Brook Farm is a stunning Grade II* listed Elizabethan Yeoman’s farmhouse built around 1540, with an adjoining Grade II listed barn, with a wild swimming pond surrounded by three acres of gardens and views across rural countryside. The main house, renovated in partnership with English Heritage, retains many of the original features, complimented by interior design featuring an eclectic mix of contemporary, antique and vintage. Brook Farm is stylish yet homely, practical yet supremely comfortable. Across the courtyard from the farmhouse, the Grade II listed barn is split into four spaces, several of which still retain the animal feeders from their agriculture days – they are an amazing delve into history as you can see original wattle and daub walls from the 16th Century. One of the rooms contains ten bikes of various sizes which you’re very welcome to borrow - perfect for exploring the local area. The main room in the unconverted barn, our games room, features a Queen post roof, which is just stunning. It’s a perfect hang out for kids of all ages with table tennis, darts, a pool table, a table football table and a chill out area with sofas and a music system. Mature gardens surround the house and barns, extending over three acres. At the heart of the land is a large pond, which has been converted for wild swimming. There is a jetty out to the middle, with a ladder to climb back out after your swim. Next to the pond is a wood fired ten-person hot tub, perfect for a soak as the sun sets or at night listening to the owls. Across the rest of the land there are extensive lawns, a football pitch, a fire pit area and a selection of fruit trees; apples, pears, cherries, plums, blackberries and walnut. Of course, being in the countryside, we are surrounded by nature with frequent visitors including muntjac deer, rabbits, hares, ducks, doves, woodpeckers, owls, bats and even peacocks.

Brook Farm is owned and managed by Mel and Simon. Mel and Simon lived in London but Brook Farm is their country escape. On hand (but not on site) to help with guests is Garry the manager and Megan the housekeeper. Simon and Mel don't consider that they are the owners of Brook Farm, merely that they are caretakers of the old, historically rich building, looking after it, restoring it so that it can last for centuries more.

There is so much to do around Brook Farm. We have wonderful cycling on quiet roads through sleepy Suffolk villages - we have a selection of bikes for your use. South Elmham Minster which dates from 1091, is a three-mile round trip walk through fields and across brooks. We also have some wonderful footpaths around the Farm but please stick to the paths, close any gates and leave no trace of having visited! For trips slightly further afield, we have amazing sandy and shingle, dog-friendly beaches; Dunwich, Southwold and Walberswick where you can also go crabbing and have a pint in the local pubs - our favourite pubs and well-worth booking are; The Ship at Dunwich for a pint of Ghost Ship, The Sail Loft for lobster risotto and The Anchor at Walberswick for the best fish and chips - they even have their own boat so the fish is caught that day. The Norfolk Broads is a short drive away - you can hire a boat and trundle up the broads for the day taking in the landscape. There's a Maize Maze in Reydon and countless National Trust properties to visit. We just love river swimming in the River Waveney, near Bungay is great fun too! If you are visiting Bungay, check out Earsham Street where there is an amazing deli, butcher's, fishmonger's and green grocer as well as an array of fantastic vintage stores. Halesworth and Harleston are also worth a visit for their vintage wares.