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3 nights on the Suffolk Coast
If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of a city, then the Suffolk Coast is the perfect place to relax and unwind... here's where you get your Vitamin Sea.
Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh lobster fisherman
Dunwich
Dunwich Heath
Felixstowe
Felixstowe Beach Street
Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival
About 3 nights on the Suffolk Coast
If you're looking to find somewhere peaceful with bracing sea air, then the Suffolk Coast is a perfect blend of sandy beaches, wild heathland, picturesque rivers and estuaries, punctuated with charming seaside towns.
The first place in the UK to see the morning sun, you can immerse yourself in dark starry skies, long walks, cosy pubs, the salty tang of the sea, sumptuous seafood and a gentler pace of life. This is where nature and the seasons are laid out in full view.
The coastline here is just 40 mile long so it's easy to explore if you base yourself in one place - or try a couple to sample different vibes, maybe one inland, one by the sea?
The two full days are interchangeable - we've clustered activities and destinations for ease.
Places to stay recommendations
Housed in a 12th century coaching inn, The Westleton Crown has charm and character to spare. Set on the edge of a delightful village green, this is perfect if you're visiting RSPB Minsmere. The Prince and Princess of Wales stayed here after attending a local wedding.
Also inland is the 4-star boutique The Bell Hotel Saxmundham which is situated perfectly to get anywhere on the coast.
The Anchor is in the picturesque seaside village of Walberswick, with craft shops on the village green, marsh and heathland, sandy beach and row boat ferry across the river Blyth to Southwold's Blackshore Harbour.
In Southwold itself, on the High Street a minute's walk from the seafront, is The Swan Hotel, a sumptuous 4-star establishment that's on the same site as the Adnams' Brewery and Distillery. A short stroll from Southwold town centre is The Bay Hotel.
The Fludyers Hotel is a beautifully restored Edwardian building on the seafront at Felixstowe - it even has six of its 15 rooms with balconies overlooking the sea. Across the harbour in Harwich is The Pier with a first floor brasserie that opens to wonderful sea views.
If you're looking to stay in a recreation of a 'Merrie England' seaside village with its own boating lake, then Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel is the perfect location.
In nearby Aldeburgh there are two lovely hotels facing the shingle beach, Brudenell Hotel and White Lion Hotel.
A superb restaurant with 21 rooms, The Crown and Castle is situated next to Orford Castle in a lovely village by the River Alde.
Events on the Suffolk Coast
May - Southwold Arts Festival
June - Aldeburgh Festival at Snape Maltings
June - Felixstowe Book Festival
July - Latitude Festival at Henham, Southwold
September - Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival at Snape Maltings
Itinerary Info
Duration
3 nights
Itinerary Schedule
Arrive on the Suffolk Coast
Wherever you're staying, a good start would be a trip along the coast to get your bearings. Wherever you are there'll be excellent pubs and restaurants to try. Get a taster of the coast at seaside towns Felixstowe, Aldeburgh or Southwold. For a quirkier take, look out for Walberswick, Orford or Thorpeness.
Step out in Southwold
Picture perfect Southwold appears as if it was set in aspic in the 1950s, which is part of its unique charm. Explore the High Street with its local food outlets and independent shops before heading to the seafront to visit the Victorian pier and its quirky amusements, the Under the Pier show.
This is home to Adnams' Brewery and Distillery - take a tour and see the magic that makes their beers, gin and vodka so special. They also arrange tours of the iconic lighthouse.
Afterwards head around the Blyth estuary to Walberswick, a delightful seaside village with a few shops on the village green and a lovely sandy beach. If you like crabbing, have a go in the Dunwich River from Wally's Bridge - the UK Crabbing Championships used to be held here until it got too popular! Stop by The Anchor for lunch.
Discover Suffolk's Lost City
Now just a one street village, Dunwich used to be one of the largest ports in England in medieval times, until two devastating storms took it into the sea. All that remains from then is the ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Before that it was Dommoc, the original seat of the Anglo-Saxon bishops of the Kingdom of East Anglia and therefore the capital of the region. Today it's a great place to walk the shingle beach and head up on to the heath.
You could walk or drive to RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve. Take an leisurely stroll through the reedbeds or head to the coastal lagoons to see an array of birds, including avocets, bearded tits and bitterns. You might even spot an otter around the reedbed pools and you'll certainly see the wild ponies that live here.
The village inspired by Peter Pan
Begin your day with a visit to Thorpeness where you'll think you've stepped back in time to 'Merrie England'. Before you arrive you'll see the House in the Clouds towering above the trees. This picturesque seaside village has Tudor timbered cottages, a manor house, and a huge, shallow meare. Why not hire a rowing boat and head out to the islands that are named after characters from Peter Pan.
Head along the shingle beach the mile or so to Aldeburgh, past the Maggi Hambling Scallop sculpture and fish shacks. Spend time perusing the eclectic shops on the High Street, visit Aldeburgh Museum and The Red House, the home of the late English composer Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears. If you see a queue on the High Street, it's at the fish and chip shop - yes, they're that good.
Enjoy the cool vibe of Beach Street
Your next stop is Snape Maltings, home of the Aldeburgh Music Festival and Food and Drink Festival. In an atmospheric setting by the River Alde, nestled on land amongst reedbeds and marshes with contemporary sculptures, Snape Maltings also has good retail outlets.
It's a short journey to Orford, a charming riverside village that has a 12th century castle. Stop for refreshments at Pump Street and head to the harbour where the National Trust organise boat trips over to Orford Ness nature reserve and site of nuclear weapons component testing during the Cold War.
End the day at traditional seaside town Felixstowe for a Harbour Ferry Boat Ride to see seals and be dwarfed by the huge container ships. Discover the port's fascinating military history at Landguard Fort. Why not have a paddle from the sandy beach and end your day with refreshments and enjoying the cool vibe at Beach Street, a collection of upcycled shipping containers that now house a variety of eateries and bars.
Time for food shopping
Before you head home, make sure you pick up some tasty Suffolk produce. Try Blackshore Harbour and High Street at Southwold, the fish shacks and High Street at Aldeburgh, Snape Maltings has a fabulous food emporium and there's great cured shellfish and seafood at Orford.
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