Facilities
Aside from the facilities provided within the area of your own private holiday space, the following facilities are also available for all guests to use (including those in Badger Cottage):
The Shelter
We've converted an old wooden outbuilding to provide a communal space for cooking, eating, washing up or just hanging out. In here you will find sinks with running water, gas stoves, cooking equipment (including cutlery, crockery, pots & pans) and a table and chairs. There are some strong plastic boxes for storing food (if you prefer not to keep it in your accommodation) - if you have a lot of food it might be an idea to bring a sealable box of your own. Storing food in boxes deters rodents and we therefore request that no food is left unboxed. We also have a handful of BBQs for guests to use - please bring charcoal though. There's lots of other things in the shelter to make your holiday more enjoyable - too many to mention!
Off licence
When the pub's not open, we offer an off-licence service to guests. You can buy from our extensive range of locally brewed bottled ales, draught ale by the flaggon, local cyder, and a small selection of organic fair trade wines. To use the off-licence service simply come to the back door of the pub and ring the doorbell.
Fridge etc
Although we don't have any electricity in the garden itself, we've set aside a small sheltered area near the house with a fridge freezer, washing machine and microwave for our guests to use.
Fire area
We feel it's just not camping without a real fire, which is why we set aside this area as a communal fire pit. Sheltered by the tall conifers nearby, and surrounded by a circle of rustic benches this is the perfect spot to relax after a hard day's cycling/walking/doing nothing. Listening to the crackle of the fire, watching the dancing flames and sharing fine ales and merry conversation - a magic not to be missed! Wood for the communal campfire is provided by us free of charge.
Toilets & Showers
We have flush toilets and solar powered showers for use by our guests. We pride ourselves on our clean, airy toilet block - see the picture to the right. Our showers are heated by solar (with an electric top-up for colder days - so no cold showers!) and the urinals are waterless. Many thanks to the Rural Economy Scheme for their support in this part of our project.
Jungle Shower
For the more adventurous amongst you, we have a jungle shower set in the trees. It is a very basic wooden shower cubicle with a hook for you to hoist up your camp shower bag (provided) for a nice hot afternoon shower in the open with a wonderful view of next door's piglets and foats. It is an experience not to be missed!
Bikes
We have a selection of bikes available for use free of charge for our guests. We also have details of some of the lovely cycle routes in the area and can give suggestions of places to visit along the way. The bikes themselves are rather old (we think older bikes have more character) and, whilst they are regularly maintained, we would strongly advise you to satisfy yourself that they are in a safe state before you get on! We've also provided a selection of hi-viz jackets and cycle helmets - please use them! We have 1 child seat for babies, but if you would like to use a child bike trailer (for children aged up to about 4) we can recommend a local bike hire business who can supply & deliver not only a 2-seater trailer but also a range of bikes and accessories.
Garden
We've designed the garden to have a wild, uncultivated feel and to be a haven for wildlife and guests to enjoy side by side. We'd really love it if you could avoid trampling on or picking plants & flowers (except from the herb garden of course) so others can enjoy them too. No animals are discouraged from our garden and we try, as much as possible, to let nature do it's own thing. If, however, you see a particular ginger cat contemplating pouncing on a duck or chicken please feel free to actively discourage him!
Herbs
There's a few raised herb gardens dotted about (one is near the pizza oven) - please help yourself. Fresh herbs are an amazing addition to any meal. Please do pick carefully though - only take what you'll use and don't pick more than half of the foliage of any plant.
Pizza oven
Please feel free to fire it up and cook your own pizzas, garlic bread - or whatever you like. There's a particular art to using this type of oven - if you've not used one before or you're unsure please ask. Wood for the pizza oven is available to purchase from the shelter.
Pond
It doesn't look it, but it is deep. Please be careful, and be particularly vigilant of small children at all times.
Ducks & hens
..love friendly, gentle people. Please be nice to them, and please discourage children from chasing them. If you want to feed them, please help yourself to the food in the tub marked 'chicken & duck food' in the shelter. We also have a pair of adult geese onsite who are kept in a separate pen when there's people about. The male has been known to nibble fingers so children must be supervised when near the goose pen and it's not a good idea to feed the geese.
Compost
Please place all food waste in the compost bucket provided in the shelter. Please don't leave food lying around or in bins, and please don't feed it to the animals. Our compost gets pooled together and composted slowly to make safe fertilizer for our plants.
Compost loo
We're very proud of our 'Treebog' and our guests report that they have been surprised at how pleasant it is to use. Simply use it like a normal loo (anything other than poo, pee or paper goes in a paper bag in the bin) but no flush - saving 6 litres of water every time it is used!
Shop
...coming soon! In the meantime, we usually have a supply of bread and milk in the freezer for guests to buy (using an 'honesty pot') and butter in the fridge to help yourselves to. We also usually stock locally made ice creams to purchase from the back door.
For families
We can offer a babysitting service by an experienced local babysitter, at £6.00 per hour - this service will need to be booked at least a week in advance. We also have travel cots and a high chair for guests’ use. If you would like to use one of our travel cots please request this on your booking form or by email. Please note we cannot provide bedding for the travel cots so you will need to supply your own. For those wishing to cycle, we have 1 child seat for babies, but if you would like to use a child bike trailer (for children aged up to about 4) we can recommend a local bike hire business who can supply & deliver not only a 2-seater trailer but also a range of bikes and accessories.
Bedding
For stays of 3 nights or more in our own accommodation bedding is included in the price - see booking form for details. Bedding consists of 100% cotton sheets, wool blankets and a throw - plus pillows with 100% cotton 400 tc pillowcases. If you prefer you can bring your own bedding - in which case all we will supply is the bed & mattress. (nb - all bookings in Badger Cottage come with bedding included, regardless of the length of stay). We have one single and one double mosquito net available for guests to use - if you would like to make use of this please email us.
Spa days, golf & health club
Ufford park have kindly offered us a massive discount to pass on to our guests - 50% off day membership in the Health Club (including indoor swimming pool, spa bath (pictured right), sauna & steam room, plus their fully equipped gym) and 25% off any of their Spa experiences ranging from short treatments to full spa days. Ufford also offer Alde Garden guests a 2 for 1 offer on a round of 18 holes of golf. Vouchers are usually sent out with your booking confirmation - if you don't receive them or you forget to bring them with you please ask when you arrive and we will happily supply some more.
Holistic therapies
Massage therapy, cranio-sacral, aromatherapy & reiki are all offered within a 5-min stroll of the site. Please click here for details.
Fishing
Fishing is available at nearby Mill House in Earl Soham - just a short bike ride away. Please click here for more details.
Local Food Delivery
We've teamed up with The Suffolk Providore to enable our guests to order fresh, wholesome and very local produce - delivered to your accommodation in time for your holiday. On offer is a superbly vast array of very good quality food and drink from a large selection of Suffolk's fantastic producers. Orders must be placed direct with The Suffolk Providore by 9am on the Tuesday before the start of your holiday.
Sweffling White Horse
The pub onsite is open four evenings a week (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays) from 7pm serving a selection of locally brewed ales, local spirits, cyders and soft drinks. Although we don't serve sit-down meals, we have a small selection of very tasty locally made pies and snacks on offer. Well behaved children are welcome before 9pm. Check the pub's website for up-to-date info on what's happening in the pub.
Horse & Trap rides
Rides are available from the pub most weekend evenings at 7pm (weather permitting) and at other times if arranged in advance. The drive will take you through local villages and countryside, and you can choose from either a short or long drive with a maximum of 5 people per carriage. For pub drives, simply get to the pub for 7pm, and for booking a drive at another time please contact Alde Driving direct on 01728 746226 or 07956 937464.
