Today a unique and exclusive seaside holiday village, Thorpeness started life as Thorpe, a fishing village. The fishermen hauling their clinker built boats, laden with sardines, sprats, plaice and sole up the sand and shingle beach before carrying their catch to wooden huts for filleting. Some of these huts remain as does Fairhaven, originally built to house the fishermen between their trips out to sea.

Walking through one of the three sets of French doors into the modern open plan L shaped living area with its beautifully fitted kitchen, dining area and expansive sitting room, Fairhaven hides the secrets of its fascinating past. Yet step into the wood panelled hall and you step back in time. Here are the pegs where once the fishermen would have hung their oilskins before retiring to bed for a brief respite between fishing trips.

The bedrooms too are wood panelled and while they have been completely modernised and now provide really comfortable accommodation in six bedrooms with new bathrooms, utility room etc Fairhaven retains its former magic.

The magic of Thorpeness continues throughout the location. In the centre of the village is the Meare, a wildlife rich lake, with rowing boats and punts for hire. Thorpeness also has a country club with tennis courts, golf course, attractive pub and an excellent village shop The Thorpeness Stores and new restaurant,The Thorpeness Brasserie & Emporium.

A riding stable in the next village will arrange hacks along the beach and across the beautiful Suffolk heathland countryside which surrounds Thorpeness and Aldeburgh. Just a short walk along a seaside footpath will take you to Aldeburgh, home of the Aldeburgh Festival and the Freud Summer Theatre, where there are several excellent restaurants, pubs and lovely shops, as well as a fascinating museum, boating lake, sailing and yacht club. RSPB Minsmere, Dunwich and Southwold are all within a short drive.

• All accommodation at Fairhaven is on the ground floor
• The front door opens into a lobby from which there are 3 steps up to the inner hall
• The inner hall and bedrooms leading from it are all part of the old fishermens rest, retaining the original oak panelling and hooks where the fishermen would leave their oilskins
• Family bathroom with bath, wash basin and w.c., heated towel rail.
• Shower room with shower, wash basin and w.c., heated towel rail
• Bedroom 1 - The master bedroom enjoys excellent sea views, there is a double bed with fitted shelves, wardrobe and chest of drawers and door leading to
• En suite bathroom with bath, shower, wash basin and w.c. and shelving
• Bedroom 2 - A bunk bedroom with full sized bunk beds, chest of drawers and bedside lamp, chair
• Bedroom 3 - With full sized bunk beds, wardrober, chest of drawers and sea views
• Bedroom 4 - Another bedroom with sea views, single bed, chest of drawers, wardrobe, mirror and rug
• Bedroom 5 - A twin bedded room with two single beds, fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers. Another Fairhaven bedroom with sea views
• Bedroom 6 - With double bed, fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers
• A door from the oak panelled hall takes you forward a century to the wonderful open plan living space from where there are panoramic views over the coast and the sea
• The large living area is L shaped allowing for discreet divisions of activity and space
• Kitchen - Fully fitted with double oven Rangemaster cooker, dishwasher, fridge / freezer, further freezer, microwave and ample supplies of china, cutlery, glasses and cooking utensils. The original open fire and surround have been retained
• Dining area includes a extendable dining table and twelve chairs. French doors open into the garden and the beach beyond
• Sitting area - an enormous space with sofas, coffee tables and lamps. There is a flat screen TV, DVD and CD player. Again there are panoramic views over the sea and eastwards down the coast towards Aldeburgh. French doors open into the garden.
• There is separate utility room with washing machine and boiler

• Garden
• There is a large beachside garden with gate directly onto the beach, garden furniture, barbecue

• Services
• Bed linen is provided, please bring your own bath towels and beach towels
• Whilst all accommodation is on the ground floor, please be aware that there are 3 steps from the front porch to the inner hall
• In consideration of other visitors please do not smoke in the house
• Fairhaven is reached via a private track across the heathland. There is parking for at least 3 to 4 cars.
• A wonderful location from which to enjoy cycling, bikes can be kept in one of the two original fishermens huts in the garden
• Heating is by storage heaters
• A Good Housekeeping deposit of £250 is required with the full or final payment. This deposit is refundable as long as Booking Conditions are met.
• Immortalise your special occasion with A photo album of your holiday
• To arrange at fridge fill prior to your arrival please e-mail thorpenessvillagestores@live.co.uk
• For a wonderful selection of catering options for your stay with Big House Holidays do have a look at our Catering and Activities pages where there are sample menus and prices Catering and Activities