Suffolk · Waveney Valley

Elm Vale Farm

17th-century farmstead  ·  Holiday Lets  ·  Diss, Suffolk

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3Holiday Lets
6+Acres of Grounds
17th CFarmhouse
RiverWaveney Boundary
< 1 mileFrom Diss

A working farm,
four centuries in the making

The core of the farmhouse dates to the 17th century — though over 400 years it has evolved and expanded into the beautiful property you see today. The original house now forms just one part of a much larger collection of buildings.

The farm comprises six principal buildings: the farmhouse itself, listed for its striking Dutch gable ends, the grand Tithe Barn, the East and West Cowsheds, the Cartlodge, and the Granary. Around these sit smaller outbuildings that once served as stables, a tack room, and a workshop.

As you turn off Denmark Hill, an elegant horseshoe-shaped shingle drive flanked by lime trees welcomes you. In summer, their branches form a soft dappled canopy of green light.

The grounds extend across more than six acres of mixed pasture and woodland, bordered to the north by the River Waveney — the county line of Suffolk — rich with oak, walnut, sycamore, horse chestnut, birch, fir, and fruit trees.

The Farmhouse — Dutch Gable Ends
River Waveney, North Boundary
RabbitsOn the Lawns
SquirrelsIn the Grounds
Muntjac DeerWandering Freely
Resident OtterRiver Waveney
Countless BirdsYear Round
Owl BoxesAwaiting Tenants
Seasonal FruitGuests Welcome

Three distinctive
holiday lets

Each property has been thoughtfully converted from its original agricultural purpose, preserving centuries of character while offering every modern comfort.

Studio · 1 Bath

The
Cartlodge Loft

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Once a three-bay cartlodge with a vast vaulted roof — now a beautifully spacious studio apartment. Original oak beams take centre stage, giving the room a warm rustic charm full of history and personality.

Full Kitchen Shower Bath Smart TV Wi-Fi
1 Bedroom · 2 Floors

The
Granary

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Spread gracefully over two floors with a beautiful spiral staircase leading to a beamed king-size bedroom. A second staircase descends to a quiet courtyard and summer room — perfect for evening wine by the BBQ.

King-sized Bed Summer Room BBQ Wi-Fi Downstairs Shower
2 Bedrooms · Single Level

The
Cowshed

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The Eastern Cowshed, lovingly converted into a spacious countryside retreat. All on one level with two flexible bedrooms, generous open-plan living, a full kitchen, and peaceful views of the surrounding farm.

2 Bedrooms Walk-in Shower Wi-Fi Full Kitchen Farm Views

Nature on
the doorstep

The area around Elm Vale Farm showcases the rolling valley meadowlands and fens of the Waveney floodplain — all within a stone's throw of Diss. Whether you're a keen naturalist or simply looking for a peaceful walk, the Suffolk Vale offers something memorable.

Redgrave & Lopham Fen — Largest Valley Fen in England
  • 01
    Redgrave & Lopham Fen
    The largest valley fen in England. Boardwalks through fen, woodland and heath — rare birds, insects, and marsh helleborine orchids.
  • 02
    Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale
    Ancient woodland and wet meadows. Magical in spring — bluebells, wild cherry, dormice and badgers.
  • 03
    Roydon Fen
    Just one mile from Diss. A wild glimpse of how this landscape may have looked centuries ago.
  • 04
    Mellis Common
    Traditional farmed common with ponds and great crested newts. Relaxed, exploratory walks.
  • 05
    Knettishall Heath
    Beautiful heathland landscape with open skies and varied walking routes.
  • 06
    Thetford Forest
    One of the largest lowland pine forests in the UK — cycling, walking, and forest adventure.

Suffolk, Norfolk
& beyond

Ideally located to enjoy the sights in both Suffolk and Norfolk — and both Essex and Cambridgeshire are also within easy reach by car or public transport.

City

Norwich

Cathedral, Theatre Royal & The Mumbles. Use the park & ride — just £2 per head!

Heritage

Bury St Edmunds

A beautiful market town with abbey ruins, Georgian streets, and excellent dining.

Arts

Snape Maltings

World-famous arts venue and concert hall on the River Alde.

Coast

Southwold

Adnams brewery, colourful beach huts, and the finest fish & chips on the Suffolk coast.

Steam

Bressingham

Steam engines, world-class gardens, and family attractions.

Motor

Snetterton

Race track and motor circuit for enthusiasts.

Diss is less
than a mile away

Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi are all within easy reach, along with a fine selection of pubs, restaurants and takeaways — most of whom deliver to the farm.

Pub

The Cock Inn

Fair Green, Diss. No food — but within walking distance for most and staggering distance back.

Fish & Chips

Fair Green Fish Bar

Award-winning and highly rated. Click & collect available to beat the queues that often spill out the door!

Indian

The Goa

A local favourite for a quality Indian dinner in the centre of Diss.

Turkish

Cappadocia

Authentic Turkish cuisine in the heart of Diss.

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Pizza & More

Pizza Time

Pizza, chicken and kebab — delivering direct to the farm.

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Chinese

The Imperial Wok

Reliable, classic anglicised Chinese dishes — a safe bet for an easy night in.

From Meeting
House to
Elm Vale Farm

17th Century Farmhouse
Entrance

The farm spans nearly two centuries of recorded history — and centuries more of unnamed lives who worked this land.

1775
A Unitarian meeting house stands on the site. Rochemont Barbauld is ordained here on 13 September, leading a small Dissenting Congregation from Diss — giving rise to the name Meeting House Farm.
1837
The farm is owned by the Taylor family. Edward Chaplyn, son of Edmund of Millway Farm, is the tenant farmer but soon surrenders the land to concentrate on his family holding.
1841
Nathaniel Hart farms 80 acres here for approximately fifteen years, the property still known as Meeting House Farm.
1850s–1890s
William Rix takes on the farm in the early 1850s and works the land for over forty years. Alfred Self follows at the turn of the century.
1920s–1940s
James Cutting farms here; his sons Ernest and Sydney continue into the 1930s before parting during the war. Sydney manages a farm in North Norfolk; Ernest carries on at Elm Vale.
Late 1950s
Ron Chitty purchases the farm from the Taylors and runs it for approximately a decade before selling to Geoff Bowles.
Late 1950s Farming
The Mortlock family from Thrandeston began farming the land around the same time as the residential conversion.
1980s to 2000s - Renovation and Segregation
Between the 1980s and early 2000s the farm saw a lot of changes. The Farm was renovated, divided, the land sold off so that the original 120 acres have been reduced to slightly less than 7 now representing the totality of the land owned by the Farm. The farm and it's associated buildings is now split into 3 parts. Elm Vale Cottages, Mistletoe Barn and the Farmhouse with its barns and outbuildings.
Present Day
The Ledwell family took ownership of the farm in the summer of 2025 and have set about the renovation of the grounds and utilising the converted barns for holiday lets.