About Us

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Sunnyside Farm ceased to be a working farm in the late 1960's. A significant proportion of the farm to the north was demolished when the surrounding fields, once grazed by a dairy herd, were sold off to make way for more an intensive type of farming of arable crops, such as wheat, peas and oil seed. Much of the remaining farm buildings, such as the threshing barn, garage, cow yard and milking dairy are now used for storage and workshops. 

Sally's parents bought the farm as a seven acre small holding in 1985 and began a mission to restore and renovate the dilapidated and derelict farmhouse. 

Sunnyside farmhouse is Grade 2 listed, built in the late1500's, featuring deep chamfered oak beams and large inglenook fireplaces. It was likely that the farm house was originally built as a hall house – much like a barn - open to the roof, with livestock living at one end, and people living amongst their cattle, perhaps sleeping on an upper deck (a solar) above.

Around 1800 the house was encased with brick, and further additions were made including an adjoining dairy and a north facing kitchen with grain store above. An external door, accessed by steps  from the yard is now a window. Much later, an adjoining set of stables, coal and cart shed were built - which are now used as the campsite's wash facilities & stores. 

Our own home called 'The Shippen' - meaning cowshed (known in Suffolk as a ‘Nettis’) also forms an important part of the farm's curtilage. We converted it into a small family home in 2004 – 06  and are delighted to contribute to the farm's history, helping to maintain the farm for future generations and we love welcoming guests to share in this rural idyll.  

There has been a farm here for at least 500 years and probably for a significant time before that too! There is archaeological evidence of Neolithic people inhabiting Westhall, with several finds of worked flint and a hand axe discovered nearby. And we are just a stone's throw away from Stone Street - a Roman road known locally as 'the Bungay straight'.

Westhall was formed around several commons, including Mill Common and Cox Common. Although the commons have since been 'enclosed', you can still see where they once were. Sunnyside Farm itself is situated at the back of a four acre ‘front’ field, which is a remnant of the Mill common or the 'Great Common'. In 1856-8 the railway was built, dividing the common and creating a boundary between the farm and village. 

An ancient grassy meadow, tucked quietly behind the farm with a sunny, south-west facing aspect is now the camping field - seen here on the old black & white aerial photograph dated 1967.  This field is named on old maps as 'Hempland' - likely used to have grown hemp crops as the name suggests! The ponds which lie to the west - beside 'the green lane' footpath may have been 'retting ponds' where the tough hemp stalks were left to soak and 'rot', leaving soft inner parts to be stripped out and used for making ropes and canvas. 

We hope you appreciate the charm and nostalgic character of the farm within it's historical setting as much as we do.  Find out more about the village's history in the fascinating booklet 'Wonders of Westhall' by Peter Warner (from the store's mini library) visit the ancient Church of Saint Andrew and local museums.  Follow links to websites for more info:

• Westhall church - www.suffolkchurches.co.uk
• Discover the Romano/British 'Westhall hoard'-  www.britishmuseum.org
• See artefacts from the area at Halesworth and District Museum - www.halesworthmuseum.org.uk
• WW2 memorabilia at Halesworth Airfield Memorial Museum -  www.halesworthairfieldmuseum.co.uk