The Abbey Cottage | Windsor Green | Cross Green | East Anglia

4.7★

8 Guests
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Hot tub
Off road parking
Ground floor bedroom
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

34 Customer Review(s)

Helen
March 2025

“Wow!! Abbey Cottage is the most wonderful property which gives you the sense of calm and tranquility the moment you walk through the front door”

. Even though is it situated on a main road, you never notice the cars going by when sat in the vast garden space, of which there are many wonderful areas to sit and enjoy the sunshine or sunset over the fields behind. The cottage itself is quirky & well appointed and the conservatory is a lovely, warm and bright place to relax and read, after a day out exploring. The kitchen has everything you will need with excellent fridge and freezer space and the beds are incredibly comfortable. Oh, and ...

. Even though is it situated on a main road, you never notice the cars going by when sat in the vast garden space, of which there are many wonderful areas to sit and enjoy the sunshine or sunset over the fields behind. The cottage itself is quirky & well appointed and the conservatory is a lovely, warm and bright place to relax and read, after a day out exploring. The kitchen has everything you will need with excellent fridge and freezer space and the beds are incredibly comfortable. Oh, and let's not forget the glorious hot tub in it's own private space behind the cottage and the summer house for a game of pool, darts or kit for garden crochet, should you so wish. If you've got kids, they'll love the shepherd's hut and outdoor table tennis and for those looking for a little piece of solitude, there's even a sanctuary to escape to. The owners have thought of everything and I would highly recommend staying here.

- Helen, March 2025

What an amazing review! Thank you so much for taking the time to share such kind words. We're absolutely delighted that Abbey Cottage gave you that sense of calm and tranquility, and that you enjoyed everything from the garden spaces to the hot tub, games, and peaceful corners to escape to. It means so much to hear that the little touches were appreciated — we’ve really tried to create a space for everyone to enjoy. We’d love to welcome you back anytime! Property Owner
Chris February 2025

“Had a great time at the Abbey Cottage.”

A lovely building with lots of character (the sloping floors upstairs must rate as a brilliant character!) and with the hot tub and various games facilities was great for the whole family, from 8 to 72! We even used the hot tub in the snow! Host was very concerned to make sure everything was as we needed it, so thank you Tom!

- Chris, February 2025

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're so glad you and the whole family had a great time at Abbey Cottage — sloping floors and all! It's fantastic to hear you made the most of the games and even braved the hot tub in the snow! It was a real pleasure hosting you, and we're so glad everything was just right. Hope to welcome you all back again sometime soon! Property Owner
Julie December 2024

“We were very dissatisfied with the condition of The Abbey.”

It was extremely dirty when we arrived. One of the beds was completely full of black dog hair, inside and out! The entire house was filthy. Full of cobwebs, dust and dirt on all windowsills and shelves, with dead flies and bugs etc. Bath had scum mark, showers had a lot of black mould, the dishwasher was virtually breathing... the list is endless and we have many photos. The owner called the cleaning company they use who arrived a couple of hours later and she did the best she could but was also appalled at the condition of the property and apologised, she too took photos. We complained about the lack of wine glasses and the owner purchased some and brought them over promptly. This was Christmas break and when about to prepare our Christmas meal we noticed all the baking trays were unusable, they were beyond rusty and also mouldy. I called the owner again and he promptly went to purchase replacements. The cutlery drawer was full of crumbs and dirt and utensil drawer was full of black dust and dirt... it was very unpleasant. We had to put everything through the dishwasher and disinfect the drawers before we used anything. In all we were very uncomfortable there and felt the high rent paid for that time of year was completely inappropriate given the condition of the house There was a hot tub but we felt it very risky to use from a hygiene perspective given the condition of the rest of the property, so it was a perk we didn't benefit from. The stress and inconvenience we experienced and could have really done without. We would have left but with other members of the family arriving from the next day we didn't have anywhere else to go. Such a disappointment.

- Julie, December 2024

Whilst constructive criticism is useful and necessary in order to constantly improve our business we feel your comments need replying to: The Abbey Cottage is professionally cleaned after each stay. All laundry is externally washed. Unfortunately, on this occasion the housekeeping team clearly missed a booking and didn't attend the house before your arrival. Within minutes of your call we had arranged for the company responsible for cleaning to go straight to you and they were with you that afternoon. Given that it was their responsibility, and their mistake, it is confusing to hear that they were 'appalled' at the state of things. We ourselves were appalled and upset as we want every guest to be happy. You were clearly unsettled and try as we might to placate you, you found faults with several things, all of which we attended to immediately and gave you gifts and money as compensation. You didn't mention anything about the hot tub at the time, but we can see from your comments that you were unsure about it, rather than knowing or observing anything actually wrong with it so there is little more on this or the other issues that we could have done. We know the chemicals were balanced and it was clean; it is a separate team that attend to this. We don't set the price. The price reflects the amenities, facilities, time of year and location. The standard of cleanliness should always be good, it wasn't, and that is why we corrected this immediately. Property Owner
Mandy September 2024

“Abbey Cottage is very beautiful, the size of the garden is huge & filled with many plants & trees.”

Our 3 dogs loved running round the Cottage & playing ball. The thatched roof is beautiful with its wolf & crown perched on top. Inside is a large beautiful kitchen filled with everything you could wish for, I never wanted to return home. Three large king-size bedrooms with lovely crisp clean bedding, two with en-suites bathrooms & a downstairs WC. The dining room adorns an old table & chairs in fitting with the period of the property. The lounge has two comfy sofas & an old wooden chest as centre piece. All rooms have a TV, so there's no reason to fight over the remote! There are two staircases, one easily accessible from the lounge & another that resembles mountain climbing by the kitchen. You will not believe the slope of the floors upstairs until you see it! Apart from the kitchen & bathrooms, which are modern. The rest of the property is kept more in keeping with the original features. The vast conservatory is so beautiful, I'd love to go back during the summer months to enjoy it! In the gardens is a meditation room that lights up beautiful at night, a summerhouse with a pool table, a table tennis table in the garden, a playroom wooden house & a Shepherds hut for extra guests. We had the best relaxing time, just remember to take slippers for the cold hard flooring & wellies for the morning dew outside.

- Mandy, September 2024

Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed feedback. We truly appreciate the time you took to share your experience, and we're thrilled to hear that you all enjoyed your stay, including the dogs! We hope to welcome you all back soon Property Owner
Jennifer September 2024

“Beautiful old cottage, peaceful location, garden was great, good sized kitchen, ...”

Beautiful old cottage, peaceful location, garden was great, good sized kitchen, great that it had two fridges and everything that you would need for a week away, even with a mind your head sign, my husband managed to hit his head most days

- Jennifer, September 2024
Wayne August 2024

“Great size gardens and well fenced in for the dogs.”

Could do with some outside sun lounges and the conservatory window opener was missing meaning thousands of flies trapped inside. We were constantly killing and hoovering. I did message the owner about this with no positive response. The hot tub maybe needs some chemical attention part way through our week. At other places we had ours cleaned or maintained every day. Maybe include an air frier but we did take our own and the freezer is a bit small for 6 people for a week but we did take food for the entire week. The house is set away from other houses so it feels quiet and peaceful. Loads of outdoor facilities. The garden is in need of maintenance. The grass is fine but the shrubs are unattended to especially around the small pond areas. Overall a nice place to have a family gathering but a bit expensive at £2k for 7 days.

- Wayne, August 2024
Elizabeth May 2024

“We stayes in the property for a week in May.”

6 people, four adults and two kids (4 and 2). Lovely property. Really well appointed and clean. Plenty of space for the kids and dogs to run around in the garden, which was really safe and well fenced to stop small people getting to the ponds. Great location and easy to get to most places we wanted without too much of a drive. Lovely comfy beds, everyone slept well. would love to return and stay again. 10/10

- Elizabeth, May 2024
Patricia April 2024

“Lovely Cottage, kitchen well equipped.”

The family enjoyed our time there.

- Patricia, April 2024
Eleanor January 2024

“Loved it! Thank you”

- Eleanor, January 2024
Elizabeth November 2023

“We had a wonderful time, the cottage was very cosy and very well equipped, we just wish we had booked for longer!”

- Elizabeth, November 2023
John October 2023

“Very nice property, lovely old cottage very comfortable and everything you need.”

- John, October 2023
Kerry September 2023

“We all found the beds and bedding to be extremely comfortable.”

The cottage had everything that we needed. Lovely quiet surroundings with a pub within walking distance. The hot tub was so relaxing. We also enjoyed a walk around the village. The only criticism was that the conservatory could have been cleaner. We would love to visit this cottage again.

- Kerry, September 2023
Renae September 2023

“Incredible place, out of this world.”

Mix of kids ages all had fun thanks to hot tub, games room. Just amazing

- Renae, September 2023

Thank you so much for your kind feedback, we look forward to seeing you again! Property Owner
Anne August 2023

“We first visited The Abbey Cottage in July 2022.”

We enjoyed our stay so much we came back again this year and stayed for two weeks! The Abbey Cottage is a stunning property in a beautiful location. The restoration is exceptional and the garden is superb. We had an amazing holiday and I am pretty sure we will be back again.

- Anne, August 2023

Thank you so much for your kind feedback, we would love to see you again next year! Property Owner
Richard August 2023

“A lovely 16th century cottage with some modern developments.”

Great facilities including a hot-tub, games room, summer-house, conservatory and gas BBQ. We had a great time at the cottage and personally my favourite room was the kitchen as my own is currently being renovated . Plenty of places to visit locally too. Would highly recommend for large families.

- Richard, August 2023

Thank you so much for your kind feedback, we look forward to seeing you again! Property Owner
Grant July 2023

“The Abbey Cottage was the perfect venue for our family reunion and our three generations found it charming, comfortable and fun.”

It was a great base to explore the area and with so much to do nearby, a week wasn't enough!

- Grant, July 2023
Steven June 2023

“Smashing cottage and very well equipped.”

Both the owner and Sykes Cottages staff helped to resolve a problem and provide accommodation we will look to use again.

- Steven, June 2023
Tomas May 2023

“The place is quite and amazing old style.”

Ceiling quite low and need extra careful with the passing the wood beams. Property is clean with all house stuff. The garden was in good condition. Only one thing that I can tell to the owner that jacuzzi need more attention as looks like the filler are broken or no filler at all. After one time used the water looks not great.

- Tomas, May 2023
Margaret May 2023

“A beautiful house and a wonderful location for a family birthday party.”

- Margaret, May 2023
Jennifer April 2023

“We had a wonderful stay at the Abbey cottage for my 60th birthday, the cottage itself was beautiful and cosy and warm.”

The facilities were very good. And the garden was beautiful and very safe for our dogs. I’d highly recommend this cottage .

- Jennifer, April 2023
Valli March 2023

“A wonderful week in a beautiful setting.”

The hot tub provided the opportunity for quality time with my daughter watching the stars and looking for constellations. Surrounding area provided excellent walks with superb scenery. Made good use of the croquet and table tennis. My daughter LOVED the shepherd's hut! Would highly recommend.

- Valli, March 2023

Thank you so much for your review, we're delighted you had a good time and would love for you to visit again! Property Owner
Y March 2023

“What a wonderful find The Abbey Cottage was.”

Perfect setting for celebrating my BIG birthday with my children and partners. So much space and character. The hot tub was a great bonus and used …. even in March !! Highly recommend the property and would love to return . Lavenham was a beautiful village and worth a visit .

- Y, March 2023

Thank you so much for your review, we're delighted you had a good time and would love for you to visit again! Property Owner
Samantha February 2023

“We had a fabulous long weekend at Abbey Cottage.”

Such a beautiful quirky building the grounds are lovely and it so peaceful. So much to do there wish we were there for a week to make the most of everything. The kids had a blast as there was lots for them to do and explore. The fact the gardens are all fenced off it meant the dogs could also have a good run. Beautiful Kitchen with everything you could possibly need. Enough space for everyone without getting under each others feet ( there was 8 of us & 2 dogs). I will say the beds are some of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on. Would definitely stay again.

- Samantha, February 2023
Andrew January 2023

“Excellent cottage and we had a great time.”

Even though it was cold outside it was lovely and warm in the cottage. One low beam that I banged my head on (my fault) and some interesting floors upstairs but a quirky, well presented cottage that was clean with a modern kitchen. Owners were helpful when asked questions and immediately supplied a hairdryer when we couldn't find one. We really enjoyed out stay.

- Andrew, January 2023
Steve December 2022

“Fantastic property, lovely location, we spent two nights to celebrate my wife’s 60th birthday, guests were family of eight, excellent kitchen facilities, accommodation excellent, hot tub was excellent spent quite a few hours in hot tub In December minus two degrees was lovely, accommodation in the shepherds hut was snug and warm.”

Would recommend this property without hesitation. Good communication with host.

- Steve, December 2022
George December 2022

“Wonderful place, full of character.”

- George, December 2022
Jamie November 2022

“Beautiful cottage with very comfortable beds and great facilities.”

It was also nice seeing the albums left of the refurb. Would love to return.

- Jamie, November 2022
Paul November 2022

“Property was lovely, has an interesting history and has some old features retained which give it a cosy and authentic feel.”

We had a great stay over the weekend and I would thoroughly recommend. We will be booking a summer weekend getaway here next year, or maybe even a whole week.

- Paul, November 2022
Jessica October 2022

“A beautiful cottage with absolutely every amenity you could think of!”

We really appreciated and loved the welcome basket, it was so thoughtful! The hosts were so accommodating as well and very quick to respond to any questions we had. A perfect weekend away, would 100% recommend.

- Jessica, October 2022
Carole October 2022

“A wonderful property that has been lovingly restored.”

Plenty of space for everyone in our party with The Shepherd's Hut providing extra space. A good selection of quality pots and pans and a decent set of knives which is always a bonus. The outdoor area was spacious with lots to do and even though we went in October we were able to use the majority of it. The hot tub was a plus. Easy to use and enjoyed both during the day and watching the night sky. Everything was spotlessly clean. We were sorry to leave after a week.

- Carole, October 2022
Janet September 2022

“An absolutely beautiful thatched cottage with extensive grounds and something for everyone.”

It was a delight to stay here - we loved the table tennis and the hot tub, and everything about it.

- Janet, September 2022
Richard June 2022

“Great holiday cottage.”

The house was ideal for what we needed. Hot tub was so relaxing, games room provides loads of entertainment and the whole garden was dog friendly. If you are wanting to visit Suffolk on your holidays this is the place to stay.

- Richard, June 2022
Sally June 2022

“Beautiful property.”

Spotlessly clean. Welcoming host. Everything that was promised and more.

- Sally, June 2022
Tami May 2022

“A wonderful seventeen century cottages with all the amenities of modern living!”

A fabulous atmosphere. Clean and well looked after. Well recommended for a wonderful holiday!! Miriam

- Tami, May 2022

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Summary

Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor King (zip/link, can be twin on request) with Smart TV, and en-suite bath, walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x King with Smart TV, 1 x King with Smart TV
Shepherd's Hut in the garden with king sized bed (ziplink, can be twin upon request), TV & chair
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
Cloakroom with basin, heated towel rail and WC
Kitchen
Dining room
Sitting room
Conservatory
Playhouse
Summerhouse
Reflection Room
Gas Central Heating
Electric range oven, hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, coffee machines
4 x Smart TV, games, WiFi, table tennis, pool table, and dart board
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Bedding for the cot and the toddler bed are not provided
Highchair, travel cot, and toddler floor bed available on request
Off-road parking for 4 cars
Enclosed rear garden with lawn, gravelled area, furniture, and hot tub
Three well-behaved dogs welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 1 mile, pub 1.4 miles
Note: The first floor has wonky floors and there are some low, sloped ceilings throughout so please be careful
Note: Due to the thatched roof we are not permitted to allow fires, fire pits etc of any kind in or around the house, the fireplace in the lounge has a flame-effect electric fire

The property

Settled in gardens approaching 1 acre in the rural village of Windsor Green, is this 17th century thatched cottage; The Abbey Cottage. Enjoying a character interior with exposed chimney breasts and wonky floors, this pet-friendly dwelling is idyllic for a family of up to eight looking for an adventure to Suffolk. Be greeted by off-road parking and substantial grounds, hosting a bubbling hot tub for a night-time soak before making your way inside. Enter the spacious kitchen, with shaker-style cabinets; here, you can conjure heart-warming meals with the range cooker and for a fuss-free clean there is a dishwasher to assist you. Gather in the dining room to tuck into a feast and pour some fizz to celebrate your getaway; afterwards kick back in the sitting room, which houses a large fireplace with electric fire and a Smart TV for a family favourite. When the sun is shining, curl up in the conservatory to escape into a book or throw open the patio doors to explore the wonderful garden; at night climb into the hot tub to melt your stresses away. The extensive gardens combine a variety of areas which include a lawn for entertaining and a game of croquet, woodland, three ponds and a paved cottage garden square. The ponds and gardens are all fenced for peace of mind. The outbuildings are a particular feature with a games room for a game of pool or table tennis, a summerhouse to enjoy the sunny days, a playhouse for the kids and a reflection room nestled in the wood for some quiet time. As the day draws to a close, choose between three charming bedrooms to rest your head, there is a ground-floor King/ Zip Link Twin with an en-suite or climb upstairs to discover another two King beds, all with Smart TVs. There is also the option to sleep in the traditional shepherds hut in the garden which features another king/zip link twin bed. Awaken with a steaming cup of coffee and home-cooked breakfast, courtesy of the kitchen appliances before making a plan of action for the day ahead. There is an espresso machine, cafetiere as well as a Tassimo coffee pod machine. Jump in the car to visit the ancient town of Bury St Edmunds, certain to impress history buffs with its medieval cathedral, Moyse's Hall Museum to unveil the past and just outside the town is the fascinating West Stow Anglo Saxon Village. Ramble around Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve or visit the National Trust site of Ickworth to explore the grand interior. For timber-framed buildings and a quaint museum, take a short drive into the village of Lavenham, where the famous Harry Potter was filmed and soak in the medieval charm of the place. For a special escape in a unique property, choose The Abbey Cottage.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £350.

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About the location

WINDSOR GREEN

Bury St Edmunds 7.9 miles; Ipswich 23.1 miles; Cambridge 36 miles.

Windsor green is a charming English hamlet resting near Bury St Edmunds and the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The hamlet is known for its lush, green Suffolk countryside that encompassed it, as well as its easy links to the surrounding towns and villages via the A1141 road and the A134 road. Dining options include The Manger, a nearby country pub serving food, both to dine in and take out, as well as live entertainment. You can stock up on the essentials at the compact Post Office in Cockfield, while the nearby town of Bury St Edmunds offers a range of supermarkets to choose from. By car, there are a handful of attractions within easy reach, such as Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, Kentwell Hall and Melford Country Park. For a day of shopping and even more options for dining, make your way into Ipswich or Cambridge, each full of history and culture to enjoy too.

Note: Guests will need to bring their own bedding for the cot, and the toddler bed.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Wow!! Abbey Cottage is the most wonderful property which gives you the sense of calm and tranquility the moment you walk through the front door”

“Had a great time at the Abbey Cottage.”

“We were very dissatisfied with the condition of The Abbey.”

“Abbey Cottage is very beautiful, the size of the garden is huge & filled with many plants & trees.”

“Beautiful old cottage, peaceful location, garden was great, good sized kitchen, ...”

“Great size gardens and well fenced in for the dogs.”

“We stayes in the property for a week in May.”

“Lovely Cottage, kitchen well equipped.”

“Loved it! Thank you”

“We had a wonderful time, the cottage was very cosy and very well equipped, we just wish we had booked for longer!”

“Very nice property, lovely old cottage very comfortable and everything you need.”

“We all found the beds and bedding to be extremely comfortable.”

“Incredible place, out of this world.”

“We first visited The Abbey Cottage in July 2022.”

“A lovely 16th century cottage with some modern developments.”

“The Abbey Cottage was the perfect venue for our family reunion and our three generations found it charming, comfortable and fun.”

“Smashing cottage and very well equipped.”

“The place is quite and amazing old style.”

“A beautiful house and a wonderful location for a family birthday party.”

“We had a wonderful stay at the Abbey cottage for my 60th birthday, the cottage itself was beautiful and cosy and warm.”

“A wonderful week in a beautiful setting.”

“What a wonderful find The Abbey Cottage was.”

“We had a fabulous long weekend at Abbey Cottage.”

“Excellent cottage and we had a great time.”

“Wonderful place, full of character.”

“Beautiful cottage with very comfortable beds and great facilities.”

“Property was lovely, has an interesting history and has some old features retained which give it a cosy and authentic feel.”

“A beautiful cottage with absolutely every amenity you could think of!”

“A wonderful property that has been lovingly restored.”

“An absolutely beautiful thatched cottage with extensive grounds and something for everyone.”

“Great holiday cottage.”

“Beautiful property.”

“A wonderful seventeen century cottages with all the amenities of modern living!”

Summary

The property

View on map

About the location

WINDSOR GREEN