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5 The Bays

Thorpeness, near Leiston, Suffolk
Sleeps 8
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3
Change Fri
Dogs welcome 1
4 star
Highchair available
Travel Cot available
Towels included
Family friendly
Internet access
Enclosed garden / patio
Downstairs bathroom
Pub nearby
Beach within easy reach
9 more

At a glance

  • Quintessential Suffolk timber house near Thorpeness beach
  • Beautiful views of the Meare from the house and spacious garden
  • Spacious and luxurious accommodation for an idyllic group getaway

Property code: OC-BAYS

An outstanding holiday home in Thorpeness, 5 The Bays is located on Lakeside Avenue with outstanding views over the Meare and just a stone’s throw from the beach.

This magnificent period property is spacious and beautifully furnished, perfect for a get together with family and friends looking to escape to the Suffolk Coast. Accommodation is over two floors, with four bedrooms sleeping eight guests. The living space is on the ground floor including a fabulous sitting room, stylish kitchen/diner with the usual appliances, large table and chairs and a piano for the budding pianist to tinkle the ivories! Step outside and there’s a lovely lawned garden, the perfect spot for children to safely play while the adults relax with a little alfresco dining… the views from here are pretty good too!

5 The Bays overlooks the Meare… a fabulous boating lake which covers 40 acres of water. This area is great for kids and adults alike - the water is no more than 3 feet deep and is dotted with islands where children can go ashore and play and explore… it’s what childhood memories are made of!

If you can tear yourself away, from the beach and the lake for a few hours, it’s worth visiting Aldeburgh, a quintessential town on the Suffolk coast, the prom is lined with seaside villas and colourful beach huts and it’s home to the iconic Scallop Shell, created by Maggi Hambling.

Shop 2.5 miles pub 0.1 miles, beach 0.1 miles

Why we love this property… a very impressive holiday home in a great location. Perfect for families - take a boat out on the lake, spend lazy days on the beach or simply relax in the garden with a glass of fizz and start planning your next visit!

Ground floor: Sitting room: TV, DVD, electric fire. Kitchen/dining area: Electric oven and gas hob, fridge freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, table and chairs, piano, CD radio, iPod dock. Shower room: shower cubicle, washbasin and wc.

First floor: Bedroom 1: king size bed and en-suite shower room: shower cubicle, washbasin and wc. Bedroom 2: Super king size bed, electric fire. Bedroom 3: Twin beds (2'6). Bedroom 4: Twin beds (2'6). Bathroom: bath, shower cubicle, washbasin and WC.

Parking: on street parking.
Outside: lawned area and patio with garden furniture and barbecue (please note that charcoal is not included).
Sleeps: 8 in 4 bedrooms
Minimum hire: 3 nights. High season minimum stay 1 week.
Pets: one well-behaved pet welcome
Heating: Electric storage heating
Notes: welcome pack. Wi-fi available. Bedlinen and towels provided. Travel cot, travel stair gate and highchair available. Telephone for incoming calls.
Please note: ground floor WC and ground floor bath/shower room.

Just a mile north of Aldeburgh is this fascinating seaside village, built in the 1920s by Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie, an architect, barrister and playwright. The mock Tudor style of building is now the hallmark of Thorpeness, where the amenities include the Dolphin Inn, the Thorpeness Hotel with its 18-hole golf club, a country club with tennis courts and the Meare - a large shallow boating lake with tearooms nearby. The beaches are mainly sandy and behind the village is a myriad of footpaths over heath and common land.

  • 4 bedrooms – 1 super-king-size, 1 king-size, 2 twins with 2’ 6” beds
  • 3 bathrooms – 1 shower room with shower cubicle and WC, 1 en-suite shower room with shower cubicle and WC, 1 bathroom with shower cubicle, bath and WC
  • Fridge/freezer, electric oven and gas hob, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, microwave
  • Welcome pack
  • Travel cot, stairgate and highchair available
  • Electric storage heaters and standalone heaters
  • TV with DVD player
  • Enclosed garden with lawn, patio area, outdoor dining furniture, and charcoal BBQ – charcoal not provided
  • On-street parking is available on a private road for residents only
  • Shop 2.5 miles, pub 160 metres, beach 160 metres
  • Arrival: 16:00 onwards
  • Departure: before 10:00
  • 1 dog allowed. Additional charges may apply

Sarah Hunt

This property is personally managed by Sarah.

Reviews

From guests that have stayed at the property.

Based on 17 guest ratings

Overall cleanliness
Overall cleanliness 3.8 starsOverall cleanliness 3.8 starsOverall cleanliness 3.8 starsOverall cleanliness 3.8 starsOverall cleanliness 3.8 stars3.8
Overall equipment
Overall equipment 3.5 starsOverall equipment 3.5 starsOverall equipment 3.5 starsOverall equipment 3.5 starsOverall equipment 3.5 stars3.5
Overall comfort
Overall comfort 4.1 starsOverall comfort 4.1 starsOverall comfort 4.1 starsOverall comfort 4.1 starsOverall comfort 4.1 stars4.1
Overall location
Overall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 stars4.9

Reviewed by Jane 16th May 2026

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

Excellent location in a beautiful place. Comfortable house, well equipped and spacious.

Reviewed by Susan 11th May 2026

Guest rating 3 starsGuest rating 3 starsGuest rating 3 starsGuest rating 3 starsGuest rating 3 stars

Reviewed by Alison 8th May 2026

Guest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 stars

Had a wonderful weekend with family celebrating a big birthday. House just right. Location excellent.

Reviewed by Clare 10th April 2026

Guest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 stars

Plenty of space for the 8 of us Fantastic location and the garden was so useful The views were spectacular

Reviewed by Andrew 1st October 2025

Guest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 stars

The property was very nice with a view of the Mere. The location was perfect for our planned visits and enabled some restful time using the local cafe with a wonderful view across the Mere. The Dolphin pub was excellent but ensure you book for Sunday lunch.

Reviewed by Julie 24th August 2025

Guest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 stars

Brilliant location Lovely garden Property very clean, lovely welcome package. Towels terrible WiFi does not work properly

Reviewed by Gail 15th July 2025

Guest rating 2.4 starsGuest rating 2.4 starsGuest rating 2.4 starsGuest rating 2.4 starsGuest rating 2.4 stars

Property in a great location and village, however has been poorly maintained and is very faded and tired. No usable outdoor furniture. Check if new table has been replaced before booking.

Reviewed by Janine 4th July 2025

Guest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 stars

This is a spacious, attractive and comfortable house, very well situated five minutes from the pebbled beach, and one minute from the lake and the pubs in Thorpeness. Particularly appreciated during the Music Festival in June by our party of six, with plenty of parking at the house, and easy access to concerts at The Maltings, Snape and in AldeburgRead moreh. Aldeburgh can be reached on foot across the beach. We enjoyed the piano too! Hide

Reviewed by Greville 16th June 2025

Guest rating 3.4 starsGuest rating 3.4 starsGuest rating 3.4 starsGuest rating 3.4 starsGuest rating 3.4 stars

Lovely house in a great position.

Reviewed by Gillian 11th May 2025

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

Lovely location and lots of space for 3 of us. Village very pretty with interesting buildings and lovely coastal walks.

Reviewed by Hayley 6th May 2025

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

Great location, spacious and well equipped house. All rooms were good size with comfy beds and good storage. Had a great trip

Reviewed by Rik 14th December 2024

Guest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 stars

A large, comfortable house in a great location right by the mere and within walking distance to Aldeburgh. The bedrooms and lounge are all very comfortable. A large kitchen but the utensils and pots and pans could do with an upgrade and some additions. We stayed during a rather wet and cold week in early December, and the house did take quite somRead moree time to get warm as there are only electric heaters and radiators - no central heating. Hide

Reviewed by Clare 2nd December 2024

Guest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 starsGuest rating 3.6 stars

Reviewed by Alison 10th September 2024

Guest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 stars

5 The Bays is a great property for group or family stays offering fantastic views of the Meare. The beds are all comfortable and the rooms well equipped with plenty of storeage space. The large kitchen diner is a perfect sociable space with ample refrigeration space. The lounge is incredibly comfortable and putdoor seating is also available. ThRead moreorpeness is a small but pretty village with an amazing boating lake (The Meare) and a variety of places to eat. Aldeburgh is an easy walk away along the beach. We had an issue with the door alarm while we were there and this was dealt with on the same day, very efficiently. Hide

Reviewed by Julie 2nd September 2024

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

Well equipped and comfortable and a wonderful position in this special village. We loved our holiday.

Reviewed by Annette 30th June 2024

Guest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 starsGuest rating 3.2 stars

Reviewed by Lesley 25th June 2024

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

We were 8 and appreciated the space and the garden. Thanks!

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Location

Map
Note: As the postcode is used to identify the general area of the property, it may not always reflect its precise location, therefore please only use this map as a guide.
Original Cottages is a trading name of The Travel Chapter Limited | The Travel Chapter Limited is registered in England and Wales. | Registered office Travel Chapter House, Gammaton Road, Bideford, EX39 4DF. Company No. 02431506 | VAT reg: 143053210.