Holiday rentals in Aldeburgh

Just north of the snaking River Alde and set on the coast of the North Sea, the Suffolk town of Aldeburgh is known for its vibrant arts scene. You’ll find galleries showcasing the work of local sculptors, painters, and photographers on many of its streets. Not far outside town, the converted Victorian buildings at the Snape Maltings heritage site house a plethora of galleries and cafes, as well as Snape Maltings Concert Hall, where musicians from all over the world perform.

Artists and musicians continue to flock here to take inspiration from Aldeburgh’s picturesque coastline. The town’s vast pebble beach is peppered with colourful boats and bordered by a promenade. You can spend lazy afternoons beachcombing along the seashore before dining on the promenade. Many of the restaurants feature locally caught seafood — oysters, crab, lobster — as well as Aldeburgh’s renowned take on fish and chips.

After a mild, somewhat rainy spring, the summer months boast some of the best weather for staying at holiday cottages in Aldeburgh. In June, the town hosts a major classical music festival at the Snape Maltings Concert Hall, and opera singers, visual artists, and entire orchestras descend on the town. Every August, the Aldeburgh Carnival brings three days of games, live music, and fireworks to the seaside. Sunny days and comfortable temperatures endure well into the autumn, but you’ll need to pack your umbrella to protect against the odd shower. Winter is a good time for bracing countryside walks followed by fireside pub lunches, especially if you’d prefer to have the beach almost to yourself.

Aldeburgh Museum

A stone’s throw from the seafront, Aldeburgh Museum is housed in a timber-framed Tudor building. While the building is a delight on its own, you may find yourself marveling over the Roman and Anglo-Saxon finds on display. Other exhibits trace the town’s fishing and shipbuilding history.

The Red House

Nestled in a lush two-hectare garden, this 17th-century farmhouse was once home to a famous English composer. Now a museum, the Red House displays the composer’s collections — manuscripts, letters, and set and costume designs — as well as a music room, gallery, and tranquil garden cafe. Circling the house, a garden trail meanders through swaths of brightly colored blooms and past numerous sculptures.

Aldeburgh Beach

One of Aldeburgh’s biggest draws is its vast pebble beach, where a row of striking seaside properties in vibrant colours line the path along the shore. Aldeburgh Beach is also home to an eye-catching scallop sculpture. The massive steel shell rises from the shingles and serves as a tribute to the famous composer who once called Aldeburgh home.