Britain is a land of diverse wonders and breathtaking beauty. We are lucky to have a lot packed into to our small island nation; a landscape of rolling hills, lush forests and mountain peaks sit on this little lump of land surrounded by the Atlantic ocean. The variety on offer is reason enough for so many holiday makers choose to Britain as the destination for their getaways, and whilst there are an infinite amount of attractions on offer in metropolises like London or Edinburgh it is the small town charm and rural beauty of Suffolk that means this county is one of England’s hidden gems.
There are a hundreds of reasons to holiday in Suffolk, here are a few good places to start…
Breathtaking coastline
Lets begin with a big one: the Suffolk coast. Nearly anywhere in Suffolk you are only a 30 minute drive away at the most, from the sea. Our stretch really is an ancient pebbled wonder, a scattering of history and culture spanning from Felixstowe to Orford and beyond.
Anyone new to Suffolk should take a visit to the picturesque coastal town of Southwold. Amongst many other attractions Southwold is home to world famous the Adnams brewery, whose signature bitter is named after the town itself.
Further down the road is the equally pleasant town of Aldeburgh. This ancient fishing community quite rightly boasts “the best fish and chip shop” in England (Ed Sheeran’s words, not mine). Tasting really is believing.
I miss aldeburgh fish and chips
— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) April 24, 2015
Anyone wanting to explore the landscape on foot can find a whole host of breathtaking trails right down the coast; considering the majority of the coastline is a National Trust area of outstanding natural beauty it is actually one of the best free activities out there.
Culture
It may be a rural county but that doesn’t mean that Suffolk doesn’t punch well above its weight with regards to art and culture.
For a step back in time head to Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich. Many of the original features of this exquisite grade 1 listed Tudor building house are painstakingly maintained, yet it is the incredible art collection that makes this a standout attraction: there are works from everyone from Picasso to Rodin as well as the biggest collection of Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable paintings outside of London.
Music is a big part of Suffolk life; for an eclectic mix of critically acclaimed classical artists check out the Aldeburgh Festival, with its Benjamin Britten roots, or if you want something a bit more contemporary, then one of the crown jewels in the UK’s festival scene is Latitude Festival; an award winning family focused event whose 2019 headliners include Snow Patrol and Lana Del Rey.
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A walk in the woods
Suffolk has an incredible array of landscapes to explore on foot. You could do worse than take a trip to the tiny hamlet of Pin Mill on the banks of the majestic river Orwell; we recommend lunch at the famous Butt and Oyster pub before walking along the breathtaking river path to Shotley, where you can catch a foot ferry across the water to either Harwich or Felixstowe.
Further inland, the Ixworth Circular Walk is one of the county’s best routes to explore Suffolk’s rich cultural legacy, as medieval churches and houses nestle into the gorgeous surrounding woodland and farmland.
Thornham Walks near Woodfarm Barns is also a fabulous way to unwind and enjoy a few hours under a canopy of trees.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Suffolk truly is a foodies heaven: so many fantastic establishments offering local produce cooked in an astounding amount of styles.
The Plough & Sail at Snape is only a hop, skip and a jump from the gangplank of Onderneming and serves fabulous British pub classics, as well as cuisine from around the world
If you want to take your tastebuds on a journey far away from Suffolk then The Royal Bengal in Woodbridge is considered one of the best curry houses in the UK; generous portions and a great mix of traditional and modern dishes. And it’s a five minute walk from our Barge Twee Gebroeders!
Vegetarians and vegans are catered for by The Walnut Tree in Thwaite. This truly unique restaurant is a Suffolk institution, serving pub/bistro style dishes that are all totally vegetarian and vegan. We recommend the roasted mushroom wellington… it really is incredible. And just in case you are concerned, we’ve had several ‘Team Woodfarm’ outings here, with the carnivores being really impressed and fulfilled!
So there you have it, we barely scratched the surface of what a holiday in Suffolk can offer. A beautiful region filled with friendly welcoming people, this really is one of the best places to holiday in the UK. Don’t take our word for it: with so many hidden gems dotted across across this ancient rural landscape you really must pay us a visit and decide for yourself.
Last Updated on December 3, 2019 by Laura