Thorpeness is a rather unusual settlement in that it is actually a "model village" built in the 1930's. The original plans were for a grand seaside development with cresents, wide streets and courtyard houses. It was to be established as a holiday village for London's upper middle class, with a golf course, artificial lake or Meare and timber framed mock Tudor buildings.

However, like most big ideas the money ran out and the development was never finished. The settlement is built on a shingle bank which closes off the Hundred River from the North sea. The remains of the river forms the Mere which is used as a boating lake by the numerous tourists who visit the area. The land is particularly low lying in this area and the narrow beach is open to the full force of coastal erosion.