Fairhaven

About this property

Situated just off the beach at Thorpeness, Fairhaven enjoys uninterrupted sea views from an open plan living area. Perfect for large groups who want the full Suffolk coast experience.

Right on the beach at Thorpeness, a property with loads of history and an open plan living area with uninterrupted sea views. Within a couple of minutes walk of the centre of Thorpeness in one direction and Aldeburgh just a stroll in the other, you could not be better placed.

The Property:

Walking through one of the three sets of French doors into the modern open plan L-shaped living area with its 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 modernised to provide comfortable accommodation in six bedrooms with new bathrooms, utility room etc., there remain reminders of their former role.

Thorpeness is today a unique and exclusive seaside holiday village; it started life as Thorpe, a fishing village. For hundreds of years the fishermen hauled their clinker built boats, laden with sardines, sprats, plaice and sole up the sand and shingle beach before depositing the catch in wooden huts where the fish were prepared for market. Fairhaven served a unique purpose in the village of Thorpeness, having been built to house the fishermen between their trips out to sea. Its' sheds stored sails and fishing gear. No wonder there is a magical feel about Fairhaven.

The Grounds:

A garden gate leads to the house, the garden and beyond that the beach and the sea. A magical place. In the centre of the village is the Meare, a lake rich in wildlife, with rowing boats, canoes and punts for hire. The Meare Shop has a tea room and gift shop. Thorpeness has a country club with tennis courts, heathland golf course, attractive pub and an excellent village shop the Thorpeness Stores and new restaurant, The Thorpeness Brasserie & Emporium.

There are two lovely golf courses just a short drive away from Fairhaven:

Thorpeness Golf Club Set amongst the Suffolk coastal heathland, the golf course offers a tough challenge for all levels of player. Designed by James Braid in 1922, this Suffolk golf course winds through silver birch, pine trees, gorse and heather and was described by the Sunday Telegraph Golfing Guide as "Reminiscent of the inland glories of Sunningdale and Woodhall Spa".

Aldeburgh Golf Club The original Aldeburgh Golf Club course was designed in 1884 by John Thompson from Royal Wimbledon and Open champion Willie Fernie from Felixstowe and later modified by J.H. Taylor and Willie Park Junior. Taylor?s bunkers are visible today, recognisable by their sweeping banks which curve both vertically and horizontally. The new heathland course was officially opened in 1908 and has hardly changed since. There are some long holes to tempt the big hitter but plenty of holes that require careful attention. There is also a smaller nine-hole course. 

Aldeburgh is just a short walk along a seaside footpath from Fairhaven and Thorpeness. Home to 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.