WHAT? WHERE?

Craving complete solitude, peace, quiet and a break from the hamster wheel we call life these days? Turn your phone to ‘do not disturb’, stop staring at the screen (once you’ve read this review of course!) and book yourself into Blyth Rise Stays, an off-grid haven on the outskirts of the pretty village of Laxfield. This adults-only retreat is right in the middle of the most beautiful Suffolk countryside and is a pebble’s throw from the fabulous beaches and chichi seaside towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold, so whether it’s fresh country air you crave or salty wind in your hair, you can have the best of both worlds here.

There are 12 attractive handcrafted lodges here – six chic lakeside lodges and six super-cute igluhuts, as well as two igluhut saunas and a yoga platform – all surrounded by 2,500 newly planted trees, wildflowers, grasses, and a lake making it a wildlife wonderland too.

The 10 acre site is family-owned and run. Mark and Pam lovingly re-wilded the former farm land, with daughters Katie and Laura looking after the day-to-day running of the business. While you could happily go the duration of your stay without bumping into another soul if that’s what you’re after, it’s great to know the family live nearby if you need any help or local knowledge.

THE VIBE

With two kids under five who never stop talking and a job that means I get more than my fair share of screen time, an adults-only break that promised silence and no WIFI (there is phone signal don’t panic!), was extremely alluring. You don’t need to be an exhausted parent to love what’s on offer at Blyth Rise Stays though. This bucolic escape would suit anyone who needs a digital detox or just wants to slow things down a little with some “me time”. Wildlife lovers and twitchers would also be in their element here with birdsong to wake up to and the chance to see otters if you rise early enough.

As soon you pass through the smart electric gates and wind your way down the undulating drive to your hidden lodge you’ll feel your shoulders relaxing. You can leave your cares and work worries at the door, the vibe here is just too chilled for your mind to even go there.

PILLOW TALK

I was staying in the Alder Igluhut (all are named after trees you can find on site) in the woodland and it’s a perfect little romantic retreat (or cosy solo stay) with a bijou, but well-equipped kitchen, cute and seriously comfy cabin bed, spacious en suite and even a seating area. I’m extremely claustrophobic, but I couldn’t believe how spacious the hut felt, and I slept like a baby in the cocooned bed. The hygge interiors are the sort you want to steal for your own home and are the brilliant work of the owners – no interiors designers involved!

Outside I had my own BBQ and fire pit with seating area and it was all perfectly private.

My favourite features were the two large windows (one at the end of the bed), which meant light flooded in and I had a gorgeous view while I devoured my book.

Everything you need for a comfortable stay has been thought of by the owners, including blankets for cold weather, a fan for warm nights, games, magazines, a bird watcher’s guide and a folder filled with information and insights on the best local eateries, walks and day trips. The bathrooms have heavenly Norfolk Natural Living goodies inside too, that don’t only smell sensational but are created using 100% plant-based products.

If you’re after a bit more space, are part of a bigger group, or being on the water is a priority, then you’ll want to book one of the luxurious lakeside lodges, all set around a pretty lake, and with-floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the view. Inside the interiors are a masterclass in Scandi-chic, with smart white washed wooden walls, metallic lights, and sumptuous soft furnishings in an array of eye-catching colour pop velvets.

The kitchen and bathrooms are really high spec too, and the whole feel is extremely luxurious, but somehow laid-back too. The six lakeside lodges have two bedrooms and two bathrooms so are perfect for groups of four adults, or a couple who want to indulge and spread out.

In summer you’ll want to throw open the doors and windows onto the deck to make the most of the waterside location, while in autumn and winter you can admire the view while keeping cosy with the underfloor heating.

It’s the sleeping here that really stands out though. It’s so ridiculously quiet and the 200-thread count Egyptian cotton bedding so sumptuous that a good’s night sleep is guaranteed. I slept better than I had in years and made a mental note to return next time I need a good dose of 8+ hours shut eye.

THE EXPERIENCE

Don’t forget to pack your cossie (unless you’re planning on going Swedish style) because you’ll want to make the most of the woodland saunas. There’s one sauna for the lakeside lodge guests and one for the igluhut lodges so there’s never a queue, but you can reserve your spot on a chart in the honesty shop to ensure complete privacy.

Wind your way through a woodland path and you’ll come across the saunas, which are stocked with towels and excellent instructions for how to operate them. The sauna doesn’t take very long to warm up and once inside it was absolute heaven to sweat out all those city toxins while watching the trees swaying gently through the half moon window.

I felt like the only person for miles (and I probably was!). Feeling sociable? Each sauna can hold up to six people and has a separate changing area too.

There’s also a yoga platform if you want to achieve a truly zen-like status while you’re here, with owner Katie leading classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:30am (weather dependent). And if it’s that’s not tranquil enough, reach zombie-like levels of relaxation by booking an in-lodge massage, facial or mani/pedi with local masseuse Amanda Smith. There’s nothing quite like having a treatment in your own lodge so you don’t have to break the reverie once the experience is over.

With only 12 lodges in 10 acres and an idyllic mid-Suffolk location, Blyth Rise Stays has practically zero light pollution, so if you’re here on a clear night you’ll want to look to the stars. In the day those big skies can be enjoyed from one of the many countryside footpaths that you can access directly from the back of the site. Being so flat it’s perfect running or cycling territory too. There’s also a gorgeous little seating spot in the middle of the lake, that you could happily while away a few hours otter or bird spotting or reading a book.

SCOFF & QUAFF

You might think you’ll be in and out of Blyth Rise Stays making the most of the two pubs in Laxfield or the many cafés, pubs and restaurants in Framlingham and Halesworth just a 15-minute drive away. In reality though, once you’re through the gates it’s very difficult to head back into the real world beyond, and thankfully you don’t have to. The owners of the site have a brilliantly stocked honesty shop, that looks like a shed from the outside but incredibly houses a fridge and freezer and dry store stocked to the brim with the best local produce. These include everything from Brick sourdough pizzas, Black Dog deli ready meals and sausage rolls and Harris & James gelato to Pump Street chocolate and Hodmedod’s roasted fava beans.

You simply write down what you’ve had and once you’re home a bill pops through to pay online. The shop even includes face masks to help you ease into the chilled-out vibe as well as board games and logs for the fire pits.

If you’re an organised sort, you can also pre-book hampers, stuffed full of local produce, to be delivered to your lodge before you arrive, so you quite simply don’t have to lift a finger. Each guest gets a lovely arrival gift too – locally-made Hill Farm oil and Old Spike coffee.

KID-FRIENDLY?

No, Blyth Rise Stays is an adult-only destination (18 years and over) so you’ll want to book the babysitter for this one. Sorry kids, it’s just far too tranquil!

PET-FRIENDLY?

No, pets are not allowed on site due to the wildlife.

ACCESSIBILITY

All lodges and igluhuts are single level, although have small steps up into them. The main path is wide, but gravel and some of the smaller paths to the lodges may be difficult to navigate for wheelchair users.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

I stayed at Blyth Rise Stays for one night and it worked its magic within minutes. I went from a stressed and screen-bound mother to a rested and zen-like bookworm, and the after effect lasted for a least a few days, so I can only imagine what a full stay here would do for you. You can’t beat this location for pure escapism and for being at-one with nature and wildlife.

Good for: a romantic stay or bucolic breather with a group of like-minded adult friends. Anyone craving peace and quiet and an escape from the pressures of modern life will love it here. It would work for both young and old adults as the site and the surrounding area offers activities for everyone.

Not for: anyone who’s not on board with being at one with nature, lighting their own fires, cooking over the BBQ and winding their way through meadow grasses chirruping with bugs might struggle. If R&R means being waited on hand and foot then this isn’t the place for you.

The damage: Igluhuts start from £370 for a 2-night weekend (arrive Friday or Saturday), £430 for a 3-night weekend/ or 4-night mid-week stay and £700 for a week stay (arrive Monday or Friday). Lake Lodges start from £505 for a 2-night weekend (arrive Friday or Saturday), £595 for a 3-night weekend/ or 4-night mid-week stay and £970 for a week stay (arrive Monday or Friday).

Blyth Rise Stays, Station Road, Laxfield, Suffolk, IP13 8HF.

Review: Blyth Rise Stays, Laxfield

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