A ray of sunshine

This reef-safe, dermatologically approved SPF25 Mineral Sunscreen by eco-brand UpCircle provides an essential physical defence against premature ageing caused by the sun. Once applied, the lightweight formula absorbs within 15 minutes to create a natural finish with a subtle glow. Skinsoothing aloe vera calms inflammation and quenches the moisture barrier, whilst humectant glycerin seals in hydration. Plasticfree and vegan, this sunscreen is formulated with non-comedogenic sunflower oil as well as breakout-busting lavender oil, making it a great sunscreen for those with acne-prone skin. Genius!

Available from Ruby and the Angel Eco www.rubyandtheangel.co.uk in Redlingfield is a beautiful well-being space that is sensitively settling into the Suffolk countryside. The brainchild of Sarah and Will Edwards, it has been built using sustainable and recyclable construction materials and is heated via renewable air source heat pump technology, with the aim to become energy selfsufficient in five years. There will be a range of fitness classes including Circuits, Spin, Body Pump and Step Aerobics, as well as Pilates Yoga and Tai Chi. If you are looking for a more relaxing experience, you can book in for a spa treatment or just soak up the heat in the steam room or hot tub. And, with the Jungle Room Café on site, you can also enjoy a post workout drink or stay for lunch and make a day of it. www.bewellbarn.co.uk

Top priority

Nestled in the Suffolk countryside, Priory Barn is an 18th century oakframed barn that has been sympathetically converted into a beautiful contemporary living space. Perfectly blending rustic charm with modern retro design, the huge open plan, light-filled interior instantly calms the mind and soothes the soul.

Priory Barn belongs to Nick and Clark, who moved to Suffolk in 2015 after taking early retirement from busy lives in London. The barn is one of several outbuildings belonging to the 16th century farmhouse that is now their home. Located just outside Badingham, they loved the rural aspect of the farmhouse and, having always dreamed of taking on a building project, could not resist the potential that the then dilapidated barn offered. “We fell in love with Suffolk after buying a cottage in Theberton in 2005 and would spend most weekends up here walking the coast and exploring the villages. Framlingham became a firm favourite and so when we decided to move here permanently the farmhouse was in in an ideal spot and offered us this great opportunity. Our vision was to create a holiday let that celebrates the history of the barn whilst also offering guests cool clean lines and modern design.

They began work on the conversion in 2018, hiring Howard Nash, an established architect who specialises in projects with a contemporary edge. Retaining as much of the barn’s structure as possible, the design cleverly encloses the original timber frame within a modern larch clad exterior, juxtaposing the irregularity of the gnarled wooden boards with engineered steel braces and huge picture windows. The design is respectful to the history of the barn and sympathetic to the original structure, only using existing openings for the windows and doors, and retaining the hayloft, transforming it into a mezzanine double bedroom that offers views down across the living space below. The new roof is steeply pitched so as to replicate the original outline and gentle landscaping allows the barn to sit harmoniously within its rural setting.

Stepping inside you immediately feel a sense of calm. It is deceptively spacious and has been cleverly zoned. The kitchen is tucked neatly underneath the mezzanine, the dining table aligned with the floor-toceiling French windows that slide open to reveal a sheltered patio where a couple of well positioned chairs invite you to settle down with a coffee and the morning papers, and the main living area is divided by the strategic positioning of the carefully chosen furniture. Whilst Clark took on the role of project manager, it is Nick’s love of retro office furniture that has dictated the styling of the space. Two Walter Knoll armchairs, with their classic cubist silhouettes, are paired with sleek silver USM modular units, all of which used to grace the offices of the Gherkin in London. “I love this office style furniture repurposed for the home and am always on the lookout for bargain pieces. The dining table had an interesting previous life as an executive meeting table and the dining chairs are iconic Marcel Breuer designs.”

Nick and Clark have also combed the local area for standout pieces and are regular visitors to local makers’ markets and antique shops. Two oversized lamps from ‘in da cottage’ in Framlingham bookend the sofa, whilst a bespoke wooden coffee table handcrafted by local furniture maker Greg Mosley of ‘Among Trees’ takes centre stage, and decorative items from East of Eden, ceramics from potter Ben Baglio and abstracts from Rob Wyn Yates are dotted throughout. The deVOL kitchen is beautifully simple and the bedroom is home to a king-size bed beneath a large window that frames the blossom of the apple tree outside. To one corner of the main living space a reading area encourages you to take down a book from the bookcase or to just sit and take in the views out across the meadow and watch for wildlife on the pond. And, as we chat, I notice a newly arrived blackcap settle on a fallen branch and announce his arrival with his distinctive song that is a sure sign of spring.

Priory Barn is a triumph of considered design that expertly weaves the history of a centuries-old barn into the very fabric of a contemporary living space. It has huge integrity and comes with a quiet confidence that can only be achieved through excellent design and a true understanding of how the space can work in harmony with its surroundings.

Priory Barn is bookable for a minimum of 3 nights. www.priorybarn.co.uk

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