With views like these, your binoculars can stay at home.

1 Quay Cottage, sitting right on the River Deben in Bawdsey, is our delightful upside-down home, which actually makes perfect sense once you're here!

This isn't some quirky design experiment gone wrong. The reverse layout means the bedrooms are downstairs where it's cool and quiet, and the living space upstairs where you get the best views. There are three bedrooms on the ground floor, two of which have ensuites. Head upstairs and you will find the real showstopper, the open-plan living area with exposed beams, a wood burner, and triple aspect views

The outdoors are just as good as the in! The rear garden has an elevated terrace and raised sun deck, essentially several different spots to sit with a drink and feel slightly smug about your location choice. The foot ferry to Felixstowe runs right from your doorstep, you're a short walk from rare sandy beaches, and the market town of Woodbridge is only a short drive away.

This waterside gem welcomes six lucky guests across three comfy bedrooms. The master bedroom treats you to quay views and an ensuite complete with both bath and shower, ideal for post-adventure soaks. Bedroom two provides a comfortable double with its own shower room, while the cleverly accessible bunk room offers dual entry points, through bedroom two for midnight chats, or straight from the garden for those sandy returns from the beach. The handy porch stores life's essentials, wet coats, muddy boots, and overstuffed beach bags.

Upstairs, the open-plan living space cleverly combines kitchen, dining and lounging areas, with the dining area spilling out onto a sunny balcony that overlooks the garden, perfect for morning coffee or evening drinks with a view.