Retreat East
Country-chic eco-luxury — think exposed beams, four-poster beds, outdoor baths, SMEG fridges, and Grind coffee machines. Rustic bones, seriously considered interiors. Voted Sunday Times Most Romantic Hotel of 2023.
The spa is small — just two treatment rooms. Book ahead the moment you reserve your barn, or you'll miss out.
Why It Matters
Named Sunday Times Most Romantic Hotel of 2023. The head chef and sommelier operate a hyper-local, waste-nothing food philosophy — sourcing from the on-site organic kitchen garden and East Anglian artisan producers. The Times called it 'a balm for stressed-out souls.' Owner Dominic Richards, a Prince of Wales architecture school graduate, modelled it on sustainability principles learned at Highgrove.
A 16th-century dairy farm turned eco-luxury retreat, Retreat East spreads 28 individually designed barns, shepherd's huts, and a four-bedroom farmhouse across 35 acres of Suffolk countryside outside Ipswich. The Great Barn — a soaring, purpose-built hall with 22ft ceilings — anchors the site with its award-winning restaurant, bar, and cedar-clad spa. Everything here is built around slowing down: no two accommodations are the same, the kitchen garden feeds the menu, and solar panels and a borehole quietly handle the sustainability.
Where You'll Stay
15 room types available
Shepherd's Huts (Aviary, Cote, Pen, Stall, Hideaway)
Five luxurious shepherd's huts, each sleeping two adults and one dog. King-sized bed, ensuite shower room, tea and coffee making facilities, cosy wood-burner — all furnished in the house country-chic style. Additional electric heating on top of the wood-burner.
1 king
The Coop
A luxury field barn with a wood-burning fire and open-plan living space. King-sized four-poster bed, walk-in shower, and French doors opening onto a private deck with an outdoor bathtub under a small canopy and two deck chairs.
1 king four-posterThe Cow House
The oldest barn on the estate, lovingly restored into a double-height living space. The principal bedroom features a sculptural bathtub separated from a luxurious double shower by a timber screen, with underfloor-heated pebbles. Two double bedrooms (one can convert to twin), accommodates up to two children, dog-friendly.
2 double (one convertible to twin)The Den
A charming, open-plan one-bedroom studio with a magnificent linen four-poster bed and a skylight that frames the Suffolk sky. Full kitchen with Grind coffee machine, SMEG fridge, oven, hob, microwave, and dishwasher. Adjoining sitting room. Dog-friendly (up to two pets, £25 each). Not suitable for children.
1 four-poster doubleThe Drey
Identical in spec to The Coop — a luxury field barn with wood-burning fire, four-poster king bed, walk-in shower, French doors to a private deck with an outdoor bathtub under a canopy.
1 king four-posterThe Farmhouse
The ancient heart of the farm. A 16th-century timber-framed Suffolk farmhouse with three double bedrooms and one twin — sleeps up to eight. Set within its own private gardens, with a private hot tub on the back deck, outdoor dining table, and French doors from the kitchen. Child-friendly.
3 double, 1 twinThe Granary
An authentic converted dairy barn with a beautifully designed open-plan kitchen and living area, spacious dining room, and a private terrace with uninterrupted field views. Mezzanine level adds sleeping space for children (5+). Kitchen has a Grind coffee machine, SMEG fridge, oven, hob, microwave, and dishwasher. Dog-friendly.
2 double + mezzanine for childrenThe Hayloft
High-ceilinged, open-plan barn combining privacy and space. A sculptural bathtub sits in the bedroom area for a moment of peaceful luxury. Private outdoor sun trap. Sleeps two adults, one baby in a cot, and up to two dogs.
1 doubleThe Little Warren / Little Hive / Little Burrow
Cosy studio-style barns for two, each with a luxurious king-size bed (Little Burrow has a four-poster), ensuite shower room, and a skylight. Not suitable for dogs or children.
1 king (or four-poster in Little Burrow)The Nest / Lodge / Rookery / Sty
A cluster of luxury field barns matching the Coop/Drey specification: wood-burning fire, open-plan living, four-poster king bed, walk-in shower, French doors to a private deck with outdoor bathtub under a canopy and two deck chairs.
1 king four-posterThe Nook
A one-bedroom studio barn with a four-poster bed and a skylight ceiling. Full kitchen with Grind coffee machine and SMEG fridge. Adjoining sitting room. Dog-friendly (up to two pets, £25 each). Not suitable for children.
1 four-poster doubleThe Piggery
A large romantic one-bedroom barn with characterful timber framing, a generous bathroom with walk-in shower and sculptural bath, and a private sheltered courtyard twice the size of the barn itself. Sleeps two adults, one baby in a cot, and up to two dogs.
1 doubleThe Roost
A two-storey former dairy barn flipped upside-down: kitchen, dining and living are on the upper floor, elegant bedrooms on the ground floor. Private terrace with uninterrupted field views. Sleeps four, child-friendly for ages 5+.
2 doubleThe Stables
A large two-bedroom oak-framed barn with a striking bathtub positioned right at the end of the bed — a genuinely theatrical moment of retreat. Sleeps four, child-friendly.
2 doubleThe Two Bedroom Burrow
A beautifully styled country-chic field barn with two spacious double bedrooms separated by an open-plan living and dining area. Wood-burning stove, full kitchen with Grind coffee machine and SMEG fridge. One bed can be twinned. Accommodates up to two children.
2 double (one convertible to twin)The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
On-site archery for guests of all levels.
Using specially crafted throwing axes, guests learn the full range of techniques for throwing from different distances.
A classic country club activity available at the on-site shooting ground.
Eight complimentary bicycles available for guests to explore the Suffolk countryside. Great for gentle rides through surrounding villages and country lanes.
35 acres of meadows, wildflower gardens and organic countryside to explore on foot. Nature trail suitable for children.
A whole-body aerobic exercise suitable for all ages and fitness levels, guided through the 35 acres of Suffolk countryside.
Tailored personal fitness sessions in the on-site gym. Enquire at reception or email reception@retreateast.co.uk.
Group or private yoga sessions on request. A great way to start a morning or wind down in the afternoon.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The Stables and The Hayloft have wheelchair access (not wheelchair-accessible showers). A ramp is available on request for the Great Barn restaurant.
Barbour wellies available to borrow with a substantial deposit.
All stays include continental breakfast. Full Suffolk breakfast available to purchase.
Free parking. In summer, cars are restricted from the main site — drop luggage, then park near reception.
Most barns welcome dogs (£25 per dog per stay). Earthbound dog bed, bowl, and CUB dog treats provided.
Small but thoughtfully stocked shop at reception. Also sells the Retreat East Suffolk gin (limited edition) and Loggique spa products.
On-site organic farm garden at the top of the site next to the wildflower meadow, feeding the restaurant's seasonal menus.
Included for all staying guests in pre-booked 30-minute slots.
Complimentary for guests, must be pre-booked in 30-minute slots.
BUILD YOUR RETREAT EAST PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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