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Cottages in Suffolk

Published Dec 5th 2022

5 mins read

Will Heigham

Those thinking of buying a property in the East region of England might be specifically considering cottages in Suffolk.

There really are very few places that are so wonderful as Suffolk whether it’s as a place to live or for a holiday.

The county was once the centre of the wool industry; today, it is home to thriving towns and villages.

In fact, Woodbridge and Denham were named by The Sunday Times’ as some of the ‘best places to live’ with their beautiful countryside, historic stately homes and all within an hour’s journey from London.

There is an abundance of quintessential cottages in Suffolk, from the typical chocolate-box cottage with a thatched roof to the more traditional stone-built cottage.

The benefits of Suffolk

Along with other areas outside of London, Suffolk has recently come to the attention of many people looking to move out of large, busy cities to more remote and quiet locations.

Yet, they still want the benefits of a city lifestyle.

Suffolk’s towns and villages offer just that; thriving markets in rural and coastal locations, great schools, rural countryside for outdoor activities, cultural and historical attractions, as well as strong communities that are safe to live in.

Rural areas are all about the people and not the location.

Largely driven by the coronavirus pandemic over the past couple of years, families are looking for a better quality of life in a place where they can still access technology, good jobs and great amenities.

Of course, this recent demand for property in Suffolk has been helped by Netflix’s drama, The Dig, about the historic excavation at Sutton Hoo, but it is only one of the reasons why people are falling in love with the county.

Where are the best cottages located?

Suffolk is full of delightful villages and bustling towns that are just waiting to be discovered.

Take Woodbridge, which was voted the best place to live in the East of England by The Sunday Times.

Despite being a town, it is also a close-knit community supporting a wonderful selection of independent retailers selling everything from beautiful clothes made using exquisite Mongolian cashmere to artisan wines, amazing coffee and delicious pastries.

As well as Woodbridge, Dedham Vale and Shotley Peninsula are perfect cottage locations.

Dedham Vale has been described as ‘timeless’ and has an abundance of cycling routes, footpaths and trails, as well as fine dining restaurants, gastro pubs and a country village feel that many are revelling in.

If you’re looking for a more coastal location for your cottage, you won’t go wrong with Shotley Peninsula.

Set in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the village combines a laid-back, easy-going lifestyle with the fun and thrills of coastal waters.

Other villages in Suffolk that are a haven for cottages are Stutton, Holbrook and Tattingstone.

Holiday cottages in Suffolk

The staycation boomed in the UK during the pandemic and there are no signs that it is abating any time soon.

If you’re planning on venturing to Suffolk for your holidays, you’ve made a good choice.

The county’s endless beaches, vast forests and abundance of market towns rich with their traditions, outdoor markets and history attract many every year.

Combined with excellent local food and drink, holidaying in a cottage in Suffolk is a must.

Whether you are looking for a holiday cottage for two tucked away in a quiet rural location with oak beams, wood floors and a traditional country feel, or a family cottage in a community-led village with a modern interior and all the facilities, you won’t be disappointed with the choice on offer.

Some of the best places for holiday cottages include: Sibton, Woodbridge, Southwold, Framlingham, Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Burley, Bruisyard and Orford.

For many, second homes have been a popular investment option over recent years.

People are buying a second home and renting it out as a holiday cottage for most of the year, keeping specific weeks for their own personal use.

Southwold is one of the most popular areas for a second home; in fact, it is one of the top locations to buy a second home in the UK, with Felixstowe a close runner-up.

Current figures estimate that there are around 6,000 second homes in Suffolk, with around 77% of them being ‘flipped’ into holiday lets.

Around 10% of British people own a second home and the location at the top of their list is the Suffolk coast, mainly Aldeburgh and Southwold.

Buying a cottage

Buying a cottage in the countryside is a dream for many but the reality can be a different matter entirely.

Suffolk is blessed with some of the most beautiful, traditional cottages in the country, but as well as the maintenance costs – they are significantly higher than a modern built property – there are other factors to consider before you jump in.

While character cottages have many appealing features – lovely old beams, plenty of space, garage and parking, large gardens and acreage – they have their drawbacks, too, and if they’re Grade I or Grade II listed, be prepared to succumb to the wishes of Historic England before you lift a finger to make any alterations.

Whether it’s externally or internally, you will need Listed Building Consent first.

Other considerations include:

If it’s old, always get a survey. Older properties, particularly cottages, are known to hide a plethora of little idiosyncrasies.
If there’s a thatched roof, budget for annual maintenance and at some point, replacement. Thatched roofs deteriorate over time, no matter how well you look after them. One other aspect with thatched roofs is insurance – not every insurance company is happy to offer buildings or even contents insurance for a thatched property.
If there’s any land attached to the property or within the property’s boundaries, before you start to graze your newly acquired livestock or decide to build an outbuilding on it, check there aren’t any covenants applicable to the land which may restrict what you can do. Or, you might need to let the local farmer graze his sheep on it for two months of the year!
With many old cottages, you may find the wiring is just as old as the building itself. As well as a survey, it’s worth getting an electrician to check the status of the wiring throughout the property. The same applies to the heating system, which is often oil-fired, and a heating engineer will be able to make any recommendations.
Insulation is another factor often missed with period cottages, i.e. they don’t have any. Where you can, get it installed but remember, if it’s a listed property you will need to get permission before you go ahead. Also, check whether it’s in a conservation area or not as this may affect any planning applications.
Most older cottages will have damp problems, mainly because damp proof courses weren’t in existence until 1875 so it may have been built without one.
Most cottages will have a topsy-turvy layout and while many love this because it adds to its charm, it may not suit some people. For example, some will have bathrooms downstairs, usually accessed via the kitchen, and you may find bedrooms inter-linked. People in Edwardian, Georgian or Victorian eras – or older – had different needs to today’s families!