A single photo of a bright green, paneled bathroom stopped me mid-scroll and sent me down a rabbit hole to Melton Hall’s Airbnb listing. What began as a chance interior-gazing moment quickly became a family staycation plan. The listing promised so much—checkerboard pool, 7.5 acres with a walled rose garden and wildflower meadow, a Mickey Mouse-themed children’s room, and easy access to the coast—that with spring school break approaching, it felt perfect.
Melton Hall didn’t disappoint. The house balances contemporary interiors with period character so gracefully you notice both without either overpowering the other. A pillared front door opens onto a bright, airy entrance hall with high arched ceilings and modern art. To the left, a sophisticated living room is clearly made for grown-up downtime: a white chaise longue faces large windows that look out across manicured gardens. A clever TV rises at the push of a button, hiding a renaissance painting and epitomizing the way modern comforts are woven into the house’s heritage.
The property spans three floors, and my children immediately turned the layout into a hide-and-seek playground. Every room felt consistently considered—floor-length curtains, curated art, and comfortable beds. My favourite design surprise was a bookcase that opens to a snug cinema room with Monitor Audio Dolby Surround Sound and a deep sofa that easily seats seven. On soggy British afternoons we piled under a blanket and scrolled through Netflix together.
We also made the most of the grounds. For Easter I organised an egg hunt: eggs tucked in the crooks of antique garden statues, in a tree by the vegetable plot, by the tennis-court fence, atop the brick wall around the small pond, and beside the sculptural Willy Guhl loop chairs by the pool. It was a hit before any chocolate was even unwrapped.
A short drive took us to the Unruly Pig, one of the UK’s Top 50 Gastropubs, where we shared standout dishes—Skrei cod loin, Iberico pork, and an outrageously good macaroni cheese that felt too refined for a children’s menu.
I normally choose hotels for family trips to avoid cooking and cleaning, yet Melton Hall’s kitchen nearly converted me. Standing at the huge stainless-steel island, chopping garlic with a sharp knife while my playlist played on crisp Audio Pro speakers, I felt that delicious escape only a special place can deliver. Back home, the property’s Instagram confirmed the first draw: the green bathroom photo. Its bio reads, “A historic Suffolk home reimagined for escapes.” That line sums up the whole experience—heritage lovingly updated to make getting away effortless and beautiful.