Self catering holiday cottages

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions guests ask us most about staying at Iken Barns, from which barn suits you to dogs, check-in and getting here. If you can't find what you need, just get in touch.

The barns

How many people can stay at Iken Barns?

There are five converted barns, which sleep up to 14 people across nine bedrooms between them. Lambings sleeps four, Old Mill House and Farriers Cottage sleep three each, and Greenacres and Gardeners Den sleep two each.

Can we book the whole site for a group?

Yes. The barns can be booked one at a time or all together, which suits family gatherings, milestone birthdays and groups of friends who want to be together but have their own space.

Which barn is right for us?

Here's how the five barns compare:

BarnBedroomsSleepsHeatingOutdoor space
Lambings3 (king + 2 singles)4Gas stove, underfloorEnclosed patio
Old Mill House2 (king + single)3Wood burner, underfloorPrivate patio
Farriers Cottage2 (king + single)3Gas stove, underfloorPrivate patio
Greenacres1 (king)2Gas stove, underfloorEnclosed patio
Gardeners Den1 (king, upstairs)2Wood burner, underfloorPrivate patio, with views over the estuary to Snape Maltings

What's included in our stay?

Every barn comes with bed linen and towels, wifi, a smart TV, a well-equipped kitchen, hairdryers, an iron and ironing board, and parking for two cars.

Do the barns have wood burners?

Old Mill House and Gardeners Den have wood burners. Lambings, Farriers Cottage and Greenacres have a gas stove in the living room. Every barn has underfloor heating.

Are any of the barns on one level?

Yes. Lambings, Greenacres, Old Mill House and Farriers Cottage are all on one level, so there are no stairs. Gardeners Den has its bedroom upstairs, with the bathroom downstairs.

Is there parking?

Each barn has parking for two cars right outside, with plenty more space on site, and there's cycle storage for guests.

Dogs

Can we bring our dog?

Yes. Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome in every barn. Dogs need to be on a lead around the Iken Barns site, and the Alde estuary is only a short walk away, with plenty of dog-friendly pubs, beaches and walks nearby.

Which barns have an enclosed outdoor space?

Lambings and Greenacres have enclosed patios. Old Mill House, Farriers Cottage and Gardeners Den have private patios with seating.

Location and getting here

Where is Iken Barns?

Tunstall Road, Iken, Woodbridge IP12 2EP. The barns sit above the Alde estuary between Snape and Orford, on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, close to Aldeburgh, Orford, Woodbridge and Southwold.

How far is Snape Maltings?

Snape Maltings is about 2 miles away by road, and you can walk there along the estuary. Snape's pub is about a 30-minute walk from the barns.

How do we get there by train or car?

The nearest train stations are Saxmundham and Wickham Market, with connections from London Liverpool Street via Ipswich. By car, it's about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from London along the A12, and Iken is only a few minutes from the A12.

Things to do

What is there to do nearby?

There are footpaths, tracks and quiet roads for walking and cycling straight from the barns, and birdwatching both on site and at the reserves at Snape Warren and Minsmere. The Suffolk Heritage Coast has beaches, forests and heaths, plus places like Orford Castle, Pump Street Bakery and the RSPB boat trips to Havergate Island from Orford Quay.

Can we bring kayaks or paddleboards?

Yes. There's a launching point into the Alde estuary, so you can head straight out onto the water from the barns.

Where can we eat?

There is a pub in Snape, about a 30-minute walk away, and plenty of local restaurants and gastro pubs, most serving locally sourced food. If you'd rather eat in, every barn has a well-equipped kitchen, and there are well-stocked farm shops nearby.

Booking and your stay

How do we book?

You can check availability and book online through our booking page, or book directly by calling 01728 688899 or emailing info@ikenbarns.com. You can also reach Kate on 07927 690336.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary by barn and time of year, and you'll see the price for your dates on our booking page, or by calling 01728 688899 or emailing info@ikenbarns.com. You can also reach Kate on 07927 690336.

Can we book a short break?

Yes. We welcome all sorts of stays, from short breaks to longer holidays, so check our booking page to see what's available for your dates, or ask by calling 01728 688899 or emailing info@ikenbarns.com. You can also reach Kate on 07927 690336.

How far ahead should we book?

The weeks around the Aldeburgh Festival in June book up first, so it's worth booking as soon as the festival organisers release their dates. The school holidays don't tend to book up in the same way.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in is from 4pm and check-out is by 10am. Check-in is self-service: there's a key safe at the entrance to the property, and we send you the code before your arrival day.

Self catering holiday cottages

Gardeners Den

1 bedroom · Sleeps 2 · Parking · Patio · Views · Dogs welcome · Wood burner · Wifi · Bed linen · Towels
Gardeners Den provides you with comfortable accommodation with stunning views over lawns and the Alde Estuary. From the upstairs bedroom you can see Snape Maltings over the salt marshes. Gardeners Den is located perfectly for that quiet get away and is ideal for walkers, dog walkers, bird watchers, cyclists, canoe or paddle boarders and those just wanting to relax and explore this exceptional area around the Suffolk Heritage Coast.
SEE Gardeners Den

Greenacres

1 bedroom · Sleeps 2 · Parking · Views · Dogs welcome · Enclosed Patio · Wifi · Bed linen · Towels
Greenacres provides comfortable accommodation in one of the former farm buildings with exposed original brickwork and timber roof beams complemented by a lovely view across the fields and a short walk to the Alde Estuary. Located perfectly for that quiet get away, Greenacres is ideal for walkers, dog walkers, bird watchers, cyclists, canoe or paddle boarders and those just wanting to relax and explore this exceptional area around the Suffolk Heritage Coast.
SEE Greenacres

Farriers Cottage

2 bedrooms · Sleeps 3 · Parking · Patio · Views · Dogs welcome · Wifi · Bed linen · Towels
Farriers Cottage provides comfortable accommodation in one of the former farm buildings with exposed original brickwork and timber roof beams complemented by a lovely view across the fields and a short walk to the Alde Estuary. Located perfectly for that quiet get away, Farriers Cottage is ideal for walkers, dog walkers, bird watchers, cyclists, canoe or paddle boarders and those just wanting to relax and explore this exceptional area around the Suffolk Heritage Coast.
SEE Farriers Cottage

Lambings

3 bedrooms · Sleeps 4 · Parking · Views · Dogs welcome · Enclosed Patio · Wifi · Bed linen · Towels
Lambings provides comfortable accommodation in one of the former farm buildings with exposed original brickwork and timber roof beams complemented by a lovely view across the fields and a short walk to the Alde Estuary. Located perfectly for that quiet get away, Lambings is ideal for walkers, dog walkers, bird watchers, cyclists, canoe or paddle boarders and those just wanting to relax and explore this exceptional area around the Suffolk Heritage Coast.
SEE Lambings

Old Mill House

2 bedrooms · Sleeps 3 · Parking · Patio · Views · Dogs welcome · Wood burner · Wifi · Bed linen · Towels
Old Mill House provides comfortable accommodation in one of the former farm buildings with exposed original brickwork and timber roof beams complemented by a lovely view across the fields and a short walk to the Alde Estuary. Located perfectly for that quiet get away, Old Mill House is ideal for walkers, dog walkers, bird watchers, cyclists, canoe or paddle boarders and those just wanting to relax and explore this exceptional area around the Suffolk Heritage Coast.
SEE Old Mill House
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