1A Uplands is up a quiet, leafy track within the village of Thorpeness. Local facilities include a village shop selling all immediate groceries and newspapers etc, a bistro, a teashop, a pub and the village Social Club. There are two Co-Op supermarkets in Aldeburgh, a bigger version in Leiston (5 mins), Waitrose in Saxmundham (15 mins) and a huge, 24-hour Tesco 45 minutes away (online deliveries available). The Friday Street Farm Shop near Snape, just off the A12, is excellent.

Aldeburgh is rapidly becoming the Salcombe of Suffolk. Just 1.5 miles south of Thorpeness (an easy walk, cycle or drive), it's a town of pastel-coloured houses spread out along the high street and beach. The high street has an organic food market, a couple of delis, a good bookshop, a cinema with an arthouse leaning, three excellent restaurants, a choice of pubs and various designer houseware/clothing/surf stores . However, it's still loyal to its fishing heritage, and you can buy the day's catch from several fishermen's huts on the beach. There are two very popular fish and chip shops, with queues down the street throughout the season.

This is Benjamin Britten territory, and Snape Maltings, home of his Aldeburgh Festival, is a 20-minute drive from the house. The Aldeburgh Festival is held throughout June, and the more informal Proms throughout August (www.Aldeburgh.co.uk). Within the old converted granaries are a contemporary bar and restaurant which opens for pre-concert meals, various retail outlets including a craft shop, house and garden shop and various antique outlets. A farmers' market is held here on the first Saturday of each month.

You can walk from the house along the coast, either north towards Sizewell and on to Minsmere Nature Reserve, Dunwich, Walberswick and Southwold; or south to Aldeburgh. Leiston has an excellent indoor swimming pool/sports centre and a cinema. Other local attractions include Woodbridge, Orford, and both Rendlesham and Tunstall Forests.