A few weeks ago we returned to Five Acre Barn in Suffolk. We don’t usually go back to the same place every year, but this was our third visit, which says a lot about how much we enjoy staying there. The barn makes a comfortable and stylish base for exploring the surrounding coast and countryside, and the owners’ attention to detail is obvious at every turn.
Our earlier stays were in summer, yet this time we chose to visit in winter. There’s something special about the coastline in the colder months: the beaches are wilder, the skies are broader and the light has a clarity and softness all of its own. We find the season quieter and more atmospheric, and we love walking without the crowds and watching the muted colours of the landscape shift in the low sun.
The garden at Five Acre Barn has matured noticeably since our last stay. David and Bruce have continued to shape the planting and structure, so even in winter the garden has character. While summer brings the fullest colours, the bare branches and seedheads of winter add a sculptural quality that I find equally compelling. I took a large number of photographs during the visit and wanted to share some of the scenes and impressions here.
Inside the barn there’s plenty to explore. The rooms display interesting art and ceramics alongside carefully selected mid-century furniture, a thoughtful collection of books and an array of colourful textiles. The owners’ curatorial eye is evident in the way the interiors balance warmth and modern vintage charm, creating spaces that feel both comfortable and visually engaging.
We’re fond of the coast around Aldeburgh, and this part of Suffolk has a string of appealing spots: Walberswick and Dunwich to the north, then Sizewell and Thorpeness, with Orford to the south. The coastline is ideal for dog-friendly breaks, particularly outside peak season when more stretches of beach allow dogs. The variety of landscapes—from shingle and sand to marsh and cliffs—makes every walk different and rewarding.
One of our favourite walks is along Sizewell beach. It’s peaceful at many times of the year and the wide shore is perfect for long, reflective strolls. Later in the year we’ve planned a trip to Dungeness, another distinctive coastal landscape. It may be a quirky coincidence that we often stay near sites with nuclear power stations, but for us the attraction is the coastline itself—the remoteness and the changing weather create memorable experiences.
The walk from Five Acre Barn to Thorpeness is an easy and enjoyable route. The path runs through a nature reserve and takes well under an hour for most walkers. Thorpeness itself is an intriguing place. Conceived in the 1920s as an eccentric holiday village, it retains a number of whimsical buildings, follies and unusual architectural features. One of the most famous is The House in the Clouds, a landmark that adds character to the village and can even be rented for stays.
In recent years, new architectural projects have joined the coastal scene. The Dune House, designed by Jarmund/Vignæs for Living Architecture, is a notable modern addition and demonstrates how contemporary design can sit alongside older, more traditional beach buildings. Along the seafront you’ll find a mix of housing styles: some are new and striking, while others are simple, weathered beach huts and cottages that have absorbed the elements and acquired a lot of character over time. We tend to prefer the quieter, slightly weathered properties for their authenticity and charm.
We highly recommend Five Acre Barn as a base for discovering this stretch of the Suffolk coast. Its location makes it easy to reach beaches, reserves and villages, while the barn itself provides a restful, well-curated place to return to after a day of walking and exploring. If you enjoy coastal scenery, quiet winter light and thoughtful interiors, it’s well worth considering for a short break.
For more about our earlier stay, see our previous write-up of Five Acre Barn.