The Mill House

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

Name: The Mill House
Reviewer: Deb Bridges

Letheringham Water Mill is a real gem of a holiday destination for anyone planning a trip to Suffolk with dogs in tow. 

Luxury accommodation for two to four is available in the lovingly restored and converted cottages, where an artistic flair for décor and homely touches combine to make for a real home-from-home experience, and a refreshingly relaxed approach is taken to doggy guests who are free to explore the extensive gardens. There is only one rule at Letheringham Mill – there are no rules!

For the larger family or group of friends wishing to holiday together or perhaps share a special occasion, the beautifully furnished Mill House can accommodate up to eight guests and, for those with mobility issues, there is the fully fitted disability suite on the ground floor. While it may sound clinical, the disability suite is anything but, and the state-of-the-art assistance equipment sits comfortably alongside artworks and lavish furnishings, entirely in keeping with the rest of the house,  which could grace the pages of any upmarket interior design magazine. 

The suite is spacious and the first thing you notice on entering is the plump and inviting, red leather sofa which dominates the sitting area. Beyond this, there is an electrically operated, king-size bed with a view of the courtyard garden beyond, which can be accessed on the level through glazed French doors. 

Tucked around the corner, with a screen for privacy, is an enormous wet room and dressing area, where it is clear no expense has been spared on the specially adapted fixtures.

At the beating heart of this unique set-up is owner, Jacqui Gooding, who has first hand experience as a carer for family members. She understands the needs of her guests with reduced mobility and explains that the accommodation is flexible and can be tailored to suit individual requirements. The doorways are wide and there’s plenty of room for wheelchair access and multiple doggy guests, both in the disability suite itself and in the open-plan, communal downstairs areas. There’s lots of space around the dining table and wheels are able to glide effortlessly over the ceramic ‘wood’ tiling, which is also easy to clean.

Another thoughtful addition is the raised dog shower in the utility room.

Alongside her late husband, Richard, Jacqui has managed to create an exceptional space which is accessible to all, without compromising on style or comfort. Many return time and again and their comments glow with praise, not just for the quality of the accommodation but for Jacqui’s personal involvement in making sure every stay is as special as it can possibly be. 

It’s a winning combination and one which is perhaps best described by a recent guest, after a holiday at the Mill House in which three generations of the family and their dogs had the time of their lives:

“This was my third stay at Letheringham Mill but the first for my large family. The location is just stunning – an oasis of beautiful plants, water features and secret gardens. Every step of planning this special trip was easy, thanks to Jacqui. She feels more like a good friend than a host and showed us such incredible kindness during our stay. Our enormous family of nine adults, two children and two cockapoos stayed in the Mill House, which was a fantastic space for socialising, enjoying large roast dinners and late-night board games on the patio. It was ideal for my mother-in-law, who had full use of a disabled-friendly, luxurious downstairs bedroom suite. Jacqui provided us with extra equipment to help make her stay comfortable and was on hand to answer any questions I had. 

The interior of the house is stunning, and we all slept well in large double/king ensuite bedrooms, and even enjoyed use of Jacqui’s private pool which the kids adored.”

Billing itself as a luxury holiday hug and dog-happy place, Letheringham Water Mill more than lives up to the hype. It’s a place where treasured memories are made and, best of all, anyone can enjoy this amazing place.

The Mill House, review by Deb Bridges and appears in DogFriendly magazine issue 79.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine