_50 things to do on the Suffolk coast

You’re coming to the Suffolk coast and you haven’t done your research yet. Don’t despair. Let the Visit Suffolk team take you through you all the best things to do while you’re here, so you don’t waste a moment.

We’ve got sandy beaches, superb walking and wildlife, charming seaside towns, attractions and much, much more.

1 Enjoy the stunning views from the top of Henry II’s Orford Castle, one of England’s most unusual and complete keeps. Have lunch or stay at the nearby Crown and Castle.

2 Take a Harbour Ferry Boat Ride at Felixstowe and look out for seals.

3 Be delighted by Maggi Hambling’s striking Scallop sculpture on the beach between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh.

4 Discover more about English composer Benjamin Britten at the home he shared with Peter Pears, The Red House in Aldeburgh.

5 Explore the Merrie England-inspired village of Thorpeness and stay the night at the Golf Club and Hotel.

6 Enjoy the sea views at The Brudenell Hotel – if it’s nice, have a meal on the veranda. And stay the night to be lulled to sleep by the gentle whoosh of waves.

7 Enjoy the wacky Under the Pier amusements at Southwold Pier.

8 Enjoy an ice cream on the seafront at Lowestoft, taking in the East Point Pavilion.

9 Do The Sailors’ Way walk from Aldeburgh to Snape Maltings, where you can get refreshments and indulge in a bit of retail therapy. You can even stay.

10 Take a Waveney River Trip on Oulton Broad.

11 Enjoy a walk on the Dunwich Heaths, part of a National Landscape, to the whitewashed Coastguard Cottages where there's a tea room.

12 Walk from Southwold to Walberswick – cross the Blyth River via the foot bridge and come back on the rowing boat ferry.

13 Have a river tour from picturesque Woodbridge to Felixstowe and back with Deben Cruises.

14 Visit Landguard Fort at Felixstowe to discover fascinating collections and stories about the seaside town.

15 Take a gentle amble, or cycle, around riverside Orford and stop for refreshments at Pump Street.

16 Take a walk along Aldeburgh seafront and visit Aldeburgh Museum. Why not stay with Aldeburgh Coastal Cottages.

17 Stand on the Common at Southwold and take in the view of Sizewell nuclear power station and offshore wind turbines – this is the clean energy coast.

18 Visit the Sizewell Visitor Centre to learn more about nuclear energy and plans for Sizewell C.

19 Take a row boat out on the Meare at Thorpeness and have a picnic on one of the many islands. It was inspired by Peter Pan!

20 Enjoy some of the bet wildlife spotting at RSPB Minsmere.

21 Enjoy lunch – or a stay – at the lovely Westleton Crown. It was good enough for the Prince and Princess of Wales!

22 Cross the boardwalks across the marshes between Dunwich and Walberswick.

23 Discover the exotic wildlife at Africa Alive.

24 Enjoy the beach at Kessingland with a stay at Park Dean.

25 Take a tour of the iconic lighthouse at Southwold.

26 Visit Dunwich Museum and learn about Suffolk’s Lost City.

27 Have a stay with Suffolk Coastal Escapes at Pakefield and enjoy the splendid beach.

28 Take a break in Southwold to properly explore this lovely seaside town and stay at The Swan.

29 Try crabbing in the River Dunwich at Walberswick – the best place is from Wally’s Bridge.

30 And afterwards, enjoy lunch at The Anchor, close to the village green in Walberswick – perhaps there’ll be a crab sandwich on the menu!

31 There are rides and attractions for all age at Pleasurewood Hills at Corton.

32 Have a pint of Adnams in Southwold – this is where its brewed!

33 There’s fabulous birdwatching at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve.

34 Get lost! Can you get out of the Southwold Maize Maze.

35 Don’t miss the Water Clock on Southwold Pier. Made of recycled copper from old hot water cylinders, the eccentric sculpture features a pair of piddlers who perform punctually every half hour.

36 Get an adrenaline rush with Jet Adventures.

37 Shop for fresh fish at Blackshore Harbour, Southwold.

38 Stay at The Fludyers Hotel in Felixstowe to make the most of this fabulous seaside town.

39 Enjoy the River Blyth views at Old Hall Southwold.

40 Bring your pet pooch. There are great beaches in Suffolk that welcome dogs.

41 Book yourself in to an en-suite camping pod at Mill Hill Farm.

42 Have a selfie at the cannon at Gun Hill, Southwold and learn about the Battle of Sole Bay.

43 After a day on the beach, retreat the charming town of Saxmundham and stay at The Bell Hotel.

44 Rather than fish and chips, how about the delights of an Indian in the Sea Spice restaurant overlooking the sea at the White Lion Hotel, Aldeburgh.

45 Enjoy the majesty of the Blyth estuary and the nearby church, Holy Trinity, nicknamed the ‘Cathedral of the Marshes’. Head inside to learn about its history with Cromwell’s Roundheads, Black Shuck and Joe Kennedy Jnr, the man who should have been President of the United States.

46 Enjoy an evening at Beach Street in Felixstowe, a cluster of recycled shipping containers that are now buzzy bars and eateries.

47 Take a tour of eerie Orford Ness Nature Reserve, now run by the National Trust but once a secret MOD installation.

48 Visit Sutton Hoo to see a recreation of the burial ship of King Raedwald that was discovered here in 1939. The original would have sailed from here out to sea to clash with the marauding Vikings.

49 Explore the Sparrows Nest gardens at Lowestoft and visit the town museum to learn about the area’s fishing history.

50 Visit Lowestoft for the First Light Festival – as the most easterly point in the country, Lowestoft sees the sun before anywhere else.