Children’s author and illustrator Jill Barklem, who lived at Pin Mill, was inspired by family sailing on the river to write Sea Story - a tale of sailing mice.
No 3 Coastguard Cottages is a riverside cottage in a lovely position at Pin Mill.
Pin Mill is one of the most famous locations on the River Orwell, often featuring in films and television programmes, and a favourite place to enjoy the river and its views.
This river with the Butt & Oyster pub and barges is an iconic Suffolk scene.
It has also provided literary inspiration; Arthur Ransome of Swallows and Amazons fame has links here and his boats, the Nancy Blackett and Peter Duck still sail the river.
It is 80 years since the publication of We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea this year, which is being celebrated by local events.
And, though a little lesser known, children’s author and illustrator Jill Barklem also wrote here in Suffolk, and in her Essex home.
She is best known for the Brambly Hedge series of books, featuring mice as characters.
Jill, husband David and their family sailed on board their boat The Lady Wood House at Pin Mill, and lived at 3 Coastguard Cottages with its splendid views over the river.
Jill bought the cottage in 1990 for use by the family as their holiday retreat. They loved sailing.
Jill’s book Sea Story, was inspired and researched at Pin Mill and tells of the mice and their adventures under sail.
Much of the research for Sea Story was done here, sailing in the river.
Jill wrote the Brambly Hedge books about the adventurous mice and in Sea Story the mice, Dusty, Poppy, Primrose and Wilfred set off down river on Dusty’s boat - The Periwinkle.
Jill was inspired by Ransome’s illustrations for her own illustration of the sailing boat in Sea Story.
Her husband David said: “Jill was inspired by Arthur Ransome, and the Nancy Blackett for her illustrations, and knew of is connections here.
“We sailed here for a long time, with our children Lizzy and Peter, we loved the river.
“The Brambly Hedge books have been very popular over the years. Millions of books were sold and there were Royal Doulton figurines made which are very collectable.
“They were very popular in the USA and were translated into 15 different languages.”
This property has a guide price in excess of £500,000.
Agents are Savills, 01473 234800.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here