The Old Post Office is on the Angles Way, situated in the small country village of Geldeston, a very picturesque part of the Waveney River Valley on the Suffolk/Norfolk borders, the area is designated a national park known as “The Norfolk Broads”. An area of protected wetland, heaving with an abundance of flora, forna & wildlife, with this section of the Waveney River being famous for kingfishers, these being counted as local residents, just listen out for their high pitched call from the riverbank. The extremely good water quality has also lead to an abundant variety of fish, roach, perch, bream and rather LARGE pike.
The river & footpath to explore miles of the Broads is approx. 500mtrs from The Old Post Office. Turn left at the footpath sign just inside the boatyard entrance. There is no limit to how far you can walk alongside the river. Beccles market town is approx. 70 minutes walk. The green banked Village staithe, just after the disused railway bridge, also on this footpath, is an ideal spot to fish for the day.
We believe the river Waveney between Geldeston & Beccles, is one of the prettiest stretches of waterway on the Broads and it's so peaceful (the low bridge at Beccles restricts larger boats entering this section of the river). Whether you are walking, canoeing, boating or cycling, just enjoy the calm waters & the stunning views.
"BE HAPPY" BEACH HUT"
Included with every 7 day booking is use of a family beach hut on Pakefield Beach, from Monday to Thursday. Hire for further days available.
"Be Happy" is fully equipped with everything needed for a fun day on the beach for all the family.
Make a cuppa, take a picnic or eat at the 3 local hostelries or fish and chip shop. Free local parking.
The Old Post Office is detached, spacious and we have tried to keep the homely family feel & have gone over and above to ensure everything you should need is provided. Towels, linen, heating & electricity are all included.
There will be a welcome basket awaiting your arrival.
The lounge is a good size & feels very cosy, offering a comfy 4 seater sofa, 2 seater sofa and single chair, TV & free Wifi and a wood burner, especially relaxing on cold winter evenings (fire guard provided). A starter box of logs & kindling is included. Additional logs and kindling are available to purchase at cost, honesty box.
The kitchen offers everything you would expect at home, with ample equipment for 6 + including dishwasher (& tabs) washing machine, double oven, microwave, ample crockery & glasses, etc. etc., and a 6 seater family table. A high chair is also available. The small annex, attached to the kitchen, houses plenty of picnic ware, cool box.. There are some extra folding chairs in the outside store, you are welcome to use those for fishing or take them on the beach.
The dining/family room has a large family table, 6 – 8 places, ideal for a family gathering/social/playing games/meals. There are plenty of family games, puzzles, books, CD's & DVD's. Two sofas for chilling or perhaps listening to music on the CD/Radio/iPod docking station. Plus there is a DVD linked TV. So the kids can watch DVD's in this room & you can watch Mastermind in the lounge !!!
We have tried to reflect the Norfolk Broads area in the cottage and also combine the cottage's heritage as a former village shop & post office.
There is a small children's room set up as a shop & toy post office, this room has been a particular success with our younger visitors & parents alike (when the children are happy etc.,) The children love the scales/till/pretend money/shopping trolley, swiping their Club Card !! Postman Pat features heavily in this room, along with DVD's books & games (other non-delivery person related toys are available!!) Alternatively this room has amply storage for coats. There is also a small children's Cafe set up in the courtyard.
Spacious upstairs: The main bedroom has an original Victorian bed, ample wardrobe & draw space, the second bedroom has 2 twin beds & en-suite shower room, the third bedroom has a set of large 3ft wide bunk beds, comfy for both children and adults. All have good quality beds & fresh clean linen & towels.
Both upstairs showers are electric and the main bathroom has a full size bath, with constant hot water during your stay.
In addition upstairs, if required for the younger visitor, there is a portable Disney travel cot (No linen provided), baby bath, non-slip bathmats, stair gates & plenty of toys.
Outside
A pretty, private, secure, well established evergreen courtyard, family dining table & 6 + chairs, undercover gas BBQ & tools, candles/fairy lights/security lighting, lockable covered brick area/ "Cosy corner" (also ideal for 2 adult bikes), a few outdoor games housed here. Extra bike storage is available on request. An undercover seating area with wood burner, ideal for cosy nights ‘out’. There is also an outside toilet.
Parking
You can park in the drive, courtyard or directly outside the cottage.
Geldeston Village
The Village is blessed with 2 pubs. “The Locks Inn” (Limited winter opening hours) *** This place is pretty unique & it’s hard to explain the attraction unless you visit for yourself, set out on the marshes, with no mains electric, candle lit, you could drive, but if you are staying at the OPO we would recommend walking, once you are there the place is infectious & time seems to escape you as you get embroiled in the atmosphere and the music, sit on the lawn or grab a bench on Sundays/Bank holidays and enjoy traditional folk songs & tales, jazz or jam sessions.
Advice : Take one of the torches from the cottage, just in case you stay later than intended, there are no street lights in the Village. *** The Locks Inn was purchased on 21st Oct 2020 by the community, its best to check Opening hours before visiting, especially this winter, although the walk is always worth while.
The Wherry Inn (Adnams Brewery) www.thewherryinn.co.uk
A well attended village pub, with good quality food, quiz & themed food evenings. The Wherry Inn is only stumbling distance from the cottage. This building also dates back to the days of the Dowson Brewery and was an integral asset to the brewery, this being where the more influential employees of the brewery frequented.
In those days there was another pub in the Village “The Ale House” where only ale/beer was sold for the workers!! So they hopefully returned “Sober” to work the next day !! This has long since been a private home, you will pass it on your way to the river footpath.
The Old Post Office itself was built around 1828 and formed part of the Dowson brewery, as home to the Master Brewer. When the brewery closed in 1858 the cottage became a small village shop and later a sub Post office and family home.
We then developed the cottage into a holiday home in 2013. We have been pleased with the comments left by a good cross section of guests, from couples to family groups with children, the cottage appears to suit everyone,
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Geldeston Boat Yard www.rowancraft.com
A small family run boatyard & moorings. Walk 300 yards down “Big Row” opposite The Old Post Office. You can hire a small day boat, paddle boards or canoes from here, why not canoe to The Locks Inn or day boat to Beccles. (approx.50 mins). If you bring your own small craft, there is a small public slipway or for a small fee you can use the larger more accessible slip owned by the boatyard.
Footpaths - There are an abundance of footpaths around the Village and surrounding areas. A footpath map is located on the Village Hall wall. We have also placed a folder with maps & directions of local walks & cycle tracks in the Old Post Office. You could also walk to Beccles & take the Big Dog Ferry back to The Locks Inn. www.bigdogferry.co.uk
Angels Way - Cycle and walk way runs through the village & winds it way through Suffolk and Norfolk.
The Village Green & The Park - Both ideal for a picnic or ball games, although the park is a far larger open area, with play park.
The Church - Take a leisurely stroll, left out of the OPO and up Snakes Lane, through the cattle gate. Come back through the Church car park & down Heath Road.
Mandy's Farm Shop/Riding School - Just a few minutes walk, Mandy sells a range of fresh fruit & vegetables, pickles, chutneys jams & other produce. New breakfast and lunch menu. Definitely worth a visit.
SURROUNDING AREAS
Spreading out in every direction from Geldeston and without having to travel too far, you can be in the heart of the countryside, waterways, market town of Beccles, a 5 min drive, excellent for shopping, having lunch in one of the many pubs & restaurants. Bungay with its 12th Century castle, antique shops, pubs and Fishers Theatre. Seaside resorts, Lowestoft, with its golden beaches, seafront prom & children's fountains, evening entertainment at The East Coast Cinema & The Marina Theatre & theme park Pleasurewood Hills www.pleasurewoodhills.com. Southwold, 20 mins drive, harbourside walks and pubs. Cathedral City, Norwich about 15 miles away, a great day out with its historic castle, cathedral, museums & shopping malls.
Surrounding Villages
KIRBY KANE
The Olive Tree (Italian Restaurant) booking essential 01508 518147 - 1 1/2 miles.
Spar shop & post office – 1 1/2 miles.
Well equipped Play Park - 2 miles.
DITCHINGHAM
Ditchingham Common – pretty common with walks around the 6 fishing lakes, 7 mins driving distance.
(Follow the signposts for Ellingham West, through Ellingham onto Ditchingham, the lakes carpark is on the right.
ELLINGHAM MILL
Ellingham Church & a pretty spot further on with view of the water mill – right out of OPO, left at the crossroads, in several miles take the left fork past the Church 60 mins, Walking distance. Good walk/cycle along country roads, great for picking blackberries (at the right time of year).
