Holiday cottages and lodges in Suffolk
Stoke by Nayland in the county of Suffolk, lies close to the border of
Essex in what is sometimes referred to as Constable Country. It has one
of Suffolk's fine 'Wool' churches, its tower dominates the surrounding area
for many miles.
Saint Mary's Church
Saint
Mary's Church at Stoke by Nayland stands on the hills above the Dedham
Vale (now a designated area of outstanding beauty) and the valley of the
River Box. This fantastic building has retained much of the original structure
and features from when it was rebuilt in the fifteenth century, and it appeared
in several of Constable’s paintings.
"One of Suffolk's fine 'Wool' churches, its tower dominates the surrounding area for many miles."
John Constable
John Constable
is known for his Romantic and more predominantly his Landscape paintings
of Dedham Vale. His most famous paintings include Dedham Vale of 1802 and
The Hay Wain of 1821. Although his paintings are now among the most popular
and valuable in British art, he was never financially successful and did
not become a member of the establishment until he was elected to the Royal
Academy at the age of 52. He sold more paintings in France than in his native
England.
Out and About
The village of Stoke by Nayland overlooks its parent, Nayland, once recorded
as the 45th largest town in England. Nayland guards the crossing into Essex
over the River Stour on the south side of the river.
The River Stour is a substantial river which runs 59 miles from south
east Somerset and west Wiltshire through north Dorset and the Blackmore
Vale into east Dorset , the eastern fringe of Bournemouth and Christchurch
where it meets the Hampshire Avon and empties into the sea at Mudeford.
The Village of Stoke by Nayland, contains many cottages and timber framed
houses and all surround a large recreation field which makes up the centre
of the village. Two schools, a primary and a middle school, are in the village,
as are two public houses, The Angel Inn and The Crown.
Country Pubs and Inns
The Angel
Inn is a traditional Grade II 16th century Suffolk coaching inn with
open fires, original brickwork and oak beams. It is a typical “Old English”
country pub offering cosy and snug areas coupled with a larger open plan
dining room.
The Crown - Stoke
by Nayland, is a privately owned village Inn with a reputation for making
everyone feel welcome.
"You can discover typical 'Old English' country pubs with
open fires, original brickwork and oak beams."
The Suffolk Coast
The Suffolk Coast has a fascinating history stretching back many years.
The region's lost towns and changing coastlines are fascinating to explore.
The Suffolk coast is one of forty-seven Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As the nearest coast to London
to have remained largely undisturbed, it is a popular destination for nature
lovers and beach-goers alike.
The region contains three national nature reserves and long distance
footpaths. The area classified as that of an AONB totals 400 square kilometres.
In order to protect this area, coast and estuary volunteer wardens patrol
the length of the coastline, managing the delicate balance between the visitors
drawn here and the damage and erosion their visits bring with them.
The 220 miles of shoreline flank the five estuaries: Stour, Orwell, Deben,
Alde and Blyth. These areas are rich with wildlife and even Britain’s rarest
seabird, the Little Tern, is sometimes spotted on the Suffolk Coast. The
coastline is steeped in history and the ancient open heathland known locally
as the Sandlings remains virtually unique in the UK.
The Suffolk Coast hosts many cycle routes, covering large distances across
the heathland, marshes, fields and beaches. Excellent views can be enjoyed
whilst cycling across the coast – stunning panoramas not seen from the road.
Getting Close to Nature in Suffolk
Horse Riding is increasingly popular in Suffolk and is simply the most
fantastic experience. With it's tranquil countryside and miles of unspoilt
coastline, it is the place to be at one with your horse. Horse Riding in
Suffolk offers bridleways, quiet country lanes and a mass of public bridleways
to entice.
Birdwatching in Suffolk is a joy as the landscape of
the county is diverse and varied, and so is the range of wildlife that inhabit
it. Avid birdwatchers and novices alike can enjoy a coastal walk and the
possibility of sighting a Marsh Harrier or Avocet, or head north to the
southern edge of the Broads where you can catch birds on migration taking
a break for some bathing.
Inland are the reserves of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Royal Society
for Protection of Birds, and English Nature, many of which have dedicated
hides, and all of which boast a variety of bird spotting opportunities.
Here are a collection of the
primary birdwatching sites in Suffolk. Where possible both directions
and the Ordinance Survey Grid References have been included. For reference,
the organization which maintains the sites is located in parenthesis next
to the site itself. Happy birdwatching!
Explore Nearby Colchester
A twenty minute drive from Stoke by Nayland will lead you to Colchester,
Britain’s Oldest recorded town. Colchester is a thriving town and attracts
4.5 m visitors each year, helped by being home to Colchester Castle and
Colchester Zoo.
A visit to
Colchester
Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of some of the most important
events in British history. Once capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has
experienced devastation by the invasion by the Normans during the English
Civil War.
Since the 16th century, the Castle has been a ruin, a library and a gaol
for witches. Today it is an award winning museum featuring many hands-on
displays showing Colchester's history from the Stone Age to the Civil War.
Colchester
Zoo is now one of the finest Zoos in Europe due to a constant programme
of development and has won the coveted Large Visitor Attraction of the Year”
Award and the “Sustainable Tourism Award” for its efforts in recycling and
green practices from the East of England Tourist Board. With over 270 species
to see, set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo
is well worth a visit.