The picturesque postcard hamlet of Thorpeness is located just three miles from Leiston and has enticed visitors to this quirky corner of the coast since 1910, when eccentric Scottish barrister, Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie transformed it into a fantasy playground.

Prior to this, the village was a small fishing hamlet and a route for smugglers into East Anglia.

Developed into an imaginative holiday village, Thorpeness is an array of mock Tudor buildings, that surround an artificial meare, complete with Peter Pan themed islands, inspired by author J. M. Barrie, who was said to have been fascinated with the location. The boating lake is open throughout the summer months, with boats available for hire to those who wish to explore the 64-acre meare.

Another notable peculiarity of Ogilvie’s imagination is the House in the Clouds – a five story house, once disguising the villages water tower, that stands over the village and offers stunning views of the golf course and the meare for those who are lucky enough to reside there.

Thorpeness’ mainly shingle beach, with some sand at low tide, features dunes and low cliffs to the north and the Haven Nature Reserve to the south and is an ideal setting for a spot of respite and relaxation before browsing the numerous gift emporiums, eateries and enjoying a drink or two in gardens of The Dolphin Inn.

The hugely popular Thorpeness Regatta attracts thousands of locals and visitors alike each year, who gather to enjoy the splendid firework display in the setting of the meare. The 2016 Thorpeness Regatta will be held on Friday 19th August.