If the words ‘adults-only’ and ‘no Wi-Fi’ are non-starters in your book, Blyth Rise Stays might not be the one for you
But if what you need is some proper switch-off time with the kind of silence you can’t buy in London, this cute little stay in Suffolk countryside could be exactly what the doctor ordered. It was definitely what we needed come August, after a frantic first half of the year….
Tucked away on the edge of the village of Laxfield, Blyth Rise Stays is made up of six Scandi-style Lake Lodges and six Woodland Igluhuts. They are dotted around a ten acre patch of old farmland that has been beautifully re-wilded and landscaped by sisters Katie and Laura, and their parents Pam and Mark. The grounds really are lovely and peaceful, with each of the lodges tucked into its own tree-shaded corner, surrounded by plants and flowers.
The lodges are the larger of the two accommodation types with two bedrooms, king-sized beds, underfloor heating, roomy terraces and huge French windows looking straight out onto the lake. The Igluhuts are cosier, hand-built from hazel wood and nestled among the trees – think more a posh wooden caravan! Sustainability is baked into everything here, from renewable energy and eco toiletries to the use of local oak and hazel in the huts. Even the food waste gets composted back into the soil.
We stayed in an Igluhut which comes with a cosy raised bed on one side, a shower and toilet on the other, and in between a more than decent kitchen with sink, cooker, fridge/freezer, kettle, and microwave. You can easily cook a full on meal in here, though we mostly satisfied ourselves with salad and local seafood like dressed crab. They also manage to fit in two armchairs and a fold away table – perfect for after-dinner Scrabble sessions. Did we mention there’s no wi-fi? There’s also an outdoor fire bowl and BBQs, plus outdoor seating so you can really spend most of your time outdoors in the summer months.
There’s no catering on-site but there are a huge amount of farm shops in the local area to buy incredible fresh produce. The fish, meat and especially vegetables available in Suffolk are next level. And Blyth Rise Stays even has its own honesty shop where you can stock up on essentials – homemade frozen meals, sourdough pizzas, yoghurt, cheese, coffee, juices and veg grown in the on-site garden.
If the peace and quiet gets you in the mood for some self care, you’ll find a special iglu-sauna tucked among the trees. Each stay comes with two free hour sessions to use in the sauna, and you can pay for further sessions if you like. Co-owner Katie also runs yoga classes on the outdoor platform when the weather’s right, a perfect start to the day.
Laxfield is just a short stroll away and has a small Co-Op, which is useful to grab a few bits that you can’t get elsewhere. Best of all though is the The King’s Head pub, also known as The Low House, a great spot that serves local ales, beers and ciders from an open tap room of kegs – there’s no actual traditional bar at all. Inside there’s cosy nooks, and outside a huge pub garden. There’s loads of great pubs and places to eat in the local area too – check out our full guide to the best of Suffolk here.
Blyth Rise Stays is the perfect antidote to city living, a place to unplug, slow down, and remember what quiet sounds like.
Station Road, Laxfield, Suffolk, England IP13 8HF
blythrisestays.co.uk
