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01692 651603
Whether you are looking for a sunny seaside holiday, tranquil forest break or a romantic getaway – Suffolk really does have it all. From stunning landscapes, sandy beaches, quirky towns and villages to amazing wildlife, attractions and world-class food. There is plenty to do all year around which makes it the perfect holiday destination here in the UK. We’ve put together a little round-up below of why we think Suffolk is a great holiday choice for families, couples and even the pooches too…
#1 SUFFOLK BEACHES
No matter where you are in Suffolk, you are never far from the impressive heritage coastline spanning across 50 miles. Some of our favourite beach spots in Suffolk include Aldeburgh, Southwold, and Lowestoft, or for year round dog-friendly beaches why not try Kessingland, Walberswick or Thorpeness.
Aldeburgh Beach is a beautiful pebble beach which is backed by a promenade all the way along and pretty pastel villas. It’s also only a short walk from the bustling high street which features many pubs, restaurants, and well known clothing retailers as well as independent shops for the fashionistas out there!
Thorpeness Beach is just a stones throw away from Aldeburgh beach, and many enjoy walking from one beach to the other for the spectacular coastal views and invigorating walk (taking around 30-40 minutes). You will even see the iconic giant scallop sculpture on the way! Thorpeness is a very pretty village and also boasts a beautiful boating lake, the Thorpeness Meare, which has boats, kayaks and canoes available to rent. Why not stop at The Dolphin Pub for some delicious food and drinks to round of your day.
If it’s crabbing you’re after, then one of the best places to go crabbing is Walberswick Beach. The village bridges across to the sandy beach are a popular spot to catch crabs or you can hop on the Walberswick ferry and perch on the Southwold harbour wall with your bucket. A great activity all year round for the family.
If you fancy hiring a beach hut out for the day then Southwold Beach is very popular with it’s sandy beaches and pretty beach huts lining the promenade. There is also the Denes Beach just north of the main beach, which is great for water-sports and dog-friendly all year round. Southwold is also another great place for a spot of shopping with the main high street full of quality clothes shops, bakeries, restaurants and indie shops.
#2 FOOD AND DRINK
Suffolk is home to some of the region’s finest food producers, pubs, cafes and bars. Here are some of our faves…
PUBS – If you are looking for somewhere to eat out with the family then a very popular place is The Ufford Crown which is a Michelin recommended pub in Ufford, near Woodbridge, serving hearty and wholesome British pub food with a French influence. The pub is also dog-friendly in the bar area and very family friendly with a varied children’s menu, toys, colouring books and a fantastic kids play area outside. Other child-friendly pubs and restaurants in Suffolk include The White Horse Inn, Stoke Ash, which has a sand-pit, rope-swing and boat and The White Horse, Bury St. Edmunds, which has a great outside play area for the kids, and as an added bonus it’s also dog friendly.
FISH AND CHIPS – If fish and chips are your thing then you must give the famous Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop a go. We can certainly see why it’s Ed Sheeran’s favourite fish and chippy in the world!
BAKED GOODS – If you are after some delicious baked goods then why not visit one of the Two Magpies Bakery cafés dotted around Suffolk, with one in Aldeburgh, Southwold and Darsham – where their central bakery and bakeschool are located. Their cinnamon swirls are worth a trip alone.
AFTERNOON TEA – Or perhaps you fancy an afternoon tea following a brisk beach walk – The Swan at Lavenham offers three types of afternoon tea and is served between 12 – 5pm. Or another popular spot for afternoon tea is The Salthouse Harbour Hotel – a boutique hotel in Ipswich’s harbour. A two rosette restaurant where you can enjoy your afternoon tea in their waterfront eatery, served between 2.30 – 5pm.
#3 COUNTRY PARKS, WOODLANDS AND WILDLIFE
NATIONAL PARKS – Suffolk is host to some fantastic national parks and impressive woodland areas. Two of our favourites include Long Melford Country Park, which has over 8 hectares of grassland, woodland and lakes to explore and Holywells Park, Ipswich which has a paddling pool (summertime only), a cutting edge children’s play area called The Discovery and several trails to follow as well as a cafe and visitor centre (perfect if you need to shelter from the rain).
WALKING – If walking is your jam then you are in luck – Suffolk has some of the best trails and walking routes in the UK. Five of our favourites are:
WILDLIFE – Wildlife enthusiasts will love Minsmere where you can discover some of the UK’s rarest wildlife. They also have a range of family friendly activities, making it a great day out. With walks and coastal lagoons you are bound to see an impressive variety of birds and maybe even some otters!
#4 ATTRACTIONS, DAYS OUT AND ADVENTURES
There are many attractions in Suffolk for the whole family including castles at Framlingham and Orford, animal and wildlife parks, living museums and adventure playgrounds.
Go Ape in the stunning Thetford forest guarantees a thrilling outdoor adventure activity, or if you fancy seeing some amazing wildlife what about Africa Alive in Lowestoft or Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park in Ipswich.
Another place that is well worth a visit is the medieval Lavenham with it’s links to Harry Potter. Or if you like your beer then perhaps you would like to book a tour round Adnams Distillery and Brewery in Southwold. Or you could even make your own gin!
#5 PLACES TO STAY
We have a great range of stunning self-catering properties in Suffolk. You could stay close to the sea at The Lavender Cottage Knodishall, in-between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh, or even closer to the sea is Seawaves Cottage in Pakefield, which is around 150 ft away. See our full range of Suffolk properties here.
No matter where you choose to stay in Suffolk, or what time of year it is, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic holiday and will want to come back time and time again.