Colchester

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Perched beside the River Great Ouse, this country cottage is a breath of fresh air waiting to be experienced just 4 miles away from the small town of Ely. A new eco-build, bursting with style and character, the interiors present a soothing Nordic palette with bright pops of colour. Think Scandi-style furniture, bright decorative features and tons of open space. The kitchen, living room and dining space is undoubtedly the hub of the house and where the whole group can come together for home-cooked meals in and cosy moments of relaxation by the log burner. Order an Ocado, Sainsbury’s or Tesco delivery directly to the cottage in time for your day of arrival, so that the fridge is well-stocked from day one. Grab a book and snuggle up, following an afternoon of hiking and exploring the local countryside – you'll be nestled in an enviable rural location here with scenic views across the Fenland countryside. It goes without saying that the outdoorsy type will fall truly in love with this address as guests will have access to fishing, cycling, canoeing, walking and bird-watching – all in less than a twenty-minute drive away. If you're looking for a countryside retreat for a larger group – it's worth knowing that the host also has three other cottages on-site which in total can sleep up to sixteen guests. 


Riverside Bungalow

In a quiet sunken spot surrounded by rolling hills and sprawling countryside sits this cosy converted barn. Guests lucky enough to escape to this rural treasure will find the open layout a sociable and homely space to unwind. Stepping inside, you'll notice the floor-to-ceiling patio doors that slide open to blur the boundaries between nature and the home's rustic interiors. Light pours into the living space, where industrial design meets modern comfort, with exposed brick walls, low-hanging lights and a wooden dining table. Spend chilly evenings snuggled up by the wood-burning stove with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book in hand ― the Persian rug, tasteful artwork and quirky ornaments will soon have you feeling all warm and settled. Come morning, we can think of no better start to the day than eating breakfast in the crisp country air out on the private patio area, facing uninterrupted views of the River Stour ― there's also a barbecue and fire pit out here for after the sun's gone down. We recommend packing your walking shoes because you'll want to explore the beautiful Suffolk landscape. Whether you bring the whole family or just a few friends, we suggest spending a fun day at River Stour Estuary and its stunning beaches, just a ten-minute walk away.

Barefoot Magic

For a secluded coastal getaway just an hour away from London, they don't come much better, or more picturesque, than this stunning cottage at the mouth of the Blackwater Estuary. On one side, you've got yachts and barges passing on the sea lock and, on the other, a nature reserve that's a haven for migrating birds.

Despite its eighteenth-century origins, your hosts have modernised the cottage in a sympathetic way that pays homage to its humble roots, housing the foremen that worked on the canal. So while the exposed beams and wood burner in the living room probably haven't changed much over the years, the stainless steel kitchen and stunning glass sunroom ensure that it works perfectly for modern living. Meanwhile, upstairs, you'll find two elegant king-size bedrooms, a single room (available at an additional cost) and a luxurious marble shower room, with a second down on the ground floor.

Step out, and you'll find coastal walks that start right from your front door and a wide variety of wildlife to catch your eye. For those that want to get out on the water, why not take a trip on a Thames barge along the canal to Maldon (of sea salt fame). Here, you'll find posh pubs and charming tea rooms to cater to your every need. Six miles outside the town, Crouch Valley is home to a growing number of vineyards where you can sample the best that this little corner of Essex has to offer.

Foreman's Cottage

Your hosts have spent the best part of three years restoring this stylish space to create a super chic retreat in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. As a former threshing barn, this home offers spectacular surroundings, with exposed brick walls, seventeenth-century beams and sky-high vaulted ceilings that make it a fantastic choice for larger groups of friends or family who want to get away to celebrate a special occasion.

Step inside the vast open-plan space, and you'll find comfortable corner sofa seating, a beautiful rustic dining table, and a sleek custom kitchen, bookended by long stretches of folding doors that allow for seamless access to the outdoors. In addition, a stunning copper-topped bar is perfect for mixing up summer sundowners to sip out on the terrace, while a separate snug offers a secluded spot to get stuck into a good book.

Head down the hall to uncover four of the six bedrooms, with a further two rooms up on the first floor. Each is individually decorated, with comfortable British-made beds, luxurious linens and stunning en-suite bath/shower rooms.

Outdoors, an immaculately tended garden offers several terraces so that you can enjoy the sun from different spots as it moves across the sky. In addition, there's a well-equipped outdoor kitchen with a gas barbecue and a state-of-the-art pizza oven to keep everyone fed and watered throughout the day.

Copper Top Warren

Just ninety minutes outside of London, you will find this charming and character-filled home on a quiet lane in rural Suffolk. It’s over 500 years old, and still has many of the original fittings, from the inglenook fireplaces to the oak beams. Perfect for a family getaway from the city, there is plenty to do and see from the property by foot or bicycle, while lush gardens and cosy interiors are there to enjoy if you’d like to stay put. When it’s meal time, if you don’t fancy getting your hands dirty, there is an excellent local pub just down the road.

Raspberry Scone

Situated a five-minute stroll from the affluent, medieval village of Nayland, this charming cottage has a fabulous location in Dedham Vale, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Essex-Suffolk border. You'll find a glorious riverside pub, shops and plenty of walks along the River Stour – it's perfect for birdwatchers. Flatford and its mill, immortalised in the paintings of John Constable, is twenty minutes in the car. This place is just under a two-hour drive from London, too. 

Surrounded by mature trees, the enclosed rear garden captures the afternoon and early evening sun, so it's ideal for an alfresco lunch or dinner, while the front garden gets the rays all day. Inside, there's a log burner for when it's chilly. We love the master bedroom, named the Hay Wain, with its views over the village. This completely renovated home is a great country retreat for two couples or a family.




The Hay Wain

Style meets comfort in this wonderfully located apartment in Margate. Designed in a chic, boutique-style manner, the whole space feels brilliantly modern while retaining a sense of vintage charm that so aptly reflects Margate’s seaside fame. We love the bright living room with its large windows that provide the most spectacular sunset views across the Winter Gardens and out towards the sea, best enjoyed on the sofa with a glass of wine or through the handy telescope provided. Full of fun decorative details that subtly nod to the coast, this space is made for relaxation and easy-going socialising. Our other favourite spot for sea-sighting is in the beautiful master bedroom where an armchair invites you to curl up on it with a good book and enjoy the rolling of the waves from yet another angle. Factor in the sunny kitchen and the sparkling blue and white bathroom and you’ve got everything you need for a blissful coastal break. Outside of your home, you’re just a six-minute walk from the Turner Contemporary art gallery, an eight-minute stroll from the Main Sands beach, while the Dreamland Margate amusement park is fifteen minutes on foot from your door. 


Atlas Sands

With farmland to the front and the owner’s beautiful private nature reserve behind – this gorgeous home, part of a cluster of mill buildings, is in an idyllic spot. 

Take a stroll through winding footpaths of the reserve that meander through meadows and forests of giant cedars and ancient oaks. In spring, you’ll see enchanting carpets of bluebells, primroses and daffodils, but whatever time of year you come, you’ll be treated to an array of wildlife, from chaffinches to woodpeckers. There are maps to find the footpaths going onwards to Snape Maltings, just over two miles away, and to the sea at Aldeburgh (or it’s seven minutes in the car). You can borrow some bikes too if you prefer to cycle.

You don’t have to go anywhere to get some fresh air, though. There’s a lovely old cobbled, sunny courtyard where clematis and wisteria clamber up the walls – it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the welcome hamper of breakfast goodies. There’s another patio area, too, with fragrant rambling roses – ideal for a glass of wine.

The home itself is a sympathetic conversion of a stable and grain store. We adore the character features inside, such as the traditional 17th Century Suffolk white brick flooring, wood-panelled walls and old oak floorboards. Part of the original manger has been incorporated into the wall dividing the kitchen and the living space area – a lovely touch. Open the stable doors here and listen to the blackbirds singing at dusk. Furnished with antiques, this cottage will appeal to couples and pet owners looking for a luxurious country bolthole.


Blackbirds Singing At Dusk

It’s rare that a house in Whitstable has a garden this big, but that’s the bonus of being on the outskirts of town. True to any seaside sanctuary, there are deck chairs in the garden to soak up the sun and outdoor dining set up on rattan furniture. A big lawn allows kids to run free. 

Inside, the social space is huge. A mezzanine balcony and double-height ceiling in the open-plan living area created a sense of space and we love the boho and scandi-chic seating for all the family. A breakfast bar and kitchen island of raw wood mean there’s oodles of prep space and dining is at a rustic wooden table with bench-style seating. Bedrooms are massive, and kids will love the higglety pigglety layout of single beds secreted away beneath eaves and on mezzanine levels.

You’re on the outskirts of Whitstable, a twenty-minute walk (or five-minute drive) from the seafront where beach huts line the sand and fishing boats bob in the harbour. Here you’ll find plenty to see and do with fish and chip restaurants and ice cream shops galore. Outdoorsy types should hit the Crab and Winkle Cycle Way, right from the home’s doorstep.

Shells In The Garden

The town of Bury St Edmunds is perhaps most famous for its cathedral and former abbey, and this apartment puts you as close as can be to these landmarks. In fact, the historic Norman Tower and Cathedral Gate can be seen out the window. Inside, the newly refurbished interior living quarters feel suitably smart, from the wooden floorboards and mid-century inspired furnishings to the stark white walls and the sleek surfaces in the kitchen. The bedroom has been painted in a soothing shade of pastel pink and there's even a bathtub for enjoying long soaks after a day of taking in all that this quaint town has to offer. As well as the ecclesiastical attractions just across the street, Moyse's Hall Museum can be reached in six minutes' walk, while the Italiante Ickworth House is only eighteen minutes away in the car.

Saintly Virtue

Nestled in the tiny village of Kersey, this magnificent timber-framed house has been lovingly restored to its former glory, allowing you to experience the authentic Suffolk countryside. Inside you'll find a roaring log burner, beautiful beamed rooms, and original features that give this home a cosy atmosphere and an air of rustic charm. 

Start your days with a home-cooked breakfast made in the classic country kitchen, then take one of the bikes from the shed and head off to explore the pretty lanes around the village. Boasting close proximity to the unspoiled Suffolk countryside, there are plenty of walks to enjoy with the dogs, as well as an array of quaint villages, such as the famous Lavenham, which is known as England’s best preserved Medieval Village. Ruggedly rural and untouched by city life, this is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle and connect with nature for a few days. 

When you get home, head to the private garden to fire up the barbecue and tuck into an alfresco family dinner. You'll find an apple tree on the lawn, which provides some natural shade in the summer. Post-dinner, run yourself a bubble bath and relax with a glass of wine, then head downstairs to snuggle up by the fire. 

The Old Apple Tree

Dating back to 1250, this idyllic cottage has bags of charm. It’s in the town of Hadleigh, so shops, restaurants and cafés are just a short walk away, along with cycleways across the countryside and a meandering riverside walk. 

Hide away from the world in a timber-clad bolthole where Tudor windows let in plenty of sunlight during the day. By night, it’s time to get a fire crackling in the fireplace and snuggle up with a glass of wine on the sofa. Antique, rustic furniture has been hand-selected to keep the medieval feel to the cottage, including cast-iron pans suspended from the wooden beam in the kitchen. Heading up the narrow staircase to bed, you’ll find a sound sleep beneath the old roof beams. 

Tudor Romance

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