THE LOWDOWN

outside view of seckford hall hotel and spa

With a story as rich as any Philippa Gregory novel we could go on for paragraphs introducing Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa, a delightful Tudor county escape on the outskirts of Woodbridge in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The beautiful building’s background is too fascinating to gloss over though, so here’s quick potted history…

The current hall dates back to 1530 and was the family home of Sir Thomas Seckford. It passed to his second son, also Thomas, who was friends with William Cecil and played a key part in restoring Mary and Elizabeth Tudor as successors to the throne. Elizabeth later appointed Thomas junior as The Master of the Ordinary Court of Requests and she even came to stay at Seckford on court business. Seckford Hall was also owned by one Sir Ralph Harwood, financial secretary to George V, who restored the hall using materials from houses destroyed in the Second World War. Fast forward to present day and now it’s a Muddy Award-winning hotel and wedding venue with a spa and destination restaurant for holidaymakers and Suffolk residents to enjoy.

The hotel is just minutes off the A12 (although in its own little valley so is delightfully secluded and tranquil with no traffic noise at all). If architecture’s your thing, you’ll drool as you head down the winding drive and clock the unusual Flemish gables, grandiose chimneys, crenelations and gorgeous mullioned windows. In short, it’s a Tudor masterpiece that even Henry VIII couldn’t find fault with.

THE VIBE

Historical splendour at its very best. Being complete history nerds we were wowed by the endless intricate original details and loved feeling like we’d stepped back in time to 1530. It’s all very Wolf Hall! Don’t worry no heads rolling here though, just head massages and luxury loafing – Seckford Hall Hotel is part of the Heritage Rocks group who take period buildings and bring them back to their former glory, while adding five-star service and facilities. We could really see the effort that had gone in to preserving this special 16th century mansion and it felt like a privilege to be able to spend time in a building that has been around for so many centuries.

All the dark wood panelling and bountiful beams make for a cosy and hushed vibe, but it certainly doesn’t feel like you’ve stepped into a dusty old museum. It’s a real home-from-home (if you happen to be landed gentry!) and every corner is full of squishy chairs, roaring fires and inviting little nooks. We were also pleasantly surprised by how much light flooded in through the mullioned windows. If you’re lucky with the weather like we were, you can curl up like a cat in the sun (or fire in winter) and really feel like you’ve escaped from the mayhem of modern life.

There’s a huge amount of communal space to enjoy in the hotel including the large main lounge, accessed through a rather stunning wooden partition, as well as a snug bar on a mezzanine level (watch out for those beams if you’re tall), a small library area and a long light corridor with bar and tables. Everything is in keeping with the historical feel – we loved looking through all the old books dotted around the place. If you’re an antiques-lover you’ll be in heaven.

Don’t worry if dark wood, beams and suits of armour give you the collywobbles though as you’ll still find lots to love at Seckford Hall Hotel. Heritage Rocks combines a love of history with a passion for rock music so there are plenty of more modern and edgy touches, plus areas of the hotel that have a light and fun feel with gold touches and standout wall motifs.

PILLOW TALK

The team at Seckford Hall Hotel are in the middle of renovating all 41 bedrooms and we were delighted to be some of the first people to stay in one of the newly completed Luxury Suites, situated right next to the spa in the courtyard. This area is just opposite the hotel and made up of attractive outbuildings that have less beams and wonky floors than the main house, so are brilliant if you don’t want the full 1530s experience.

Our room would be more accurately described as an entire cottage with an entrance hall, separate toilet, large living room, bedroom and bathroom. It was beautifully decorated in eye-catching jewel tones, with fun maximalist flourishes like gold leaf wallpaper and quirky touches such as a gramophone, old school telephone and 80s style lamps. The whole effect was very pleasing and comfy and felt like the sort of place you could easily move in to.

living area inside bedroom at Seckford Hall Hotel

Our living room had a huge comfy corner sofa that was just made for lazy afternoons watching TV and, with our two young kids running the grandparents ragged for the weekend, we decided to do just that. An indulgent hour of Netflix and chill while we worked our way through the complimentary contents of the minibar – Adnam’s beers, G&Ts and crisps. Heaven.

Rooms inside the main house are really special too and are come in a range of sizes and luxe levels. One of the larger rooms at the front of the hall still has the original Tudor four-poster, exposed brick fireplaces and a huge bathroom with rolltop bath. Every room is slightly different and reached by a rabbit warren of creaky and wonky corridors. Some rooms in the gables have low ceilings and my 6ft 4in husband was delighted to hear that the super service here starts from the moment you book as you’ll be asked how tall you are to avoid any painful bumps on the beams.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Crisp, bright white table cloths, the chink of china and smart service awaits diners in the 2 AA Rosette 1530 restaurant, so if you love a bit of occasion and elegance when you dine out this is the place to come. The restaurant serves everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner to afternoon tea and special foodie events such as tasting menus.

vegetarian main course at seckford hall hotel

Pack your elasticated waistband trousers if you’re staying here for a day or two as hearty plates of seasonal and locally produced food is central to the Seckford experience and we practically rolled out the restaurant after three amazing meals and an afternoon tea during our stay. In fact, they take locally sourced food so seriously here they’ve just invested in a load of chickens who will soon be providing eggs for breakfast.

Dishes we tried (and loved!) included a truffle tagliatelle, a steak (cooked perfectly rare as requested), and a traditional Sunday Roast with all the trimmings.

Anyone with a sweet tooth will adore it here and we suggest you save plenty of room to try out pastry chef Vlad Lastockin’s amazing creations. We devoured his perfectly risen chocolate soufflé and inventive banana sandwich parfait – one of the most delicious desserts I’ve come across.

Our final meal before we reluctantly left the hotel was an afternoon tea and, knowing how good the desserts had been, I had high expectations. They were certainly met in the elegant cakes that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Parisian patisserie, as well as the choice of melt-in-the-mouth scones and delicate finger sandwiches.

As we spent so much time in the restaurant we became friendly with the excellent staff, who have been trained to pre-empt your every desire. Special shout out to the lovely Kingsley who even sourced us some delicate tongs to help us pick up our cakes without ruining their pretty designs!

RELAX

outside of the spa building at seckford hall hotel

The good news about a stay at Seckford Hall Hotel is that you don’t have to leave the premises for your entertainment. Right next door is the Seckford Hall golf course if you fancy a round and in the courtyard there’s a deceptively large spa housed in a wow-factor barn.

The spa complex not only has a good-sized pool, steam room, sauna, Rasul mud treatment chamber, relaxation room, treatment rooms and changing rooms, but there’s a brilliant spa garden with two outdoor jacuzzis, another sauna and an ice bath for all you Wim Hof method converts. At the entrance to the spa they’ve even found room for a modern spa café, so you don’t have to pad across the drive to the hall in your robe and slippers if you get peckish or fancy some bubbly.

If you hate the idea of being squished up alongside sweaty strangers in the sauna, you’ll love the Seckford spa rules – only 10 guests are permitted at a time and slots can be booked to ensure you get in. For us this meant just a few couples sharing all the facilities and so, without any discussion, we intuitively formed a rotation system meaning each couple got the pool to themselves followed by the sauna and the steam room. It was all very civilised.

In summer I can imagine the spa garden being a delightful space to sunbathe, but while the fire pits were lovely to look at, they weren’t warm enough to keep me outside for long in November.

If you live nearby, a spa day here would be sublime. There are lots of different packages to choose from including half days and Twilight experiences as well as more indulgent full spa days with afternoon tea. Spa gift vouchers would make a brilliant Christmas present (just saying!).

KID FRIENDLY?

Kids are welcome at Seckford Hall Hotel, however I’d say it’s a much more adult affair and they’re isn’t a huge amount aimed at keeping children entertained. Save a day out or stay here for when you want some peace and quiet and to indulge in the finer things in life without sticky fingers and constant snack requests.

DOG FRIENDLY?

Yes. There are special Pawsome Stays with the hotel’s very own Dog-rector Digby on hand to make your pooch’s stay as luxurious as yours. The Deluxe and Junior Suites in the courtyard area are dog-friendly with a £20 charge per night and you can dine with your dog in the Lounge, Lounge Bar, Terrace and Garden Room.

ACCESSIBLE?

The Tudors didn’t really give much consideration to wheelchairs when they built Seckford so there are steps and wobbly floors all over the place. The Courtyard Suites are best suited to anyone in a wheelchair, but making the most of the hall itself might be difficult.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Seckford Hall can be hired as a wedding venue and works really well if you fork out for the exclusive use option, although the wedding area is self-contained if you don’t. Entering the wedding venue area feels a bit like heading into Narnia, there’s a bright gold period door at the end of a corridor and once you open it you’re in a suite of stunning rooms, including the Great Hall that’s licensed for ceremonies and a marquee area for receptions that has views over the lake.

Pray for good weather though because the 34 acres are stunning and have a pretty Victorian bandstand area that would look incredible at an outdoor ceremony.

As well as weddings, birthdays and parties the hotel regularly hosts events throughout the year such as tribute nights, gala dinners, Christmas fairs and summer parties so it’s well worth keeping an eye on the what’s on page if you live nearby.

On the other hand if you’re travelling to Suffolk for a holiday you might want to treat yourself to The Ultimate Rock n’ Roll package, where you’ll get the VIP treatment during your stay with reserved parking by the door, unlimited access to the spa facilities, Prosecco on arrival, special food and drink treats throughout your stay, turn-down service, late check-out and a £50 bar tab! The only thing missing is the red carpet and paparazzi!

OUT & ABOUT

Seckford Hall Hotel is in one of our favourite parts of Suffolk… with both the coast and countryside on the doorstep. Woodbridge is a wonderful riverside town with indie shops and restaurants plus miles of walks to enjoy. It’s easy to get to top coastal villages like Aldeburgh, Southwold and Walberswick and in the other direction Constable Country isn’t far by car. Top nearby attractions include the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo, an awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial site as well as Framlingham Castle, and Snape Maltings, the brilliant concert venue and home to the Aldeburgh Festival each year.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Countryside escapes, history buffs, romantics and spa seekers. This hotel is ideal for people who like traditional luxury and to be made to feel like a VIP. Step through the door and it’s like entering another world where time slows down. It’s impossible not to feel relaxed.

Not for: If you’re really not keen on beams and Tudor interiors this might not be your top spot. Although if you overlook the suit of armour in the entrance hall you’ll find plenty of modern touches that delight.

The damage: Standard doubles from £190 per night.

Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa, Great Bealings, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 6NU, Tel: +44(0)1394 385 678

Review: Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa, Suffolk

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