History

 

The Beginning...

Thorpeness was originally a small fishing hamlet in the late 19th century, with folklore stories of it being a route for smugglers into East Anglia. However in 1910, Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie, who had made his money designing railways around the world, bought the entire area. Most of this land was used for farming but Ogilvie developed Thorpeness into a private fantasy holiday village, to which he invited his friends and colleagues families during the summer months. A country club with tennis courts and a swimming pool, a golf course and clubhouse and many holiday homes were built in Jacobean and Tudor Styles. A notable feature of the village is a set of almshouses, set just opposite the Ogilvie Hall, built in the 1920s. To hide the eyesore of having a water tower in the village, the tank was clad in wood to make it look like a small house on top of a 5-storey tower, with a separate water-pumping windmill next to it. We now famously call this 'The House in The Clouds' . After mains water was installed in the village the old tank was transformed into a huge games room with views over the land from Aldeburgh to Sizewell.

 

 

The Meare....

An artificial lake, 'meare' or boating lake, was created, with many of its inspirations coming from a personal family friend, J. M Barrie's work, 'Peter Pan'. Besides a large main pond, there are several channels with landings marked with names of the Peter Pan theme. Tiny islands on the Meare contain locations found in J.M. Barrie's novel such as the pirates lair, Wendy's home, and many others which children are encouraged to play on.

There are many old clinker built boats available to take out on the meare and there really is nothing better on a hot summers day. In August the Meare serves as the location for the Thorpeness Regatta which usually takes place on the Friday after the Aldeburgh Carnival, which is usually on a Monday, and attracts many visitors. Punts are made into platforms, on which regatta 'floats' are made on variuos themes. After this unique parade, the fireworks start, which many will tell you are the best in the area.

 

 

The Ogilvie Hall

Our hall was built in the 1920's and was originally intended to be a theatre for Ogilvie's plays. However this was short lived and it has since been a library and, today, a Club. The Bar now sits in what was first the stage, then a library before becoming a snooker room. In the late 90's the snooker table was moved into what is now a games room below, allowing for a much more prestigious bar area, 'back stage'. The Hall offers a fantastic space, with high rand ceilings for many events during the year, at a reasonable price. During Functions the doors seperating the bar from the hall are opened, meaning that guests can choose between what can be a lively party in the hall, or relaxing with a drink and a chat in the quieter bar. The Games room offers Snooker, Pool or darts. Our Snooker table is particulary popular.