Upper Lodge, Shotley

4.4★

6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Ground floor bedroom
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

19 Customer Review(s)

Peter
May 2025

“I left behind by mistake, on 23rd May, a computer charging cable, but nobody contacted me regarding this.”

So I have to do chasing up on this myself. Also tried, during our holiday week and during working hours, to contact Sykes by phone about using a 10% discount on a future booking - but no reply after 4 minutes waiting. Otherwise cottage fine, lovely and peaceful with good walks from the door.

So I have to do chasing up on this myself. Also tried, during our holiday week and during working hours, to contact Sykes by phone about using a 10% discount on a future booking - but no reply after 4 minutes waiting. Otherwise cottage fine, lovely and peaceful with good walks from the door.

- Peter, May 2025
Diane February 2025

“Another great stay - our third - and even though the weather was a little disappointing this time, we still enjoyed the walks and the views.”

Our family and grandchildren joined us for the weekend, and were kept amply entertained by all the board games - and the table football! We had a heating issue (not helped by the cold winds!) but the owner responded immediately and it was rectified the next day. A really good late winter break in this lovely property.

- Diane, February 2025
Edmund October 2024

“Overall a lovely property.”

It was clean, warm and well appointed with comfortable furniture and beds. The kitchen, too, is well equipped with all the appliances we needed during our stay. There is some overdue maintenance although none of this affected us or our enjoyment of the property. The views from the windows, particularly upstairs are lovely, well worth stopping for a while to take in.

- Edmund, October 2024

Thank you for the feedback. The house is under-going some work next month, including a second attempt at resolving the issues with the floor in the main room. I do hope you come back and see how it looks next year. Property Owner
Alexandra August 2024

“The property is very well presented and most comfortable to live in and the cleanliness is deserving of top marks.”

If you feel like making one improvement I would suggest replacing the mattress in the first bedroom by the front door as that was the only negative. I personally having Parkinson’s Disease would have appreciated a grab handle in the shower. Apart from these two small issues our stay was most enjoyable and I thank you for the use of such a lovely house.

- Alexandra, August 2024
Jane August 2024

“This was our second stay and we enjoyed it very much once again.”

The house is very comfortable and well equipped, is very quiet and peaceful, and has stunning views.

- Jane, August 2024
Stephen March 2024

“Having stayed at Upper lodge for the last seven years, March 2023 was the first time we felt the need to write a review.”

The owners apologised and asked us to give it another go. So in March 2024 we did. On arrival we found the waste bins were not emptied and were left in the main bedroom. The bathroom and en suite bins were full to the brim with the previous occupants rubbish and still in their respective rooms.After emptying the bins we could not find any replacement bin bags in the kitchen drawer at all. Once again we found dog hair on the furniture and seating area floor downstairs. The towels and quilt covers and pillowslips in both double rooms had some dubious stains on them. Some of these stains could have been from the washing machine door rubber which was disgusting and really needed cleaning,which we did before we used it..The tea towels had been washed but still looked grubby. We could not start to enjoy our stay until we had vacuumed the lodge right through with a hoover that desperately needs new floor tools and cleaning out and a new bag fitted. Upper lodge is a stunning property in a beautiful location and we understand that it is a holiday let that is in need of some TLC but it should be CLEAN! We are sorry to say that we are very disappointed as we really look forward to holidaying there.

- Stephen, March 2024

Mr Harmer, thank you very much for your feedback, and we as owners are really sorry to read of these issues. I wish we had known sooner and been able to try to address some of them during your stay. The housekeeping firm have been notified that they have a quality control issue that needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency if whey wish to continue to work for us. Hopefully we will never read of such basic issues happening at our property again. Property Owner
Diane January 2024

“Another great stay in this lovely property.”

The location is perfect for us - lots of walks and wildlife, with great views across to Felixstowe and Harwich.

- Diane, January 2024
Catherine December 2023

“We had a lovely pre Christmas family stay.”

Spectacular views from upper lodge and plenty of space for all. Great walks in the surrounding area and places to eat!

- Catherine, December 2023
Jane September 2023

“Upper Lodge is a stunning property with fantastic views from the front and back windows of the viewing gallery.”

We enjoyed looking at the views through the telescope. The property is in a very peaceful location. The kitchen is well equipped and we very much enjoyed our week's holiday here. We would disagree with the wording on the Sykes website which states that "children and any pets can run around safely" as one side of the back garden is completely open and leads to the road (albeit a quiet country lane). Because of this, we would have appreciated some outdoor lighting in the back garden.

- Jane, September 2023
Paul September 2023

“Yes there were a few things the steps on from door are not wheel chair friendly ...”

Yes there were a few things the steps on from door are not wheel chair friendly the flooring needs replacing cracked in places frying pan was always making food stick not enough seating in the loung area for 4 people but generally clean and liveable but we didn’t let this spoil holiday

- Paul, September 2023

Many thanks for your comments. I am glad you had a good holiday. To pick up a couple of your points: 1. The floor has been an issue since we bought the place. We did a lot of work 3-4 years ago to try to resolve the issues and it has not worked. We are working on plan B... 2. The chairs seem to move around the house! We were there in July and put things back where they are meant to be. We are hoping to get there again in October and will review whether the answer is the house just needs more chairs. 3. There is a frying pan that was new this year, really sorry to hear that it is no longer non-stick. Another thing for our next visit.... sadly living in Scotland we do not get there as often as we would like. Property Owner
Jane August 2023

“We loved our stay at Upper Lodge.”

The river and harbour views are amazing, across the fields, and the huge windows really maximise these views. The top floor look out room is stunning. The house is very light and very peaceful, and there are lovely walks from the house. The house is very well equipped, especially the kitchen. One bedroom is more suited to children with children's single beds, (although they are full length), and without storage or hanging space for clothes. The Shotley peninsula is such a pretty, rural area to explore. We will return for sure.

- Jane, August 2023
Jane June 2023

“We loved the peacefulness of the location and the light.”

Walks from the door and plenty of space to relax at the house.

- Jane, June 2023
Iain May 2023

“Lovely house really enjoyed our stay.”

More sofas are probably needed downstairs we struggled to all sit as a family comfortably down there. Maybe some a few children's toys too in the bedroom.

- Iain, May 2023
Tricia May 2023

“Fantastic property in fantastic location with fantastic views.”

We enjoyed our week there having breakfast on the decking and watching the ships coming and going from Felixtowe and Harwich. There are lots of places to visit all relatively nearby. Very peaceful and secluded with lots of wildlife to watch. Would not hesitate in recommending this property.

- Tricia, May 2023
Jenny April 2023

“The lodge was spectacular in every way.”

Beds comfortable, linen and towels pristine. And every thing you might need in the kitchen. One downside was that the flooring in the kitchen living area was split in places and could cause tripping. The outside doors were difficult to open and close especially for us older people. Fantastic bird watching, we saw marsh harriers and twite also a few brown hares.

- Jenny, April 2023
Stephen March 2023

“We have been to Upper Lodge a number of times and always want to revisit.”

However, the last two visits the people before us had dogs and the furniture and floor were covered with black dog hairs which my wife had to vacuum before we could unpack or enjoy our holiday. Not a good start to our holiday! There were also stains on the downstairs lounger cushions which stopped us from using it at all. I do think that also the bedding should have pillow protectors for hygiene purposes. These seem to be standard practise in every other place we have stayed . Other than that we had a lovely time.

- Stephen, March 2023

I am really sorry to read your feedback and have forwarded it to the housekeepers. There is no excuse for missing the dog hair. We are there ourselves in July and will double-check that things are back in order. There are pillow protectors, and i have no idea why they were not on. I hope you will give the house another chance. Antony (owner) Property Owner
Diane February 2023

“At short notice we felt we needed late winter break and our search criteria (dog friendly, two bathrooms, country location, price, within about 2 hours from home) included Upper Lodge in the short list.”

My wife's review of the photos and description immediately confirmed it as easily the top contender, and we booked it. 3 days later we were there and loved it so much we extended our stay by 3 days! It's a beautifully designed property, very spacious with huge windows and with superb views across the River Orwell to Felixstowe. But the real clincher was the walking around the river and bird life - it was fantastic. The Shotley peninsula is a well-kept secret - beautiful and very quiet, yet within easy reach of South Suffolk's renowned beauty spots.

- Diane, February 2023
Mark December 2022

“Very enjoyable stay, with all the required facilities plus more.”

Will definitely look to get back again in the future.

- Mark, December 2022
Peter October 2022

“A relaxing and tranquil stay in a beautiful house with spectacular views across the fields to Felixstowe docks and the Orwell.”

Great for children and adults alike, whatever the weather.

- Peter, October 2022

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Summary

Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x king-size, 1 x twin
Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area
First-floor viewing gallery
Gas central heating
Electric oven and grill, gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher
TV with FreeSat, iPod docking station, WiFi
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
A travel cot is available
Off-road parking for 3 cars
Gardens, decking, patio furniture, charcoal barbecue
One well-behaved dog welcome downstairs
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 2 miles, pub 2 miles Note: Whilst the majority of the accommodation is ground-floor there are some small steps in the property so please bear this in mind when booking

The property

This iconic holiday home, designed by local architects Andrew Hughes in collaboration with David Gibson Architects, is sympathetic to its context and reflects current concerns of sustainability. Primarily single storey, it’s wonderfully configured with the three large bedrooms and bathrooms at the back of the house, allowing the roomy open plan living space to enjoy views of fields and the river through a wall of windows and doors opening onto the deck and garden. The lookout, on the first floor, has exceptional views of the River Orwell and Harwich Harbour and is a great place to relax with a book, watch the TV or enjoy the surrounding wildlife, sailing boats and cargo ships. Upper Lodge is located on a quiet rural lane and has off road parking at the side for three cars. The informal garden, with ample space to kick a ball, wraps around three sides of the house with a long deck at the front for relaxing in the sun and a shed where bikes or sailing gear can be stored. Ground floor The front door opens into a long hallway with the living space and all bedrooms opening off; wooden stairs rise to the lookout. A bank of cupboards conceal a washing machine and dryer as well as ample hanging and shelf space for storing clothing and footwear. Kitchen/Living/Dining Space Ideal for relaxing with family and friends, this wonderfully light open plan living space with wall of windows, has a well equipped kitchen at one end with refectory table, benches and chairs for meals at home, a sitting area in the centre and table football at the far end to keep guests of any age amused! Equipment includes a fridge, freezer, dishwasher, double oven, five ring gas hob with extractor hood, free standing microwave and iPod docking station. Double Bedroom Decorated in restful colours you’re sure to have a good night’s sleep in the king size zip link bed, which can be set up as a twin on request, and there are bedside units and a chest of drawers. Family Bathroom A large and modern bathroom conveniently located for bedrooms and the living area, with bath, corner shower, wash basin set in a vanity unity, WC, window and heated towel rail. Twin bedroom A spacious room with windows to the west, furnished with sturdy twin beds and a couple of storage units with a selection of books for younger guests and space for you to store your clothes. Master Bedroom This lovely sunny double aspect bedroom with windows facing south to the garden and west has a king size bed, with attractive matching units and bags of hanging and shelf space. Ensuite shower room Cleverly concealed amid the cupboard doors, this chic shower room has a double shower, wash basin set into a vanity unit, WC, heated towel rail and window. Lookout Superbly designed with high windows looking north-west up the River Orwell and across towards the villages of Nacton and Levington to the other bank of the river. There is a wall of windows looking south and east over the fields where you may spot a Marsh Harrier and plenty of hares frolicking. In the distance is the port of Felixstowe so you can watch the enormous container ships during the day or stargaze using the telescope provided at night. This is also the ideal place relax with a book in the supremely comfortable sofa or chair and for the kids to escape with TV and DVD player provided. Outside Upper Lodge is perfectly designed so that you can enjoy the views to the east from the living area and the lookout on the top floor. There's off road parking at the side for three cars and the informal garden wraps around two sides of the house with space to kick a ball or relax on the deck at the front where there's outdoor furniture and a BBQ provided for you to enjoy meals outside.

Floorplans

Floorplan

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

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About the location

CHELMONDISTON

Pin Mill 0.4 miles; Ipswich 6.7 miles; Felixstowe 17.5 miles.

Chelmondiston is a quaint town resting between Ipswich and Felixstowe in Suffolk. The town is well-known for its historic church and offers the welcoming Red Lion pub for dining out, a well-stocked convenience store for stocking up on essentials, and the Hill Farm Equestrian Centre. The lovely hamlet of Pin Mill is just moments away, where you’ll find the popular Butt & Oyster, The Sunshine Store, and a beautiful National Trust Walk where you can wander through idyllic woodlands with views of the bay. Next stop is Ipswich, where you will find a wide variety of amenities and attractions, including the Ipswich Transport Museum, Holywells Park, The Smokehouse which offers live music, the Ipswich Regent Theatre, and a wealth of pubs and restaurants. Further afield, you can enjoy the coastal delights of Felixstowe, home to Mannings Amuseuments, Felixstowe Pier, Felixstowe Beach, Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, and the seafront restaurants of The Alex Café Bar & Brasserie, Steak Lobster & Co, and Alba Chiara.

Note: Whilst the majority of the accommodation is ground-floor there are some small steps in the property so please bear this in mind when booking.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Shotley Near Chelmondiston, Essex (Ref. 1116876)

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“I left behind by mistake, on 23rd May, a computer charging cable, but nobody contacted me regarding this.”

“Another great stay - our third - and even though the weather was a little disappointing this time, we still enjoyed the walks and the views.”

“Overall a lovely property.”

“The property is very well presented and most comfortable to live in and the cleanliness is deserving of top marks.”

“This was our second stay and we enjoyed it very much once again.”

“Having stayed at Upper lodge for the last seven years, March 2023 was the first time we felt the need to write a review.”

“Another great stay in this lovely property.”

“We had a lovely pre Christmas family stay.”

“Upper Lodge is a stunning property with fantastic views from the front and back windows of the viewing gallery.”

“Yes there were a few things the steps on from door are not wheel chair friendly ...”

“We loved our stay at Upper Lodge.”

“We loved the peacefulness of the location and the light.”

“Lovely house really enjoyed our stay.”

“Fantastic property in fantastic location with fantastic views.”

“The lodge was spectacular in every way.”

“We have been to Upper Lodge a number of times and always want to revisit.”

“At short notice we felt we needed late winter break and our search criteria (dog friendly, two bathrooms, country location, price, within about 2 hours from home) included Upper Lodge in the short list.”