Category: Visit

Suffolk is undoubtedly a county for tourists.  But the range of places to visit here is much wider than anything that could be associated with the phrase ‘tourist trap’.  When out visiting places in Suffolk you’ll find far more wide open spaces than busy roads.  Here are just a small handful of the places in Suffolk that we love to visit.  Scroll down the page until you find something that tickles your fancy, then click the title for more information.

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Suffolk Food Hall

Suffolk Food Hall

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

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Southwold

Southwold Pier

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!

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Walberswick

Walberswick

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

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Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh beach

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. 

Continue reading Aldeburgh

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The River Alde

River Alde

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

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Sutton Hoo

Sutton Hoo

Sutton Hoo is a group of Anglo-Saxon burial mounds overlooking the River Deben

The visitor centre is operated by the National Trust but it’s ‘home’ to a very eager bunch of enthusiasts, whose website is the one we have given you on here for interest and lots of info on what they get up to

The Sutton Hoo society was founded in 1984 to provide practical support to the Sutton Hoo Research Project, directed by Professor Martin Carver. Following the completion of the excavations in 1991, the society acted as guardians of the site and continued to give guided tours and funded ongoing research

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Bury St Edmunds: Abbey Gardens

Abbey Gardens bury st edmunds

The 14 acre Abbey Gardens are situated on the site of the former Benedicte Abbey; once one of the wealthiest and most powerful monasteries in England. The abbey was home to the shrine of St Edmund which became a place of pilgrimage, visited by people from all over England, including royalty! 

Continue reading Bury St Edmunds: Abbey Gardens

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Yoxford Antiques Centre

Yoxford Antique Centre

Great big warehouse full of fabulous antiques

One of my favourite, if not the fave in the area. Lots of different dealers (over 70 of them) with tons of quirky bits and pieces, including home, craft, outdoor and garden stuff. Set in several acres of natural gardens, it offers a wide and interesting range of antiques and collectables in a light airy environment, with new stock arriving regularly

They have arts & crafts Beach Huts, which offer an extra dimension to the Centre, with stylish hand-crafted furniture, decorative pieces for home and garden, gifts, cards, plants and much more

The Flying Goose Cafe is open for drinks, cakes and light meals

The whole place is manned a really friendly team

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The Station Yard Emporium – antiques & collectables

Great little antiques place in Needham Market

Featuring a handful of exhibitors, focused on providing good friendly service and customer satisfaction

They stock a selection of the following china, glass, jewellery, vintage clothing, postcards, stamps, books, ephemera, automobilia, furniture and militaria

They also provide a bespoke framing service

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Framlingham Castle & mere

Framlingham Castle

Sturdy old castle crowning historic Framlingham, a popular tourist destination

The walls of this historic building are built with flint. It’s a magnificent 12th century fortress with a long and colourful past which makes a fascinating family day out in Suffolk

Drop down to the mere for a lovely walk across the edge of Framlingham College (the owners)

Check out our gallery for for info on the mere, its flora and fauna

For more information visit their website