5 The Bays Thorpeness, Suffolk

Host a special getaway for up to seven other human guests and one four-legged friend at this charming and homely cottage that overlooks a lake, by the sea in East Suffolk. Enjoy lazy beach days with a picnic, strolls around the nature reserves and discover the delights of Thorpeness. Dine alfresco in the garden and have a tinkle on the piano in this period property.

Step inside and find yourself in the coastal-themed sitting room with plump sofas, a separate seating area with a coffee table for enjoying a good book plus a TV and electric fire. Cook a homemade meal for your loved ones in the bright and spacious kitchen with neutral tones, farmhouse-style, and a dining table with seating for eight plus a piano. Completing the ground floor is a shower room. Upstairs is a family bathroom plus four bedrooms – a king-size with an en-suite, a super-king and two twin rooms. Outside is a lawned garden with a patio and furniture.

While away your time in Thorpeness where you’ll find two restaurants, a tearooms a golf club and a country club with tennis courts (within 0,5 miles). The beach is less than 0.5 miles away, and The Fair Way boating lake with a castle is less than 200 metres away. Surround yourself with nature in the RSPB North Warren nature reserve (3 miles) which is ideal for bird watching and hiking along the numerous trails. Just 2 miles away is the historic seaside village of Aleburgh, which was built by the 1920s architect Glencairn Stuart Ogilive.