Watercress Barns

It’s a lovely, quiet place. I’d definitely recommend it and plan to return in the future.

I’ve never stayed anywhere worse. If zero stars were an option, that’s what I’d give. I’m not a snob, and I don’t usually leave reviews like this, but I don’t expect accommodation to be infested with wasps. The mugs and cutlery were dirty, and the place wasn’t clean. The owner did nothing about the wasps. We were there for three nights and got stung every night. The lights were broken, and wasps were getting in through the lights and roof. It was so hot that we needed air, so they also came in through the windows, which had no fly screens. The pictures show all the dead wasps after we’d been stung. We were lucky none of us was allergic or had anaphylaxis.

These are lovely countryside apartments, with plenty of shops and restaurants within four miles. A heads-up for anyone travelling there: School Lane is closed until the end of August. Don’t come in via Church Ln; use Breach Ln and Boxted Ln instead.

We spent a really peaceful time in The Hayloft flat, a smart and comfortable conversion with a high standard of fittings and everything well provided. There’s a deep sense of history around here, and our walks took us past old hulks, boatyards, former brickworks and old pubs. We also spent hours among the orchards and along the creeks, and the Saxon Shore way is about an hour’s walk from the Hayloft. We’ll return.