Unspoilt and full of surprises (Villages & Resorts in Suffolk in general)

Member Name: ecolojo

Product:	Villages & Resorts in Suffolk in general
Date:	29/08/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Dramatic skies, great seafood, attractive seaside.

Disadvantages: Can't think of many - I'm biased, I'm from Suffolk

I've lived in Suffolk most of my life, so I've gotten to know a bit about it, or "aboot at" as we say round here. I'll focus on East Suffolk, which includes the coast, as otherwise this will be far too long!

Suffolk is becoming far more popular as a destination, both for weekends and increasingly for longer holidays. Many people head for the Suffolk Heritage coast, and that is a good choice. Frequented by artists for many years for the wide landscapes and dramatic skies, the Suffolk Coast feels remote and unspoilt.

Highlights of the coast are:

- Felixstowe used to be a fashionable Edwardian resort but, despite efforts from the local council to tart it up, looks pretty tatty and looks like what it is, a neglected seaside resort.
- Felixstowe Ferry for fresh fish and the quaint artists' houses.
- Aldeburgh, an attractive seaside town with an excellent fish and chip shop.
- Dunwich, the city lost to the sea. All that remains is the Priory and a great fish cafe and nice pub. People say you can here churchbells ringing from the waves at low tide...
- Walberswick, a scenic and rather upmarket little place.
- Southwold has to be the most entertaining and quaint seaside towns on the coast. Eccentric amusements on the beautifully maintained pier, endless excellent pubs serving the town's own beer, Adnams and lovely old fashioned shops.
- Lowestoft. To be fair I haven't been there for years, but mostly because last time I did it was pretty grim.

There is far more to East Suffolk than the coast. Going sucessively inland:

- Delightful Orford with a dramatic Norman castle, and a remote atmosphere to its river setting
- Sutton Hoo - burial place of Anglo-Saxon Kings. The treasure is in the British Museum, but it happened here as explained by the recently built visitor centre.
- Woodbridge, pleasant and bustling little town with a curous tide mill on the river that is open to visitors.
- Snape, with its international concert hall, the Snape Maltings, and a charming selection of shops.
- Framlingham, sleepy rural town with a dramatic castle - a real hit with the kids!
- Vineyard country. We're in the sunniest part of the country and the wines are good!
- Ipswich is the county town, and though less attractive than the coast, it does have some interesting places to visit. The docks have been refurbished in recent years and now feature a swanky marina with restaurants and hotels around. Elizabethan Christchurch Mansion (entrance free of charge) and surrounding Christchurch Park are well worth a visit.

Close to London and unspoilt, Suffolk surprises visitors with her understated charms and surprisingly good weather!

Summary: A great destination for a relaxing weekend or longer break.