A glamping and leisure park built by a couple in one of the country's most picturesque areas is preparing to fully open.
Holbrook couple Ian and Sarah Williams have pledged to bring a “wilderness experience” to their new off-grid holiday and leisure park.
The new site, in the area made famous by artist John Constable's paintings, will offer glamping, kayaking and paddleboard hire along the River Stour in Brantham.
The site has already opened for paddleboard hire - but says it has had "endless enquiries" for bookings ahead of its planned full opening in July, once its water supply if connected.
Mr Williams estimates that between 300 and 500 people came during its first "fantastic" weekend over the May bank holiday.
"We have a beach vibe going on and people are hiring the boards and taking the opportunity to look around," he said.
The site will also be open to bookings from schools and people looking to enjoy team-building exercises.
The paddleboard hire and glamping will close in September, but the cabins will be open all year round.
“A lot of thought and vision has gone into Constable Park,” Mr Williams said.
The Williams’ bought the field, off Bergholt Road, five years age.
They then undertook a lengthy planning process, meeting with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and giving two presentations to the parish council.
Mr Williams decided to invest in the new venture after running Anglia Adventures for more than 20 years – following two decades in the RAF.
He had noticed a lack of places in the area to rent canoes and go on adventure trips, such as those completed by Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants.
The pair received a rural development grant to help with the build of Constable Park, which Mr Williams says has helped make the project “financially viable”.
On-site there will be a luxury lodge for a family of four, three steel containers which will be converted into family holiday pods, two shower blocks, a toilet block and seven glamping bell tents which will all be centred around a fire pit.
"We're very much about outdoors and even if things take a turn for the worse, we can continue trading if things change," he said.
You can follow the progress of Constable Park by visiting its Facebook page.
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