Welcome to The Old Monkey, a quaint little bolt-hole that ticks all the boxes. This charming cottage boasts an open log fire, welcomes well-behaved dogs, and is situated on the edge of a historic market town with shops and pubs just a couple of hundred yards away.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 247 sq m
Popular amenities
Pet-friendly
Parking available
Dryer
Washer
Fireplace
Kitchen
The current price is AU$909
AU$909
includes taxes & fees
26 Aug - 27 Aug
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks
4 Star Awarded, The Old Monkey has bags of character in a quirky little bolt-hole.
This lovely place will really appeal to a lot of guests, especially those on shorter breaks who always ask how far is the nearest pub, restaurant, shop, walk, cycle route – because this place really ticks all those boxes. The Old Monkey also boasts an open log fire and welcomes guests with a well behaved dog.
Cottage Walk Through.
The entrance to ‘The Old Monkey’ is on the side of the ancient House which was once a pub called The Kings Arms.
As there were a few Kings Arms around it got the nickname ‘The Old Monkey’ to set it apart, there is a nice courtyard with bench seating.
The Old Monkey is a tiny but very cosy cottage and a romantic little place to stay. It has every modern convenience but still retains masses of original charm and character with its ancient wattle and daub walls, a wealth of beams, tiny steep staircase, lovely lime wash painted walls and a cosy open log fire with a comfy sofa to enjoy it from.
The main room with its open log fire has a pretty antique farmhouse table to enjoy meals in front of the fire.
The contemporary galley style Kitchen makes the preparation of meals very easy and is complete with a pretty Belfast sink, microwave, washing machine, electric hob and oven.
There is a modern shower bathroom located on the ground floor (please note that we do not provide towels – sorry) and central heating in all rooms.
The stairs winding up into the bedroom (we do provide bed linen) from the main room, give away the age of the building and people with mobility problems should not book this cottage – for the able bodied it is just another part of the lovely character of The Old Monkey. Please note that because of the steep stairs this cottage is not suitable for Babies or children.
The bedroom has a high arched ceiling displaying the beautiful ancient beams, it has a snuggly double bed, not a kingsized one.
We also supply a lovely breakfast basket containing eggs, tomatoes, butter, bread and milk, all local produce if possible – season permitting.
The cottage also contains tea, coffee and olive oil, salt and pepper. When you contact us to make Arrival Arrangements you can let us know if you have any dietary requirements to avoid food wastage.
There is free on-street parking available outside or opposite in a quiet Cul-de-sac
The Gardens
There is no garden at The Old Monkey, just a place to sit out in the courtyard.
Outside
You are on the edge of the small Historic Market Town of Hadleigh, shops start a couple of hundred yards away. There are several good pubs and unique little shops plus a Co-Op supermarket.
Hadleigh has over 250 listed historical buildings in it and the church was painted by John Constable.
Just around the corner from the cottage is a footpath taking you along the old railway line which is now a rambling / cycle route out into the countryside.
There is a pretty riverside walk round Hadleigh.
Green Credentials
The Old Monkey dates back to 1250 and was renovated during the 1990s utilising timber and bricks from the standing building. The interior and exterior walls have been coloured with traditional lime wash where possible. The furniture is all old/antique and hopefully did not use any polluting energy to produce.
All rugs are old and pre-date modern chemicals.
Our welcome basket includes local Suffolk bacon, organic eggs and tomatoes from our garden when in season, very local bread and locally sourced fruit where possible.
Situated within a town, our guests generally explore on foot and many are shocked to find the car unused after a five day stay!
We have a wild pond within our own garden that encourages a plethora of amphibians, grass snakes and insects that feed the local bird population, listen to the night time hoot of the owls.
We encourage recycling and have made every effort to reduce/eliminate usage of plastic.
Our well-seasoned fire wood and kindling is all sourced within 5 miles and often from our own garden having been stacked outside to support the local invertebrates.
Local Area
You are in the pretty river valley that starts in Lavenham which is regarded as England’s Best Preserved Medieval Village and is full of stunning houses, a Guildhall Museum, wool church and many good pubs and restaurants including the famous Great House and The Swan Hotel. The pretty little riverside villages of Brent Eleigh, Monks Eleigh, Chelsworth and Bildeston all lie along this river valley and are beautiful places to explore.
Flatford Mill, where Constable painted ‘The Haywain’ is just a short drive down the road and is somewhere we all love to go to, especially in Summer when we hire a rowing boat there and row down river to have a lazy picnic day.
This area is amazingly rural and untouched by city life, with tiny single track lanes leading nowhere or to a pub, footpaths galore and tiny Medieval Villages where time seems to have stood still.
If you are staying for more than a weekend then a day out at the unspoilt Suffolk Coast is always a lovely trip.
The coast starts just 30 minutes away near Ipswich and our favourite beaches and places on the coast are between 50 – 70 minutes away, places like Pin Mill, Nacton, Levington, Orford, Aldeburgh, Dunwich, Southwold and Mersey Island.
The nearby Medieval Villages of Long Melford, famed for its setting for the Lovejoys TV series, Nayland, sitting prettily on the river Stour, Polstead, with its bluebells woods and impressive views over the Box river valley are all close by and there are many more tiny villages with lovely walks and Pubs to explore.
This is an area where you feel a million miles away from city life and can really relax and enjoy just being part of it.
Standard Inclusive Features
Kitchen: The Cottgage is a complete little home and facilities include modern central heating, refrigerator, hobs, oven and / or microwave, toaster, crockery & serving dishes, cutlery, many utensils, fire-extinguisher, lots of pots & pans, glasses & mugs, kettle, coffee maker, teapot, kitchen towels, oven gloves, olive oil, salt & pepper, sugar, herbs, tea, fresh and instant coffee, washing up liquid, cloths, general cleaning materials, etc.
Bathroom: Soap, towels are not provided (sorry), bath mats, shaver point, toilet brush, toilet roll.
Bedroom: Cotton bed linen, wardrobe with coat hangers / chest of drawers, iron, ironing board, hairdryer.
Living room: If your cottage has an open fire or stove then a basket with firewood and a bucket with coal will be provided free and more will be available at cost and there will be firelighters provided, TV, books, games, magazines, local brochures, OS and other maps, folder with our special ‘What To Do’ Insiders Guide to the local area.
Dog: We are happy to accept one doggie, charges apply at £20 for up to 7 nights.
Bikes: Unfortunately bikes are not provided at this cottage but if you call the office you can pick some up from The old Grove Farm which is just 15 minutes away and cycle round the lovely countryside there.
Well behaved Dogs are always welcome, please refer to All About Bringing Pets for charges, rules and how this cottage may suit your pet.
Property manager
The Grove Cottages
Languages
Czech, English, German
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Books
Games
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Free firewood
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Area rugs in public areas
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping (limited availability)
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near a hospital
Things to do
Optional golf privileges
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Motor boating nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Property does not allow children
Unit size: 506 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:30 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
This property does not allow children
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property is also known as
629859
About the area
Hadleigh, Suffolk
What's nearby
Flatford Mill - 15 min drive - 12.4 km
Portman Road - 18 min drive - 19.2 km
Jimmy's Farm - 19 min drive - 22.6 km
Ipswich Regent Theatre - 20 min drive - 20.5 km
Ipswich Waterfront - 20 min drive - 20.5 km
Getting around
Ipswich (IPW-Ipswich Train Station) - 16 min drive
Restaurants
Starbucks
White Hart - 8 min drive
Greggs - 9 min walk
Jet Lounge @99 - 11 min walk
The Marquis - 2 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks?
As of 25 Aug 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks on 26 Aug 2025 start from AU$909.42, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What time is check-in at Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks located?
Situated in a rural location, this cottage is 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Wolves Wood RSPB Reserve and within 6 miles (10 km) of Dedham Vale and Lavenham Falconry. RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden and Flatford Mill are also within 9 miles (15 km).
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Quirky little Bolt-Hole, bags of character by a Historic Town with lovely walks Reviews
Reviews
10
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Very nice quaint cottage everything you need for a comfortable stay. Bed very comfy. The only downside for me was the very steep narrow stairs but were manageable. The owner was very nice and helpful lovely breakfast basket left in the kitchen with bacon eggs tomatoes bread butter and milk. A fire made in the grate just needed lighting. I had a very pleasant stay would definitely stay there again.