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Wednesday 19th December, 2001 - 12:00 GMT
T is for Thorpeness
The mere and house in the clouds
The fantasy world of Thorpeness
Imagine a place that blends the old with the new and you have thorpeness. Its easy to think its a very old village but its not.
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video BBC Look East A-Z - Thorpeness (56k)
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Take an A-Z tour throughout Suffolk courtesy of the BBC Look East video archive:

A - Aldeburgh
B - Blythburgh
C - Cavendish
D - xxxx
E - Eye
F - Framlingham
G - xxx
H - xxxx
I - xxxx
J - Jockey (Newmarket)
K - xxx
L - Long Melford
M - Minsmere
N - Needham Market
O - Orford
P - xxxx
Q - xxxx
R - xxxx
S - xxxx
T - Thorpeness
U - xxxx
V - xxxx
W - West Stow
X - Exning
Y - Yoxford
Z - Zeppelin

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It was all built by the Oglvie family at the turn of the century and central to the village is the mere.

The mere is only one meter deep but it covers 64 acres and was dug by hand between 1910 and 1912.


It was part of Stuart Ogilvie’s plan to create a fantasy children’s holiday village with a theme of Peter Pan.

From the centre of the village and past the well kept greens of the golf course you will see two of the highest landmarks in the village.

The windmill started off in nearby Aldringham where it ground corn but in 1923 it was bought here to Thorpeness to pump water into the water tank at the top of the extraordinary house in the clouds.

The house in the clouds dominates the village skyline and is another example of Stuart Ogilvie's fertile imagination.

Despite the village itself it is as you arrive at the beach and see the miles of coastline stretching either side that you can’t help thanking old Mr Ogilivie for having the vision to create this peaceful oasis where time really does seem suspended and tranquility pervades.

Have you ever been to Thorpeness? Tell us what you thought...

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Rod in Lowestoft
Does anyone remember the very cold November of 1969? The Mere was well frozen and I was riding my motorbike around on it. (I think it was Nov.20th) If anyone took a photo I would love a copy.

e.g. Christine. Huntingdon
Love the atmosphere of Thorpeness. It's a very special village. Visited loads of times.

Alastair
the mere is a lovely place to be. I love going to the wind mill aswell!

Rosie
The house in the clouds is a wonderful place to stay(from experience) and i would really recommened it!!

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