This cottage doesn't lack personality, that's for sure – inside, you'll find original art, vintage antiques and curios that have been carefully curated over time. It feels like a home that has plenty of stories to tell – in fact, while redecorating, the host's found the previous owner's name written on the back of cupboards and behind wallpaper. So make your own memories here, too, relaxing by the fire in the cosy living area and sharing family meals around the rustic dining table. There's also a small courtyard with a table and chairs – it's a sweet spot to enjoy the bottle of wine and pack of biscuits in the welcome basket. Upstairs, we loved the pretty rose-coloured bathroom with a freestanding tub – perfect for a soak after a long ramble around the countryside – and the cosy bedrooms were just the ticket after a jam-packed day. The location is excellent, too, in the heart of Orford with a view of the church. Days start with the sound of the church bells and pastries from the cracking local bakery. Then head to Aldeburgh (a twenty-minute drive) for a walk on the seafront and a rummage in the antique shops, or strap on your hiking boots and get out into the countryside – Orford Ness National Nature Reserve can be reached by ferry (the dock is a seven-minute walk) and is perfect for strolls in the fresh air.

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