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.
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.
-
The secret life of seeds: The little wonders that sustain all life on EarthThey might not be especially striking to look at — if you can see them at all — but seeds are among the natural world’s most awe-inspiring marvels.
-
The lives, wild parties and country houses of the Guinness family: Adrian Tinniswood on the Country Life PodcastThe writer and historian Adrian Tinniswood joins James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast.
-
A beautiful Victorian vicarage that was home to one of the Cadbury family heiresses is on the marketPenny Churchill tells the tale of Monks Bridge in Warwickshire.
-
An outrageously opulent mansion in London's answer to Beverly Hills, with a gym that 'wouldn't look out of place in a 7* hotel''One of the finest houses in St George's Hill' is on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look at what's on offer.
-
Six homes with fantastic features, from pools and paddocks to waterside settings, as seen in Country LifeOur look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes a Chipping Norton farm and a Cornish dream home
-
Queen Victoria's chaplain's house on the Isle of Wight is for sale, and it's a riot of colour, charm and joyA stone's thrown from Queen Victoria's beloved Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, the house where her chaplain lived is now on the open market.
-
An Art Deco masterpiece with five-bedrooms, a private pool, a cinema, a helipad and the ability to conquer oceansLady Christine is the very essence of opulence and could be yours for a cool €55.75 million.
-
The elegant 19th century townhouse where JFK and Jackie Kennedy dreamed of the presidency, and made their wish came trueThis beautiful five-bedroom house in Washington DC's Georgetown was once home to perhaps the most celebrated couple of the 20th century: John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie Kennedy.
-
This five-bedroom thatched cottage in the Chilterns looks quite like Claudia WinklemanMuch like everyone's favourite TV host, this property is beautifully presented.
-
A heartbreakingly pretty old rectory in the idyllic Cotswolds valley that offers charm, beauty, sophistication and a fast train to LondonPenny Churchill takes a look at the Old Rectory in Charlbury, which has become available for the first time in almost 35 years.
