Bury St Edmunds 7 miles. Set in a row of charming, flint-walled terraced cottages, Bluebird Cottage is a wonderful dwelling in the village of Higham, nestled in sweeping open countryside, midway between Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Higham is an ideal base for a group or family of four to explore a beautiful area of the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border. Park in the off-road parking space to the rear of the property for a fuss-free arrival, before stepping inside this characterful cottage. Renovated throughout, original fireplaces and rustic wooden doors combine with a contemporary kitchen and stylish bathroom, making Bluebird Cottage a welcoming place to stay.
On the ground floor a well-equipped kitchen has all the amenities needed for a memorable self-catering holiday, including an oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, washer-dryer and fridge-freezer. The dining room leads off the kitchen, with seating for four guests to enjoy mealtimes. A cloakroom can be found adjacent to the kitchen for your convenience. Step into the bright and airy sitting room after the day's adventures; with sofas to curl up on with your holiday read and a Smart TV for an evening of film, it’s just the place to relax and unwind. Make yourself at home in one of two delightful bedrooms, both with king-sized beds, storage space and restful décor. In between the bedrooms is a stylish and good-sized bathroom, with the option of a relaxing soak in the tub or a quick rinse in the walk-in shower. Bluebird Cottage offers two garden spaces; an enclosed front garden with lawn area and a gravelled path leading to a sheltered porch, whilst the rear patio garden has an outhouse for bike storage and is ideal for a barbecue on a sunny evening. The cottage is surrounded by open fields, with excellent cycle and walking routes through charming villages and rolling Suffolk countryside. Nearby Ickworth Park and Anglesey Abbey, both National Trust-owned country houses, provide beautiful parkland and gardens.
Take a short journey into one of the pretty neighbouring villages where you will find cosy country pubs. In nearby Barrow, dine in style at The Weeping Willow, pick up fresh fish and chips, or find your self-catering essentials in one of two convenience stores or welcoming post office.
Historical sites and quaint streets await in Bury St Edmunds, with the fascinating ruins of Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens just next to St Edmundsbury Cathedral, with beautiful grounds, perfect for a picnic in the sunshine. Enjoy fine dining in a wide range of eateries, or a night at the movies in the independent Picture House or Cineworld.
Drive a little further and you will step back in time in Lavenham, considered to be one of Britain’s best preserved medieval villages, where over 300 buildings are listed as being of architectural and historic interest. Wandering along narrow lanes, past timber-framed houses and the stunning Guildhall, you’ll find antique shops, galleries and cafés.
Newmarket, just 7 miles to the west, is home to the National Horse Racing Museum and Links Golf Club, with leading supermarkets and a variety of traditional eateries to fuel your day. Farm shops in Tuddenham and Denham Farm, just a couple of miles from Higham, provide a large range of local produce and deli items. The Garden Centre in Tuddenham has a popular café and a wide array of plants and shrubs.
Jump onto the A14 and head to the west to the spectacular city of Cambridge, famed for its rich cultural and academic heritage. University Colleges; an impressive collection of over 18 museums and galleries; the Fitzwilliam Museum, home to a large collection of art and artefacts; the renowned Cambridge University Botanic Garden, and excellent shopping, means that Cambridge has something for everyone. Meander through the city and take in the beauty of the university colleges and gleaming spires or lie back and enjoy a relaxing punt along the river. The Suffolk coast and picturesque seaside towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh are within easy reach, if a day on the beach is on your wish list. With Bluebird Cottage as your base, there is so much to see and do in this wonderful part of Suffolk.
