Guest testimonials
We loved Honeystone and had a fantastic multi-generational (four generations!) family holiday. The owner was extremely responsive and helpful and was in regular contact if we had any queries or issues. The pool was wonderful, the kids loved the cinema, we used the gym and spa every day and the kitchen was well equipped. Everything that had been selected for the house was of top quality which we appreciated too. We would definitely recommend it to our friends and family!
Every detail has been considered at Honeystone, promising a comfortable and well-equipped stay. The expansive grounds allow for fun-filled afternoons before retiring to the beautifully designed living room to cosy up by the fire. I was completely blown away by the cinema room, you truly feel as if you have been transformed into your own private cinema. There is something for everyone at Honeystone, enjoy the pool after a gym workout, before finishing the day with a sauna and steam- just bliss!
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Honeystone
Southwold, Suffolk, UK
Up to 14 guests
Three well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request
Children and babies are welcome.Loafing in the purlieus of Suffolk is a south-facing home so ornate that even royal hearts would beat a little faster under its hipped-slate bonnet. Fantasy pokes a portal into the real world at Honeystone, a 17th-century estate – with a pool, modern gym, lavish spa, and high-spec home cinema – that totes the tune of Greek mythology into Southwold. The secret's out: this luxury historic manor by The Broads is where off-duty A-listers go to let loose. Read more...
Allows babes in arms
Allows children
?Pets - check restrictions
Wi-Fi
Swimming pool
Cinema room
Real fire
Sauna
TV
Gym
Barbecue
Steam room
Pub within walking distance
Office
Eco-friendly
Cot
Highchair
Sound system- More
Introduction
Built between 1806 and 1808 for Thomas Charles Scott, a high society gent whose artist granddaughter went on to marry a fruit dealer within the manor, Honeystone is a fully renovated masterpiece that’s been a summer house and cabinet hideaway for many a model and minister. These days, it's a thing of Rococoan dreams, with pastoral tapestries, hand-knotted rugs, a state-of-the-art home cinema, and a pool that could be lifted from Como. In a blend of 21st-century newfangledom and Georgian savoir-vivre, this is a place that glows gold under all-day sun, where off-kilter tradition trumps modernity.
Inside
A music entrepreneur and an interior designer walked into a paragon of Palladian virtue and the rest, they say, is history. What came next was a revival of philharmonic proportions; think empire garland chandeliers won at Sotheby’s, a bespoke Swedish fireplace, and the same palatial bathtubs you would find in Buckingham Palace’s bedchambers. As the young'uns set about their make-believe soirees, the grown-ups will gather around one of the earliest Imperial tables, putting the world to rights with coupes of Champagne. All this, wrapped on all sides by depictions of the gods and heroes of antiquity.
Outside
At the end of a mile-long driveway, past a 300-year-old oak tree and scallop fountain, Honeystone sits in noble seclusion close to the fine sands and eateries of coveted Southwold. With lashings of royal flavour, the grounds of this luxury historic manor were made for the footloose and fancy-free: think sun-drenched garden party meets Hollywood retreat. Spend dawn beetling with the dogs over five foliate acres, dipping under jasmine arches and old English roses. Then, after lunch on the lawn, lounge by the Lombardian pool in the gild of golden hour with nothing but jewel-toned negronis and salted olives to get to.
Honeystone sleeps up to 14 guests across seven bedrooms, five of which are en suite. The cottage provides an additional two bedrooms, available only for guests travelling with additional household team members.
Bedroom One
First Floor Double Bedroom
The main bedroom, with views over the front of the house and gardens, has a super king-size bed, sofa, dressing table, original blackout shutters, and an en suite with a double walk-in shower, rolltop bath, double basin, and WC.
Bedroom Two
First Floor Double Bedroom
The second bedroom (known as the Red Room) has a king-size bed, dressing table, electric blackout blinds, and shares access with the third bedroom to a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with a walk-in shower, double basin, rolltop bath, and WC.
Bedroom Three
First Floor Double Bedroom
The third bedroom (known as the Blue Room) has a super king-size bed, electric blackout blinds, and shares access with the second bedroom to a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with a walk-in shower, double basin, rolltop bath, and WC.
Bedroom Four
First Floor Double Bedroom
The fourth bedroom (known as the Sage Room) has a super king-size four-poster bed, dressing table, electric blackout blinds, in-room bath, and an open en suite with a walk-in shower and WC.
Bedroom Five
First Floor Double Bedroom
The fifth bedroom (known as the Green Room) overlooks the pool and has a super king-size bed, dressing table, electric blackout blinds, and an en suite with a rolltop bath and WC.
Bedroom Six
Second Floor Double Bedroom
The sixth bedroom has a super king-size bed, dressing table, electric blackout blinds, and shares access with the seventh bedroom to the family shower room and WC, also on the second floor.
Bedroom Seven
Second Floor Twin Bedroom
The seventh bedroom has twin beds, electric blackout blinds, and shares access with the sixth bedroom to the family shower room and WC, also on the second floor.
Cottage Bedrooms
Ground Floor Double Bedrooms
There are two rooms in the cottage. One room has a super king-size bed and the other has a double bed. These rooms also share a shower room. Please note that the cottage is available only to household team members and is subject to an additional fee.
- PricingFrom £9,995 per week, £7,495 per short break
- FeaturesOutdoor heated swimming pool (May - September), home cinema with Dolby Atmos sound system, sauna, steam room, and gym
- PetsThree well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - FamilyChildren and babies are welcome.
- PracticalitiesThere is ample off-road parking for fourteen cars. The well-equipped kitchen includes a Lacanche range, a Miele double oven, double fridge-freezer, two wine fridges, and pantry with cold slab floor, and there is a separate utility/boot room. The garden is not enclosed, and neither the lake nor the pool are fenced, so please exercise due diligence if you are travelling with children or dogs. There are external CCTV cameras which can be turned off on request. Please note that the cottage is available only to guests staying with household team members and is subject to an additional fee. For further understanding, please contact our Homestay Specialists team
- Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options
Explore private dining - Eco-friendlyGround sourced heating, air source heat pumps, solar panels, filtered water throughout
Arrivals & departures
Arrival time: 4pm
Departure time: 10am
Other information
Fresh produce
- A selection of artisan breads from Two Magpies Bakery
- Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- Free-range local eggs
- Butter
- Collection of fresh pastries including cinnamon swirls, croissants, and pain au chocolat
- Two Magpies Bakery fruit scones
- Two Magpies Bakery cheese scones with chives
- Two Magpies Bakery homemade granola
- Seasonal local fruit jam
- Spiced mango or spiced plum and clementine chutney
- Two Magpies fig chutney
- Local Suffolk apple juice
Please note - the owners strive to source the best produce for your welcome hamper, however the contents may vary slightly depending on the season and amount of people comprising your party.
Those all-important little luxuries
- Luxury bed linen and towels
- Luxury soaps
- Scented candles
- Freshly cut flowers
- Pool, spa and gym towels
- Fluffy bathrobes
- A selection of breakfast and herbal teas
- Ground coffee and coffee beans
- Selection of dried herbs and spices
- Olive oil
- Firewood and kindling
- Sonos system speakers
- Le Chameau wellies (various sizes)
- Board games
- Recipe books
- Hairdryers in each bedroom
- Informative house-book guide
- Magazines and books
- Dog biscuits
- Highchair and travel cot
House book - your property and destination guide
Together with the owners, we've collated everything you'll need to make the most of your experience, from insider tips on local gems to practical property information, all in one digital house book, shared the moment you book.
Southwold
Close to Britain´s largest protected wetland, Southwold takes its place on the Suffolk coast in a flurry of Victorian architecture and charming tearooms. Find delicatessens piled high with flaky pastries and doorstop sandwiches, and scenes you´ll recognise from David Copperfield.
Getting there
- On the map The manor is set between Beccles and Southwold on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, about ten miles from the coast and on the boundary of The Broads, which is home to more than a quarter of Britain's rarest animals and plants.
- By car The manor is around 40 minutes from Norwich, two hours from Cambridge, and two-and-a-half hours from London.
- By train Brampton Train Station is ten minutes away by car. There are regular trains from London Liverpool Street via Ipswich with Greater Anglia Railways, with a journey time of two-and-a-half hours.
- By air London Stansted and London Southend are both less than two hours away by car, and major London airports are less than three hours by car. Norwich Airport is less than one hour by car.
“With four-metre-high ceilings, grand spaces of equally large proportions, and original decorative fireplaces in each room, Honeystone was love at first sight. Surrounded by natural beauty, every day here is like a year-long escape from the world: it´s hard to put into words how magical and soul-resetting the estate is.”
We acquired the manor in a state of disrepair. In a meticulous renovation and refurbishment, we reinstated every room to its former Georgian glory, sourcing the finest wall coverings, replacing every floorboard, re-wiring and plumbing throughout, and installing bathrooms by Catch Pole & Rye. We even installed a luxe Dolby Atmos cinema with the same technical specification as Leicester Square.
The manor has a fascinating history of its own. During the 2008 financial crisis, in what is now our dining room, the then Prime Minister held a critical cabinet meeting and made a decision that effectively saved the banking system from total collapse. The estate was also once owned by an A-list celebrity and photographer who hosted wild hedonistic parties, and many musicians, aristocrats, billionaires, ex-spies, and even one of the world’s first supermodels have stayed here. It’s Britain's best-kept secret for those who want to escape when the bustle of city living becomes too much.
Sitting poolside in the morning sun with freshly ground coffee, walking for miles and stopping to see the horses, taking a sundown sauna followed by a bath, and sipping bubbles in the living room are our favourite ways to spend time here. Now, we are so happy to share our home with you and wish you a wonderful and restful stay.
Discover the best destinations, experiences and restaurants to visit during your stay in Southwold. A larger selection of recommendations will be available in the property's digital house book.
To Do
Thorington Theatre, Southwold
At this unique amphitheatre set within the woodlands of Suffolk, you´ll discover a seasonal programme of world-class dramas, stand-up comedies, and musical performances, from The Odyssey to Doctor Dolittle.
To Eat
Two Magpies Bakery, Beccles
A favourite spot for a cup of coffee, this bakery makes incredible bread, cakes, and pastries, all perfect for a take-away treat. With frittatas and mushroom tarragon toasties on the menu, there´s a handful of dining space available inside, too.
To Eat
Sole Bay Fish Company
This casual (but legendary) waterside spot dates back more than 25 years and is a firm favourite with the locals. While it serves up some of the best lobster and chips in the country, you´ll also find oysters and fried cod tacos amongst their offering.
To Do
Southwold Flower Company
Plan a sweetly-scented day out with a difference at a flower arranging workshop, using the best of British blooms to create your own unique displays; from everlasting wreaths to delicate hand-tied bouquets.
Whether you're curious about pet policies, the nearest walkable pubs, or wild swimming spots, we have the answers to common property-specific queries here. For everything else, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Are there many walks directly from the house?
Yes, there are a selection of walks from the doorstep.
How far is the cottage from the main house?
The cottage sits alongside the main house, and is just a few metres away.
How far is the closest beach?
Southwold beach is approximately six miles away.
Below are a selection of features in which Honeystone and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
Smart sleepovers
Condé Nast Traveller
September 2023Wild at heart
25 Beautiful Homes
August 2026The entrepreneurs cashing in on the £1.3tn wellness holiday boom
The Telegraph
August 20265 waterside stays to book
Country Living
August 2026Time to cool off
The Times
July 2026Broad horizons
Harper´s Bazaar
July 2026The Times art critic’s favourite holiday homes with artful interiors
The Times
July 20265 beach houses to book
Country Living
July 2026
Related collections
Collections > Cottages with fireplaces > UK > Suffolk > Southwold > Honeystone
