From bustling seaside market towns to picturesque resorts to time-forgotten fishermen’s villages, Suffolk has many wonderful places just waiting to be discovered. Encompassing heritage coastline and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its 50 miles of coastline is home to some of the UK’s most beautiful seaside havens, perfect for holidays à la mer.
Whether you’re looking forward to a short break or holiday full of sunbathing, seafood, coastal walks, cultural exploration or all of the above, there is somewhere for you in the county. Helping you to pinpoint the top places for a seaside retreat, we’ve gathered together ten of the best coastal holiday destinations in Suffolk that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Let’s get started.
Aldeburgh
Once a Tudor port, Aldeburgh is today one of Suffolk’s most popular seaside towns. Known for its multi-coloured seafront houses, blue flag beaches, cultural attractions, boutique shops and array of eateries, it is something of a honeypot for visitors of all ages. Top things to look out for include its giant scallop shell sculpture and its 50-year-old Aldeburgh Fish and Chip shop. For events, pencil in its annual Festival of Music and the Arts (held each July), founded by Benjamin Britten.
Dunwich
A picturesque village surrounded by windswept heathland, it’s hard to imagine that little Dunwich was once the capital of East Anglia. Known as the lost city of England, it actually rivalled London in size in the 14th century but was eventually overtaken by its neighbours, humbly resigning to become the gorgeous little pocket of tranquillity it is today. Perfect for the peace-seekers and nature-lovers, Dunwich offers protected forest, heath and beach, all woven with trails and rich with wildlife.
Felixstowe
The thriving seaside town of Felixstowe is located at the southernmost tip of Suffolk. The only coastal resort in East Anglia to face south, it’s famous not only for its topographical merit but also for its wide variety of family-friendly attractions and activities. For traditional seaside fun, a day on Felixstowe’s seafront is highly recommended, exploring its pretty gardens, strolling along its pier and snapping pictures of its brightly painted beach huts.
Kessingland
Follow in the footsteps of the Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans with a visit to the history-rich town of Kessingland. A particularly interesting place for historians and archaeologists, the town and its surrounds reveal a story spanning millions of years – from Jurassic fossils to Palaeolithic and Neolithic tools to Saxon pottery and more. Also within a stone’s throw of Benacre National Nature Reserve, Kessingland is a great place for escaping the crowds and observing the natural world.
Lowestoft
Being the most easterly town in the UK, Lowestoft has the enviable title of being the first place in the UK to see the sunrise every day – ideal for early risers. It also boasts a thriving arts scene (it’s actually the birthplace of Benjamin Britten), a busy port, two piers, a zoo, an award-winning theme park, several museums and a popular theatre to boot, home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Perfect for families, it proffers an endless supply of things to see and do for all generations.
Southwold
One of the best coastal destinations in Suffolk, Southwold paints the perfect seaside scene with its long sandy beach, beach hut-lined prom, working lighthouse and grand pier which extends for 190 metres into the North Sea. With plenty to see and do, you can easily stay local during a holiday here, exploring the attractions like the local brewery, museum and shorefront shops. If you have kids with you, should definitely set time aside to visit the Southwold Maize Maze and Playpark too.
Orford
The tranquil fishing village of Orford is a superb place for those looking for some downtime by the sea. Recognised as one of the prettiest villages in the county, it’s peppered with attractive cottages that flow in higgledy-piggledy sequence towards the village quay. During your holiday, make you sure visit the local Pump Street bakery and chocolatier to stock up on mouth-watering goodies, before exploring the village castle, hopping aboard a river cruise or walking around Orford Ness National Nature Reserve.
Snape
Only a 10-minute drive from the sea, Snape is the perfect base for coastal exploration in Suffolk. Known across the global arts scene for its renowned concert hall, the Maltings, the village is a real magnet for arts aficionados. Within Snape Maltings, there are a number of shops, galleries, arts centres, eateries and performance spaces. The village also marks the start of the Sailor’s Path, a walking route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh that was once traced by sailors of old.
Walberswick
The village of Walberswick is the quieter cousin of the town of Southwold, which lies a mile to the north as the crow flies. Sitting at the mouth of the River Blyth on the opposite side to Southwold, it offers a more relaxed pace of life with fewer crowds and a wilder, more untamed feel. Home to a long sandy beach that’s dog-friendly year-round and two lovely dog-friendly pubs (the Anchor and the Bell Inn), it’s an especially sought-after destination for holidays with four-legged friends.
Thorpeness
The fairy-tale village of Thorpeness is a dreamy destination for a coastal holiday in Suffolk. While it is face-to-face with the sea, one of the village’s most popular draws is the Meare, a 60-acre manmade boating lake peppered with artificial islands – each named by author J.M Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. As well as the lake, no trip to Thorpeness would be complete without seeing the famous ‘house in the clouds’ – a striking water tower topped with a red-board house.
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