Our History
From orchard to empire
Since its down-to-earth beginnings as a 120-acre apple farm in 1938, our business is still 100% family-owned, and has flourished into a thriving and diverse enterprise.
Through the generations, we’ve successfully balanced growing fruit and creating the Copella fruit juice brand, with running a golf and spa resort.
A little about the Boxford Group
Always a family venture
The Boxford Group now includes Stoke by Nayland Resort, Boxford Farms fruit growers and Peake Fruit packhouse and marketing enterprise which employs in total a team of 600 staff.
Susanna Rendall is the Managing Director of The Boxford Group. Her siblings, Tamara Unwin, Jonathan Loshak, and Carmella Meyer also work in the business and serve on the Group board. Additionally, Susanna's son, Robert Rendall, heads the farming enterprise and is a member of the board.
How it all happened...
A couple with vision
Devora and Bill Peake
In 1938, at the age of 23, Devora started apple farming in this beautiful corner of Suffolk with her first husband, Bernard Loshak. After their marriage ended, she met Bill Peake.
Their entrepreneurship and mutual passion for innovation expanded the farm into a 900-acre enterprise over the next 30 years, establishing Stoke by Nayland Golf Club with two championship golf courses and launching the renowned Copella Fruit Juice brand.
Organic trailblazers
Providing premium produce
Bill and Devora were founder members of the Soil Association and collaborated with Lady Eve Balfour to establish the Institute for Organic Husbandry on their farm, post-war, in 1949.
Pioneering organic farming, they led the institute for two years, demonstrating foresight way ahead of their time.
Crafting a farm legacy
Flavourful ventures, beyond apples
While apples remained central to the enterprise in the 1950s and 60s, the farm diversified into rearing sheep, pigs, ducks, and turkeys. It also had a Jersey herd and started producing dairy products, organic vegetables and wheat, as well as stone-ground organic flour.
These premium offerings were sold to esteemed clients nationwide, including luxury London hotels and restaurants and health food shops.
Devora's kitchen revolution
Copella is born
As Britain entered the European Economic Community (EEC), Devora and Bill seized an opportunity. Diversifying into fruit juice production in 1969, they created Copella apple juice in their farmhouse kitchen. This was named after Cox’s Orange Pippin apples and their daughter Carmella.
The next family generation joined the farming and Copella businesses during the late 70s and 80s. Devora and Bill’s daughters Susanna and Tamara and their husbands Roger Rendall and Stephen Unwin played key roles in developing Copella into a household name and brand leader.
From fields to fairways
Creating a golf oasis
After acquiring 300 acres of land post-war, Bill and Devora saw potential in the shortage of golf courses in East Anglia. Borrowing funds, they built two championship courses - possibly becoming the first farmers in the country to diversify their land into golf!
They also planted 60,000 trees over the two courses and this stunning landscape was later to become a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Gainsborough and Constable Courses
Golf excellence, amid natural splendour
The inaugural Gainsborough Course, completed in 1972, spans over 7,000 yards with a par of 71. Seven years later, in 1979, the Constable Course emerged measuring 6,544 yards with a par of 72.
Woodlands now line the fairways, which are adorned with picturesque lakes, streams, and ponds. These two championship courses are considered among the finest in the East of England and have hosted numerous international PGA golf tournaments.
Bill Peake
A life beyond expectation
Bill passed away in 1979 at the age of 60 having surpassed all expectations, after being given only six months to live 20 years before. He treated each year as a bonus and was determined to make the most of his time alongside Devora to create a flourishing enterprise and achieve extraordinary goals.
Golf glory and the Copella sale
Business brilliance
In 1989, the two golf courses became part of Dedham Vale's extended Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Peake family business featured in the popular BBC ’Troubleshooter’ series, showcasing the success of Copella, the Golf Club and farm. Copella was subsequently sold to Taunton Cider, though the family continued their involvement for three years.
 Sir John Harvey Jones with Tamara Unwin, Stephen Unwin and Roger Rendall - 1989 BBC Troubleshooter Documentary |
 Copella sold to Taunton Cider in 1989 |
Devora’s agricultural acclaim
The BBC revisits
In 1991, Devora was honoured as an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Society for her fruit industry achievements and founding role in the Women’s Farming Union.
A year later, the BBC revisited the Peake family, spotlighting their decision to repurchase Copella Fruit Juices from Taunton Cider, and the family continued to grow the brand substantially until its sale to Tropicana in 1997.
Regal recognition
Accolades and fruitful success
In 1996, Devora received an MBE at Buckingham Palace for her contributions to the Fruit and Fruit Juice industries.
A year later, Tropicana UK acquired the Copella brand from the family. Today, Copella is still produced on the family farm, using many of the apples from its orchards.
 Devora Peake awarded with MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1996 |
 The Copella range when sold to Tropicana in 1997 |
Devora’s legacy
Blazing the family trail
Devora led the family business as Chairwoman until her passing in 1999, aged 83. Her engaging and humorous talks about her pioneering journey and tough challenges in business, alongside Bill, inspired audiences nationwide. She was admired for her boundless energy, zest for life, and unwavering determination.
Visionary expansion unveiled
BBC showcases golf oasis
In 1999, a significant expansion by the next generation of the family added a 30-bedroom hotel, conference centre, spa and fitness complex to the golf club.
The third and final episode of BBC Troubleshooter followed, covering the sale of Copella and the hotel's construction. Devora was also commemorated with a plaque unveiled by businessman Sir John Harvey-Jones at the newly built conference centre.
 The hotel being built in 1999 |
 An original suite |
 The original Peake Fitness Technogym |
 The original golf shop |
 The 1999 BBC TV Troubleshooter programme |
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The footballers check in
Luxury hotel of choice
After its opening in 2000, the hotel became a favourite with English Premier League football teams during match games with Ipswich Town FC. Guests included David Beckham with Manchester Utd, Gareth Southgate, and many other well-known football personalities.
The expansion of Peake Fitness and Spa introduced a large indoor pool, state-of-the-art gym and fitness studio, new treatment rooms including Rasul and Hammam therapy suites, and the spacious Devora Terrace.
 David Beckham with Manchester United at the hotel in 2000 |
 Arsene Wenger with Tamara Unwin in 2000 |
 Sir Alex Ferguson with family directors |
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Prestigious PGA spotlight
European Senior Tour hosts
In 2004, Stoke by Nayland was chosen to host the worldwide-televised PGA European Senior Tour for its 50th anniversary. Renowned golfers such as Sam Torrance and Costantino Rocca competed on the Gainsborough Course. The same tour was welcomed once again the following year and the venue continued to host many televised international events including the European Challenge Tour and EuroPro Tour.
 PGA European Senior Tour |
 Sam Torrance with the family directors |
By popular demand
From 30 to 80 bedrooms
In 2007, in response to a growing demand for golf and spa breaks, weddings and leisure stays, the resort constructed another 50 air-conditioned bedrooms, offering a total of 80.
A new welcoming glass-fronted golf clubhouse with open kitchen, restaurant, golf changing rooms and retail shop were also created.
Fabulous eco lodges
Glamorous wartime inspiration
In 2012 five stunning country lodges were hand-built in an idyllic location within the resort grounds, on the former WW2 Women’s Land Army hostel site that Devora and Bill had purchased back in 1949.
Nestled on a wooded hill beside two lakes and the Gainsborough course, these spacious eco lodges offered a self-catered escape for couples or groups of family and friends, just a short walk away from all the golf, spa and dining facilities at the resort.
 Lodge exterior |
 Lodge bedroom |
 Lodge kitchen and living area |
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Golf, fitness, and the Gallery
Going from strength to strength
In 2016, the resort proudly hosted Sir Nick Faldo’s International World Series 20th Anniversary Championship, welcoming 100 global young golfers.
A major investment in Peake Fitness saw the installation of the latest Technogym gear.
The first floor Gallery bar and restaurant was transformed shortly after to make the most of its stunning panoramic lake views overlooking Constable Country.
 Sir Nick Faldo’s International World Series |
 Peake Fitness refurbishment |
 The Gallery Restaurant |
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Suffolk's 100 Inspiring Businesswomen
A legacy of leadership
In 2018, Susanna Rendall and Tamara Unwin, both second-generation family owners of Stoke by Nayland Resort were recognised as two of Suffolk’s Inspiring Women, serving as positive role models for future generations.
We’re Family Business of the Year!
A national accolade
The family directors and team at Stoke by Nayland Resort were proud to receive the Hotel & Leisure Family Business of the Year national award in London in 2019, presented by Family Business Utd. The awards celebrated the vital contribution that family businesses of all sizes play in the UK economy.
A lockdown glow-up
Al fresco luxury
From 2020 to 2022, the family took the opportunity during lockdown to invest in creating welcoming outdoor areas. We introduced retractable roofs and heating for our Sports Bar, Orchard Lounge and Lakes Restaurant terraces so guests could enjoy al fresco drinking and dining overlooking stunning views in warmth and comfort.
The fabulous new Lakes Restaurant was also created during this time.
 The Orchard Terrace |
 The Lakes Restaurant |
Guest-friendly finessing
Continuous improvements
In 2023 a smart new servery for buffet breakfasts and traditional Sunday lunch carveries was added to the Lakes Restaurant, and the Constable Rooms were refurbished for weddings and events.
We also completely refurbished 24 deluxe bedrooms in the hotel, greatly enhancing our guest experience.
