Tried and Tested 25 Park Lane

Welcome to the latest edition of our Tried and Tested blog series, highly commended at the East of England Tourism Awards 2021-22. In this edition, Becky, our Customer and Owner Relations Manager, enjoyed a festive weekend away at 25 Park Lane in Aldeburgh, with her cousin Hannah, Hannah’s husband and her two god daughters, Sylvie and Nancy.

Ideal for families or groups of friends, a stay at 25 Park Lane is perfect for those wishing to explore the Suffolk coast. It’s close to the bustling high street and beach, meaning unless you want to venture outside Aldeburgh, there is no need to use the car.

Our Tried and Tested blog series is designed for you, our customers. We try and test our stylish places to stay, and document our impressions, places we visited and where we ate.

Want to know how Becky, Hannah Sylvie and Nancy got on during their festive Tried and Tested weekend away? Read on…

About 25 Park Lane

Sleeping six across three bedrooms, 25 Park Lane offers the ideal location for a group of friends or family wishing to explore the traditional coastal town of Aldeburgh. It’s dog-friendly and allows two well-behaved dogs, meaning there is no need to leave anyone behind when holidaying at 25 Park Lane.

The kitchen/dining room is well-equipped with everything you need to test your cooking skills. Plus, the integrated dishwasher means no one has to spend too much time cleaning up afterwards. The property offers a dual-aspect reception room, which boasts a wood-burning stove, perfect for snuggling up and relaxing during the cooler months.

Two bedrooms offer king-sized beds, and the third room homes twin beds. Each bedroom has storage facilities, allowing you to unpack and make yourself at home during your stay.

You can also enjoy your own outdoor space. The north-facing rear garden boasts a BBQ, perfect for the spring/summer months and garden furniture to relax in.

About

A traditional seaside town on the Suffolk coast, Aldeburgh has something to keep everyone entertained whether you’re staying as a couple, with family or visiting with friends.

Its beautiful pebble beach is perfect for skimming stones, whilst its bustling high street is full of independent shops and well-known retailers, as well as plenty of establishments to take a seat and watch the world go by. Cafes, restaurants, delis and pubs, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Renowned for its fish and chips, arguably one of the best in the country, Aldeburgh also homes an independent cinema, a yacht club and antique stores and bookstores.

First impressions

We were all looking forward to arriving at 25 Park Lane for our festive weekend away. Nancy and Sylvie were so excited they had to be the first through the door, and as soon as we entered, we knew we were in for a great weekend.

After unpacking, we settled down to enjoy the welcome pack of a bottle of Adnams red wine (and a soft drink for the children). We browsed through the essential welcome folder to ensure we were familiar with the property, and, of course, find the all-important WiFi code.

Our first night

We opted to spend a chilled evening in the stylish 25 Park Lane on our first night. We used the well-equipped kitchen to prepare a party food feast. Afterwards, we got to use the dishwasher, meaning we didn’t have to spend too much time tidying up.

After our tea we retreated to the living room and had so much fun playing the games which were already at 25 Park Lane. The dogs even wanted to get involved. Guess Who was undoubtedly a favourite.

Our Christmas Day

After a fun-filled evening and a good night’s sleep, we decided to do a mini Christmas Day, and 25 Park Lane was the most magical setting for us to do this. The decorations were beautiful, and Santa even came to visit and left Nancy and Sylvie a present and a letter confirming they were on the good list.

We certainly put the kitchen to the test, as we cooked a traditional Christmas turkey with all the trimmings, and I can honestly say it was a seamless affair and enjoyed by all. And, once again, the dishwasher triumphed, massively reducing our cleaning up time.

After our spectacular feast, we all needed some fresh air, so we headed out for a stroll to take in the sea air and explore the high street. Of course, our walk took us to the beach, and you can’t go to the beach without skimming stones.

Visiting Aldeburgh during the festive season is truly magical. The Christmas trees on the beach and throughout the town are just beautiful.

The walk tired out the dogs, (and us too if we’re honest), and as soon as we returned to 25 Park Lane, they snuggled down for a nap.

The evening

As massive Strictly fans, our evening was all about watching the show. Beforehand, the girls had a great time playing ‘Just Dance’ and showing off their dance floor moves.

We had a fantastic evening watching Strictly and loved it even more when Suffolk’s very own Ed Sheeran performed.

Our last day

After another great night’s sleep, Nancy and Sylvie got up and wanted to spend some time looking out of the huge bay window and enjoying the sea views in the distance on the comfy window seat.

Again, we took advantage of the well-equipped kitchen for a breakfast of bubble and squeak using the leftovers from our Christmas lunch.

After our hearty breakfast, we got ready for the day ahead. There was plenty of hot water for us all, and we were able to get this done swiftly. We then headed to nearby Snape Maltings, which had a Christmas event. We eagerly awaited Santa to turn up on his barge and greet all the children (big and small).

After our encounter with Santa, we all enjoyed exploring Snape Maltings and learning all about the history.

Our main event was seeing The Snowman, which was being shown alongside a live Orchestra. We all really enjoyed the event, and the music added extra drama to the show.

Finally, the last stop on our trip with The Plough and Sail for a late lunch before heading back home . The food is freshly prepared using local produce, and all five of us thoroughly enjoyed this.

If I had more time, I would…

…walk to Thorpeness

Only 2.1 miles away is the coastal village of Thorpeness. Walkable from Aldeburgh along the coastal path, you can take in the beautiful scenery and stop at one of the eateries for a well earned rest when you arrive.

…Visit Aldeburgh cinema

Within Aldeburgh, you will also find an independent cinema, which has been open for over 100 years and shows an array of films, from big blockbusters to independent films. I always love the atmosphere of an independent cinema, so this will certainly be on my to-do list for next time.

The verdict

25 Park Lane is a great family-friendly property in a great location in Aldeburgh. There are oodles of games and activities to keep the children entertained, and even the dogs felt at home. We all loved the space and left with lots of happy memories.

A festive break or a 2023 getaway, why not book your next holiday at 25 Park Lane and find out for yourself what a fabulous family-friendly property it is?