_What are the best beaches in Suffolk

Breathe in the fresh sea air of the tranquil Suffolk coast, walk on unspoiled sand, play cricket, throw a frisbee, have a picnic, walk the dog, look for bird life and paddle in the shallow surf. You'll find expanses of honeyed beaches backed by marram and dunes. Or lay back and relax and watch the scanty clouds skipping across the big blue sky.

Are there sandy beaches in Suffolk?

There are many sandy beaches in Suffolk, they punctuate a beautiful coastline of rivers, estuaries, spits and wetlands. Read on to discover them…

Southwold Pier Beach

You might think Southwold was set in aspic in 1953; it’s like going back to a quieter, slower pace of life in an unspoilt traditional seaside town. There’s a lovely stretch of sandy beach with the Victorian Pier in the middle.

Southwold Denes Beach

Backed by low dunes and marshland, find this sandy beach at the River Blyth harbour’s mouth. There’s a large car park by the lifeboat station and a smaller one by the Gun Hill beach cafe. If you have time, peruse the fish shacks (the Sole Bay Fish Co is excellent) and cafes on the riverside. Or take the foot ferry over to Walberswick. You can return by the footbridge.

Can you swim in the sea at Southwold?

If you’re walking the Prom in the morning you’ll see lots of locals already in the sea. That’s why they’re so sprightly in Southwold.

Is Southwold Pier free entry?

Southwold Pier is free entry. Take a walk along the 250m long pier and if you do want to splash the cash play the quirky amusements at The Under The Pier Show.

Walberswick Beach

Previously the home of the world crabbing championships, you’ll still see people on the bridges over the Dunwich River trying their luck with a bucket, net and line. Dunes that are perfect for shelter and picnics protect the sandy beach and there’s a large car park. The village itself is charming with two excellent pubs, The Bell and Anchor, and you can stretch your legs with a walk through the marshy nature reserve, perhaps all the way to Dunwich.

Lowestoft North Beach

A sandy beach, otherwise known as Claremont Pier beach, with zones for watersports. There’s access to East Point Pavilion. This is the most easterly point in the country so, of course, this is the Sunrise Coast with its own free Summer festival.

Lowestoft South Beach

Otherwise known as Victoria Beach, there’s amusements at South Pier and Claremont Pier plus lots of cafes and kiosks.

Felixstowe South Beach

There’s lots to do here, south of the pier, besides the sandy beach, including crazy golf, amusements, café, ice cream kiosks, the 16th century Landguard Fort, children’s playground, and promenade.

The beach north of the pier is mostly pebble and shingle but there’s a beach hut, lovely Seafront Gardens and the swimming here is excellent.

Pakefield Beach

Pebbled and rustic, strewn with patches of Marram grass and the ideal place for a dog walk or a spot of kite flying on a windy day. You might even spot a seal on the shore. The pretty beach huts which line the promenade are privately owned, but some are available to hire, should you wish to enjoy a taste of Suffolk seaside life!

Kessingland Beach

Long, wide, unspoilt and never busy, this beach was saved by writer Henry Rider Haggard, author of King Solomon’s Mines and other Africa-based books, who planted marram grass to protect it. Serendipitously, Kessingland is also home to wildlife park Africa Alive!

Not so sandy, but two more not to miss…

Dunwich Beach

Sit on the shingle and just imagine that a few hundred years ago in front of you would have been one of the largest medieval ports in all of England. Wow! Two disastrous storms took it to the bottom of the sea, and all that’s now left is the remains of Greyfriars Priory. You can see a diorama of how it was in Dunwich Museum on St James Street. Then head to The Ship Inn.

Aldeburgh Beach

Buy an ice cream, take a walk along the prom and peruse the fish shacks and the wares of the fishermen whose boats have been hauled up on to the shingle. If you fancy a walk head north to Maggi Hambling’s Scallop.