This area of Suffolk is an ideal choice for a short break or longer holiday, with many local market towns and unspoilt villages and hamlets, rolling countryside and miles of heritage coast. Wherever you go there are interesting places, traditional local pubs and numerous rural tracks and paths.

The historic site of Sutton Hoo is nearby as are the castles at Orford and Framlingham. In the Middle Ages the wool merchants made this area very wealthy. The results of this are still visible today in the many splendid churches throughout the county and in picturesque towns and villages such as Lavenham and Dedham. Dedham on the River Stour is at the heart of ‘Constable Country’ made famous through the paintings of John Constable and is easily accessible, as is Flatford, his birthplace and scene of his most famous paintings.

The riverside town of Woodbridge is seven miles away with the Suffolk heritage coastline beyond, studded with Martello towers – a relic of the Napoleonic wars. Here seaside towns like Southwold and Aldeburgh can be enjoyed along with beaches such as Walberswick or Dunwich as well as the unique areas of Minsmere bird reserve and Orford Ness.

Ipswich is the County town of Suffolk and offers all the facilities one would expect from a major town. The exciting developments around the wet dock, once the largest in England, have generated a new vibrancy to the area successfully integrating modern structures with Sixteenth century merchants’ houses which are some of the oldest buildings in the town.

Dating from Saxon times the town is the birthplace of Cardinal Wolsey. It received its Royal Charter from King John in 1200 and was an important centre for the wool trade. There are many historic buildings including the Ancient House built in 1567. The front of the building is an outstanding example of Suffolk pargeting part of which depicts the continents of the world as they were then known. Christchurch Mansion is a classic example of Elizabethan architecture. It is set within Christchurch Park, and is now a museum and art gallery housing a collection of works by Constable, Gainsborough, Munnings and many other famous Suffolk artists.

Witnesham itself is a small village 4 miles north of Ipswich. There is a Post Office and the local pub, The Barley Mow, is just five minutes walk from Mill House and serves local beers and meals seven days a week.

There are also pubs serving good food in the neighbouring villages. Just over a mile away is the Moon & Mushroom at Swilland, which always has at least six regional real ales on tap. Approximately one mile by road or a 3/4 mile walk along the river valley is the Tuddenham Fountain, a gastropub serving good quality meals. Both pubs are listed in the 2008 Good Pub Guide.

There are many other choices for eating in Ipswich, Woodbridge and the surrounding area.

Half a mile away is Fynn Valley Golf Course (18 and 9 hole plus driving range) and for those who enjoy horse riding Newton Hall Equitation Centre is in the neighbouring village. There are also many local footpaths including the Fynn Valley walk which follows the river to Woodbridge.

There is a regular bus service to Ipswich and Framlingham if you prefer to leave the car behind. From neighbouring Westerfield you can catch trains to London, Felixstowe and the East Suffolk line to Lowestoft.