Ideal for large family gatherings and group holidays, these lovingly converted Mills boast five individual apartments as well as a stunning setting of the flowing Butley River. Awarded a 4* Quality in Tourism rating.

Set between the flowing Butley River and an expanse of reed beds, Butley Mills houses five individual apartments, all with their own kitchen, dining and sitting areas, as well as a communal eating and recreational room on the ground floor. With a 4* Quality in Tourism rating, these fabulously converted properties are ideal for large family gatherings and group holidays.

orford 3.6 miles (5.8km), snape  6.8 miles (10.9km), woodbridge  7.9 miles (12.7km), aldeburgh 12.3 miles (19.8km), framlingham 13.9 miles (22.3km), southwold  25.4 miles (40.9km)

About the property: A former working mill, Butley Mills houses five individual apartments, all fully equipped with with their own bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining and sitting areas. Families or groups of friends can make use of the large, communal, recreation room on the ground floor where there is a pool table, large sofas seating 18, coffee tables, books, TV, full size fridge and a dining table that seats 18. The room opens out onto the fenced, riverside veranda, complete with tables and chairs and a BBQ, perfect for eating al fresco or watching the sun set over a glass of wine. Packed with original features, including beams and pulley wheels, these fabulously converted properties make an interesting and fun place to stay.

Surrounded by breath taking scenery, wake up to views of Butley's reed beds and the distant Butley Creek, or to the flowing stream that runs beside, and underneath, the property. History enthusiasts will also be fascinated by the Sluice that operates right below the apartments, where you can see water rushing through the original Sluice device.

The sluice room also has heated storage lockers (one for each apartment), access to a shared laundry room and a separate wc. 

If planning to use fireworks during your stay, please contact the office team or owners directly in advance of your stay as these can scare surrounding livestock and necessary arrangements will need to be put in place. 

Sleeps: 18 + 2 babies: Thomas Crisp, sleeps 2. Coralline, sleeps 2. Lucam, sleeps 4. Provender, sleeps 4. Samphire, sleeps 6. Provender and Samphire both provide a wooden cot in the master bedrooms. Please see the individual apartment pages for their floorplans.

Parking  There is a dedicated parking area immediately opposite the Mills. 

This property is ideal for: Large family gatherings, or groups of friends who can make use of the shared space on the ground floor, yet with the option of retreating to their own fully equipped apartment. The mills are surrounded by beautiful countryside, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; vast reed beds, distant fields, the River Butley flowing right beside and underneath the property, and grazing animals in the meadows just across the water. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (sssi), Butley Mills makes the perfect base for ramblers, bird watchers, and those keen to explore nearby Orford and Snape.

Why not get active with the whole family and have a go at mountain biking! There are some great trails around to suit all abilities. Hire the high performance Trek Mountain Bikes and get exploring! Qualified guides can be arranged to lead your group, and lunches can be organised too. For information contact the Big House holidays team on 01394 389188.

Just 5 miles away, travelling through some of the most beautiful Suffolk countryside, is the village of Snape and the world famous Maltings Concert Hall, with an all year round program of music and dance in every genre. This is also a great place to start a walk; you can map your own route or join one of the guided tours from the Snape Maltings to explore the wildlife and historic landscape of the Alde valley. There are also boat trips down the river Alde to Iken church, an area naturally rich in wildlife and a haven for wildfowl. If you prefer to explore the river at your own pace, why not hire a canoe at Iken and enjoy a leisurely paddle on this quiet stretch of the Alde.

The Historic market town of Woodbridge is also worth visiting with the last working Tide Mill and many other interesting old buildings. The river walk extends along a very easy footpath, from Wilford Bridge to the creek at Martlesham, with the Riverside Restaurant or Whistle Stop Cafe conveniently positioned around halfway. The Thoroughfare offers some interesting boutiques, galleries and several independent tea rooms so plenty to keep you busy for a day.

Eating and drinking out: The closest eatery is The Froize Freehouse at Chillesford - easily within walking distance, taking 15 minutes on foot. Top quality, seasonal fresh food, sourced locally. The restaurant serves both lunch (everyday but Monday) and supper on Thursday - Saturday. 

Pubs in Orford include The Kings Head Inn, serving excellent food and Adnams ale in front of the woodburner, and the equally delightful Jolly Sailor, right near Orford Quay. The Crown and Castle restaurant and bar in Orford has a truly unstressed and relaxing atmosphere, and serves really good, unpretentious food. Journey a little further out and you will find the The Crown Inn, and The Golden Key at Snape, both serving locally brewed Adnams ales.

As well as tea rooms and an array of good shops, Snape Maltings houses The Plough and Sail, a modern restaurant with a delicious menu consisting of local, fresh, seasonal ingredients - perfect before an evening performance at the famous Maltings concert hall!

Venture even further afield to Woodbridge or Aldeburgh and sample some of the top quality fare served in the pubs and restaurants. See Vist Woodbridge and Visit Aldeburgh for ideas. 

Self catering eating: In nearby Orford, you will be well supplied with local produce. Fresh fish can be bought at Brinkley's Fish Shed, down by the quay, or from The Butley Orford Oysterage, where you can get oysters grown at Butley Creek as well as freshly smoked trout, mackerel, cod roe, wild and farmed salmon, kippers and eel. For shopping, go to Orford General Store, which is just off Market Hill. From Wednesday through to Sunday try the Pump Street Bakery, a continental type patisserie/boulangerie, for the crustiest bread and arguably the best doughnuts for miles!

For lots of information on things to do and places to eat in the area, please look at our own online guides Visit Orford, Visit Woodbridge, Visit Aldeburgh and Visit Framlingham.