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West Stow Pods

East Anglia Suffolk Bury St. Edmunds

From £70 a night
4 MegaPods, 2 Lodges & 'Pod Hollow'
Pods

Welcoming, well-run woodland glamping in the heart of rural Suffolk.

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Woodland glamping doesn't come much better – or more accessible – than this wonderful glamping site deep in the heart of rural Suffolk. With a selection of rustic pods and lodges, West Stow is an ultra-welcoming, extremely well-run operation that offers hassle-free glamping in the most serene of surroundings. Think olive-green woods riddled with paths and cycle trails against a classic English backdrop of gentle hills and delightful villages. It's the sort of place people return to again and again, and you may find yourself doing the same.

West Stow's accommodation consists of four distinctive and surprisingly roomy MegaPods, two Woodland Lodges and the so-called 'Pod Hollow,' the site's very own 'Hobbit Hole'. The MegaPods comfortably sleep a family of four (a couple on the double bed and two on a fold-out sofa) and feature private en-suite wet rooms and compact kitchens. The newer and larger lodges feature two separate bedrooms and a kitchen and dining space as well as a wet room. Outside, a mobile BBQ allows you to slope off into the trees if you fancy frazzling your sausages in a more densely wooded setting, or you can just soak up the sun on the south-facing verandah. But if you really want a hideaway in the woods, the site's latest addition is quirky 'Pod Hollow': a semi-subterranean dwelling, suitable for up to four people. Designed with Tolkien in mind, it's perfect for your very own Middle-Earth Adventure. Pod Hollow is dog friendly, as are the lodges and two of the pods.

For somewhere so close to London, Suffolk is a surprisingly rural county, and nowhere more so than around West Stow Pods, where the Stour Valley is crammed with pretty villages, ancient churches and half-timbered houses. The pine-wooded expanse of Thetford Forest lies a a few miles to the north, while in the opposite direction the county town of Bury St Edmunds is an immensely wanderable old place, with great pubs, restaurants and shopping as well as historic sights. The real draw of West Stow, though, is its more immediate surrounds, nestled amongst the trees in an idyllic woodland wonderland that offers the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the birds, with an abundance of walking and cycling from your podstep.

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Details

Facilities

Four MegaPods pods with: double bed, sofa bed, wet room (complete with shower and WC), kitchenette with fridge, microwave/oven, tea making facilities and toaster, flat screen Freeview TV (with DVD player). Heating, lighting and electrical points, dining table & chairs, outdoor decking and BBQ area. Two Woodland Lodges; one with a double bed in one room and two singles in the other and the other Lodge has a bed-sofa for a comfy couple's experience. Mobile BBQ outside. Don’t forget to bring your camping gear (bedding, cooking equipment, etc) as this is not provided.

Suitable For

Glampers, couples, small families, dogs – yes.

Tents, campervans, caravans, motorhomes – no.

Nearby

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Moyse’s Hall Museum (01284 758000) are heritage sites and less than 2 miles from West Stow. Featuring living history and event days, workshops, walks and talks, these sites and their events bring history to life. Bury St Edmunds (6 miles) was once home to one of medieval Europe’s most mighty monasteries. Bury has long drawn tourists due to its captivating history. Have a look here at all there is to do in Bury St Edmunds https://www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk. Many others come to elegant Bury St Edmunds for another reason – beer! Greene King, the huge Suffolk brewer, is based here, and its doors are wide open to eager visitors. Nearby natural attractions include, Lackford Nature Reserve and High Lodge Thetford Forest. Also, worth a mention is https://perennial.org.uk/garden/fullers-mill-garden/ with its fantastic gardens and cafe.

Food & Drink

Bury St Edmunds is famous for its fantastic food and drink establishments, including The Bury Beer House (01284 766415) have eight pumps dedicated to cask ale, with an ever changing range of beers from local and national brewers. They also offer a selection of simple but tasty bar snacks such as deep fried whitebait and crispy fried brawn with piccalilli. The Woolpack is within walking distance (70 - 90 mins), offering great traditional food (including Sunday lunch), and curry dishes too.

What we LOVE to do is walk to a local pub for a spot of lunch and then walk it off on the way back. Pubs within walking or cycling distance include The Cadogan (01284 728443) which serves good food and drink at sensible prices in a relaxed, friendly environment. This is a 40 minute walk away, approximately. Another new favourite is The Guinness Arms in Icklingham The Guiness Arms which takes approximately one and a half hours to walk to.

Open

Open all year.

Pricing

Lodges: from £80–£90 a night (for 2 adults). Additional children £20 per person per night (maximum of 2), infants £10. 2 night minimum on weekends

MegaPods: £70 a night (for 2 adults). Additional adults £25 per night to a maximum of 4. First child under 3 free, subsequent children £20 per night to a maximum of 2, infants £10 per night.

Pod Hollow: from £175 a night (for 2 adults).

50% of payment required upfront

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The Owner Says

West Stow Pods is wonderfully positioned in the heart of the glorious Suffolk countryside and the site is spoilt with a whole host of nature's marvels, including the mystical King’s Forest, the gorgeous Lackford Lakes, West Stow County Park, The River Lark and Cavenham Heath National Nature Reserve all within easy reach and walking distance if you so desire. Furthermore, the famous Anglo-Saxon Village, reportedly the oldest English Village in existence, is only minutes away. There are numerous walks and cycle trails nearby; from walks to pubs, churches, villages and forest locations, there is something for everyone!

West Stow Pods is a family-run glamping site, about four miles from bustling Bury St Edmunds, which is known as "The Jewel in the Crown of Suffolk". Bury itself is surrounded by countryside and has over a 1000 years of history to explore. It is the home of St Edmund, the original patron Saint of England and visitors come from far and wide to visit the award-winning restaurants, fantastic shopping, annual festivals and the outstanding parks. With Cambridge and Norwich not far away, there really is so much to see and do during a stay at West Stow Pods; always assuming that the idea of doing absolutely nothing but relaxing on the veranda, with a glass of wine in hand and contemplating the ambience of the woodland setting, doesn't appeal more!

At West Stow Pods, there are four MegaPods, two Lodges (The Woodland Lodge and The Cedar Lodge) and Pod Hollow, which has been built in the style of a Hobbit Hole, with its own particular twist! All are dog-friendly accept two of the MegaPods. We love dogs and welcome a maximum of 2 per accommodation. West Stow Pods offers the very best in Suffolk glamping accommodation combined with beautiful surroundings. Peace and tranquillity guaranteed!

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Location

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Getting There

From Bury St Edmunds: Head north on Northgate Street and at the roundabout turn right onto Compiegne Way. Go straight over the next roundabout (A134) and continue north before turning left on the B1106. Take the second right and continue north on the B1106/Ingham Road. Keep your eyes peeled, West Stow Pods will be on your left hand side.

Bury St Edmunds serves the site's nearest railway station (4 miles), with all trains operated by Greater Anglia (0845 600 7245)

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