My Top 10 Places to Visit in Suffolk
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
As I am sure you are well aware, the Suffolk coast hugely inspires my practice, and I am here to share some of my favourite places for you to visit so you can experience these places in real life too.
Felixstowe, Orford, Ipswich, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Pin Mill, Woodbridge, Hollesley, Shingle Street and Walderingfield are the places I keep returning to again and again. Each holds something special and charming about it. I love that every time I visit, at different times of year, the landscapes are different, wild and colourful. It is no secret that I love colour, water and skies. I am not making these up in my paintings. These places bring so much inspiration, and I am always excited to inject that feeling into my work.
So let’s get started.
My top ten:
1. Felixstowe
Felixstowe is one of those places that never looks the same twice. There is so much to offer, from the rugged fishing boats of Felixstowe Ferry, to swimming at Old Felixstowe, to Beach Street full of indie shops. There is something for everyone, and it is a place that holds a big connection for me and my work.
2. Ipswich
Ipswich often gets overlooked, but I genuinely love it. It is where I am based, and it has such a creative undercurrent if you know where to look. The waterfront has a calm, reflective energy, especially in the evening when the light hits the marina. Christchurch Park is a favourite escape, especially around the mansion and gardens, and there is a growing arts scene throughout the town. If you are visiting, the waterfront cocktail bar The Gallery is a great spot for an evening drink with a view.
3. Orford
Another beautiful part of Suffolk is Orford. It has a traditional coastal village feel, small and rugged, but a stunning location with a little castle on a hill. It has a lovely coffee shop by the water and is known for some pretty good food. Orford is remote, wild and completely stripped back, all shingle, sky and silence. There is a haunting beauty to it, with its abandoned military structures slowly being reclaimed by nature.
4. Southwold
Southwold is where my mum’s side of the family is from, and I am so proud that I have family ties there. It feels like an extension of me, with so many memories. Southwold is charming. It is a small place with so much energy and life, attracting visitors from far and wide. You can stick to the town or explore the harbour. There are some amazing Adnams pubs, beer and great food, plus a beautiful beach, colourful beach huts, a pier with wacky amusements, and of course the lighthouse. I think it is a must visit if you are visiting Suffolk, but note it can get pretty busy during the summer months.
5. Aldeburgh
Like Southwold, Aldeburgh is a great spot for a day out, just down the road. Charming, colourful houses line the seafront, and award winning fish and chips are only a stone’s throw away. Aldeburgh has a high street full of lovely shops and galleries, well worth a visit.
6. Pin Mill
Pin Mill is a hidden gem with a beautiful pub (The Butt and Oyster) on the River Orwell. It is small, but a great spot for lunch and a wander. There is a lovely walk where you can see old boats left in the water to decay, and it has a real sense of nature. So why not get a pint and watch the boats and the changing skies over the river.
7. Woodbridge
Woodbridge is a bustling little spot on the River Deben. It has a high street, lovely pubs and a charming waterfront, including the Tide Mill, which hosts a small museum. If you like boats and estuaries like I do, this is a fantastic place for a walk. The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company are also building a full size Anglo-Saxon ship, which you can see and visit.
8. Hollesley Nature Reserve
This is a place I often visit with my dad, when we go out to the reserve to look for birds. There is a lovely little café (Marsh Barn) run in and by the prisoners of Hollesley prison. It is really good value and perfect fuel before going for a walk around the reserve. I personally love looking out to the sea and back across the marshes. It is a place of big skies and feels incredibly calming. One of those places where you can really feel at peace.
9. Shingle Street
Shingle Street feels like the edge of the map. A long stretch of shingle, minimal buildings, and an exposed coastline that changes constantly with the weather and tide. There is something slightly mysterious about it, especially when the sea mist rolls in or the sky turns heavy and grey. It is not a polished seaside spot. It is raw and elemental, and that is exactly what makes it so special. Worth a walk on a sunny day.
10. Waldringfield
Last on my list is Waldringfield. Again, only a small place, it sits on the River Deben and has such rugged charm, along with a wonderful pub restaurant, The Maybush. It is a perfect place to get a drink and watch the sun go down in the summer. There is a walk along the coast and fields you can do, and boat trips down the Deben.
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