Fish and chips on Aldeburgh beach
Which Suffolk seaside town should you visit
Choose your seaside town in Suffolk on the East coast of England
There are delightful seaside towns in Suffolk on the East coast of England, punctuating 40 miles of picturesque coastline.
Felixstowe seafront eating
Felixstowe
Felixstowe is on the confluence of the Rivers Orwell and Stour, across the rivers’ mouth from Harwich. Take a harbour ferry trip.
Discover the Landguard Peninsula, located at Suffolk's most southerly point with Napoleonic fort, Felixstowe Museum and its own nature reserve.
The town has a sandy beach with Victorian pier, promenade with Edwardian hotels and gardens, amusements and check out the Beach Street complex of shipping containers with a range of independent and artisan outlets.
Where to stay: Fludyers, The Pier at Harwich
Orford Castle
Orford
Whether a small town or big village, Orford is a delightful riverside community with delightful Norman castle, National Trust nature reserve on the nearby shingle spit, and you must stop at the Pump Street bakery.
Where to stay: The Crown and Castle
Maggi Hambling's Scallop on Aldeburgh beach
Aldeburgh
An elegant seaside town, this is the perfect destination to take a deep breath and relax. The main street is full of restaurants, shops, galleries and boutiques. By the shingle beach, look out for Aldeburgh Museum in the herringbone brick and timber Grade 1 Listed, 16th century Moot Hall and make sure you peruse the black shacks, where fishermen sell that day’s wares.
Don’t miss nearby Thorpeness, a quirky recreation of a Merrie England village, and head to Snape Maltings, home of Aldeburgh Music Festival and Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival.
Where to stay: The Brudenell, The White Lion, Martello Tower, Aldeburgh Coastal Cottages, Snape Maltings, Thorpeness Golf Club
Seaside Southwold's High Street
Southwold
Southwold feels as if it was set in aspic in 1953 – it’s that unspoilt. You won’t find burger flip joints in Southwold. The town has a lively High Street of boutiques, galleries, shops and restaurants with a variety of delightful pubs managed by Adnams. Tour their landmark brewery or take a trip up Southwold’s iconic lighthouse. There’s a long sandy beach with Victorian Pier – don’t miss the quirky amusements – and beach huts.
Head down to characterful Blackshore Harbour for a range of rough-and-ready black shacks selling fresh fish and shellfish as well as cafes and a pub. You can take a rowing boat ferry across the River Blyth to Walberswick, a charming seaside village.
Where to stay: The Swan at Southwold, The Anchor, The Bay Hotel
Lowestoft beach
Lowestoft
Lowestoft, with the most easterly point in the British Isles and highlighted by the annual First Light Festival, is a town that’s having a moment, with lots of investment going into the seafront and town centre.
With a long sandy beach, highlights include East Point Pavilion and Marina Theatre.
Where to stay: Suffolk Coastal Escapes
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