated to create absolute comfort and privacy for its holiday guests. The house faces south-west with a glazed wooden balcony of over 20 ft in length running between the two bays of the principal bedrooms where guests can relax in the afternoon sun, looking out over Orford's magnificent castle, watching the yachts on the river and the ships on the sea.

In the very centre of Orford, the house largely goes unnoticed, surrounded by a high brick wall with elegant broad gates. 

The Grounds: A large and very private garden (around 2 acres) created over many years and containing some fine planting is enclosed by an old red brick wall and stunning handmade Brampton Willow Fence. 

Castle House and Wing Cottage enjoy some of the finest views of Orford's lovely village houses. Wonderful views over the estuary and the sea from many of the upstairs rooms, the balcony and both landings. There are also wonderful views of Orford Castle from both the house and the garden. There is a large terrace with table and chairs and parasol outside the the two main reception rooms at Castle House, beyond which is a large lawned area, ideal for children's cricket or a game of badminton or croquet and private drive with parking for 4 or more cars. Beyond the formal garden is a wooded area, perfect for children to explore and beyond this the wall separating Castle House from Orford Castle. Wing Cottage has its own terrace and spacious garden and parking for 2 cars.  Both properties are entirely fenced making the gardens great for children keen to explore. 

Sleeps: 14 in 7 bedrooms, 5 of which contain zip and link singles which can be used as super king beds (toppers are provided to ensure absolute comfort) - do remember to state which configuration of beds you would prefer before the start of your holiday. The 5th bedroom in Castle House has a double bed. The balcony room contains a single bed. There is a king sized bed in the 2nd bedroom in Wing Cottage. The properties work well for groups requiring single beds but happy to share rooms, providing 14 beds in 8 rooms.

This property is ideal for: With two family bathrooms and four en suites as well as a separate cloakroom upstairs and down, this holiday home would work equally well for seven couples (with or without little ones), an extended family or a group of friends who want to make the most of the fantastic facilities of Orford (see Eating Out). Youngsters and babies are very welcome and with 2 cots, 2 high chairs, baby changing mat, baby bath, bottle steriliser, liquidiser, safety bedsides for a single bed and stair gate (Wing Cottage only) - parents with toddlers or babies will be able to pack the car with ease! Please do tell us what baby equipment is required at time of booking. Do bring own bedding for the cots. There are loads of indoor and outdoor games to choose from and a large selection of books for all ages. Smart TVs and BT sports will give you lots of choice for evening viewing.

 For a unique holiday experience, consider a conservation holiday with Wild Days. 

Minimum hire: Three nights; except in high season when it is a week. Friday changeover in High Season. 

Self-catering eating and drinking: Grocery deliveries are available and there is a great selection of catering options for your stay at Castle House. Pinney's of Orford have grown oysters at Butley Creek since the 1950s and their smoke house supplies mouth-watering freshly smoked fish every day, whilst Brinkleys Fresh Fish Shed by Orford quay is the place to buy freshly caught fish -  great on the BBQ! 

There is Orford General Stores stocking all the essentials and more, the staff are friendly and really helpful - just what you need on holiday. The smell of fresh-baked bread drifting on the breeze from just across the road will surely lead you to the excellent Pump Street Bakery, purveyors of fantastic artisan bread, made by hand using traditional methods and natural ingredients. 

Entertainment: The Property includes TV and DVD player, iPod dock, CD player/radio, DVDs. For lovers of vinyl, there is a full stereo system and somewhere in the region of 500 long playing records to enjoy (predominantly classical music). An excellent choice of board games, chess and cards are there for you to enjoy as well as an eclectic library of books. Outside there are skittles and there is a lovely children's playground, tennis courts and football pitch just yards down the road.

Eating out: The Butley Orford Oysterage in Orford's pretty Market Hill was opened by the Pinney family forty years ago and remains a family business. In a relaxed bistro atmosphere, they serve fish and seafood caught daily from their boats and smoked fish from their smokehouse in Butley Creek. 

The Crown & Castle, Orford, co-owned by broadcaster and presenter, Ruth Watson, is a lively restaurant boasting 2 AA rosettes and a Michelin bib gourmand in recognition of its excellent, locally sourced food. 

The Jolly Sailor is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers good local, freshly cooked produce. It has a garden overlooking the marshes and the estuary, with climbing frame etc. so is just the ticket if you want to take the children out for a meal - the fish and chips are great. 

The Kings Head - this historic 13th century pub combines all the atmosphere of a traditional inn with great real ales, classic pub lunch favourites and a more traditional evening menu. 

For more information on the local area, please see our online guide, Visit Orford.