AUGUST NEWS

Summer holidays are here and we have put together some suggestions of what to do around Butley. For hot days the nearest swimming place is Butley Creek at Butley Ferry jetty (just over a mile away). Check the tides, jelly shoes and only for strong swimmers. Or to keep cool head for Shingle street or Thorpeness beach which has some sand.  Or stay in the peaceful shady gardens at the Priory or the Farmhouse with book under a tree.

Suffolk Punch Trust, Hollesley, IP2 3JR (01394 411327)  A jolly family outing, open six days a week (not Tuesdays), 10 – 5pm. The Barthrop family introduced the Suffolk Punch to their farm in Hollesley in 1759. These majestic horses have been part of Suffolk farming life for over 260 years. Plenty to keep you occupied with farm walks, pets paddock for children, heritage garden, café, shop, and museum but of best of all the horses (and sometimes foals) to admire.

Sutton Hoo, Sutton, Sutton, Woodbridge, IP12 3DJ (01394  389700) National Trust gem, the site of  the 6th century undisturbed ship burial discovered by amateur architect Basil Brown in 1938. The stunning Anglo Saxon artefacts are now in the British museum. There’s an excellent visitor centre (and restaurant), a 27m long life size replica of the ship, with replicas of the treasures in the museum. Visit the arts and craft house where Mrs Edith Pretty lived, and of course the burial mounds with observation towers

Poplar Park, Poplar Farm, Hollesley, IP12 3NA 01394 411023  Riding school with direct access into Rendlesham Forest . Our favourite two horses are gentle giant Bud (former race horse, measures 17 hands) with the best canter and Mylo (31 years old cob, and retired). We fostered them during lock down.

Butley Ferry – Sponsored by the Alde & Ore Association (07913 672499) the ferry (a rowing boat, takes up to 4 passengers and 2 bicycles per crossing)) has been in operation for centuries ferrying passengers across Butley Creek to the ancient river walls that wind and stretch 40 km. From here it’s two miles to Orford by foot along the river wall or bicycle along a sandy track past Pinneys fish huts and down Gedgrave Road.  Manned by volunteers the ferry runs from 11- 4pm at weekends and bank holidays during May to September, but not on windy days.

Rendlesham Forest  - There are wonderful walks through the forest. Follow the UFO trail to find the crash spot where allegedly a UFO crashed in December 1980.  It’s the most famous and written about UFO sighting in the UK. Strange flashing lights were seen in the forest by airman from the American airbase in Woodbridge including their commander Lt Col Charles Halt. A crashed aircraft and little green dead aliens were seen dangling in the trees. Halt’s report was taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and classified.  However, nothing was ever found. The US airman may have been confused by Orford lighthouse, poachers and a satellite coming down into the sea, all fuelled by some wacky baccy…… it was concluded to have been a hoax.

Orford Castle run by English Heritage (0370 333 1181) was built between 1165-1175 by Henry II.  The perfect rainy day outing. The keep is in excellent condition with five layers to explore connected by winding spiral staircases, including dank dungeons, where a mythical merman was held captive until he escaped. From the roof there are terrific views over Orford Ness and out to sea. Museum and a tiny shop (geared for children) for a little bit of retail therapy.

Orford Ness –  National Trust Nature Reserve owned by the National Trust. The Ferry runs every day from 10am from Orford quay. (You need to book)  Take a picnic, WCs but no other facilities. The waymarked trails meander through the landscape, shingle and brackish lagoons, mud flays and marshes. There’s a herd of Herdwick sheep looked after by the TV star, border collie, Sweep. The only dog allowed on Orford Ness. Birds, seals, wild flowers an extraordinary wilderness. Orford Ness is also famous for its curious pagodas where cold war military activities took place, including testing the atomic trigger. A group of artists are exhibiting their work “Afterness” until the end of October – visit artangel.org.uk for information and booking.

Crabbing on Orford Quay Buy your crabbing lines, net and bacon from the Orford Village shop and head down to Orford quay. Once your bucket is full, empty the crabs gently out on the slip way and watch them race down back to the sea. Our record is 12 crabs. Butley Ferry is also an excellent spot for crabbing and just a 30-minute walk from the Priory/farmhouse. 

Quayside Orford river trips

Regardless, 07900 230579 Take a hour long river trip on this old fishing boat, and circumnavigate Havergate Island, the RSPB reserve, a 7-mile cruise with commentary on the area. Maximum 29 passengers (private trips available). See daily blackboard on the quayside for times, hourly during peek times.

The Lady Florence, Craig or Chris: 01473 558712 or 07831 698298.  A very pleasant way to cruise the River Alde on this 1944 former admiralty supply boat. She takes up to 12 passengers, for breakfast, dinner or lunch (private groups available). She operates all year round. A good commentary about nature and history.

Tilly, 07793 307337 This small fishing boat takes up to 12 passengers around Havergate island, an hour’s voyage with commentary. Expect to see seals, curlews, avocets, terns, godwits and sandpipers enjoying the mud flats. Bring binoculars.  Trips run between April and October. (Private hire also available).

Snape Maltings – Snape, IP17 1SP, 01728 688302 World-class music and concert hall, pub (Plough & Sail) café, independent shops, galleries, home store, food store and garden shop. Farmers Market first Saturday of every month.

Aldeburgh Golf Club, Aldeburgh, IP15 5PE 01728 452890 Founded in 1884, par 68, a top-notch heathland course (two courses), stunning situation overlooking the River Alde.

Thorpeness Golf Club 01728 452176 Created in 1922, the legendary golf architect James Bird designed this 70-par heath land course and 5 times open champion James Bird.

The Meare at Thorpeness An idyllic place for children (and adults) to while away an afternoon. This shallow 60-acre lake was built in the 1913 when Thorpeness was developed as a holiday resort. Canoes, kayaks and rowing boats to explore the tiny islands and Peter Pans Neverland. Open from 8.30 to 5.30pm daily until October half term.  

JULY NEWS

Our very own Dig and developments  

Another vibrant month with weddings, staycations, a wedding at the farmhouse, our first, using the thatched summerhouse. Gunilla Hailes (Together Flowers) from Iken  festooned it with beautiful summer flowers, it looked rustic and charming.  Isla and Matt tied the knot and Marshall their two-year old son, when not distracted by his tiny set of golf clubs, was the ring bearer.  

We are planning to develop the farm buildings, which lie unused, for our wedding business. We hope to create a stunning wedding venue in the 12th century former refectory barn where the monks would have eaten at long trestle tables, mostly in silence, for over 300 years.

Butley Abbey farmhouse is built on the site of a former Augustinian Abbey, founded in 1171.  In the 1320s it was the second wealthiest monastic house in East Anglia. It was built on the main route between Ipswich and Orford castle to provide bed and breakfast for important travellers, hospitality and alms.  A community of 36 canons (ordained priests rather than monks) lived here and trained young priests to go out into the community.

A wall once surrounded the Abbey and its buildings covering 20 acres. All that remains of the Abbey is the Priory Gatehouse, now a wedding venue, a solitary magnificent stone arch covered in ivy and two handsome barns, now inhabited by pigeons, and some modern disused farm buildings. Up until the 1970s it was a bustling farmyard with pigs and venerable Suffolk Punches. The Suffolk Punch Trust incidentally is just up the road at Hollesley with an excellent visitor centre.

The Abbey was a substantial complex with the central cruciform church, cloisters, dormitories, chapter house, common room, library, cellars, storage areas and kitchens.  There were administration offices, servant’s accommodation, a school, an infirmary for the sick, and a burial ground.  The monks were entirely self sufficient, with vineyards, hops for beer, orchards and fishponds (which still survive) filled with carp, fields with cattle, sheep and pigs. A bake house, brew house, dairy, poultry house, dovecote, stables and barns for the livestock.  There was a latrine and lavatorium block. A water mill ground corn, cloth making workshops and a dye house.

In 1537 Henry VIII dissolved the Priory during the English Reformation. Over the centuries the old buildings and the large church were gradually taken apart and reused by local people. Suffolk has almost no natural stone of its own, and most of the Priory buildings were built of stone brought on barges across the sea from Caen in Normandy. Unsurprisingly, the abandoned Priory became a sort of quarry, the stones melting away into the local community. On the B1078 between Tunstall and Rendlesham, for example, another stone arch can be seen, sold off and carried away centuries ago.

After the dissolution of the monasteries during the Reformation in 1538 the Priory estate passed from the Crown to the Duke of Suffolk, who married Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII. She was a regular visitor, and is recorded as enjoying summer picnics in the gardens of the Gatehouse. The Priory was sold on to a wealthy merchant from Hadleigh, William Forthe. He extended the Gatehouse and built himself a comfortable country house attached to it. It remained in the Forthe family until 1684, and then passed through number of other hands. It was used as the local vicarage in the 19th century and then finally bought, in a sorry state, by Dr Monty Rendall in 1926.  Dr Rendall was the retired Headmaster of Winchester College, and he sank all his money into restoring it, very beautifully, living there till the end of his long life in 1951. He also oversaw an extensive archaeological dig among the foundations of all the old Priory buildings and established the layout of the whole institution.  The Greenwell family bought it from him in 1932, and various families lived there until it became a wedding venue in the 1980s.

A family story relates that the late Lady Greenwell much disliked one of the tenants, who had forbidden her from darkening their doors. She disguised herself with a wig and eccentric attire and anonymously joined an historical group who were being given a tour of the Priory. She afterwards wrote an effusive thank you letter.

New archaeological work is about to start at Butley, and will doubtless turn up plenty more of historic interest.

JUNE NEWS

June was full on, two weddings, holiday lets in the Priory and Farmhouse – all went swimmingly, delightful guests to stay and some not so delightful. Our May bridal shoot went well the Priory looked fabulous. The photographs speak for themselves. Thank you the Suffolk team of wedding suppliers and Aaron from Avisuals for the drone video of Butley Abbey Farmhouse, complete with birds singing. 

Where to eat around Butley

We are spoilt for choice around Butley Priory and Butley Abbey Farmhouse for eating out (or in). We have some fantastic pubs, restaurants and takeaways, many using our local farm to fork produce.  Here are some of our favourites in a roughly ten-mile radius.

BUTLEY - The Oyster Inn. Your local pub, just one mile away.. Ancient pub with bare wood floors, sunny garden and fine honest pub grub. Bumper burgers, BLTS and Piri Piri Chicken and take out.

WOODBRIDGE - Maria Elia at the Merchant’s Table, 10 Church Street, Woodbridge Wonderful Greek chef, the menu changes weekly. Order on Wednesday collect Friday lunchtime. Might be Middle Eastern kebabs and spicy mushroom Shawarma or ouzo and lemon cured salmon or paper wrapped slow roasted lamb marinated in garlic, oregano and lemon with fennel seed tzatziki, spice roast carrots with tahini and coriander – sounds good? mariaelia@me.com; 079705043423; themerchantstable.co.uk

 SHOTTISHAM – Sorrel Horse  (01394 411617). 15th century picture post card village pub (log fires when its chilly), live music and a new pizza oven producing delicious pizza’s. Innovative menu, try the spider crab gratin, wild garlic cod Kiev, or a reliable Suffolk Ploughman’s.  Small garden, dog and child friendly.

MELTON - The Unruly Pig (01394 460310).  This popular Gastro pub, with a garden has a string of awards. Not the most scenic spot on the main road but the food is tasty and the staff caring. We like the smoked eel and lardon toastie, juicy burgers, monk fish with clams and jersey royals – good children’s menu.

SNAPE - Plough & Sail (01728 688413).  Downside, on a busy road…. however, a good solid pub run by brothers Alex and Ollie Burnside, serving reliable pub staples (local produce), with a twist.  Slap next to Snape Maltings concert hall and glorious shopping emporium – an experience not to be missed especially on a rainy day.

 BLAXHALL – The Ship (01728 688316). Proper local rustic pub with a curious history. You might have caught glimpses Ralph Fiennes, Toby Jones or McKenzie Crook under the radar when filming The Dig or the Detectorists.  Homemade Pizza, ham egg and chips and scampi type of thing. There’s also a friendly poltergeist, with a sense of humour, who chucks sugar lumps about.

ORFORD  - The King’s Head (01394 450271) Susanne and Ian Ballantine, run this terrific and popular pub - the locals (fishermen, cricket team) favourite spot. Pub garden, car park and dog friendly. Tasty burgers, local bangers, fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding. Pub quizzes and live music.

ORFORD - Jolly Sailor (01394 450243). Four hundred years old, this quaint and pretty pub is near the quayside (public cap park opposite), good-sized  garden out the back, dog and child friendly.

ORFORD - Butley-Orford Oysterage  (01394 450277). The restaurant is almost 60 years old, owned and run by the Pinney family. Booking is essential for this much loved and unfussy restaurant. We love the angels on horseback (oysters and bacon) and the fish pie.  There’s a private room upstairs for parties.

ORFORD - Crown & Castle  (01394 450205). Posh restaurant with a nice atmosphere, using local produce in the kitchen: line caught fish and succulent Suffolk beef. Vegetarians will like the Primavera risotto.

ORFORD -  Fish & Chips – Moving Plaice (07493 359369) - outside Orford School, on Wednesdays (5pm -7.30pm). Delicious  - ask for lashings of salt and vinegar.  

ALDEBURGH -  The Lighthouse (01728 453377).  25 years old and going strong, Sam runs this busy atmospheric Aldeburgh institution. Local suppliers only, fresh fish, lamb and beef, all look pretty on the plate. Next to the cinema it’s the place to go pre-movie.

ALDEBURGH -  l’Escargot sur Mer( www.lescargotsurmer.com).  Book on line, a new Aldeburgh sensation, sister of the fabled Soho L’Escargot. Light and breezy, signature snails and seafood pasta. Delightful waiters, George runs it with charm… one could almost be in St Tropez. 

ALDEBURGH -  Sea Spices, at the White Lion Hotel (01728 451800). Indian restaurant (and take-away) with excellent food served but unexciting interior, saved by the view of the beach and sea if you get a table upstairs.  Sound menu… we like the Butter Chicken, Sea food Curry, Achari Baigan (aubergine, masala) excellent cheese naan and East Suffolk Muntjac Vindaloo for the more adventurous.  We liked the quick service.

ALDEBURGH  - The Brudenell (01728 452071). Snazzy hotel and restaurant smack on the sea front, with sunny terrace over looking the pebbly beach. Plenty of local fare, including Cod and bouillabaisse sauce, grilled lobster, Wild halibut and Cromer crab. Next door is FISHER GIN DISTILLERY, where you can have a private tour and tasting.

KELSALE - PINCH, Maple Farm Kitchen www.eatpiinch.com/@pinch.suffolk. A little further a field but worth the hike for a ready-made meal kit by chef Alice Norman - beautiful little boxes packed with stuff, try Pappardelle & Wild Boar with rough asparagus and sea herb butter and blackcurrant shrub. Maple Farm is also the dream organic farm shop.  

May News

It’s been a busy last month –  starting with our first wedding; Becky and Paul were married in April. Everything went smoothly, the sun shone, only a minor hitch, where was our wedding license? With our refurbishment (including old office turned into a staff cloakroom, and Covid clamp down) it hadn’t been seen or required for some while. We kept our heads. All was well; of course it was filed in the right place all along.

We’ve restocked the Pilgrims Bar, our speciality gin bar, in the tiny vaulted room with an open fire where the monks once dispensed alms to the poor. The “piscina” - an arch with a stone basin for holy water, is from the original monastery. It’s been a entertaining, sampling some of the brands, some seriously curious flavours – Parma Violet for one. We like the Juniper with orange peel. My favourite has to be Chase Hedgerow Elderflower with soda and lemon.  Fishers Gin might be pricey but their new “Smoked” brand is delicious especially with ginger ale and lime, savour every mouthful.

Coes of Ipswich did a fashion shoot in the Priory and gardens. Look out for the pictures on their website and on our instagram.

We have a wedding shoot next week. A team of local wedding suppliers have come together to showcase Suffolk’s best talent. Organised by make up artist Victoria Bradfield. Ayshea Goldberg is doing the photography, Videographer Aaron from Avisuals is filming, wedding gowns are from The Bridal Lounge, hair by Lynette Chasmer, flowers by Charlotte Staff (creams, white, lilacs and pinks), stationery (exquisite calligraphy) by Polly Pickel Design,  a sumptuous wedding cake by Luca’s Cakes, Jewellery by Susannah Chenevix (pearls are the theme) and pulled together by wedding planner Louisa May Weddings.

A makeup artist turned up today for a wedding – but wrong venue – panic stations all round. But she made it to the right venue in the nick of time. First guests in the farmhouse went swimmingly, we liked it that they were keen to compost their veggie waste. NB compost area behind the garden shed (bottom of the garden). The tennis court is finally painted (the day that it finally rained after seven dry weeks), two shades of green. Plays like a dream.

The Tudor Room four-poster curtains are completed, Rose fabric lined with pink ticking from The Cloth Shop in the Portobello Road. The white lattice mango wood chest and raspberry coloured floral rug are from Snape Malting, lamps and candy striped pink shades are Pooky Lighting, pretty lime washed table from Marlesford Mill (where we have found many treasures), the recycled plastic carpet (looks like sisal and soft underfoot) is from the Unnatural Flooring Company.

After hours of searching the Internet in lockdown for a beautiful rug finally found one from Oka for the Mary Rose room; subtle soft pinks and beige, and looks perfect. The day beds sourced for the Mary Rose and de Glanville (for extra small, or indeed larger guests) work a treat. The rooms are painted Dulux Ochre White and look fresh and serene – thank you Georgia Mann Interiors.

Kim the stone mason is back repairing a Priory buttress. Wallflowers high up in the ancient flint walls have taken root, rather a shame to dislodge them. Baz is hard at work in the gardens at Butley Abbey farmhouse, repairing the steps down to the summerhouse lawn. Isla is planning the flowers for her wedding in June, our first bride to be using the thatched summer house, with a marquee on the lawn.

We discovered to our excitement David Gillingwater who is creating our smart new signage (green and gold) is a piper! So if you are of Scottish heritage or a bagpipe enthusiast  - book him for your wedding. Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace, Sky Boat Song and, Mairi’s Wedding are just a few favourites from his repertoire.

Should the heavens open or the bride wish to be driven from the Priory to Butley Church or Butley Abbey Farmhouse, vintage car enthusiasts might like our dark green 1954 Bentley, handsome in white ribbons, or for a more rustic vibe a 1955 Series 1 Land Rover.  However, the latter is in the last stages of restoration (ten years and counting), the radiator is finally sourced, we are ever hopeful we will see it shortly, gleaming and engine ticking over.   

MID APRIL NEWS

MID APRIL NEWS

Our first wedding this year! Becky and Paul tie the knot on Wednesday 21st April with 15 guests. The Priory is looking stunning, painted, primed and as near perfect as possible for a building that is over 700 years old. The bedrooms are ready, the magnificent new curtains hung (thank you Jennie and Jean), the four-poster bed romantically draped, cushions plumped, new carpets, and rugs on the painted wooden floors. The new freestanding baths gleam. We are a little breathless about the kitchen, where is the new range cooker? Will it arrive in time for chef Peter Harrison? 

We are waiting for the frosts to pass before we plant up the terracotta tubs with wedding-white geraniums. The daffodils and primroses are giving way to bluebells. Our newly planted flowerbeds look good, alas, the Muntjac think so too.

Our holiday lets in The Priory, Butley Abbey Farmhouse and Gate Keepers Cottage in between weddings are filling up fast, but we have a few gaps. Book with us on our website www.butleypriory.co.uk or 07539 744366

GOURMET SUFFOLK

If you are planning a self-catering holiday in one of our beautiful properties, you are spoilt for choice with some wonderful local suppliers, right on the doorstep. Orford is the closest place for shopping, 15 minutes by car or take the foot ferry with your bicycle (roomy panniers essential) across Butley Creek.  Saturday morning is the Farmers Market in the Town Hall; get there early for the lobsters and crab rush, and trestle tables laden with homemade cakes, quiches, local honey, jams and chutney. Its good for preset buying too - pretty knitted baby things and exquisite turned wood salad bowls.

Pinney’s of Orford

www,pinneysoforford.co.uk

Shop 01394 450210 / Restaurant 01394 450277

Pinney’s is an institution in Orford. Four generations of the Pinney family have lived and worked at Butley Creek, harvesting oysters and smoking fish by the ancient river walls that keep the sea at bay. Their quayside shop  (and website) offers a mouth-watering range of seafood delicacies, oysters, succulent brown shrimps, smoked and fresh fish. The family run restaurant the “Butley Orford Oysterage” (angels on horseback and the fish pie highly recommended) is in the village square – booking essential. An exciting venture for this summer is the mobile horsebox, selling oysters and fishy treats, which can also be booked for private parties

Pump Street Bakery, Orford  -

www.pumpstreetchocolate.com / 01394 459829

Family run the Pump Street Bakery is another Orford household name. The smell of fresh baking and coffee alone entices you to join the queue. Sourdough, orange cinnamon swirls, oozing jam doughnuts (got a mention at the Oscars), Eccles cakes - the best in the land - and don’t forget the chocolate (try the sourdough and sea salt). At peak times there is a queue around the block, but always good for a chat with the locals: fishermen and the Sudbourne cricketers queuing up along with the visitors. Good plan to order in advance or use the home delivery service.

Fen Farm Dairy, Bungay 

www,fenfarmdairy.co.uk / 01986 892350

Raw Milk, creamy rich Baron Bigod cheese, velvety Skyr yogurt, deep yellow Bungay butter and tubs of silky mascarpone come from the raw milk of the Montbeliarde girls. This ancient breed comes originally from the Jura Alps; their milk is renown in France for Comte, Vacherin Mont d’Or and Reblochon cheese. The Fen Farm girls graze peacefully in the lush meadows of Waveney River Valley near Bungay.  Three generations of the welcoming Crickmore family run the farm and farm shop (which never seems to close). Orford village shop (sells everything imaginable from dog food to fresh deli stuff) stocks their products or order on the Fen Farm website.

Fishers Gin, Aldeburgh

www,fishersgin.com / 01728 454201

Gin made from “Local herbs and coastal botanics, capturing wild and forgotten flavours of the English coastline” sounds pretty irresistible with a splash of tonic and wedge of lime on a warm summers day. Andrew Heald was inspired by the salt marshland and the meadows where he grew up. He experimented with juniper, cardamom, caraway and fennel seeds, orange and lemon peel, samphire, bog myrtle, spignel and wild angelica, until he came up with the perfect blends, and launched Fishers Original in 2016.  This month ‘Fishers Smoked’ is launched, their third brand in collaboration with Pinney’s. Sacks of botanics have been infused using the smokery at Pinney’s, giving it a very pleasing smoky flavour – and yes a hint of fish, but it really works! Especially when the temperature drops and you are tucked up in front of a log fire.  Try it with ginger ale, a Moscow Mule with a difference. Take a distillery tour around their ultra chic seaside premises, followed by a tasting on the deck, a skip from the North Sea.  Book online or telephone, £30 a person (starting mid-May). 

High House Farm, Iken

www.highhousefarm.co.uk / 01394 450263;

Overlooking the marshes and sea tucked away between Subourne and Iken, Suvi and Piers Pool own this lovely fruit farm, which has been in the family since 1958.  ‘Pick your own’, or for lazy or in-a-hurry customers, there is of course a farm shop. The spring season starts with rhubarb and asparagus, followed by the soft fruits; gooseberries, raspberries, loganberries and currants, then as summer heats up, the cherries and plums ripen. Autumn brings the apples: Cox, Russet, James Grieve, Worcester, Ribston Pickle, Blenheim Orange to name a few.  If you are picking, best to call on the day to see what’s available. The shop sells, fruit (and frozen), four varieties of their own apple juice, scrumptious jams, local honey and Suffolk’s sensational B Chocolates.

B Chocolates

www,bchocolates.co.uk

Made at High House Farm, award-wining confectionnaire Anna McCreadie (Suvi’s sister) makes chocolate by hand using local raw honey from coastal beekeepers. Much in demand with the local shops, Anna also sells directly on her website.  Everyone’s favourite is the Honey & Sea Salt Caramels, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg:  dark truffle honey, honey and gingerbread truffles, honey and saffron caramels and delicious honeycomb thins. All packaged in beautiful pale brown boxes tied with twine. Anna also makes bespoke selections for wedding favours.

Wild Meat Company, Lime Tree Farm, Blaxhall

www,wildmeat.co.uk / 01728 687627

There’s a treat in store for carnivores near Blaxhall. Local organic meat and game, including, free range Sutton Hoo chicken, pheasant, hare, venison, pigeon, duck, partridge, game pie mix and it has to be said, the occasional squirrel. Succulent sausage rolls too. Their website supplies mouth-watering recipes. Try slow-cooked lamb infused with Earl Grey tea, rosemary, thyme and honey, roast partridge cooked on a bed of carrot, parsnip, and rhubarb, Papparedell (wide pasta) with a very slow cooked ragout of hare, marinated in red wine, rosemary, celery, juniper berries, or pan-fried pheasant with harissa, chicory and orange which gives a smoky Moroccan flavour. Buy online, next day delivery, or collect your order (NB. almost impossible to find). A helpful clue: it’s not far from one of our favourite pubs The Ship.

Adnams

www,adnams.co.uk

No introduction is required for the award-winning brewers Adnams, another Suffolk institution. Copper House in Southold is HQ where, vodka, gin and whisky are produced in their sustainable, state of art distillery (tours available). An array of lagers, ale and alcohol free beers with dazzling names such as Ghost Ship, Lighthouse, Wild Wave, Kobold and Wild hop.  We love their cider, iced cold for a summer days or spiced up and warmed through for a chilly night.  And their Prosecco and the Pinot Grigio Blush, rose, are also dreamy sundowners on our warm Suffolk nights.  Closest Adnams shops are Woodbridge and Aldeburgh, who also deliver website orders.

Maple Farm, Kelsale, IP17 2PJ

01728 652000

For twenty years the Kendall’s at Maple Farm have been thoroughly organic. Contented Sheep, cows and chickens roam the meadows, and organic vegetables grow the year round. The farm shop sells their meat, fruit and vegetables, brown eggs with rich yellow yolks, Sophie’s Honey, Fen Farm Dairy products, oils and vinegar, “unusual” coffee (you will have to visit to find out why), jellies and jams made in the kitchen. LABrewery Kombucha (brilliant for the gut) brewed locally at Bentwaters by the Kendalls is available in several tasty and restorative flavours. Most thrilling is their very own home grown and produced, organic milled flour:  wholegrain, spelt, rye. Open every day 9 to 5pm.

Alice Norman – Pinch Meal Kits

Instagram @pinch.suffolk

Alice trained at Ballymaloe in Ireland, and then wandered the world cooking in Amsterdam, Asia and India. She has worked in London’s coolest restaurants Kricket, Clipstone, Emelia and Levan. Now working from the kitchen in Maple Farm, Alice is producing ‘Pinch’ meal kits, pasta focused, using Maple Farm’s glorious organic grain and eggs. Collect only from Maple Farm Kelsale.

APRIL NEWS

April News – We’ve highlighted some of our suppliers stories this month and also asked them how they coped with lock down. And Rebecca and Jack have told us about their mini wedding at the Priory last summer. What it was like going from 220 to 15 guests with a picnic on the beach.

James Davidson – photographer

Jamesdavidson.co.uk

James is a regular wedding photographer at Butley Priory and a huge fan. “It’s both romantically intimate and a spectacular backdrop”. Not only weddings have been on hold for James, his other outlet, horse racing photography, has also been moth balled.  On a brighter note, James says his house and garden are looking immaculate. James was the photographer for Rebecca and Jack’s wedding at the Priory. Despite the nail biting situation and slashed numbers, it took place. “It takes a certain type of couple to make is special. “Down to the wire, but Rebecca and Jack went with the flow and made it happen.”

Rebecca and Jack from London loved their wedding day despite the disappointment and last minute announcements from Boris.  Numbers from January were sliced from 220 down to 15 in July.  “We were determined to get married come what may, and prepared ourselves in the weeks before for setbacks. First cut was down to 50 (100 was harder to cherry pick). It was painful not just financially but the agony of uncertainty. “We had friends coming from six different countries.   We were at the Priory the day before the wedding getting ready, when we heard that receptions were cancelled. But a marriage and photographs could go ahead. Our caterer brought the food in boxes, so after the ceremony we went to the beach at Shingle Street to celebrate.” The sun shone, the day was perfect, their friends watched around the world from Los Angeles to South Africa. They spent their wedding night in Forest Haven in Rendlesham forest. “It was magical.”

Peter Harrison – Chef

Peterharriosnchef.co.uk

Peter has quite a biography, working in the catering industry in London, France, Australia and has run his own restaurant. Now based in Rendlesham Peter has worked at Butley Priory, catering for weddings for the last two years. He likes that it’s a family business, the relaxed vibe, the ancient, quirky building, surrounded by history and oak forests. “Its unique, and its very beautiful.”

Lockdown has been horrendous for the catering industry; “Small weddings are not viable financially” says Peter “The restricted numbers for the few weddings which went ahead were challenging, with suppliers and staff.” Peter is creative and resourceful, during the last year he has catered for a film company with Jamie Oliver, picked up consultancy work and spent a couple of months last summer picking asparagus with some of this staff at Blaxhall. “We enjoyed it, despite the back breaking work, the weather was wonderful, bird song, we met all sorts of interesting people from fellow chefs, artists, and skippers from yachts, all sorts. There was a good feeling of camaraderie, nobody knew much about the virus or the impact. And I now know everything there is about growing asparagus.’ But for now he is really keen to get back to work, and the wedding season. The kitchen at the Priory has been revamped so that’s another thing to look forward to.

Victoria Bradfield – Make-up Artist 

Victoriabradfield.co.uk

It’s been a frustrating time for Victoria, especially in the first locked down when hairdressers were allowed to open before beauticians, causing an understanding ripple in the industry. Victoria trained 25 years ago in London. Her love of travelling to faraway off the beaten track destinations has been curtailed, but she‘s stayed positive concentrating staying fit and healthy, and learning photography. She’s been honing her make-up skills doing masters classes on line with Kristina Gasperas.

“I love working at the Priory, the cream and white colouring make a perfect setting for the brides. The light streams through the huge gothic arched windows, the photographs never fail.”

Victoria’s Yorkshire terrier Ruby has kept her sane during these last months. Ruby is a firm favourite with her brides doing makeup trials before the big day. “I’ve missed my brides, it’s been tough on them, and the whole industry; so much uncertainty and disappointment. I’m longing to get back to work.”

Photo credit: James Hiller Photography & Marianne Ford Photography

Helen Newman – Florist

helennewman.net

Butley Priory is Helen’s favourite wedding venue - of course it is. Helen has kept going during lockdown with a few small weddings, which she’s enjoyed; “they are more intimate, stripped back to what its all about, a marriage. The brides tend to be more lavish with the flowers.” And of course there have been funerals, so that’s been sad, but the flowers lift spirits, they make all the difference.

A florist for many years Helen has worked in London, New York and the Middle East. A keen gardener, she has her own cutting garden, which she uses for her floristry. Tulips are her passion (she’s waiting patiently for her Sarah Raven mix to come up) but also roses, peonies hydrangeas. During lock down she’s indulged in a new interest, unusual house plants with unpronounceable names; she and her daughter are very pleased with their avocado tree, although the fruit has yet to appear.

 Karen Lear- Celebrant and Florist

Karenlearflowers@hotmail.co.uk

Florist and Celebrant, Karen has known and loved the tranquillity and romance of Butley Priory since childhood, “when I use to bicycle passed it.” Karen ran the flower shop in Leiston for years; she first learnt floristry at Otley College and then stayed on and taught.  She likes using flowers from the hedgerows, and locally sourced and lots of green foliage woven in. The Priory is a wonderful place to decorate; she likes the wide stone mantelpieces. “It’s a very flexible building, you can go elegant or boho, whatever, it’s a dream venue.”

As a Celebrant Karen trained 4 years ago in Salisbury. Karen tailors the ceremony to the couple’s wishes. “Sometimes they write their vows, sometimes I write them; it can be solemn, poetic, pagan, long or short and sweet, whatever the couple wants, sometimes a collaboration.” It’s nicer to meet in person, but with lock down over the phone or zoom has worked says Karen; we’ve all learnt to adapt.

During lock down Karen has kept busy gardening, painting, sewing, writing and floristry, one or two small weddings but sadly quite a few funerals. “I’ve stayed up upbeat and busy.”

Amelie’s Kitchen –  Wedding cakes

amelies-kitchen.co.uk

 Helen Ward found lockdown at first very hard, her business felt like “it had literally fallen off a cliff.” From making and creating two intricate wedding cakes a week, work instantly stopped. Her online shop set up on 2019 also went quiet. She felt lost and disorientated.  But things slowly improved, the craze for home baking took off, and Helen capitalised, designing and making Cookie Embosser’s to decorate biscuits. Hey presto, her on line shop took off.  “The upside of not making wedding cakes meant I got my weekends and evenings back.” But she’s looking forward to life getting back to normal. Her multi-flavoured wedding cakes, traditional fruit, chocolate mud, strawberry and champagne, Madagascan vanilla, carrot and pecan nut, will be back in demand with their exquisite sugar flowers.

NEW ! Gate Keeper’s Cottage - available May and June

Close to the Priory is an enchanting 18th century two bedroom cottage, bathroom, open plan sitting room, small private garden. Please contact us for further details and prices.  

March News

It’s been a crazy year for so many of us but the owners of the Priory, the Greenwell family, custodians for four generations of the 14th century Priory, are delighted to have taken over and now trade as Butley Priory.

We have kept on the brilliant team, our manager Emma, supported by Nigel, maintenance/gardener/Jack of all trades and Kimmy our housekeeper, and Baz (also a dab hand with the camera in the garden) fine tuning the lawns at the farmhouse, are all working flat out for our open day April 17/18th April, and then to welcome back our brides, grooms and guests.

We’ve spent a year refurbishing Butley Abbey Farmhouse (helped by Georgia Mann Interiors), a 12 bedroom Georgian farmhouse, from top to toe (including the tennis court) which can be used for wedding accommodation, or just a spoiling holiday. We are really pleased with the result; quite challenging in lock down, scouring country sales (hours on line, some disaster purchases) car boot sales (Sunday mornings at Friday Street, our favourite haunt) when we were allowed, good old John Lewis for bathroom and kitchen stuff, and a mad day trip to fabric emporium A.Shufflebothams in Derbyshire made it all happen. The farmhouse has an idyllic rustic, thatched summerhouse in the grounds, also licensed for weddings.  We are very excited, as our first wedding in the gardens using the summerhouse will be Isla and Matt’s 19th June. 

At the Priory, we’ve been super busy these last three months: ancient buttresses have been repaired by master stone mason Kim, it’s a privilege to watch his flint-knapping skills. We’ve replanted the garden with English blooms, lavender, roses, geraniums, alliums and delphiniums, soft pinks, blues and creams. We’ve added some freestanding baths to the already majestic white and cream bedrooms with their enormous arched mullion windows and stone window seats. Not an easy task furnishing a grade one listed Gothic house in a second lock down – hours and hours spent on the Internet searching for the right fabrics and pieces. 

But we are almost ready and open for business. We’ve spruced up the vaulted Priory kitchen (kept the trusty old green aga which keeps it toasty), the four-poster is ready to be assembled, curtains hung, and our interesting collection of rugs rolled out. The tiny, secret vaulted Gin Bar (the former Pilgrims room) with a log fire, hidden behind a door in the panelling is being restocked with speciality gins. Still deliberating what to plant in the terracotta pots for the summer ahead. The snowdrop and wild daffodil woods around the Monks former ponds have been cleared and the bluebells are nearly here.

BRAND NEW!  A WEDDING LIST with SNAPE MALTINGS 
We’ve just set up an exclusive wedding list with Snape Maltings  (stunning Homeware and Furniture) for our bridal couples. To make an enquiry or book a personal appointment for their service, contact retail reception 01728 688303 or email info@snapemaltings.co.uk and visit  https://snapemaltings.co.uk/shops/