Pheasant Suites

Set within the historic Balls Farm, Pheasant Suites is a boutique adults-only stay in the Essex countryside. The farmhouse dates back to the late 1600s, and the surrounding barns and fields still give the place a proper rural identity rather than a newly built hotel feel.

Privacy is central to the setup. The accommodation has private entrances, private parking and contact-free stays, making it well suited to couples who would rather come and go quietly than share every corridor, lounge and breakfast queue with half the county.

You get countryside views, gardens and the useful comforts of a self-contained base. It is a place for slowing the pace, with Colchester close enough for supplies, meals or a change of scene.

The property sits at Balls Farm on Tye Road, near Elmstead Market, in the Colchester area of Essex. Colchester is less than 3 miles away, while Elmstead Market village is about 1 mile from the accommodation.

That puts you in the countryside rather than in the town centre. The setting looks across open fields, with gardens and hedged farmland around the former farm buildings. Beth Chatto Gardens is about 1 mile away, making an easy nearby outing when you want to stretch your legs without turning the day into an expedition.

For wider touring, the property is on the edge of Constable Country. Harwich ferry terminal is about 15 miles away, which also makes the accommodation a practical stop before or after a crossing.

The accommodation is built around suites and apartments rather than standard hotel rooms. That matters when you have spent the day outdoors and want somewhere to sit, make a drink and put your feet up without balancing everything on the edge of the bed. Private bathrooms, toiletries, towels, robes and slippers are available across the accommodation range, with the exact equipment varying by unit.

The Pheasant Lodge is the option for space and outdoor living, with a ground-floor layout, a kitchenette, a breakfast bar and its own sunny garden with loungers, a table and chairs. The Pheasant Retreat leans more heavily into the romantic side, with a super-king bed, a large bath, separate shower, air-conditioning and a secluded garden with loungers and a day-bed for two. A romantic message can also be written on the bed.

For a single traveller, the Pheasant Suite is designed for single occupancy and has its own entrance, a separate lounge area, a ceiling fan and views across open fields. Other apartments bring together a kitchen, dining area, fridge, microwave, patio and private entrance, while some include both a bath and a shower. Independent heating, electric blankets, hairdryers, irons, safes, Smart TVs and free Wi-Fi cover the less glamorous but genuinely useful details.

Breakfast is available, including breakfast served in your room, and the property also has a restaurant. That gives you the choice of starting the day at the table or keeping the morning contained within your own accommodation, which is handy when an early start has already taken the shine off conversation.

The kitchenettes and apartments add another layer of flexibility. Depending on the accommodation, you have equipment such as a hob, fridge or fridge-freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, crockery, cutlery and glassware. Tea and coffee facilities are also available, along with bottled water.

There is no bar-led evening routine to plan around. Instead, the accommodation suits a quieter supper, a drink made in your own kitchenette and a proper sit-down meal when you feel like leaving the privacy of your suite.

The main activity here is the setting itself: gardens, courtyards, outdoor furniture and open countryside views give you room to sit outside without needing a timetable. The private gardens attached to selected suites add loungers, tables and chairs, with the Retreat also offering a day-bed for two.

Beth Chatto Gardens is about 1 mile away, so a visit can fill an afternoon without requiring a long drive. Colchester is less than 3 miles away for museums, shops and a wider choice of places to eat, while Constable Country provides the broader countryside option for a day out.

Back at the property, the arrangement is deliberately low-key. There is no spa programme or activity schedule to chase; you have a settee, a Smart TV, tea and coffee facilities, and enough private space to read, nap or simply watch the light move across the fields.

Arrival is available between 15:00 and 20:00, with departure by 11:00. Private check-in and check-out keep the process straightforward, while an on-site car park makes this a sensible base if you are travelling by car. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

The accommodation is adults-only. Pets, babies and children cannot be accommodated, so this is firmly a couples’ or adult travellers’ stay rather than a family base. The property is non-smoking, and a lift is available.

There is heating, room service, a wake-up service, an iron and ironing board, a safe, a hairdryer and television facilities. A restaurant and breakfast service are available on site, with breakfast also delivered to the room. Harwich ferry terminal is about 15 miles away, while Colchester and Elmstead Market are close enough for supplies and local errands.