A four-bedroom cottage on the clifftops at Dunwich has come onto the market.

The house is approached via a road, which comes up through the village and was originally built for the coastguard.

The UK Coastguard was established in 1809 to counteract smuggling and officers were initially based in Martello Towers.

They later moved to dedicated cottages such as these ones which are thought to date from the 1820s.

East Anglian Daily Times: The house is sat atop the incredible Dunwich CliffsThe house is sat atop the incredible Dunwich Cliffs (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

A crew of men and their families would have lived in the cottages.

In addition, there might have been a watchtower attached to the building, which likely would have held rockets for communicating with other stations along the coast.

East Anglian Daily Times: The cottage once housed a coastguard and his family, and is thought to date from the 1820sThe cottage once housed a coastguard and his family, and is thought to date from the 1820s (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

East Anglian Daily Times: The kitchenThe kitchen (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

Upon entering, you find yourself in a small hallway, with doors leading to a kitchen and sitting room.East Anglian Daily Times: The dining roomThe dining room (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

The dining room is south facing and has a fireplace with a wood-burning stove and fitted shelving.

A door from the dining room leads through to the sitting room – a more spacious area which also contains a brick fireplace.

East Anglian Daily Times: The sitting roomThe sitting room (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

The property has four bedrooms, one of which is located downstairs and is accessed through a central hallway connected to the dining room and sitting room.

East Anglian Daily Times: One of the upstairs bedroomsOne of the upstairs bedrooms (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

Upstairs, there are three slightly smaller bedrooms, two of which have fireplaces, and all three of which command fantastic views over the sea.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dunwich from the skyDunwich from the sky (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

East Anglian Daily Times: The view from the rear of the propertyThe view from the rear of the property (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

Situated in a commanding position atop the cliff in the heart of the village, the cottage is within easy walking distance of Floras Tea Room, which serves fish and chips, and the popular Ship pub.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dunwich from the skyDunwich from the sky (Image: Clarke & Simpson)

The property is on the market with Clarke & Simpson for £295,000.