We visited Thorpeness whilst staying in nearby Aldeburgh on holiday.

Situated in Suffolk, about 9 miles West of Saxmundham, Thorpeness is a quaint seaside village which began life as a fishing village but was changed by Stuart Ogilvie, a Scottish businessman, into a "private fantasy holiday village" after be bought the entire village in 1910.

At the centre of the village is a meare - a shallow large kind of boating lake which was built to resemble elements of Ogilvie's friend J M Barrie's most famous work - the children's favourite "Peter Pan". The meare has little boats and islands and is very quaint.

There is also a pub (The Dolphin) which we didn't visit but have heard good things about and a tea room and "junk shop" in which to waste time rifling through the wares.

The main reason for our visit was to see the "house in the clouds", which is perhaps Thorpeness's biggest tourist attraction. An old water tower, it was clad and made to look like a house nestling in the clouds above the skyline so that it wasn't such a blot on the landscape. It is very unusual and well worth going to have a look at to mavel at its deisgn. You can't get too close to the "house" as it is actually now let out as holday accomodation (with a large garden) ut you can get close enough to take a photo or two!

There is also a very nice beach, similar to that a couple of miles up the road at Aldeburgh, but much quieter and a golf club, hotel and spa.

There isn't masses to do in Thorpeness but if you're visiting Suffolk it is well worth a look and is a nice place to spend an afternoon.