First Light Festival
Take a trip on the East Suffolk Train Line Ipswich-Lowestoft
From waterfront Ipswich to the traditional seaside at Lowestoft
Running from Ipswich to Lowestoft, the East Suffolk Line takes you from the county town of Suffolk, a waterfront gem, to Lowestoft, a Victorian seaside town currently enjoying a renaissance. The East Suffolk Train Line has stops at delightful market towns, including riverside Woodbridge.
The line is part of the East Suffolk Line Community Rail Partnership.
Ipswich waterfront
Ipswich
Ipswich is the county town of Suffolk, one of England’s oldest towns, and has a fine waterfront on the River Orwell with bars, cafes and the impressive Salthouse Harbour Hotel, great for lunch or a stay.
In Ipswich, enjoy an event at DanceEast, dine at the Salthouse Harbour Hotel, take a tour at Ipswich Town Football Club or take a spin at Anglia Indoor Karting.
Just outside the town is the Suffolk Food Hall and Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park as well a Hollow Trees Farm.
Where to stay: The Salthouse Harbour Hotel, but for something different try Freston Tower overlooking the Orwell Estuary.
Ancient House, Ipswich
Westerfield
The medieval parish Church of St Mary Magdalene has lovely stained-glass windows, of which St Mary of Magdala was designed by William Morris, one of the founders of the British Arts and Crafts movement.
Westerfield has two public houses, The Swan and The Westerfield Railway, both of which serve food.
Tide Mill, Woodbridge
Woodbridge
Woodbridge is a vibrant market town on the River Deben with lovely waterfront and walkable historic centre with a wide variety of pubs, restaurants and independent shops, particularly on the Thoroughfare.
On the river is the Tide Mill Museum, the oldest-remaining tide mill that is still working. You could even take a river trip.
A short journey can be made to National Trust Sutton Hoo, the boat burial site of East Anglian King Raedwald and the most important Anglo Saxon site in the UK.
Where to stay: The Crown in the town and just outside Woodbridge is Seckford Hall Hotel and Spa.
Sutton Hoo is England’s ‘Valley of the Kings’
Melton
Riverside Melton is a picturesque village just outside Woodbridge, with a shorter journey to Sutton Hoo.
Where to stay: Ufford Park is an ideal retreat for spa goers, golfers, adventurers and foodies alike.
Wickham Market
Wickham Market is a medieval village that grew around the popularity of markets on ‘The Hill’, a village centre square that is now lined with independent and specialist shops.
The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham
Saxmundham
Saxmundham is a vibrant heritage market town in the Suffolk countryside with free museum. Wander down the High Street for independent shops, Art Nouveau detailing, Venetian windows, Doric columns, Dutch gables, half-timbered buildings, Georgian façades and crinkle crankle walls.
Take a visit to The Art Station, a creative hub in a 1950s telephone exchange and an old bank on the High Street in Saxmundham.
Saxmundham is a good stopping off point for concerts, festivals and shopping at Snape Maltings and seafront Aldeburgh with Aldeburgh Museum and Benjamin Britten’s Red House and also market town Framlingham, with its impressive Norman castle.
Where to stay: The Bell Hotel is in the town centre and just outside is Mollett’s Farm. You can stay at Snape Maltings.
Darsham
Darsham is a good stopping off point for RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk’s Lost City Dunwich and lovely seaside village Walberswick.
A short journey will take you to the delightful Emmett’s Smokehouse in Peasenhall.
Where to stay: The Westleton Crown, The Anchor at Walberswick, Oak Tree Farm B&B.
INK Festival, Halesworth
Halesworth
Market town Halesworth is the closest stopping off point for charming Southwold and also seaside village Walberswick.
Southwold has a vibrant High Street, Victorian Pier and sandy beaches. A highlight is to take an Adnams tour of their distillery, brewery and the town’s iconic lighthouse. Close to Southwold is Southwold Old Hall with Maize Maze.
Just outside Halesworth is Valley Farm Vineyard, part of the Suffolk Wine Trail.
Where to stay: The Anchor at Walberswick, The Swan Hotel or Bay Hotel in Southwold.
Paddleboarding on the River Waveney through Beccles
Beccles
Beccles is a lovely Waveney Valley river-cliff market town that is on the southern end of the Broads National Park, a perfect location to get out on the water. Book a day on the River Waveney with Hippersons Boatyard.
Highlight activities are the riverside Beccles Lido outdoor swimming pool and the Big Dog Ferry which offers gentle boat trips to the Geldeston Locks pub where you can also wild swim.
In nearby Bungay visit Flint Vineyard and Fen Farm Dairy.
Where to stay: Hippersons Houseboats and Luxury Pods, Glampingstays, Wheatacre Hall Barn.
Carlton Marshes
Oulton Broad South
Oulton Broad is the mot easterly point of the Broads National Park, with waterside Nicholas Everitt Park, Lowestoft Museum and marinas, restaurants and bars. The Broad is connected to the sea by a lock at Lake Lothing.
Get out on the water with Waveney River Tours and Day Boats.
A short walk away is the delightful Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, 1,000 acres of wilderness in the Broads National Park, with floodplain marsh and lowland fen which is home to a large number of rare and endangered wildlife.
Lowestoft beach
Lowestoft
You arrive at the seaside at the final stop on the line, Lowestoft. There’s traditional seaside fun here, with Victorian seafront and promenade, two piers, East Point Pavilion and Marina Theatre.
The most easterly point in the British Isles, Lowestoft is host to the annual First Light Festival.
For adrenaline junkies, head out to sea with Jet Adventures.
Where to stay: Suffolk Coastal Escapes, Lodge Farm Cottages, Azure Seas Holiday Village, Kessingland Beach.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the East Suffolk Line
The East Suffolk Line is a branch line between county town Ipswich and seaside Lowestoft.
- What stops are on the East Suffolk Line
The East Suffolk Line starts at Ipswich and there are stops at Westerfield, Woodbridge, Melton, Wickham Market, Saxmundham, Darsham, Halesworth, Beccles and Oulton Broad South before arriving at Lowestoft.
- How do I take the East Suffolk Line
The East Suffolk Line begins at Ipswich, on the Inter City line from London Liverpool Street to Norwich.
- Why should I take the East Suffolk Line
A great reason to take the East Suffolk Line is to get to the Suffolk coast through sustainable rail travel.
- What things are there to do in Lowestoft
Lowestoft is a traditional Victorian seaside town, with pier and sandy beaches.
Visit East Point Pavilion, take in a show at the Marina Theatre, or head out to sea with Jet Adventures.
- Can I see seals in Lowestoft
Not in Lowestoft itself, but you can book a trip with Jet Adventures to see the seals at Scroby Sands off Great Yarmouth.
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