Kakapo Lodge Snape-coastal escape with wood burner

New Zealand style dog friendly lodge with its private & enclosed garden- perfect for a peaceful rural getaway.Through these difficult times we offer a rural escape to relax & unwind with everything you need for a weekend break or longer. A stones throw from great walks on Suffolk's Coast, birdwatching at Minsmere, music & arts at Snape Maltings, rural pubs, walking the heathlands, beaches & forests the lodge is perfectly located for many activities& attractions yet offers quiet place to retreat! The lodge is a refurbished timber framed outbuilding with an open plan and modern interior. The garden is fully enclosed and fenced off (to accommodate guests dogs) and has a large New Zealand style verandah overlooking the surrounding fields, with a bench, drinks table, dining table and easy chairs. A bbq is available. The open plan living are comprises a comfy sofa, TV with freesat/DVD player/Ipod docking station & Wifi available. A log burner has been installed and wood is supplied. We can light the wood burner on a daily basis if you are unsure how to operate or we can provide assistance as and when needed. The kitchen is fully equipped and includes a comfortable seating area (for 4) oven, microwave, washing machine, under counter fridge/freezer, washing machine and dishwasher. The light and airy bedroom offers a 'zip and link' queen bed which can be split into 2 singles if required (please specify at time of booking). The modern en-suite shower room leads off the bedroom with towels supplied for your stay. The garden is fully fenced off and secure for dogs and has an array of New Zealand native plants - flaxes, tree ferns (Pongas), tea-tree, manuka and other small native ferns behind the lodge which we are continually developing. There are many great walks within a short drive from Kakapo Lodge - Tunstall Forest is 5 minutes away, the marshes behind Snape Maltings (5 minutes away) leads you on a 20 minute to the private beach at Iken, the beaches of Aldeburgh and Thorpeness are 10 minutes away and the coast is peppered with other great walks and beaches, marshes, woodland and forests. We can offer advice to guests on good spots to walk and visit. We are well versed in hosting at Christmas and New Year - guests can enjoy a Christmas tree and other festive decorations, the chance to explore the beautiful Suffolk coast & countryside & returning to a cosy evening in front of a roaring wood burner. Please do make an enquiry for Christmas or New Year. For some available dates there may be a 'minimum night' stipulated. This is not strictly set in stone and it is still worth sending and enquiry through as I can usually accommodate most requests. I currently have a 'FIRM' cancellation policy - if there are restrictions to travel due to Covid, or local or regional 'lock down's' I will refund guests fully if they are unable to travel, or alternatively if guests prefer, move the reservation to another date. I always try and operate as flexibly as possible, especially amidst the current pandemic. Similarly if you have been asked to isolate or are unable to travel as you have contracted COVID you will be able to either cancel of change the dates of your booking. We also have another property for 2 adjacent to the lodge. It is listed under 'Coastal Escape-dog friendly retreat + woodburner' and otherwise known as 'TUI COTTAGE, SNAPE'. If this lodge is unavailable on your chosen dates please visit the Tui Cottage page and check availability. There is designated parking 20 metres from the lodge. Guests can exercise their dog in the fields adjacent to the house. Wifi is available in the lodge. In light of the current Covid climate we generally offer a brief 'socially distanced' welcome from across the fence so no interaction is needed if guests would prefer. However, we can have no contact at all if guests would prefer and can just message on the Airbnb App- just let us know your preference. We are always on hand to provide local advice on places to visit, good walks, bike rides, pubs to visit etc. There is a well stocked local shop in the garage (5 minutes walk) where all essential groceries can be bought. Tesco and Waitrose are 5 minutes car drive in Saxmundham. We do advise that a car is essential for both getting to and exploring the area as we are on the edge of the village. Our corner of Suffolk has a wide range on offer from soaking up the music and arts at Snape Maltings, with its all year round calendar of music & dance to exploring some of the many local walks through Rendlesham and Tunstall Forest or perhaps the 'Sailors Footpath' which takes you from Snape all the way down to Aldeburgh. RSPB Snape Warren is a 5 minute drive and boat trips run daily from Snape up though the estuary to Iken. The area is also popular with cyclists, with several new off road routes through the forest in Rendlesham and Tunstall. We can offer a secure place to lock away any bikes or other sports gear. Suffolk offers a range of landscape and scenery to enjoy - sandy beaches at Walberswick & Southwold or the shingle beaches at Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Bird watchers can visit RSPB Minsmere, home to many seasons of BBC's 'Springwatch' or RSPB closer by at Snape Warren. Framlingham and Orford castles are both several miles away as is the ancient burial ground at Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge. A little further up the coast (20 minutes drive) is the sandy beach at Walberswick and just round the corner the seaside town of Southwold, full of pubs, independent shops and home to the famous Adnams beer brewery. There are dog friendly 3 pubs serving good food in Snape village itself all serving good food, one in the neighbouring village of Friston and many other good pubs and restaurants down the road in Aldeburgh and further afield.