Christmas 2007 is now over and yes, despite all my fears, it was a good Christmas. We spent time with family and friends, no one argued, the turkey was delicious and the cat wasn't sick! What more could I ask for?

Well........, it sounds terribly indulgent I know, but actually I could do with a quiet and peaceful holiday away from everyone. Long walks, bracing sea air, not too much to eat and somewhere cosy where I can curl up and read all those wonderful books I was given for Christmas.

For me it is just a short drive to the Suffolk coast and so I have very little excuse to rent a holiday cottage by the sea but for anyone less fortunate than me let me recommend the little stretch of coastline between Felixstowe Ferry on the south of the river Deben and Orford just south of Aldeburgh.

For me this wonderful spot ticks all the getting away from it all boxes. Just an hour and a half by train from London, you still have the convenience of great local restaurants and real country pubs - I'm talking open fires, local beers and absolutely no sign of a 'themed' makeover in sight. Somewhere where you can read the paper, chat to the locals or merely watch the flickering fire as you relax after a bracing walk with a pint of Adnams.

Bawdsey is right on the coast overlooking the mouth of the Deben river - a beautiful river running inland to Woodbridge. On the northern edge of the river it is just a tiny hamlet with a car park and a quay (from where you can take the boat to Felixstowe Ferry in the summer).

Of historical interest to anyone who served in the RAF in World War II, Bawdsey housed the first radar station in England, staying in this sleepy little hamlet assures you of wonderful views.

A walk along the beach, part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths coastal path, will be really bracing at almost any time of year, but the views are stunning.

A little further north is Shingle Street, another hamlet built at the mouth of one of Suffolk's five magnificent estuaries. The Alde and Ore hugs the coast all the way to Aldeburgh, before turning inland to Snape.

In January and February you are quite likely to see seals basking on the sandbanks. Unfortunately when we visited the sandbanks were fully occupied by shags, but you can't have everything.

We walked along the beach past the row of Shingle Street cottages. Ahead of us, running from the Coastguard Cottages, was a white line leading across the shingle in a meandering line to the sea. At first I thought someone had got a spray can to the shingle, but when we got closer we realised it was a line of white shells. Fantastic! If you go there please do add a few more and keep the line going!

Places to Stay
On Bawdsey Quay itself is Quay Cottage, (sleeps 4), whilst just a few metres along the river bank is 5 Ferry Road; with its wonderful picture windows overlooking the mouth of the estuary the cottage is ideal for anyone who wants to keep warm whilst watching the ever changing view of the estuary and the sea.

At Shingle Street there is Alde House, extremely well fitted out and really comfortable - it sleeps 12, so you might find your friends begging to join you. If you would rather be alone or with just one or two very favoured guests, 6 Coastguard Cottages will provide a simple 'get away from it all' again with wonderful views of the sea.