Fishpond House in Suffolk offers a tranquil setting with wildlife encounters, including a friendly peacock. Guests appreciate the property's cleanliness, comfortable beds, and the hot tub, despite some maintenance issues. The location is praised for its peace and proximity to Suffolk attractions. The house's unique art and thoughtful touches, such as complimentary biscuits, add to the charm, although some guests suggest minor improvements.
The property is generally described as clean and well-presented, with several reviews highlighting its spotless condition. However, a few guests noted areas that required attention, such as bird droppings on outdoor furniture and a blocked drain, slightly affecting the score.
The location is highly praised for its quiet, peaceful setting and proximity to local towns and attractions. The presence of wildlife adds to the rural charm, although the early morning sounds were noted by some guests.
Comfort receives positive remarks for the well-equipped space and comfortable beds, but some guests found the mattresses too hard and the living room furniture uncomfortable. The dining area was also noted to be narrow for seating six people.
Facilities like the hot tub and well-equipped kitchen are appreciated, but several reviews mention maintenance issues such as a non-operational hot tub, defective dishwasher, and complicated appliances without instructions, which impacts the score.
While guests mention thoughtful touches like complimentary biscuits, there is not enough consistent information about gifts or additional thoughtful provisions to accurately score this category.
The light and airy living/kitchen/dining room sits at the heart of this characterful property - cosy in the winter thanks to the wood-burner with cooking chamber; perfect for indoor/outdoor living in the spring and summer with wall of glazed doors opening onto the deck. The original beamed wooden ceiling remains from days gone by when the property was a coach house where the horses and coaches could be taken into the pond for cleaning. All three bedrooms are generous and stylish, with the master on the ground floor being particularly lavish with grand four-poster bed, free-standing bath and en suite shower room. Fascinating artwork belonging to the prominent art collector owner is displayed throughout, this superb accommodation.
Fishpond House sits in an exceptionally tranquil spot on private land, conducive for total relaxation on a short break or holiday with friends and family, with just the owners house, peacocks and frequent donkeys for neighbours! The hot tub gives the ultimate in decadence, sitting on a deck furnished for dining in the dappled light filtering through willow trees overhanging the pond.
Ground Floor
To the right of the hallway is the master bedroom with double doors to the deck and door to the shower room. There’s a step down to the main living area and open tread stairs to the first floor. Reclaimed wood flooring from a gymnasium runs through the house.
Living Space
Step into the hallway with cubby holes for your footwear, hooks for your coats, an open tread staircase to the first-floor landing, and a step down to the living space. The area is cleverly divided with traditional kitchen units running along one wall with a built in oven, four ring ceramic hob, upright fridge/freezer (four drawers), built-in microwave and a washer dryer.
The unique dining table sits in the light by the windows with six spindle back chairs; a gorgeous wicker hanging chair is positioned so you can curl up with a good book or simply gaze at the view. Furnishings are sumptuous with a chic velvet sofa and chair, footstool and retro-mirrored coffee tables, all snuggled around the TV and wood-burner where you’re sure to have some fun making toast or baking a potato in the cooking chamber.
Master Bedroom
Simply gorgeous with the four-poster bed taking pride of place beneath the double-height beamed ceiling, opposite double doors to the deck - convenient for the hot tub! The luggage rack invites you to unpack with a corner unit providing hanging and shelf space. Additionally, there’s a bookcase and desk/dressing table with chair under the window. For added indulgence, there’s a modern freestanding bath in the corner of the room with hand shower.
En Suite Shower Room
The double shower cubicle has a rain and hand shower; there’s a WC, wash-basin, and heated towel rail.
First Floor
Open tread painted stairs rise to the first floor where both bedrooms and the bathroom open off the landing with desk and chair. The first floor also has wooden floorboards and beautiful beamed ceilings.
Bedroom Two
The Juliette balcony is a special feature in this room that has a king-size bed, side shelves, and plus a cupboard with shelves for your storage and hooks on the door if you’re wanting to hang some clothes.
Bathroom
Conveniently between the two bedrooms. Natural light from a skylight above the bath floods this charming bathroom with its feature Victoria and Albert claw foot bath, reclaimed sink, WC and heated towel rail.
Bedroom Three
Wake to the view of the pond and fields beyond. Twin beds sit either side of the door with bedside units and there’s storage in a wardrobe with hangers and a shelf.
Outside
Fishpond House sits on a private estate with an uneven private drive taking you past fields and round the back of the property where you'll find parking for two cars and an external plug for anyone needing to charge an electric car. A wooden deck wraps around two sides of the house, overhanging the pond on one side, with furniture for outside dining and doors from the dining/kitchen area making it easy to eat in the open air. The hot tub sits on the deck at the side of the property, conveniently close to the master bedroom. At the side is a lawn with graceful willow trees rustling in the breeze however, due to the grass being sown in the winter, the area's not well established as yet.
Note: This property can be booked with neighbouring Onna's Stable (Ref 1117131), together sleeping 10 guests.
The historic market town of Beccles has excellent amenities, with unique shops, many of which are independent retailers and the range of restaurants and dining facilities are impressive, with numerous cafes, tea rooms and traditional inns. There are also a number of interesting buildings, including the Town Hall and Quaker Hall, which houses the weekly country farmers' market. The more active visitor may wish to explore the town and surrounding area via the Beccles Marsh Trail, which is divided into three walks of varying distance and character. With an outdoor swimming pool and various play areas, children are well catered for, whilst cyclists can enjoy a number of cycle routes around the town. Beccles is surrounded by open countryside, whilst an easy drive brings you to the popular Suffolk coast and the seaside resorts of Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Southwold.
Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor king-size with bath and en-suite with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x king-size with balcony, 1 x twin.
Bathroom with bath, basin, WC and heated towel rail.
Open-plan kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove
Heating with woodburning stove.
Electric oven, ceramic hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher.
TV, WiFi.
Fuel, power and starter pack for woodburning stove included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Highchair and travel cot available on request.
Off-road parking for 2 cars with EV charging port.
Non-enclosed garden with shrubs, furniture, barbecue and hot tub.
Two well behaved dogs welcome(£25 supplement for the second dog).
Sorry, no smoking.
Note: Unfenced ponds on property, please supervise children at all times.
Note: This property is best suited for up to four adults or up to six guests including children due to limited space in sitting area.
Note: Please shower before and after using the hot tub.
Note: Limited reception is not suitable for streaming.
Note: If you wish to bring a dog, it must be mentioned at the time of booking.
Note: The owners provide toiletries in the bathrooms for guests and also a welcome gift.
Note: The Hot Tub is charged at £80 per stay(for new bookings taken after 21st June 2024) so please add this at the time of booking.
Note: The Hot Tub may not be available for a last minute booking so please do enquire.
Note: Hot tub is cleaned between each changeover and will not be warm for your first night.
Note: This property can be booked with neighbouring Onna's Stable (Ref 1117131), together sleeping 10 guests.
Clare
Single beds are too narrow for adults. No ice cubes tray in freezer. No washing pods for washing machine. No extra bin bags. Deck and windows needed cleaning. Oven needs an extra tray. One of the trays was dirty so I scrubbed that - also oven not 100% clean. The downstairs bathroom began to smell of urine on the floor- not caused by anyone in our group as we were all women. The floor needs to be scrubbed very thoroughly and the tiles need to be sealed to prevent this from happening again. So note to owners- your house keepers are letting you down. We also arrived very late at night- it would be helpful for a larger floodlight to illuminate the car parking space Positives- love the house and location . Love the hot tub and log burner.
Adam
A Ghastly stay and an appauling inadeqate owner with no empathy for our position who had the audacity to offer £87 in compensation. Never will we use Sykes again or recommend to anyone we know who stays in sufolk.
Sara
Thankfully, it was not an emergency but if it had of been, it would have been very poor. The property was lovely and just what we were after. I would suggest having a spare key in the house as only having 1 that opened all the doors was tricky. We lost it in the house so many times! Due to the above, what would we have done if we had locked ourselves in our out? Also would highly recommend getting some comfy sofas and replacing what is in the lounge. It made sitting down at nighttime very uncomfortable. Brilliant place otherwise!
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