The 73 Thoroughfare Guidebook
Food scene
Chelsea-On-Sea, as it's known locally! Which is a bit unfair because Aldeburgh is still beautifully quiet, although it has its own rather lovely cinema, beach and quirky independent shops too. Don't miss the famous fish and chip shops (local tip - they're both the same company!)
25 locals recommend
Aldeburgh Beach
Crag PathChelsea-On-Sea, as it's known locally! Which is a bit unfair because Aldeburgh is still beautifully quiet, although it has its own rather lovely cinema, beach and quirky independent shops too. Don't miss the famous fish and chip shops (local tip - they're both the same company!)
Lots of independent shops as well as a Co-Op and a Boots less than five slow-walking minutes away, lots of places to eat and drink - and no cars from 10am to 2pm, so it's blissfully quiet and safe.
Thoroughfare
ThoroughfareLots of independent shops as well as a Co-Op and a Boots less than five slow-walking minutes away, lots of places to eat and drink - and no cars from 10am to 2pm, so it's blissfully quiet and safe.
World-famous concert hall and lots and lots of shopping, from clothes to antiques, furniture and a huge food hall and cafe.
215 locals recommend
Snape Maltings
World-famous concert hall and lots and lots of shopping, from clothes to antiques, furniture and a huge food hall and cafe.
Riverside is a great place - really good ice-creams outside in summer, a good, buzzing restaurant and bar with outside seating as well as Woodbridge's very own cinema.
16 locals recommend
The Riverside
2 QuaysideRiverside is a great place - really good ice-creams outside in summer, a good, buzzing restaurant and bar with outside seating as well as Woodbridge's very own cinema.
Sightseeing
You just have to! There's something for everyone at Southwold, from time-warp English seaside quaintness, a lot of sandy beach, sailing, lots of places to eat and drink and shop, brush up your history of the Battle of Sole Bay or just mooch about the harbour and the Blackshore. Oh - and George Orwell used to live near the chip shop too....
89 locals recommend
Southwold Pier
North ParadeYou just have to! There's something for everyone at Southwold, from time-warp English seaside quaintness, a lot of sandy beach, sailing, lots of places to eat and drink and shop, brush up your history of the Battle of Sole Bay or just mooch about the harbour and the Blackshore. Oh - and George Orwell used to live near the chip shop too....
If you've seen The Dig then you'll know all about this. Just before World War Two a local landowner, Mrs Pretty (no, honestly) paid a self-trained archeologist to dig up a mound in her garden. He found the biggest Saxon ship burial in the UK, ever. Then he found another. It may be Raedwald's grave, whose palace is under a US Airforce base housing estate in Rendlesham. The museum is very, very good for all ages.
130 locals recommend
National Trust - Sutton Hoo
If you've seen The Dig then you'll know all about this. Just before World War Two a local landowner, Mrs Pretty (no, honestly) paid a self-trained archeologist to dig up a mound in her garden. He found the biggest Saxon ship burial in the UK, ever. Then he found another. It may be Raedwald's grave, whose palace is under a US Airforce base housing estate in Rendlesham. The museum is very, very good for all ages.
Park at Snape Maltings and take a level walk along the river to Iken, where the Vikings burned the original church. The replacement is thatched. A beautifully serene spot.
6 locals recommend
Iken
Park at Snape Maltings and take a level walk along the river to Iken, where the Vikings burned the original church. The replacement is thatched. A beautifully serene spot.
Go at sunset in summer and you will not believe the colours and the light where the river meets the sea. A very mysterious place where the pub was blown-up, Barnes Wallace developed the bouncing bomb and according to local legend, "Something Happened" in 1940. Whatever it was it formed the basis for The Eagle Has Landed.
36 locals recommend
Shingle Street
Unnamed RoadGo at sunset in summer and you will not believe the colours and the light where the river meets the sea. A very mysterious place where the pub was blown-up, Barnes Wallace developed the bouncing bomb and according to local legend, "Something Happened" in 1940. Whatever it was it formed the basis for The Eagle Has Landed.
You've heard of Area 51 in America - this is where the UK's biggest UFO mystery happened in 1980. Whatever did or didn't happen, the base commander is still adamant that it did! Apart from that, the forest is a lovely and safe place to walk and picnic.
45 locals recommend
Rendlesham Forest
You've heard of Area 51 in America - this is where the UK's biggest UFO mystery happened in 1980. Whatever did or didn't happen, the base commander is still adamant that it did! Apart from that, the forest is a lovely and safe place to walk and picnic.
Possibly the oldest cinema in the UK, but a rather nice one with up-to-date films, big comfy seats and a special atmosphere all its own.
11 locals recommend
Leiston Film Theatre
74 High StPossibly the oldest cinema in the UK, but a rather nice one with up-to-date films, big comfy seats and a special atmosphere all its own.
On the Orwell, not the Deben, Pin Mill is where Arthur Ransome, journalist, author and spy, set his famous children's novel We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea. Ok, Swallows and Amazons was a bit more famous, but Pin Mill is closer than the Lake District - plus it has a rather nice food pub and a good walk along the west bank of the Orwell.
Pin Mill Sailing Club
On the Orwell, not the Deben, Pin Mill is where Arthur Ransome, journalist, author and spy, set his famous children's novel We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea. Ok, Swallows and Amazons was a bit more famous, but Pin Mill is closer than the Lake District - plus it has a rather nice food pub and a good walk along the west bank of the Orwell.
A short drive along the east bank of the River Deben, you can get the foot ferry across to Old Felixstowe, walk along the beach and visit the radar museum to find out where the Home Chain stations began that did a huge amount to win the Battle of Britain.
Bawdsey Manor
A short drive along the east bank of the River Deben, you can get the foot ferry across to Old Felixstowe, walk along the beach and visit the radar museum to find out where the Home Chain stations began that did a huge amount to win the Battle of Britain.
The Ramsholt is everything you could want in a riverside pub, nestling on the banks of the River Deben with unforgettable peaceful views along the river. Go at sunset. You won't forget it.
32 locals recommend
Ramsholt Arms
Dock RoadThe Ramsholt is everything you could want in a riverside pub, nestling on the banks of the River Deben with unforgettable peaceful views along the river. Go at sunset. You won't forget it.
Just one of the many, many wartime USAAF museums all over Suffolk and close by. Debach was a B24 bomber station and reputed to be haunted!
Debach Airfield Museum
Drabbs LaneJust one of the many, many wartime USAAF museums all over Suffolk and close by. Debach was a B24 bomber station and reputed to be haunted!
This tiny historic abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII, but before that it was moved from the now-disappeared harbour at Minsmere. Local legends say there was treasure there that was hidden to stop the king getting it - and it's never been found!!!
Leiston Abbey
Abbey RoadThis tiny historic abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII, but before that it was moved from the now-disappeared harbour at Minsmere. Local legends say there was treasure there that was hidden to stop the king getting it - and it's never been found!!!
If you're into birdwatching you'll know about Minsmere already. If not, go anyway!
146 locals recommend
RSPB Minsmere
Sheepwash LaneIf you're into birdwatching you'll know about Minsmere already. If not, go anyway!
Dunwich used to be a major port in the early Middle Ages, but the sea literally washed it away! Go to see the ruined abbey, the leper hospital, the rather nice little museum and enjoy the lovely walks along the beach to Walberswich and back through the forest and heathland. There is a really nice little cafe and garden centre there too. Brilliant scones.
26 locals recommend
Dunwich Beach
Dunwich used to be a major port in the early Middle Ages, but the sea literally washed it away! Go to see the ruined abbey, the leper hospital, the rather nice little museum and enjoy the lovely walks along the beach to Walberswich and back through the forest and heathland. There is a really nice little cafe and garden centre there too. Brilliant scones.