Curious about The Craighurst..?

The Craighurst is a large building with commanding views over Southwold seafront. Perched on the corner of Dunwich Road and spilling into North Parade, the building consists of twelve apartments all of which were converted between 1980s and 2000s. Here at Suffolk Secrets we have many of these apartments available to book for a Southwold holiday beside the seaside. But do you know the interesting history of The Craighurst?

Originally The Craighurst was three terraced houses, numbers 11 – 13 North Parade. During Britain’s war against Germany in 1939, Southwold suffered damage from bombing and many houses and shops were destroyed along the way. The first bombs were dropped during August 1940 and it was in 1941 that The Craighurst alongside The Marlborough Hotel opposite and houses along North Parade endured substantial damage. Even then Southwold was a holiday hotspot however women, children and the elderly were forced to evacuate the area to a safer part of the country and the town became closed to holidaymakers. The population whittled down to a mere 800.

Happier times lay ahead in the future years and The Craighurst was turned into a hotel and later in the 1980s a successful restaurant run by local couple Margaret and John Everson. This continued until the 2000s when the restaurant closed and the final renovations began.

Our apartments in The Craighurst include Pier View (number 1), Wee House (number 3), 4 The Craighurst, L’Armoire (number 6), 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 The Craighurst.

For first-hand sea views and far-reaching views of Southwold Pier and beyond to Easton Bavents Pier View is the apartment for you. Accessed via the communal door from Dunwich Road, there are fantastic views from nearly every angle of the apartment. But be quick if you wish to book for dates always sell out fast!

Wee House is located at the back of building and has the benefit of private parking – extremely sought-after in the town itself. It also has a private courtyard garden which can be enjoyed particularly during the summer evenings. 

4 The Craighurst is within the main building accessed via the communal entrance and is the neighbouring apartment of Pier View. 4 The Craighurst is extremely cosy and offers sea views from the sitting room. There is even a delightful balcony off the kitchen to enjoy a glass of wine or two, or maybe a morning paper read…

L’Armoire is a cute little apartment within the main building. When converting the building into rooms for the hotel the developers decided to work with the small space and created number 6, hence the aptly named apartment (meaning cupboard or small wardrobe)! The current owners of number 6 bought the property back in 1997 when the restaurant was in full swing. When speaking to the owner just recently she said she always knew what was on offer for Sunday lunch as the kitchen was directly below the apartment causing the roast dinner scents to waft up!

8 The Craighurst has always been a popular holiday choice being on the ground floor with its own private entrance to the apartment. 8 The Craighurst accommodates up to four guests and is merely a few paces from the beach. The front bedroom offers a good view of the sea and beyond to Southwold Pier.

9 The Craighurst is again another best seller and the furthest apartment to the left as you face the building on North Parade. The current owners actually purchased number 9 from the Everson family who had raised their family in the apartment. Today the spacious accommodation spread out over three floors keep guests re-visiting each year. Relax in the sitting room with the sea views flooding the room or from the study step out onto the balcony and breathe in the seaside air.

10 The Craighurst is situated next door to Wee House with its own private entrance. This apartment has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and has luxurious touches and designer features included. The sitting room is a fantastic room for curling up with a book and a cup of tea whilst the sun beams through the window panes.

Also with its own private entrance around the back of the building lies 11 The Craighurst with first-hand sea views from the sitting room. Popular amongst those desiring all ground floor accommodation, this comfortable and bright apartment books so well year on year you’ll need to be quick to book your next Southwold holiday here!

Finally, number 12 The Craighurst is another ground floor apartment with its own private entrance from North Parade. Through the entrance door brings you those flawless views of the wave ripples from every angle of the sitting room along with sea views from the kitchen and bedroom – you’re completely spoiled! 

All of these Craighurst apartments are available to book with Suffolk Secrets today, so if your holiday criteria includes a beach location with glorious sea views; we think these apartments are a fantastic choice! It is worth noting that these apartments are incredibly popular and do tend to book up quickly. We are currently taking 2016 bookings so if you’re looking for the perfect property for your next Southwold holiday hurry before it’s too late!