by Morris / Tried and Tested
Welcome to the latest edition of the Best of Suffolk ‘Tried and Tested’ blog series, featuring 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing, in Thorpeness.
Personal experience of our stylish places to stay is what we do! We try out our properties with our families and friends and provide first-hand experience of our stays. From the property itself to the local area, things to do, and places to eat – we ‘try and test’ it all. After all, there’s nothing better than a personal recommendation, especially when it comes to something as important as a holiday!
In this edition, Abi (our Marketing Manager), and her family (big sister Becky, her partner Dan and their dog Roxy the miniature Schnauzer) tried out 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing for a long weekend. Here’s how they got on!
A delightful, beautifully renovated fisherman’s cottage with guest wing in the MOST incredible location in Thorpeness. This light and airy one bedroom period holiday cottage in Suffolk can be hired on it’s own, making it the ideal getaway pad for couples. It can also be hired with a separate contemporary guest annex, called the Guest Wing. This makes 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing ideal for two couples or for a family with teenagers. Either way, the flexibility with 1 South Cottages means you can tailor your stay to your party size.
Dogs are also welcome to stay at 1 South Cottages, and Thorpeness is a dog-walkers paradise, with both beach and woodland paths to explore for your morning or evening dog walk.
You could not ask for a better location, situated very close to the beach in Thorpeness and overlooking the famous Meare boating lake. The sunsets are incredible! Find out how Abi and her family spent their long weekend in the magical coastal resort of Thorpeness.
VIEW & BOOK 1 SOUTH COTTAGES WITH GUEST WING
Thorpeness is a mile and a half along the beach from Aldeburgh and is a charming holiday village largely designed by the Scottish playwright and barrister Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie a century ago. He decided to create an idyllic model seaside village, inspired by the writings of JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan.
The village has a Meare (local for lake) and its several miles of shallow water can be explored in the summer by rowing boat. A short walk from the cottage is the Thorpeness Country Club and here the tennis courts and games rooms are often available during half-term holidays as well as the summer months.
Also close by is the Thorpeness heathland golf course. The area is ideal for cycling and walking, both along the coast and inland countryside. It’s a short walk to the famous ‘House in the Clouds’ and Thorpeness windmill, both close to the Meare. There are a number of shops and eateries including The Dolphin, The Kitchen and the Meare Shop and Tearoom (opening times vary according to the time of year).
The sunny yellow exterior of this pretty Suffolk cottage makes you smile as soon as you arrive. I followed the clear arrival details I received by email for 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing and was very keen to get inside and take a look around. After easily finding the key box and using the code provided, I was welcomed by a bottle of wine, a packet of biscuits and the Welcome File, telling me everything I needed to know. The cottage is light, airy, clean and well-equipped.
After unpacking, I enjoyed a cup of tea on the sun trap of a patio at 1 South Cottages, thoroughly enjoying the view of the Meare. A short while later, I was joined by my big sister Becky, her partner Dan and their dog Roxy, the miniature Schnauzer. We decided to spend our first night in the cottage enjoying a glass of wine on the patio, playing cards and watching the sun set. With the late April sun and in a sheltered position, we could easily have been in the Mediterranean!
I decided the put the well-equipped kitchen at 1 South Cottages to the test by rustling up chili-con-carne stuffed peppers. There was everything provided I could possibly need, the oven worked a treat and the dishwasher came in handy as it meant no arguing over who was doing the washing up!
The dining table in the kitchen can seat 2-4 guests, so whether you’re hiring 1 South Cottages as a couple, or with the Guest Wing as two sets of couples, there’s plenty of room for you to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The sitting room at 1 South Cottages is both specious and cosy, with comfortable sofas. With dual aspect windows, it’s a comfy place to watch the world go by, or in the evening to curl up with a glass of wine, enjoy a book or play some games.
The bedroom at 1 South Cottages is incredibly spacious. The king size bed is the ultimate in self-catering luxury, with hotel-quality fresh white linens. I was also greeted by designer toiletries and white fluffy bath sheets. What a treat!
For Becky and Dan, the short hop across the courtyard to the Guest Wing lead them to their bedroom for the weekend. Self-contained with a contemporary wet room, the Guest Wing provides space for couples or sets of friends wanting to holiday together ut appreciate their own space.
Of course we cannot forget about Roxy! As 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing is a dog-friendly holiday cottage, we were able to bring our four-legged friend. We brought Roxy’s bed from home and tucked it neatly underneath the stairs in the kitchen.
On the Saturday morning, we decided to treat ourselves to a delicious ‘Breakfast Box’ from The Kitchen, located just across the road from 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing. During this Tried and Tested stay, pubs, restaurants and cafés are open for outdoor dining only, and we were lucky enough to be able to sit in the sunshine and tuck in!
After all that delicious food, it was time to start walking off those calories! We set off for a walk around the quaint and picturesque Suffolk village of Thorpeness. The location of 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing could not be more ideal for walkers. Chose to potter around the Meare and footpaths, or a stomp on the beach, the choice is yours. We opted for a pootle around the footpaths and discovered the famous House in the Clouds, part of the iconic Thorpeness skyline!
After all that fresh sea air and exercise, in the late afternoon I decided to treat myself with a long, hot soak in the magnificent bath with a glass of wine and enjoying a favourite old book from home. One of the things I love to do when going away on holiday is switching off and indulging in some self care. The bathroom at 1 South Cottages could not be more luxurious to do just that!
That evening we decided to book a table at The Dolphin. This dog-friendly pub serves delicious food and drink to your table, with a choice of seating outside including a few under cover. Best to book, as this popular pub gets busy! Just a few minute’s walk from 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing, a meal out makes a welcome addition to any holiday.
Of course, being so close, we couldn’t resist another walk in the gorgeous sunset to the House in the Clouds and Thorpeness Golf Club.
On the Sunday morning, we decided to explore Thorpeness beach. Ideal for dog walkers, with only a small section that dogs are not permitted to use from 1 May to 30 September, and easily navigated. A few moment’s walk from 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing, it was thoroughly enjoyable to hear the waves lapping against the shore as soon as we turned the corner. The location of this pretty Suffolk cottage continues to deliver!
The cosy sitting room at 1 South Cottages provided a comfy base to put your feet up, have a cup of tea and catch the local weather report on the TV. I enjoyed reading here immensely, whilst watching the passers-by out of the windows.
Thorpeness Meare is a boating lake like no other. The lake with its islands and surrounds covers some sixty acres and has over forty acres of water. However, nowhere is the lake more than three feet deep and so it provides a safe boating environment for children of all ages. The islands were named by J.M Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan and each have their own attraction from the Fort to the Dragon’s lair the explore.
A wide range of dinghies, kayaks, large family rowing boats, canoes, punts and sailing boats are all available for hire. Many of these are the original boats from 1913, repaired over the winter and these boats lend the Meare an air of timeless enjoyment.
Jiggers is a 9-hole miniature golf course sits on the banks of the Meare and could not be more charming! It’s fun for all the family, and booking is not required. Simply head towards Thorpeness Golf Club and turn left!
It’s easy to walk along the beach from Thorpeness to Aldeburgh, and I was joined by friends Claire and Sam to do just that. If there were more time we could have walked into Aldeburugh, and eaten delicious fish and chips on the beach, before the walk back.
Don’t worry though, we certainly enjoyed a delicious ice cream instead!
I think this entry into the 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing visitors book says it all! “We will be returning later in the season” from Ian and Andrea shows that their stay at 1 South Cottages was so enjoyable they will be coming back. I couldn’t agree more!
1 South Cottages is a fantastic, cosy, coastal cottage in the most spectacular location. Walkers or those with a dog will be spoiled for choice for footpaths and views from this dog-friendly holiday cottage. The flexible accommodation that the addition of the Guest Wing provides means you can enjoy 1 South Cottages as a couple, or 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing as a small group. Well equipped and a high-end finish, with luxurious sheets and towels for those added finishing touches. The patio was the highlight for me, and watching the sunset over the Meare meant I could relax as soon as I stepped in the door.
The weekend was an absolute highlight, thoroughly enjoyable and recommeneded!
Why not take a look at availability, and secure your break to 1 South Cottages with Guest Wing today?
VIEW & BOOK 1 SOUTH COTTAGES WITH GUEST WING VIEW & BOOK 1 SOUTH COTTAGES
by Morris / Tried and Tested
Hi! I'm Morris, the Best of Suffolk seagull representing stylish places to stay in Suffolk....
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