Appearing in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and home to a 12th-century church tower, the village of Bramfield is steeped in history. This Regency house is no exception, with low beams, sumptuous beds and a crackling log-burner all adding to that sense of tradition. There's plenty of space for the whole family, both inside and out. On rainy days, board games, a DVD player, a Wii, a cosy reading snug and a playroom will fend off the boredom, while summer afternoons call for letting loose in the garden. While little ones bounce on the trampoline, parents can relax under the ivy-covered terrace with a glass of wine or bubble in the hot tub as the day fades away. Come dinnertime, whip up a feast in the kitchen or grill up a storm on the charcoal barbecue. And after a long day, nothing feels better than a soak in one of the two lush bathtubs – pure bliss, in our opinion. Bramfield village is a five-minute walk away – aside from its historical attractions, it also has a lovely pub ideal for a bite to eat at lunch or a restorative mid-walk pint. On sunny days visit Southwold, a thirty-minute drive away, for fish and chips on the shingle beach.

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