15 Unusual Places To Stay In Suffolk With The Wow Factor
Suffolk is one of the most untouched counties in England with parts of it still relatively undiscovered so if you are looking to get away from it all, it could be the place for you.
It is bursting with natural beauty. It has three outstanding nature reserves brimming with rare wildlife but the jewel in the Suffolk crown has to be the 50 mile stretch of heritage coastline which, lying in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is completely unspoiled.
You’ll also find countless pretty chocolate box villages and medieval towns and a rich and fascinating history.
For such a quiet part of the country though, Suffolk has lots to offer holidaymakers and is the ideal place for a UK staycation.
And what better way to enjoy your visit to Suffolk than staying in a fabulously unique property? Suffolk has plenty of unusual places to stay and we’ve put some of the most eye-catching ones below.
These are not your average Suffolk holiday cottages. Located in some of the best places in Suffolk, they offer accommodation in Suffolk with a twist.
We didn’t find any tree houses in Suffolk, but if you like the sound of a tree house holiday, you can check out Forest Holidays in Thorpe Forest on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Or take a look at our guide to family-friendly tree house holidays.
Before you work through the list of the best places to stay in Suffolk with the wow factor, we would recommending read some of our other posts on Suffolk to familiarise yourself with Suffolk and get a feel for the areas you might like to visit.
There is also a map at the end with these quirky places to stay in Suffolk.
Fun things to do in Suffolk with kids
The best family campsites in Suffolk
Before visiting Suffolk, you might want to grab a copy of the Rough Guide to Suffolk & Norfolk which is the most comprehensive and up to date guide out there. We also love this Suffolk pub walks guide.
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Here are the most unusual places to stay in Suffolk…
West Stow Pods
Address: West Stow Pods, Ingham Road, West Stow, IP28 6EX
West Stow Pods is a family-run glamping site with a range of accommodation options but their most unique is the Pod Hollow, a hobbit style subterranean house set within its own woodland clearing.
Inside, you’ll find circular doorways and rustic architectural details, alongside home comforts like a cosy fireplace and comfy chairs.
This is a 2 bedroom pod that sleeps up to 6 people. It has a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, a bathroom and an outdoor dining area with a BBQ.
You can book West Stow Pods here
Things to do near West Stow Pods: West Stow Anglo Saxon Village & Country Park
Brockford Railway Siding
Address: Brockford Railway Siding, Brockford Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5NN
Brockford Railway Siding has a number of quirky accommodation options for you to choose from. There is the converted station house, railway carriages and a guard’s van.
The Station House is a fully equipped self-catering cottage with three double bedrooms and sleeps 6.
Railway Carriage One has a double bedroom and a semi bedroom with short bunk beds suitable for 2 small children (under 10) sleeping 4 in total.
Railway Carriage Two has two bedrooms and a double sofa bed, sleeping 6 in total.
The Guard’s Van has two bedrooms with a double bed and two single beds, sleeping 4 in total.
There is a large garden and children’s play area as well as an indoor swimming pool and hot tub (use of which is by arrangement).
You can book Brockford Railway Carriages and the Station House here.
Things to do near Brockford Railway Siding: Framlingham Castle.
Moat Cottage
Address: Wilderness Reserve, Yoxford Road, Sibton, Suffolk, IP17 2LZ.
The Moat Cottage (with its own footbridge across the moat) offers luxury accommodation in Suffolk on the ultra luxury Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk.
This is another property that falls under the large holiday homes Suffolk category with 6 ensuite bedrooms sleeping up to 12 people.
One of the bedroom is located in a cabin next to the main cottage where you’ll also find the hot tub so if you’re looking for places to stay in Suffolk with hot tubs, note this one down.
Eveything about the Moat Cottage is luxurious – from roll top baths to a top of the range kitchen. There’s even a rowing boat that comes with the cottage.
There are a number of other quirky holiday houses on the estate, including fabulous Walled Garden.
You can book the Moat Cottage here.
Things to do near Moat Cottage: See our guide to Dunwich and Framlingham Castle.
The Old Fisherman’s Hut
Address: The Old Fisherman’s Hut, Black Shore, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6TA.
The Old Fisherman’s Hut is a converted fisherman’s hut and an ideal place to stay for a couple on Southwold Harbour.
It is just a 15 minute stroll into the centre of Southwold along a scenic coastal path or a quick hop over the River Blyth on a ferry to Walberswick.
There is a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and a small terrace area where you can sit and enjoy the boats going by. Just a short stroll along the harbour are a couple of great places to eat including The Sole Bay Fish Company.
You can book the Old Fisherman’s Hut here.
You can also check here for more fabulous Suffolk Coast holiday rentals.
Things to do near the Old Fishermen’s Hut: See our guide to Southwold and our guide to Walberswick.
The Cow Shed
Address: Easton Farm Park, Pound Corner, Easton, Suffolk, IP13 0EQ
Glamping with a difference in a hut designed to look like a cow, a stay in The Cow Shed will help you feel right at home on this Suffolk farm park (which happens to be one of the best things to do in Suffolk with kids).
There are three cow sheds to choose from (Daisy and Buttercup sleep 4 and Carabelle sleeps 2). There are tea making facilities in the sheds but they are not self-catering and sanitary facilities are located in the main toilet block on the campsite.
Entrance to the farm park is included in the price of the cow shed.
You can book the cow shed here.
Things to do near the Cow Shed: Easton Farm Park and Framlingham Castle.
Onderneming
Address: Happy Days RV, Wardspring Farm, Leiston Road, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1TG.
Built in 1899, Onderneming is a beautiful barge moored at Snape Maltings.
It sleeps 6 and is dog-friendly.
It is perfectly located to enjoy the summer evenings in August listening to the music events at Snape Maltings and beautiful river walks.
You can book Onderneming here.
Things to do near Onderneming: Snape Maltings, Rendlesham Forest, Orford.
The Concrete Castle
Address: The Concrete Castle, Holbrook Road, Freston, Suffolk, IP9 2FN.
If you’re looking for large holiday homes in Suffolk to celebrate with a large group, look no further than the Concrete Castle (also known as the Freston Water Tower, the Suffolk Skytower or the Suffolk Skyscraper).
This 80ft Suffolk tower holiday let started out life as a water tower in the 1950s, but has been converted into a stunning holiday home that sleeps up to 18 people.
It sits between the rivers Orwell and Stour on the Shotley Peninsula, it’s the perfect setting for an unforgettable break.
Spread over seven floors, you can expect stunning views of the surrounding countryside, particularly from the generous roof terrace which is the perfect spot for sundowners.
There are nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, a large kitchen area, a luxurious living area with a pool table, a games room on the top floor and a cinema room.
You can book the Suffolk Skytower here.
Things to do near the Suffolk Skytower: Jimmy’s Farm and the Suffolk Food Hall.
Martello Tower
Address: Martello Tower, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5NA.
Standing tall on the edge of the shingle between the River Alde and the sea, the Martello Tower Aldeburgh was built between 1808 and 1812. It is the most northerly of all of the Martello towers on the Suffolk coast.
It is fully equipped for self-catering with two bedrooms (a double bed and two single beds) – sleeping 4 in total. It is just a short walk into the centre of Aldeburgh
You can book the Martello Tower here.
Things to do near the Martello Tower: See our things to do in Aldeburgh guide and our Thorpeness guide.
Martello Boathouse
Address: Martello Tower, Shingle Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3BE.
The Martello Boathouse is set in the grounds of a Martello Tower with unending views right up and down the coast at Shingle Street.
There are several Martello towers lining the Suffolk coast with some dating back to the Napoleonic war between 1805 and 1808.
The boathouse is a fully equipped self-catering cottage with two bedrooms (a double bed and two single beds) – sleeping 4 in total.
You can book the Martello Boathouse here.
Things to do near the Martello Boathouse: Explore Shingle Street beach or head to Sutton Hoo or Orford Castle.
Twee Gebroeders
Address: Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1BY
Moored in the Tide Mill Quay on the Woodbridge waterfront with views of the Woodbridge Tide Mill, the Twee Gebroeders, is a truly unique place to stay in Suffolk.
This fully restored Dutch sailing barge is perfect for couples and small families with a double cabin and a twin cabin – sleeping 4 in total.
There is a private shower and toilet room and a living area with a fully fitted kitchen and dining area.
You’ll also find seating on the upper deck where you can relax and enjoy the slow pace of life.
You can book Twee Gebroeders here.
Things to do near Twee Gebroeders: Visit Sutton Hoo.
Secret Meadows
Address: Secret Meadows Glamping, White House Farm Nature Reserve, Hasketon, Suffolk, IP13 6JP.
Owned by a wildlife charity and set within a wildlife county site, Secret Meadows Glamping offers complete relaxation in nature.
There is a range of unusual holiday accommodation, but the two storey luxury safari tent stands out.
Set in its own woodland area, it has four bedrooms sleeping 8 in total with two private bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen.
You can even hire a hen coop and your own hot tub.
You can book your Secret Meadows accommodation here.
Things to do near Secret Meadows: Rendlesham Forest and Sutton Hoo.
House in the Clouds
Address: 12A Uplands road, Thorpeness, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4NQ
Possibly one of the most quirky places to stay in Suffolk and certainly one with the best views, the House in the Clouds is a landmark in Suffolk with an interesting history.
It started out life in the 1920s as a water tower but the man responsible for the planning and execution of the Thorpeness holiday village thought it looked ugly so he had it disguised and the result is quite striking.
It has 5 bedrooms (2 doubles and 3 twins) and is fully equipped for self-catering holidays in Suffolk.
You can book the House in the Clouds here.
Things to do near the House in the Clouds: Thorpeness Meare and Aldeburgh
Balancing Barn
Address: The Balancing Barn, Thorington, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 9JG.
The Balancing Barn was thought up by a Dutch architectural firm who based their design on a traditional Suffolk barn. As quirky places to stay in Suffolk go, this is pretty much off the chart.
It is set on the edge of a nature reserve so you get spectacular views of the Suffolk countryside from your ‘balanced’ position. You even get views through the floor thanks to some enormous windows set into the floor.
There are four double bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom. There is a luxuriously spacious living room, kitchen and dining area, with six private acres of gardens for yourself.
You can book the Balancing Barn here.
Things to do near the Balancing Barn: See our guides on Dunwich, Walberswick and Southwold.
The Windmill
Address: The Windmill, Mill Farm, Lavenham Road, Cockfield, Suffolk, IP30 0HX.
Built in 1891, the Windmill Suffolk originally started out as…you guessed it, a windmill!
The Windmill has been recently renovated and there are two double rooms with king-size beds, a beautifully sleek bathroom with bath and shower and a fully equipped kitchen and dining area.
The top floor is reserved for the beautiful living room with a balcony and uninterrupted views of the rolling Suffolk countryside.
You can book the Windmill here.
Things to do near the Windmill: Audley End and Lavenham.
Southwold Beach Hut
The Southwold Beach Huts are not technically classed as unusual places to stay in Suffolk because you can’t sleep overnight in them but you can rent them out by the day of the week so we’ve put them in here because they are pretty cool.
If you are staying in Southwold, make sure to check out our things to do in Southwold guide.
Ever fancied staying on a vineyard? There is a Suffolk vineyard near Southwold with a cabin right in the vines. Perfect for wine lovers visiting Suffolk!
Map of the unusual places to stay in Suffolk
Click here to take you to Google Maps.
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