Mr & Mrs Smith

The staff at Tuddenham were a delight. They were very friendly and helpful – the nice little things make the difference. For example, the tucking-in service, as they call it, I think. We went for dinner at the restaurant which was very nice but a little pricey for what was on offer. Someone had gone in to our room, dimmed the lights, turned the heaters on, moved the towels off the bed ready for us when we came back. We got back and thought someone had broken in. But to our delight, it set the mood for us to relax and that we did. The immediate local area doesn't have much to offer but take a 30-minute drive and you get in to Newmarket and Cambridge. We found a lovely Indian restaurant in Cambridge called Bipasha, the food was authentic, the service was great and the prices were reasonable. I would certainly recommend Tuddenham Mill if you're looking to get away for a few days and relax. The Loft Suites are stunning and the baths which fit two, well, they can be very relaxing. The break was just what we needed after our wedding at the weekend and we are glad we chose Tuddenham Mill.

This place is ultra-cool and very romantic. We were in Loft Room East, which is one of the most comfortable hotel rooms I have ever stayed in. I wanted to bring the settee home. Try the Forager cocktail - it is gin-based and contains sweet cicely, picked from the riverbank, together with pine. So different from most cocktails, which can be very sweet, this one was really refreshing. Do visit the nearby National Stud. It is a stunning property and the tour, which takes about an hour and a half, is really interesting, even if horses are not your thing.

We had a lovely time and thoroughly recommend the taster menu for a full experience of the wonderfully creative food at Tuddenham Mill! The night before, we stayed at the Pig in Brockenhurst in the New Forest – I am sure it is on your radar, but just in case not, it's got a fabulous walled kitchen garden created by a lovely South African guy who also runs Babington House's garden as well.
 

I booked Tuddenham Mill as a special present for my daughter and her husband to celebrate their 30th birthdays and their 5th wedding anniversary. Mr and Mrs Smith could not have been more helpful. Tuddenham Mill staff were fantastic, made sure the best table was available for dinner as requested by Mr and Mrs and were kind and helpful to a fault. They had a fabulous, totally chilled-out stay which was exactly what they needed in their busy lives. Thank you, Nicola

We were recommended The Great House Restaurant and Hotel in nearby Lavenham for dinner, a 30-minute drive from Tuddenham Mill. Other guests looked like extras out of an Agatha Christie novel, I imagined them to be all doctors, colonels and vicars – so a very 'respectable' venue for dinner. A sumptuous cheese trolley visible on entry which made you want to skip straight to dessert. A superbly romantic location, traditional British fare and beautiful setting. A nice contrast to the super-chic Tuddenham Mill if you fancy a change.

We had a fantastic couple of days at Tuddenham Mill. We stayed in one of the Meadow suites, and the folding doors of the room opened onto a private deck which faced the grounds. We were able to open those doors and allow our dog to run in and out as she pleased. She was exhausted when we checked out! One thing worth mentioning is that the hotel review in both the Smith book and on the website mentioned the chef and his creations several times. That chef (and some of the menu items) are no longer at the Mill, but the new chef and his menu are excellent. We didn't want to eat anywhere else.

Beautiful, stylish little hotel. Sloe gin and mini brownies in our room on arrival, an enormous bath with a view out over the river – Tuddenham Mill has all the ingredients for a very relaxing break. We should also mention the breakfasts: really tasty local ingredients, including some of the best bacon we have had! We wouldn't recommend the restaurant so much for the evenings, as there was a big group when we were there and it became very noisy. If you are on a romantic break, ask to be seated in a corner somewhere away from any groups.

We went to Tuddenham to escape and truly did! An absolutely wonderful place. However, we asked if there was another place nearby we could eat at and was given The Olde Bull Inn at Barton Mills as a recommedation. Whilst the bar was average (and busy) the restaurant was wonderful and really chic. The staff went out of their way to make our meal fabulous. Mind you the meal at Tuddenham (and breakfast) were beyond expectations - sublime! So don't go to either since we want to keep it our secret. An oasis where you least expect it. TC

The sun finally came out this weekend for our first trip to Suffolk. We took a drive through beautiful rolling hills (I thought this was flat country?) to Southwold by the sea and went to the Adnams centre for good coffee and local crab salad. On the way back we stopped at St. Peters Church in Wenhaston to see their Doom painting. Their Day of Judgement is not very scary with cute furry devils and a jolly St.Peter. We'll be back.

The beauty of Tuddenham Mill and its location is you can either just walk and see where you end up or if you fancy going further afield just point the car and go. The whole area is idillic and peaceful you almost feel that your mobile won't work (and hey it doesn't always). This was our second visit to Tuddenham and it is our little "secret" bolt hole. The food is excellent the new chef here has done a fantastic job.

The rooms are beautiful and we swear by the MIll Room West it is in the main house and lovely and decadent!  We will come back to Tuddenham!

We went away for my husband's birthday. The hotel was amazing, the loft suite was such a wonderful room. The staff went out of their way for us and the food in the restaurant was really good, as was breakfast. The small food bag given to us on our departure contained some especially good homemade jam. A nice weekend and we will definitely be going back sometime soon.

The food in the restaurant was amazing and worth the price although the food combinations are a little unusual and you'll want to order accompaniments, as 'served with asparagus tips' means you'll get two pieces of asparagus. If you get the chance, have the venison sausages and sticky toffee pudding – to die for! The breakfast in the morning was by far the star of the show though. They have a proper chef making the two- to three-course breakfast and the portions are massive and of the finest quality. Even the croissants and jam are home-made at the mill.

A fantastic get-away location for a quiet and secluded night away! We were warmly welcomed in this beautiful old mill which has fabulous contemporary styling. Our lovely room overlooked the stream and had all the features we needed (sloe gin, a roll-top bath and big, soft, towelled robes). Following some retail therapy in nearby Cambridge, we enjoyed afternoon tea in the feature bar with its mill wheel. Later on, the restaurant was buzzing – serving up interesting and tasty local produce with style, just watch your head on the beams! A splendid night's sleep followed by a hearty full English breakfast made for a perfect stay and one to recommend!

For long, peaceful, walks or something more energetic, head up to Thetford Forest Park. if you fancy long windswept beach walks, then make your way to the north Norfolk coast, perfect to shake off the indulgance of Tuddenham Mill!

My partner and I chose Tuddenham Mill for an escape weekend. Arriving late in the evening, we received a very warm welcome – even Murphy, our slightly mischievous dog who decided to run laps of the reception! The Mill provides a real sanctuary for an escape and is surrounded by beautiful countryside perfect for long walks. Rooms are simple yet elegant and our room backed onto lovely gardens with a lake (which Murphy jumped into every morning). We ate in the restaurant one evening and despite no reservation, staff were more than happy to accomodate us as long as we were happy to sit on the terrace for a drink whilst they prepared a table for us – it wasn't a hardship. Overall a great experience.

I won't recommend any other eating place as you would be mad not to eat the delights that Tuddenham Mill's kitchen produces!! I will recommend that you bring your bikes here (locked storage is available). A great place to cycle is Thetford Forest with well marked out cycle routes from easy to technical. Also worth a visit is Anglesey Abbey (+44 (0)01223 810080 which has a working mill and stunning gardens. Ickworth House (+44 (0)1284 735 270) has an interesting interior and if you fancy a walk you will feel like you are the only ones there - with a 4 mile and 8 mile route that the more elderly visitors obviously avoid (this was a sunny Sunday in June and we met no one on the 4 mile path!).

A delightful romantic hideaway, with great easy access transport links. The perfect place to take – or meet up with – that special secret someone.

Walking. That's what Suffolk is all about. And I don't mean the sort of walking where you have to own a sturdy (and lets face it, unattractive) pair of walking boots. I mean the sort of amble through stunning, peaceful, flat countryside which gives you lovely rosy cheeks. There can be no better tonic than a bracing walk (in the rain in our case) and when your room at Tuddenham Mill has a big bath and a roaring fire, there is definitely a happy ending.

We were upgraded to the Loft Suite south which was fabulous. Although the hotel is right on the road we were not disturbed by traffic noise, only owls! Loved the Jo Malone toiletries and food. The biscuits and fudge in the room were superb. We ate lunch on one day at the Stone Angel Café (+44 (0)1284 756100) in Bury St Edmunds and with all the usual food chains it was good to eat somewhere a bit different. The only disappointment was that our Mill Bag didn't contain any preserves as they were out of jars. Definitely worth another visit.

This is a fantastic hotel! The staff are excellent and the hotel more than lives up to expectation. We stayed a Sunday night and ate in the restaurant, sampling what I think must be the best Sunday roast we have ever had.The setting for the hotel is idyllic and the rooms had more than one could expect. We also felt it was value for good money.

As Tuddenham Mill truly is off the beaten path and there isn't much within walking distance (other than leisurely beautiful walks). However we walked into 'town' to the local pub, The White Hart. It was a beautiful sunny day and though it was slow, everyone was superbly friendly and it had a real local atmosphere. Though the facilities at Tuddenham Mill and the bar were superb, you can get away from the other guests by popping into this little gem. Worth the less-than-five-minute walk!

The city of Ely is a must visit. The town itself is beautiful and in the summer there were morris dancers and an open-air market. The main attraction has to be Ely Cathedral. Stunning. And on the weekend we visited we were lucky enough to catch the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra and choir practising inside.

Our room in Tuddenham Mill was lovely with a long-reaching view. We tackled the two-mile walk to the Red Lion pub, a great walk through the countryside and well worth the trek as the food was very tasty. Breakfast is hearty with some unusual choices.The scrambled duck eggs with hot salmon was delicious. Our meal in the restaurant was okay – the cheeseboard was very well put together. You felt at the end of the meal that if they hadn't tried to put so many combinations together and went back to basics then the meal would be more pleasurable.

The place was everything we had wished for in a weekend away (minus the children). The accomodation was stylish, the food very enjoyable. The highlight of the weekend was a leisurely glass or two of wine on a Saturday afternoon, in the sunshine overlooking the mill pond. Highly recommended.

We took a last-minute break to escape the London rain in July. Normally Tuddenham Mill has a two-night minimum stay at weekends (like most desirable Smith properties!) but we rang up the Smith Travel Team on Friday morning and managed to score a room for the Saturday night only, and at a discounted rate as well. We stayed in a Meadow room, which was beautiful. I am always in question of the "cheapest" rooms on offer – but in this case was not disappointed. Huge, comfy beds with perfect pillows, large Jo Malone toiletries, a lovely terrace looking out onto the meadow (including some marching swans)... Then the touches such as fresh coffee, fresh orange juice, and the delicious home-made biscuits... I was in heaven. Topping it off were the fab meals (lunch, dinner, AND breakfast were eaten!). Breakfast in your room can be arranged and it was superb; and they were happy to cater to any tastes. Upon leaving I requested to buy a jar of the berry jam – they were out of jars however happily arranged to send it on by post when they receive their supplies.

Nothing was too much trouble (when the rare occasion of needing anything came about). Great last-minute getaway – highly recommend trying the last-minute one-night only deals!

Superb hotel, wonderful food, beautiful setting. You can really chill out with a drink and eats by the stream watching the birdlife. Recommend: Peacock's tea room by the river in Ely, the Beehive pub, Horringer, and Bury St Edmunds – wonderful abbey and grounds, very cheap market. Ickworth House (NT): great grounds, house and new restuarant. We rate the Mill the best Mr & Mrs Smith hotel we have stayed in... so far. We will certainly come back again.

After indulging ourselves at the hotel for the first two nights of our stay we decided to go in search of some good old fashioned (gastro-)pub grub on our last night. Following a little research – and a lot of direction from some of the local residents – we decided to give The Olde Bull Inn in the lovely village location of Barton Mills (barely a five-minute taxi ride) from Tuddenham Mill – a whirl. The Olde Bull Inn is a true free house, which has no ties with any brewery, and a wonderful olde worlde feel about it. There are two bars to choose from: the public bar and the more formal restaurant, and although the public bar was extremely busy on the Sunday night we tried it, they managed to fit us in (just). We would suggest that you try to get there before the early evening rush.Honest homecooked food and a menu to tempt all appetites and tastes – we thoroughly enjoyed our time there although we were glad to get back to the indulgent surroundings of Tuddenham Mill to sleep off another night of excess!

Just five minutes from Tuddenham Mill, across the dual carriageway, sits The Olde Bull Inn. You can’t miss it. It’s extremely large and looks slightly incongruous; this 16th Century coaching inn stands near the roundabout on the busy A11. What we didn’t know was The Olde Bull Inn was holding a 70s glam rock evening and it was standing room only. We were just about to search out an Indian or Chinese when I spied a separate dinning room across the courtyard. And what a difference a courtyard makes.

From a noisy, crowded, basic pub, we were transported to an oasis of Sanderson fabrics, Farrow and Ball paints and chocolate-brown leather chairs. And nor did the food disappoint. To start I had a poached pear, stilton and bacon salad which was soft and crunchy, sweet and tart all at the same time. Sublime. My wife had the homemade soup of the day which was as creamy as it was delicious. A sun-dried tomato, parmesan and toasted nut risotto with a delicious home-made basil pesto was to follow. I had bangers and mash. The sausages were perfectly done and the mash was made out of sweet potato with a good covering of red wine gravy. If you’re looking for good, honest – actually it’s better than that – perfectly prepared and cooked food, with attentive service for around £25 a head, then The Olde Bull Inn is worth checking out.

The hotel was lovely, just as described.

We had dinner in the hotel which was wonderful. And for breakfast they were more than happy to serve us in our room which is a nice touch to a stay away.

We had two small things that 'niggled' us. Firstly our room in the west mill was beautiful, however, I just don't understand how an open toilet just behind your bed is an attractive appeal. I think they should consider putting a door off from the bathroom that leads into the dressing room area, just for privacy.

And also we did not receive our Mr & Mrs Smith goodie bag! Now, whilst this was not the reason we stayed at Tuddenham, it is those nice touches that are promised that keep you going back.

Overall: lovely place and great food. Cute ducks and ducklings too!

Definitely worth a visit but if its early on in your relationship, I would stay in a different room!

Mr & Mrs Smith's Response:  "We have passed on your suggestions to the hotel and your goodie bag will be posted to you – Tuddenham Mill sends its apologies. Many thanks for bringing this to our attention"

Tuddenham Mill was as gorgeous as it looks in the pictures, however it is right on a main road, so even though not the busiest road it is still noisy and you can hear it in the restuarant and from some of the rooms. The homemade fudge and biscuits are gorgeous and the food is very good – however, some of the meals do try slightly to hard.

You must visit the Nutshell pub just to see how small it is and that people really do drink in it.