Come for a holiday on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths – a stunning section of East Anglia that borders the sea. Packed full of picturesque landscapes, historic towns and villages and the rarest flora and fauna in just 155 square miles, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths are certainly a worthwhile choice for an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Holiday cottages on the Suffolk Coast
There is more to find than olde worlde cottages down Suffolk’s country lanes
Fancy a brisk walk on the beach or even a cycle down the quiet country lanes? Suffolk Coast and Heaths has all you need to get you out and about in the fresh air. The Stour and Orwell Walk is always a popular route as not only do you get to discover two of the most beautiful estuaries in East Anglia, but you also get to see RSPB nature reserve Cattawade Marshes, a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to more than 500 lapwings. Looking for a post walk pint and a chance to recoup your energy levels? The Ship Inn in Levingston is a huge crowd pleaser and boasts a diverse range of cask ales, wines and artisan spirits. As well as sitting on the banks of the River Orwell and savouring the stunning panoramic views around it, the pub offers an extensive menu with delicious food like Rockefeller King Scallops and a Steak and Adnam’s Blackshore Stout Pie, an ode to the local brewery in Southfold.
You might wish to stay in Woodbridge
Wanting to explore a local market town in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths? Woodbridge on the Deben estuary is a must visit, if only for the 3 and a half mile ‘Ships, Saltings and Thomas Seckford’ walk which unearths hidden gems in the town like Woodbridge waterfront, a thriving ship building industry from the 1400’s to the 1700’s, Market Hill, a stunning collection of old buildings including the 15th century St Mary’s Church and The Tide Mill, an 800-year-old grain mill that solely functions through tidal energy. Likewise, the picture-perfect village of Snape (not the dark wizard from Harry Potter) is a place that will live long in the memory. Within easy cycling distance from the East Suffolk Railway Line and home to two romantic strolls for you and your partner on the banks of the River Alde, it is a village that is nothing short of magical! If you’re a history buff, you will love the jewel in Snape’s crown; the Snape Maltings, once one of the largest barley maltings in the whole of Suffolk and now a spectacular art, leisure and shopping complex to keep families entertained for hours on end! The village really comes alive in September however with the annual Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival. Attracting celebrity chefs like Dhruv Baker and Natalie Coleman over the years to its two Cookery Demonstration Stages, the festival showcases over 90 food and drink producers from Suffolk, including Aspall Cider, Fielding Cottage Products and Sea Spice Indian Cuisine.
A natural and unspoilt holiday destination
The coastline at Suffolk Coast and Heaths is untouched and completely authentic, compared to annoying amusement arcades and tacky tourist traps seen in many other seaside resorts. Plants like sea campion, yellow horned poppies and sea kale thrive in the idyllic environment and birds such as sand martins and linnets are just as likely to be seen as a huge crowd of people along the vast shingle beaches. Kessingland, to the south of Lowestoft, is a prime example of the peace and tranquillity in the area. Consisting of sandy shores and windswept dunes, it’s a place perfect for the pet pooch as well as for fishing fanatics. Why not try and see if you can impress the locals and try and catch a bass, sole or smoothhound roaming around these wonderful waters?
Dunwich and Minsmere
Are you a person who loves solving a mystery? Then, you will relish a trip to Dunwich, known as the Lost City of England. A small fishing village with a big story to tell, Dunwich once was an international port, the capital of the Kingdom of the Eastern Angles and even matching 14th century London for size, but what happens next remains inconclusive. Did it all get lost in the sea? Who knows? Try and decipher what happened with a roam around the Dunwich Museum, an educational experience for all the family, including a detailed look into when the village was at the height of its success and the seat of power for the Anglo-Saxon bishops. Known more nowadays for its array of rare wildlife like avocets, otters and red deer at nearby RSPB Minsmere and for its colourful heaths in the summer, Dunwich should always be one of your first places when visiting this part of the world.
Reeds growing in Dunwich are shown below. These are harvested annually and used for thatching roofs of cottages. There are still quite a number of thatched cottages in Suffolk and East Anglia.
Coastguard cottage treats
You can’t have a break to Suffolk Coasts and Heaths without trying its foodie favourite; a scone. At the dog friendly and highly traditional Coastguard Cottages Tea Room in Dunwich, its homemade varieties including orange mixed with cranberry are legendary. Certainly a treat to enjoy with your best friend while staring out from the lookout at the panoramic views of the glistening coastline!
Thinking of the perfect place to visit in the UK? The Suffolk Coast and Heaths should be very high up on your list for all its amazing array of activities to see and do. So why wait? Your trip of a lifetime to England’s finest countryside and coastline awaits you.
A list of Suffolk holiday accommodation sites:
cottage-holidays-suffolk.co.uk
