Thorpeness is a unique village. In the sixteenth century it had been a thriving fishing settlement, but by the end of the nineteenth century Thorpe, as it was then called, had declined and consisted of a few houses and a small population.
In 1908 Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie inherited the village as part of the estate purchased by his parents some 50 years earlier. Over the next half a century due to Ogilvie's vision it was to develop into the UK's first planned holiday resort village: but a resort of a very special nature, eschewing commercialism and aimed at providing a beautiful and tranquil setting, yet with activities and facilities to suit young and old alike.
The development had many special features one of the earliest of which was (and still is) The Meare. This artificial lake covering some 62 acres and nowhere more than 2 feet 6 inches deep with many islands and Peter Pan references was both a boating delight and a haven for wildlife. It became the scene of an annual Regatta and fireworks display which still continues today.
Another particular feature of the village (officially renamed Thorpeness early on) was the variety of building styles and materials used: it was planned for no two houses to be exactly the same and many of them were of a pleasingly quirky design. Particularly of note were two water towers both incorporated within residences, one castle-like in structure and the other of a height which caused it to be named The House in the Clouds. The latter held water pumped up from a disused windmill which was bought and moved from a nearby village and provided a striking landmark.
As well as the attractions of the beach, Meare and countryside, holiday makers could take part in a full programme of dances, quizzes and other activities at the Country Club, and the construction of a Golf Course and Club House provided an added attraction.
The layout of the village, although never fully realised according to the original vision, incorporated trees, byways and scenic vistas. In the initial period and until the 1950s families would rent houses for periods of a week or several weeks, and were able to use the services of cleaners, cooks and gardeners. As time went on some houses were available to buy on lease.
In 1972, the necessity of meeting death duties upon the death of the then owner Stuart Ogilive, led to the sale of many of the properties and land. However, the major part of the village is now a conservation area and despite the inevitable changes which have taken place and additional houses which have been built, it retains the original structural plan and many of the features envisaged by Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie and remains a uniquely interesting and beguiling place.
By Val Allport 2014 first Chairperson, Thorpeness & Aldringham Heritage Group
In 1908 Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie inherited the village as part of the estate purchased by his parents some 50 years earlier. Over the next half a century due to Ogilvie's vision it was to develop into the UK's first planned holiday resort village: but a resort of a very special nature, eschewing commercialism and aimed at providing a beautiful and tranquil setting, yet with activities and facilities to suit young and old alike.
The development had many special features one of the earliest of which was (and still is) The Meare. This artificial lake covering some 62 acres and nowhere more than 2 feet 6 inches deep with many islands and Peter Pan references was both a boating delight and a haven for wildlife. It became the scene of an annual Regatta and fireworks display which still continues today.
Another particular feature of the village (officially renamed Thorpeness early on) was the variety of building styles and materials used: it was planned for no two houses to be exactly the same and many of them were of a pleasingly quirky design. Particularly of note were two water towers both incorporated within residences, one castle-like in structure and the other of a height which caused it to be named The House in the Clouds. The latter held water pumped up from a disused windmill which was bought and moved from a nearby village and provided a striking landmark.
As well as the attractions of the beach, Meare and countryside, holiday makers could take part in a full programme of dances, quizzes and other activities at the Country Club, and the construction of a Golf Course and Club House provided an added attraction.
The layout of the village, although never fully realised according to the original vision, incorporated trees, byways and scenic vistas. In the initial period and until the 1950s families would rent houses for periods of a week or several weeks, and were able to use the services of cleaners, cooks and gardeners. As time went on some houses were available to buy on lease.
In 1972, the necessity of meeting death duties upon the death of the then owner Stuart Ogilive, led to the sale of many of the properties and land. However, the major part of the village is now a conservation area and despite the inevitable changes which have taken place and additional houses which have been built, it retains the original structural plan and many of the features envisaged by Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie and remains a uniquely interesting and beguiling place.
By Val Allport 2014 first Chairperson, Thorpeness & Aldringham Heritage Group