Drift End Cottage...
Found in the quiet Suffolk village of Eastbridge, Drift End Cottage is the perfect way to explore the Suffolk coast and take a breather from the helter skelter of urban life.
The village itself is tiny, a couple of local farms and a lovely country pub (The Eels Foot Inn), where you can also hire bikes from The Eastbridge cycle hire company (see below).
Tucked away from the village is the beautiful Drift End Cottage; a two bedroom property with stunning views of the Suffolk Countryside.
You enter Drift End Cottage via the back garden which at the time we arrived was covered in butterflies flitting around the carefully chosen plants and flowers.
A conservatory leads into a tastefully furnished and spacious kitchen, combining modern touches with a country style in fitting with the location.
The ground floor also houses a utility room; should you require to do any washing during your stay, which also leads on to a shower and toilet.
The living room comes complete with maps and local information, TV & DVD, a log stove and a wonderful selection of books and games should the English weather get you down!
Upstairs you find both bedrooms, the main bedroom with king size bed and closet, but both come with gorgeous white company linen.
The main bathroom and toilet is huge, with bath to match. There is also a separate toilet next to the smaller of the two bedrooms.
Drift End Cottage has a great location; 15 minutes drive to Aldeburgh, 25 minutes to Southwold, and only minutes away from the Minsmere nature reserve.
Whilst there we twice hired bikes from Julian at The Eastbridge cycle Hire company (great value and service by the way), and explored the area. The first trek saw us go off road past Minsmere and all the way up to Dunwich Heath and it's stunning views. Later we went the other way to Sizewell Beach, then back along the coast to Minsmere; which was amazing.
Drift End Cottage is perfect for nature lovers and bird watchers alike. A Barn Owl can be seen regularly from the garden, plus with the RSPB Minsmere Reserve being so close you can walk, drive or cycle there.
During our visit we saw 86 bird species (14 new including Barn Owl, Nightjar and Kingfisher), and one tip I would have is to use the public footpath from the cottage down to the Sluice gates at Minsmere at dawn... truely magical!