But as one couple from Nottingham found out, there can be a catch.

Phil Merry and his partner Amy Parkinson hoped to escape to a simple life of living in a caravan overlooking the North Sea in Trimingham, having bought a plot of land for £30,000, as part of their semi-retirement plans.

It was going to be their "little slice of heaven" and the pair planned to use the half-acre plot in north Norfolk as a smallholding and campsite, to bring in some income.

The view across the plot of land in Trimingham, looking towards the cliff edge (Image: Phil Merry)

Their home in Nottingham, about 130 miles away, has been put on the market, and the sale is due to be completed in February.

The only problem with their dream is that the plot of land they have bought is at risk of falling into the sea.

The couple, who are in their 40s, have now realised they have bought a "pig in a poke" which a local councillor has said "is only good for grazing goats".

Phil Merry (Image: Facebook/Phil Merry)

The land is right on the clifftop along what is one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe.

It sits about 50 metres away from the edge and gaining any sort of planning permission for the land - even to put a caravan there - would be unlikely due to the erosion risk.

A gate leading to the plot of land in Trimingham (Image: Phil Merry)

The cliffs are made up of sand and clay and are particularly vulnerable to storms and surface water runoff.

Rules are in place to prevent any new developments from taking place in these at-risk zones.

The couple have now put the land back on the market........

© Eastern Daily Press