Lee Wick Farm Cottages

Located in a special and relatively undiscovered spot on the Essex coast, this rural yet easy-to-reach Essex farm and livery stables is home to a variety of holiday accommodation, ranging from a handful of camping pitches through some seriously nice luxury glamping to a couple of comfortable holiday cottages converted from farm buildings. It makes a perfect escape from London, or indeed anywhere – both properties welcome pets and are just perfect for enjoying the big skies, sandy spits and mysterious creeks of this part of East Anglia.

A one-storey property converted from a former stable block, Stable Cottage is ideal for anyone with limited mobility but really would suit anyone. It has an open-plan living area incorporating a well-equipped kitchen and dining space that opens out onto a private garden that has views not only of the sea but the riding stables' menage too. With a wood-burning stove to keep things cosy, a double and a twin bedroom, both with en-suite bathrooms, and a double sofa bed in the living room, it can comfortably sleep anything from 4 to a maximum of 7 people. It has wifi, the kitchen has microwave, dishwasher and washing machine, and like some of the glamping the cottage has its own hot tub to wallow in on warm, starlit nights. It's also dog-friendly. The larger Cart Lodge can sleep from 10 to 12 people, in four bedrooms – one, on the ground floor, a large room with a double and two singles and an en-suite bathroom that again would be good for anyone of limited mobility. Upstairs there's two twins and a double bedroom with en-suite. There are two living spaces, one of which is on the upper floor, and there's a wood-burner, wifi throughout, and again a small courtyard garden with a barbecue – and although there's no hot tub, it is also dog-friendly.

Finally, the location is great, close to the historic Essex village of St Osyth, where you’ll find a good range of pubs, shops and other amenities. From nearby Point Clear, you can take the foot ferry across to neighbouring Mersea Island. Head to the far side of the island to West Mersea, where The Company Shed is renowned for its oysters and delicious seafood. There are nearby fishing and of course horseriding opportunities, and you can wander to the beach from the farm through the Colne Point Nature Reserve, whose shallow creeks, marsh and shingle are home to all manner of birds and other wildlife.