A beautiful country house for sale in the 'English Atlantis', with woodland, walled garden and sweeping sea views
A house has come up for sale in Dunwich, the 'lost city of England', a once-thriving town that is now a sleepy and idyllic village on the Suffolk coast.

The mystery of the lost city of Atlantis — a sprawling, sophisticated metropolis which vanished beneath the waves — has fascinated people for thousands of years. It's not hard to see why: Atlantis — and the myriad other flood myths which circulate in all cultures across the globe — offer a potent promise of unparalleled archaeological excitement married to the thrilling dread of wallowing in the worst case scenario. Tales of whole civilisations beneath the water are found in everything from the Bible to Star Wars.
The reality is rather different, as anyone who knows the tragic tale of Dunwich will tell you. This once-thriving port in Suffolk was one of the most prosperous towns in England at the time of the Norman Conquest, but the entire place was almost wiped off the map by a huge storm in 1286, and subsequent inundations over the next few decades finished the job — bar a few buildings, which evolved into the tiny Dunwich which still exists today.
Most of it lies beneath the sea, a watery grave to the thousands who lost their lives here. Even today the full tale isn't known; remnants of the original town are still being discovered, over 700 years later.
Dunwich is now a picturesque seaside village in an AONB and home to East Anglian favourite The Ship inn, as well as the charming house on this page, Little Greyfriars, which sits in nearly 11 acres of grounds and is up for sale at £1.375m.
The property’s highlight must surely be the exceptional view out to the sea, over grassland bordered on either side by mature woodland. It’s rare to find such space and privacy in a village setting.
The main house, although in need of some modernisation, provides five bedrooms and two reception rooms, which benefit from the panoramic views of the surrounding gardens.
Just as beautiful as the views of the sea is the woodland which is included in the 11 acres.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
It's not all wild and open, however: keen gardeners will be thrilled to see the Victorian walled garden.
Little Greyfriars is for sale via Strutt & Parker at £1.375m — see more pictures and details.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
'The watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secrets
When it comes to dressing for the Season, accessories will transform an outfit. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin, both stylish summer-party veterans, offer some sage advice.
By Country Life Published
-
Lewis Hamilton, Claude Monet and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 29, 2025
Tuesday's Quiz of the Day looks back at Lewis Hamilton's first win and ponders on the meaning of greige.
By Toby Keel Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated