Chalet

Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space

Photo gallery for Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space


Our cottage, Humperdink
Our cottage, Humperdink1
View looking right when exiting front door.
Sun is setting over the countryside
Kitchen area with bathroom off it and also showing one of the sofas.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Lee over Sands, ENG
  • St. Osyth Beach
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Jaywick Martello Tower
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Clacton-on-Sea Beach
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • London (SEN-Southend)
    ‪68 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1 (front bedroom)

1 King Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 2 (back bedroom)

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3 downstairs / playroom

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space

Our family have owned Humperdink, our cottage, since 1964. It is a few miles from the village of St Osyth adjacent to the nature reserve of Lee Over Sands, with a mainly shingle and sand beach, depending on the tide, river and marshes.

We brought our cottage into the 21st century in 2015, retaining its charm and character while adding some new creature comforts and mod cons, including gas central heating with radiators and running hot water (which was a first for us, never having this luxury at our cottage before when we were children or with our children!) to make any stay a memorable and pleasurable whatever the weather, or time of year.

We have no hidden extras with our home, bed linen, towels, and tea towel are all included in the price. All pillows and mattresses have protector covers and are non allergic.

Check in is 4 pm and check out is 11 am.

The surrounding area is fields, however the river, sea and beach are just over the sea wall, where you can walk with, or without your dog, and enjoy the views, swim in the summer or you can just stay at our cottage, sit in the front garden watching the sheep in the field opposite or sit on the patio on the comfy rattan chairs at the back of the property and listen to the wildlife right on your doorstep, away from the hustle and bustle of reality. Deer have been seen near our cottage as well as hares, foxes as well lots of owls and multiple birds.

Your dog is very welcome, please just notify us about this when you book. We only allow 2 dogs per booking and there is a charge of £20 per dog per stay. We ask that you clean up after your dog and also that you don’t allow your dog to sleep on the beds please. Please also be aware the garden is not fenced in.

The cottage has two bedrooms upstairs, the front bedroom that has views to the sea and has a wooden Shaker Kingsize bed and a second bedroom at the back with a wooden double bed, as well as a single pine bed, so this room can actually sleep three. This room has spectacular views across the fields and also to the sea, where you can see the Wind Turbines near Clacton, quite spectacular at night with all the twinkly lights. You also see the sunrise from the back of the property, which is superb.

There is a room downstairs, at the back of the property, that can either be a bedroom or a playroom. It has a very comfortable double sized sofa bed from Ikea. This room has french doors which open out onto a decking area, complete with chairs and a dining table during the summer and a picnic bench during the winter months, all ready for you to enjoy your meal at any time of the day or drink a la fresco. In the summer you wake on a lovely sunny morning with the sun streaming in, encouraging you to open the french doors and take in the peace and solitude of the area.

We have provided an extra fridge in the garage for your bottles that can be turned on when you need it There is also a smaller fridge/freezer for your food which is left on all the time. The tumble dryer in the garage, next to the fridges is NOT TO BE USED by guests please, it is only to be used by our cleaner.

Our cottage has a delightful open and sociable living space where you can cook, eat and socialize. There is a fitted, fully equipped kitchen, with a washing machine, electric oven and gas hob, slow cooker, George Foreman Grill, microwave, kettle, toaster and coffee machine.

In the living space there is a SMART TV/DVD player/ radio in the comfy sitting area and a dining room table with 7 chairs, should they be needed. The bathroom, again, has been completely revamped with a shower over the bath. This runs off the hot water, provided by the combi boiler. The heating is also a smart system, called NEST and can easily be adjusted with the thermostat controller on the table under the lamp in the sitting room.

We now have superfast fibre broadband. This is left plugged into the same plug as the toaster / microwave and the router is on the shelf above the microwave. You will be given the password at the cottage and in your welcome email which also gives you the keysafe code.

The unique location on the Essex coast, which incidentally is one of the driest places in the UK, is adjacent to the Essex Wildlife Trust EWT (www.essexwt.org.uk) reserve on Colne Point. This bird reserve has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) affording habitat for many different birds both resident and migratory. As a guest you are allowed access to the beaches and wildlife reserve, which could be described a very exclusive experience as only members and residents are usually are able to go on this reserve.

Over the sea wall is the creek which is obviously tidal and the sea which lend themselves to some kayaking or paddle boarding which is a lot of fun and often you are on your own on the water.

London is only 2 hours away by car and there is a main train station at Colchester which is approximately 25 mins away from Humperdink. However, there are smaller train stations at Gt Bentley (only 10 - 15 mins away from cottage) and Clacton.

The nearest village is St Osyth and it's only 10 minutes by car and this has all been described in the location part of these details. There is the Curve Wave Park in St Osyth where you can have some fun on their paddle boards and Ringo rides for anyone over 8 and also learn to water ski.

We feel that our cottage offers rather a unique experience and one that we never tire of, several of our guests have returned for a visit, which is rather lovely. There is something for everyone, of all ages, to enjoy even if it is just sitting enjoying the english weather and scenery.

The sea air will also help you to have a really good night's sleep and should you be lucky you will see the most beautiful sunrise and sunset.

Don't forget your wellies or old pair trainers we have some binoculars in one of the bedrooms upstairs for you to enjoy. Crab lines, buckets and nets are all provided in the garage! There is a Wendy house snd Cozy coupe as well as other toys. There is also a BBQ in the garage but we do not provide the coals for the BBQ or the bait for the crab lines.

As mentioned before we will send you an email with the keysafe code, more information about our cottage and the area and some also some fun things to do should you want to do them.

However the beach is nearly always deserted and this may be just what you are after.

Property manager

Simon and Diana Wakefield

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Beach view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Stair gate down stairs
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
£20 charge per dog per stay. Max 2 small dogs
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Clacton-on-Sea

Located in Clacton-on-Sea, this chalet is in a rural area and on a river. Jaywick Martello Tower and Colchester Castle Museum are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Holland Haven Country Park and High Woods Country Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Clacton Pier, or check out an event or a game at Brightlingsea Open Air Swimming Pool. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Lee over Sands, ENG

What's nearby

  • St. Osyth Beach - 11 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Jaywick Martello Tower - 15 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Jaywick Sands - 15 min drive - 11.1 km
  • Clacton Pier - 16 min drive - 11.0 km
  • Clacton-on-Sea Beach - 20 min drive - 11.3 km

Getting around

  • Colchester Great Bentley Station - 14 min drive
  • London (SEN-Southend) - 68 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Creek - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Rosebud - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Never Say Die - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The Kings Head - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Wick Lodge - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space pet-friendly?

Yes, this chalet allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space located?

This family-friendly Clacton-on-Sea chalet is located by the sea, within 3 mi (5 km) of St. Osyth Beach, Jaywick Martello Tower and Jaywick Sands. Clacton Pier and The Wheel Experience are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joanne T.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
Holiday
We had a loverly stay had some nice walks had some nice days on the beach. Nice time had by all x
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sara T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bright and Comfortable
Diana and Simon's house was perfect for our extended family stay. It was very well equipped, bright and comfortable, and a perfect place to have as a base while we attended a wedding.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

james l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cosy in a beautiful location
Lovely property where the hosts have thought about every need. Great for families with toddlers and for those who like rural walks
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

carole s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and relaxing
We wanted to be somewhere quiet and relaxing so our nervous dog wouldn't be disturbed by the fireworks! Humperdink was the ideal location! Although the weather wasn't great the cottage was cosy and warm. The welcome basket was a nice thought too, thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bank Holiday wknd getaway
We had some wet weather and some dry sunny weather. Humperdink is perfect for both. The cottage is more than adequately equipped for a relaxing stay and is very welcoming. We had some very enjoyable walks exploring around the area . Will definitely recommend a stay and hope ti come back in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

perry g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
weekend of peace
we loved our stay in a well stocked kitchen, comfy bed and very quiet area will try and get back asap
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joanne T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loverly stay
Would recommend this property x
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dr.Stephan P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Top Hollidays
Hervorragender, ruhiger, interessanter, ausgeglichener Urlaub. Vielen Dank den Vermietern und den Nachbarn.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shona M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful retreat
Easy process, great house, cosy, warm, brilliantly equipped. The views are brilliant, big skies, abundant wildlife, the area is so quiet I forgot everything that I was stressed about. Lovely decor too. Overall a really relaxing stay in a great house.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matt M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean and peaceful
Very short but nice stay at humperdink , clean house and lovely peaceful area , will Be back
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ray S., London, England

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A cosy cottage in a remote location
We spent a very enjoyable few days at the cottage. Although the weather was cold outside, the cottage was warm and comfortable. It is clean and well-maintained and has the feel of a well-loved home rather than a holiday let. We enjoyed some excellent walking in the area and would love to return in the summer months.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A comfortable house in a beautiful location
We had a lovely stay in Humperdink. The cottage is very nice and comfortable and the location is stunning and so peaceful. As a frazzled NHS worker this was just the relaxing break that I needed.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Patrik E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Birds & beach
Lovely calming spot. Short walk to beach. Well stocked house and facilities.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Catherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cosy, comfortable get-away in the middle of the salt-marshes
The property is small but cosy and well appointed, with everything you need for a comfortable stay, whatever the weather. The location is peaceful and very much "away from it all", despite the preponderance of caravan sites all around, nothing but wide open space as far as the eye can see. The owners are very helpful and provided lots of useful information about the local area as well as the property.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ian B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Property and Location
A great property in a great location So good to get away after so long and a truly tranquil location which is just what was needed Excellent communication and information on the property and local area from the owners Highly recommended Thank You
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ruth H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Escape from the big, bad covid world.
This is a difficult review to write. Whilst I want to say how brilliant our stay at Humperdink was, I also want to be able to book to stay again! The house and location are an oasis away from the chaos of the real world. Absolutely perfect for nature lovers, we spent 2 days just sat on the decking watching the wildlife in the fields. The walk to the beach was a bit too far for my elderly parents, however they loved exploring the sea wall and the creek. The house is equipped with EVERYTHING you could need, but is not cluttered. We used the downstairs bedroom as it was clear from the photos of the stairs that they wouldn't be suitable for elderly legs, this provided my parents with everything they needed on one level. Everyone in this tiny community were friendly and always willing to stop for a socially distanced chat, however our favourite neighbours were the sheep over the road, we already miss them!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
April 2021 - Humperdink Cottage
Before talking about the property I must say that the host, Diana was super efficient and attentive, she really did add the personal touch and answer any query quickly - and efficiently and the information on the cottage is also super detailed before you arrive. 5* We stayed for my wifes birthday over two nights with kids and mother-in-law. Beach is a 10-15min walk away but pretty much abandoned! great fun crabbing off the old wooden bridge with the kids. Wish we had more time to explore the sea wall walks which begin just outside the cottage. The cottage had pretty much everything you could ever want and although appear small in size never felt small inside! Really quiet of a night with just the odd Barrr from the sheep opposite, and a great place to just switch off from city life :) thanks Diana we had a great mini-break.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrea C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet and tranquil setting
This was a very short notice trip as my mum who lives in the area, had some devastating health news. Diana and Simon did everything to accommodate me and my family's needs. We are very grateful to them, we had a lovely time making some lovely memories with mum in their lovely cottage. It is a very peaceful place and has the most amazing sunsets due to the location. We couldn’t have asked for anything more Thank you x
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Guy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well appointed and remote. Perfect.
Excellent
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Janice D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely escape!
This property was sooo charming and the hosts were so helpful. There was a basket of treats on arrival, everything was in very good condition, very comfortable and had everything we needed. The kids loved it!

10/10 Excellent

Ivana V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice getaway
Lovely Views, secluded and cozy cottage. Windy place, but didn’t stop us swimming.

10/10 Excellent

Emma N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect peaceful place
Loved our stay at Humperdink, true peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings. The cottage was comfortable and had everything we needed. Communication with owners was excellent and always prompt. The road was no issue as long as you are sensible. The surronding nature reserve and beach were just a short walk away and always deserted! I'm sure we will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Angela H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful place by the sea
We had a wonderful few days in this quaint house by the coast. The owners were very communicative and left is a lovely welcome pack. Will definitely return!

10/10 Excellent

John S.

Fantastic Place!
We had a fantastic stay at Diana and Simon’s house. Perfect location with great views. Instructions provided by email prior to arrival were comprehensive and very useful for our stay. Would highly reccomend!

8/10 Good

Tracey C.

Very charming, clean cottage
Booked to stay here over Christmas for a week, cottage itself was lovely, clean, had everything we needed......except it was so cold. The heating only came on periodically for a short time and we were asked (by a sign on the boiler itself) not to adjust the boiler settings. I had to go out and buy a heater in order to stay warm and prevent everything from feeling damp. Enjoyable stay but wouldn’t go back in the cold weather.

About the host

Hosted by Simon and Diana Wakefield

Host profile image
This is a photo of my husband and I taken recently. We live about 45 mins away from our cottage so we won't meet you in person and entry to the property is via the keysafe. You will be given the code approximately a week before your stay and we are happy to answer any questions you have and are at the end of the phone should you need us.

Why they chose this property

The Cottage, as we call it, or HUMPERDINK to give it its proper name, has been in our family since the sixties when my dad gave it to my mum as a wedding anniversary present! Four generations of my family have enjoyed many a happy summer holiday, or lazy weekend there. We feel our cottage has a welcoming charm and a homely atmosphere with hopefully all you need for your stay. There are some lovely walks around the property and should you be lucky to have a warm sunny day you can walk to the beach and take a picnic, you will find it is almost deserted.
The nearby village of St Osyth is just 10 mins away in the car where there are a couple of pubs, excellent Indian, chinese, butcher as well as a few other shops. Our cottage offers you the opportunity of having a break, away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life and feel it is just ready for you to turn back the clock, unwind and be together.

What makes this property unique

Around the cottage there is beautiful countryside teaming with birds and wildlife including hares and sheep. Then over the sea wall there is a river with creeks that, at very high tides, floods the marshes giving the area a totally different perspective and the sea, which at low tide reveals the mussel beds. You can enjoy views across to Mersea Island or Bradwell, on a clear day, and watch the various boats/barges out on the Blackwater from the upstairs front bedroom as well as from the beach. The sunsets are spectacular and very colourful and the clear night skies are full of stars due to the lack of light pollution.
Out cottage is in unique surroundings and this is not really appreciated until you visit. It has lots to offer, the kitchen is fully equipped should you want to cook, there are games, DVDs and books that you are welcome to use and enjoy and the living space allows everyone to spend time together even when cooking, very different from when I grew up there when my mum and I were usually stuck in a tiny kitchen whilst my dad and brothers were in the other room. The downstairs back room allows you to take yourself away and be on your own or to be a space where the children can play.
We hope the photos on the website give you a brief view of what is to offer - a break in a unique cottage with unique surroundings!
This area is totally unique which you will understand should you stay and many of our guests comment upon this, how original and wonder this area is, really unspoilt.

Languages:

English