Dogs love going on holiday. All the dogs we see at Woodfarm Barns and Woodfarm Barges always appear to be having a great time. Our corner of beautiful Suffolk is chock full of great places to take your dogs for an explore. If your hound is particularly ‘characterful’ then you might be interested to know there’s also a rather good dog trainer nearby!
Scroll down the page until you find something that tickles your fancy, then click the title for more information.
Does what it says on the tin – It’s a guided walk around Needham Market; a pretty little town on the A14 in the heart of Mid Suffolk. Taking in lots of historic buildings, this can easily be combined with a wander round Needham Lake (see our separate post)
Probably the most ambitious retail and restaurant project that any farm in the UK has undertaken!
That’s what the National Farm Shop Association said in 2013. And they’re not wrong! This really is an amazing place to shop for food, homewares, kitchen ware, garden and plants
Not far from Jimmy’s Farm so a nice little day out to visit both, Suffolk Food Hall is a fantastic destination for all foodies. There are loads of artisan suppliers of food and drink and you can now try much of it out in their fabulous restaurant overlooking the River Orwell and bridge
Literally next door to us at Woodfarm, Suffolk Surplus is a fantastic place to root around and hunt for bargains. Opened in 2012 by two school friends, they source their goods from job lots, clearances and auctions, so they always have an eclectic range of items for sale!
The Sorrel Horse is a homely dog-friendly pub with huge garden – great for children. A family run freehouse for the last 25 years; the pub is set in a traditional grade II listed building, and is just a short drive from Woodfarm.
Southwold is arguably the jewel in the crown of Suffolk’s heritage coast as far as visitors to our great county are concerned
Home of the Adnams brewery, famous lighthouse and beach huts. Splendid art galleries, fine shops and pubs and the Blackshore harbourside for extremely fresh fish and the ferry across the River Blyth to Walberswick (see our separate post on Walberswick)
Jam packed with great pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, shops and a fabulous beach and pier, with some quirky old things to see and do!
Walberswick lies on the south bank of the River Blyth, a short ferry ride across from Southwold
It is tucked away amidst a thousand acres of coast, heath and marshland listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The ferry, which transports people across the Blyth in the summer months, is rowed by the fifth generation of the same family. There is also a foot and cycle path where the old railway ran across the Bailey bridge – but the only way by car to Southwold is back up to the A12 and through Blythburgh, making a trip of some seven miles
You’ll find some great pubs around here. See our separate posts on The Anchor and The Bell. There are great little coffee and gift shops too, and rolling sand dunes for a good walk, with or without dogs
Aldeburgh is a beautiful seaside town on Suffolk’s heritage coast, located right by a shingle beach, dotted with colourful boats and the iconic Scallop sculpture. There really is something for everyone, with an eclectic mix of family fun, music and drama, art galleries, fine dining and drinking, sailing, and shopping.
The River Alde
With its source in Laxfield (Great Pub there – The Low House, see our post under Eat & Drink), Initially a stream, it becomes tidal and widens considerably when it reaches Snape. It meanders East past Aldeburgh (You must go there!) after which this part of the river was named. The river then becomes known as the River Ore as it approaches Orford where it once entered the sea; however the mouth of the river has now been pushed some five miles further south as shingle has accumulated over hundreds of years after which it splits to form Havergate Island and is joined by its tributary, the Butley River, before reaching the sea at Shingle Street
The lower reaches of the river passes through marshland and shingle or sand beaches. The shingle spit that blocks the river, Orford Ness is now some 10 miles in length and is owned by the National Trust. The main area through which the River Alde flows is open countryside in private ownership, much of it arable farmland
The Jolly Sailor is a centuries old pub near the quay in picturesque Orford
It was built sometime between the late 16th and middle of the 17th century allegedly from wrecked ship’s timbers. The pub once had a reputation as a smuggler’s haunt and is now brimming with nautical memorabilia. They have fantastic log burning fires for those cold winter days and in the summer an extensive patio and garden area. They are both child and dog friendly. Ask the barman for a dog biscuit!
The current owners took over the Jolly Sailor in September 2013 having had many years experience between them
They have put in place an exciting new menu using as many fresh and local ingredients as possible. The menu changes daily, however firm favourites like the fresh beer battered line caught fish and chips and juicy rib-eye steaks are always available as are home-made soups and vegetarian options
A fabulous pub & restaurant right on the beach at Walberswick, a stunning little seaside village on the heritage coast
Sophie & Mark Dorber have created a village local that’s family friendly and a welcome retreat for all who enjoy good conversation, food and drink
We’ve been there several times and there is always a warm welcome, beautiful comfy surroundings and a fabulous range of wines and beers (Adnams of course) and a superb menu. It’s no surprise then that in January 2104 they gained the position of 36 in the Top 50 Gastro Awards!