Ernie’s Adventures At Avocet!

July 4, 2023

Ernie’s Adventures At Avocet!

Introduction

This blog post is written by Ernie Adventures.com a website dedicated to

“sniffing out the best dog-friendly pubs, cottages, hotels, and products in the UK”.

Ernie and his brother Stan stayed at Avocet in June 2023, and here is what they had to say about their stay…..

What's Avocet like?

Spacious and stylish, this one-bedroom apartment is located in a peaceful residential area, just steps away from Pakefield Beach. Avocet is one of six properties offered by Suffolk Coastal Escapes, which specialises in luxurious dog-friendly holidays. All of its cottages and apartments are named after birds and they are all located in Pakefield, just along the coast from Lowestoft.

How dog-friendly is Avocet?

Good. No special provisions are provided so you’ll need to bring your own beds, bowls, and food but the main draw for us was the lovely enclosed garden. If you have reactive dogs, it’s worth noting that a graveled road runs down the side of the property. There is also another holiday apartment on the first floor, which is accessed by a set of outdoor stairs. These are clearly visible from the garden so any comings and goings may trigger a bit of barking! We paid an additional £25 for both Ernie and Stan to stay.

Tell me more about Avocet

This large one-bedroom apartment has a cool, coastal vibe. It used to be a small two-bed but has been beautifully transformed and there are lots of original features, such as fireplaces and cornices.

A long corridor runs the length of the ground floor property with all the rooms coming off it. There is also laminate flooring throughout. The light-filled lounge is at the front and has a lovely, cosy feel to it with a dark blue feature wall and lots of greenery.

I loved the blue tiled hearth and electric fire, and the rustic touches, such as shelves made from reclaimed scaffold boards and a mirror framed with driftwood. The Avocet print blinds and coastal trinkets were super cute too and there were also a selection of board games and information about local attractions.

Next to the lounge you’ll find the spacious bedroom, which is decorated in soothing shades of lemon and grey.

The kingsize bed, with its luxurious-feeling linen, was a real treat and the fact there were both blinds and curtains meant the room stayed nice and dark.

There was lots of storage too, plus a cute little dressing table and flatscreen TV.

The pastel blue bathroom was also a delight – and incredibly spacious. It had a real coastal vibe, as well as his-and-hers sinks, a powerful shower and complimentary robes and slippers – which we used a surprising amount.

At the end of the corridor lies the well-equipped kitchen with cool blue units and a dining table for two (keep reading for more details). This leads out into the gorgeous garden, which is framed by railway sleepers and flower-packed borders. Plenty of outdoor furniture is provided to enjoy it – and there are even extra chairs, a wind breaker and a kite to take to the beach.

While there is no dedicated parking at Avocet, the street parking is plentiful.

What's the food like at Avocet?

This is a self-catering property so you’ll need to bring your own, but you will find a bottle of wine waiting for you when you arrive. We also had basics such as condiments, cooking oil and tea and coffee and the cupboards had everything you’d need to cook up a storm, from baking trays and jugs to pizza pans. The kitchen was well equipped with a coffee machine, washing machine and dishwasher. And even the mugs had a nod to the bird theme, coming from nearby RSPB Minsmere.

Several supermarkets, including a Morrisons and a Lidl, are within a few minutes’ drive of the property, and there’s a well-stocked Premier literally across the street. If you’d prefer to eat out though, there are several great dog-friendly options nearby. Gastropub The Jolly Sailors is at the end of the road and the Trowel and Hammer and The Oddfellows Arms are within easy walking distance. If you fancy fish and chips, Pakefield Plaice is the locals’ favourite and there are lots of benches nearby where you can enjoy your food overlooking the sea.

Are there resident dogs at Avocet?

No, but you’re sure to meet plenty of local pooches when out and about.

Where are the best dog walks near Avocet?

Pakefield Beach, which is a mix of sand, shingle and grasses, is less than five minutes from Avocet and you can walk for miles in either direction. If you head towards Lowestoft – arguably the best sandy beach in Suffolk – restrictions apply during the summer. But on the main section of Pakefield Beach and in the direction of Kessingland, dogs can roam off-lead all year round. You can even hire local beach huts for as little as £10 a day, which is insanely cheap!

Avocet is also just moments from Kensington Gardens. This well-kept park is a little oasis and has a bowling green, boating lake, tennis courts and sculptures. There’s a lovely tea room too but be aware that if you’re visiting with a dog, you’ll have to sit outside. While Kensington Gardens isn’t massive, it is right next to the main promenade, which will take you past Claremont Pier and into town in around 20 minutes. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. For more ideas when it comes to dog-friendly things to see and do in the area, check out our Ruff Guide.