Hi I’m Mark After travelling the world, I decided to settle down in Suffolk twenty years ago and started my own little business with a beautiful old derelict farm complex, which I converted into six lovely little cottages for people to escape from city life and enjoy the wonderfully rural experience that this area amazingly has, despite it’s close proximity to London. I love what I do and am ‘Hands On’ with welcoming guests to my own six cottages, as well as looking after my Cottage Agency 'The Grove Cottages' that soon developed as other owners came asking me to take on their cottages and give them the same level of personal customer care, attention, and promotion that we are known and appreciated for. I don’t want to be a huge company, I’m very happy to have a small agency where personal involvement is always the priority and where I can pick only places which I love and know inside out to join us. I am always available to answer any questions and above all else I want you to be in a cottage that suits you, so you will become our ambassador. Please do ask me a question about this cottage and I will give you a very honest answer. Best Wishes Mark - The Grove Cottages

Hidden away at the end of a cart track, perched on a hill overlooking the river Stour in a tiny hamlet of six 17th Century cottages, is this cosy little farm workers cottage: peacefully, happily lost from the world. Putts Cottage overlooks fields, a wooded valley and nature reserve. The cottage is reached by a private unmade road of nearly a kilometre, you feel like you have really reached someone’s hidden hideout when you arrive. This cottage is a great place to escape to, it is very cosy and snug and has some beautiful footpaths to explore, with the river Stour at the bottom of the hill and an excellent riverside pub called The Henny Swan providing snacks and gastro dining. You can also book yourself a paddleboard or canoe session there. Walkers, cyclists and doggies will love it. Putts Cottage has exposed beams, a log burner, traditional brick floors, two double bedrooms, a bathroom with a Victorian ¾ length bath and a well-equipped Kitchen diner. Please note that this old cottage has quite a steep staircase, so please bear this in mind if you have a baby or child or one of you is less than fully mobile. 2 cars can get into the private parking place - but the turning is too tight for a long wheelbased Van. This is a cute little cottage and although there are two double bedrooms it is more comfortable for two or maybe three guests. Just yards away the Pilgrims Way and other footpaths cross, so this is a great location for walking with lovely views over the River Stour valley. 2 well behaved doggies are welcome. Banned Dogs: Please also note that if you are considering bringing a dog breed which may be thought of as a danger or a concern to others, then please check with us first to discuss before booking. There is a 20 Pound charge per pet for up to 7 nights. Please note that cottage owners cannot accept pets that have not been paid for, so please make sure that you have paid for your pet before arrival.

The cottage looks straight across to the lawned garden which has a cosy seating area perfect for a relaxing snack or drink. There are lovely views over the valley to the woods beyond, a few steps away are two famous footpaths: the Stour Valley path and The St Edmunds Way. There are enchanting walks down to the river Stour or across the valley and up into the Daws Hall Nature Reserve. I should mention that there is a pylon line running over Hickbush, but you can’t see it from inside the cottage and you don’t notice it when you are sitting in the lovely garden. Just read the reviews to find out how the guests love this cute little cottage. You are 12-minutes from Sudbury which has shops, supermarkets, restaurants, a swimming pool, a train station linking to London Liverpool St, The Quay Theatre, the Gainsborough House Museum, Street: markets are on Thursdays and Saturdays. The Stour River Valley has a rich history and was immortalised in John Constables paintings like The Haywain. Rowing boats can be hired at Dedham and Flatford Mill, or book a paddle board experience through the paddle company, or bring your own. This area is part of Dedham vale and is a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty … and it is easy to see why.