Discussion
hi thinking of going to suffolk for a week, never been to that part of the country but there seems to be plenty of national trust places not so many english heritage ones in and around the county
no idea where it would be good to be based want a quiet retreat so not Ipswitch or Felixstowe
it does look lovely though damn you detectorists
any pointers? any must do thing?
no idea where it would be good to be based want a quiet retreat so not Ipswitch or Felixstowe
it does look lovely though damn you detectorists
any pointers? any must do thing?
We went for a holiday there for the first time in 2021. I loved it - something about the rural nature of it (I live in the countryside, but in the rather more crowded North West). And the Detectorists vibe was strong for me.
We stayed in a converted barn (which was overpriced really) in a village near Orford and spent our days mooching around, mainly in the fresh air.
I can see why it’s popular with the up from
London set - rural, mostly pretty, relaxed with a nice coastline (albeit not much in the way of sandy beaches).
I’d go again.
We stayed in a converted barn (which was overpriced really) in a village near Orford and spent our days mooching around, mainly in the fresh air.
I can see why it’s popular with the up from
London set - rural, mostly pretty, relaxed with a nice coastline (albeit not much in the way of sandy beaches).
I’d go again.
I know the area well.
For seaside locations :
Southwold - quirky pier
Walberswick - just scenic
Thorpeness - The "house in the sky" and you have to row a boat on the lake
Aldeburgh - old fishing village now quite posh and expensive
Orford - remains of a castle + Orford Ness
Are all great seaside locations, Aldeburgh is pretty much "Chelsea-On-Sea" (as is Southwold) but it doesn't detract from place.
Inland it's places like :
Framlingham (home of Ed Sheeran and his Castle-on-the-hill)
Woodbridge - lovely riverside location
Long Melford - home of the antique shop
Lavenham - a beautiful medieval village
East Bergholt and Flatford - where Constable painted The Haywain - walk to Dedham in the Dedham Vale
If you have a specific area I can probably advise.
For seaside locations :
Southwold - quirky pier
Walberswick - just scenic
Thorpeness - The "house in the sky" and you have to row a boat on the lake
Aldeburgh - old fishing village now quite posh and expensive
Orford - remains of a castle + Orford Ness
Are all great seaside locations, Aldeburgh is pretty much "Chelsea-On-Sea" (as is Southwold) but it doesn't detract from place.
Inland it's places like :
Framlingham (home of Ed Sheeran and his Castle-on-the-hill)
Woodbridge - lovely riverside location
Long Melford - home of the antique shop
Lavenham - a beautiful medieval village
East Bergholt and Flatford - where Constable painted The Haywain - walk to Dedham in the Dedham Vale
If you have a specific area I can probably advise.
Edited by AnotherGuy on Friday 6th January 12:42
we will certainly be traveling we arnt ones for just staying local,
i have liked the look of alot of places ive seen just trying to find places with off road parking
woodbridge and that area seems good close to a urban center with restaurants also near sutton hoo im interested in that period of history so its a must do for me
i have liked the look of alot of places ive seen just trying to find places with off road parking
woodbridge and that area seems good close to a urban center with restaurants also near sutton hoo im interested in that period of history so its a must do for me
Woodbridge would be a good base.
I've never been that enamoured with Sutton Hoo and I've been a few times with my kids. It's a few lumps and bumps in a field and a museum containing copies of stuff - as the real ones are in the British Museum. But that's just me being a bit bah-humbug.
It is, however, near to Rendlesham Forest which has some great mountain bike trails (no mountains, obvs) which is also on the way to Bawdsey Manor where you can catch a quaint foot ferry across to Felixstowe Ferry which is about as far removed from your probable perception of Felixstowe as its possible to get. (the view from Felixstowe Ferry across to Bawdsey courtesy of Google Maps here )
I've never been that enamoured with Sutton Hoo and I've been a few times with my kids. It's a few lumps and bumps in a field and a museum containing copies of stuff - as the real ones are in the British Museum. But that's just me being a bit bah-humbug.
It is, however, near to Rendlesham Forest which has some great mountain bike trails (no mountains, obvs) which is also on the way to Bawdsey Manor where you can catch a quaint foot ferry across to Felixstowe Ferry which is about as far removed from your probable perception of Felixstowe as its possible to get. (the view from Felixstowe Ferry across to Bawdsey courtesy of Google Maps here )
On top of the excellent posts above;
Perhaps a bit left field but I’d recommend a tour of the nuclear power station.
https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/power-stations/si...
FYI You used to have to book some weeks in advance so that security checks could be made. I don’t know if it’s still the case but do bear it in mind.
Enjoy your break.
Perhaps a bit left field but I’d recommend a tour of the nuclear power station.
https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/power-stations/si...
FYI You used to have to book some weeks in advance so that security checks could be made. I don’t know if it’s still the case but do bear it in mind.
Enjoy your break.
AnotherGuy said:
Woodbridge would be a good base.
I've never been that enamoured with Sutton Hoo and I've been a few times with my kids. It's a few lumps and bumps in a field and a museum containing copies of stuff - as the real ones are in the British Museum. But that's just me being a bit bah-humbug
Yeah for just a base Woodbridge is nice. Stowmarket isn't special, but it is slap bang central and right on the A14 (the ONLY main road in SUffolk!). I've never been that enamoured with Sutton Hoo and I've been a few times with my kids. It's a few lumps and bumps in a field and a museum containing copies of stuff - as the real ones are in the British Museum. But that's just me being a bit bah-humbug
I completely agree re: sutton Hoo.
i live in suffolk and don't really like it compared with north yorks where i used to live. Basically NY has the best scenery matched with the worst industrial spoil, the prettiest villages and the ugliest towns, the best beer and the worst beer (looking at you Tadcaster!)... there's somethign for evryone and it is often the best or worst possible. Suffolk is all magnolia/vanilla. Mentality is stuck in the 1950s. Its all very NICE, but there's nothing amazing, nothing terrible about ay of it. Don't get me wrong - its "lovely" but ultimately it frustrates me. Norfolk is better. Your tastes and experiences may differ from mine!.
That said, aside from the many walks which are perfectly pleasant (but no hills really to speak of - its all gently rolling arable crops), there are some more intensive things to do if you're looking for that sort of thing:
- Pleasurewood hills is a second rate Alton towers but with 3 good coasters and some supporting rides
- Africa Alive (in Summer when the animals are awake) is fun
- there's a great FREE air museum behind a pub in Flixton (norfolk border)
- West Stow village nr Bury (similar to Sutton hoo but imo slightly better)
- if you liked Lovejoy visit the antiques shops in Long Melford - and 2 Nat Trust houses
- Newmarket horse racing museum's surprisingly good (and i dont like horses or racing)
- Museum of Food in Stowmarket's quite good
- foot ferry between felix-harwich-shotley opens up some good walks in shotley area, and is a nice little ride round avoiding the panamax ships.The lighthouse museum in harwich is good too. if you like that sort of thing, you can visit both Landguard fort and Harwich' s beacon hill battery - they are quite different from each other despite being essentially the same thing.
- Bawdsey radar museum is good, but surprisingly far away
- if you can get on to Orford ness for a tour of the nuke pagodas thats fun - but books up fast
- Stonham barns has a few car events on if you time it right
- I didnt read when you're coming, but helmingham hall car show is possibly one of the best in UK
- Ipswich foxhall stadium for banger racing (caravan DD if you're lucky)
apart from that youve got lots of country pubs, town centres, theatres etc like anywhere else... plenty of very nice things to keep you amused.
overall you'll have a lovely time I'm sure, but it won't be your best holiday ever. You'll tell people it was a lovely break, but be unable to pick a highlight or lowlight cos "everything" was "nice".
I'm not really miserable, honest.
Dunno your budget or tastes:
almost-brand-new premier inn in Thetford is cheap to stay in and yu know what youre getting. Other end of scale is the Adnams brewery group of pubhotels. nice and expensive. Nice compromise could be White Horse on the A140 halfway between Diss and A140. not pricey, country-pub-cosy style, but nothing nearby really. TONS of places to stay though.... give us some hints and we can get on it for you!
almost-brand-new premier inn in Thetford is cheap to stay in and yu know what youre getting. Other end of scale is the Adnams brewery group of pubhotels. nice and expensive. Nice compromise could be White Horse on the A140 halfway between Diss and A140. not pricey, country-pub-cosy style, but nothing nearby really. TONS of places to stay though.... give us some hints and we can get on it for you!
As an ex Suffolker I agree with some of the great suggestions posted, those along the coast particularly so. Bury St Edmunds is the prettiest large town but is the wrong end from the Coast although handy for Lovejoy country. You could try a half day in Ipswich but I really wouldn't bother (I was born there!).
I'd look to stay in East Suffolk and make a day trip to West Suffolk - once you go North of Bury it's a bit non-descript so you'd end up travelling a distance each day. Overall the landscape is pretty and "old worldy" but doesn't have any dramatic topography which can feel a bit underwhelming after a while.
What has changed significantly is the quality of rural eating, pubs that used to be dart board and dominoes are now serving half decent fayre and local producers have really got their act together turning primary food into value added and well marketed offerings. My favourite by far is Pinney's of Orford smoke house - their bacon is on a different level to anything I've ever tasted.
Motorsport wise, Snetterton is just over the border into Norfolk as is Bressingham Steam museum which kids will love.
I'd look to stay in East Suffolk and make a day trip to West Suffolk - once you go North of Bury it's a bit non-descript so you'd end up travelling a distance each day. Overall the landscape is pretty and "old worldy" but doesn't have any dramatic topography which can feel a bit underwhelming after a while.
What has changed significantly is the quality of rural eating, pubs that used to be dart board and dominoes are now serving half decent fayre and local producers have really got their act together turning primary food into value added and well marketed offerings. My favourite by far is Pinney's of Orford smoke house - their bacon is on a different level to anything I've ever tasted.
Motorsport wise, Snetterton is just over the border into Norfolk as is Bressingham Steam museum which kids will love.
Glemsford.
Stayed here recently, on a trip to Newmarket races.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/greyhound-cottage...
Most excellent. Rate it 15/10
Check out the review rating and the review comments.
Ssshhhh ! It's a secret ;0)
Stayed here recently, on a trip to Newmarket races.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/greyhound-cottage...
Most excellent. Rate it 15/10
Check out the review rating and the review comments.
Ssshhhh ! It's a secret ;0)
Edited by N4LLY on Thursday 19th January 00:11
What time of year?
i would say Thetford is not a good location, although i do like the forest. Moderately far from everything and close to not much of interest.
if you don't mind the londonfifcation of the popular places it will be nice, but some places have become a parody of themselves - see Southwold.
My recommendation would be inland away from it all in some bucolic soft countryside in a pretty village where you might actually hear a local accent (given you don't want to stay in Ipswich or the rougher towns!)
Lovely area (but I'm biased) but the past 20 years since i was a kid the number of wealthy Londonisitas has reached plague proportions form always historically manageable numbers, not helped by the broadsheets supplements pushing the area (when they used to stick to n norfolk en masse), irrevocable changing the likes of Woodbridge, Orford, Walberswick (well thats always been a bit sniffy) and making them 'insert posh area of london here' on sea in the school holidays if not most of the non winter months. Makes it worse than Rock imo and that's saying something.
As some one has said the one benefit is the food scene is damn good now though, if your are into good food happy to offer some tips.
i would say Thetford is not a good location, although i do like the forest. Moderately far from everything and close to not much of interest.
if you don't mind the londonfifcation of the popular places it will be nice, but some places have become a parody of themselves - see Southwold.
My recommendation would be inland away from it all in some bucolic soft countryside in a pretty village where you might actually hear a local accent (given you don't want to stay in Ipswich or the rougher towns!)
Lovely area (but I'm biased) but the past 20 years since i was a kid the number of wealthy Londonisitas has reached plague proportions form always historically manageable numbers, not helped by the broadsheets supplements pushing the area (when they used to stick to n norfolk en masse), irrevocable changing the likes of Woodbridge, Orford, Walberswick (well thats always been a bit sniffy) and making them 'insert posh area of london here' on sea in the school holidays if not most of the non winter months. Makes it worse than Rock imo and that's saying something.
As some one has said the one benefit is the food scene is damn good now though, if your are into good food happy to offer some tips.
theplayingmantis said:
If you don't mind the londonfifcation of the popular places it will be nice, but some places have become a parody of themselves - see Southwold.
Lovely area (but I'm biased) but the past 20 years since i was a kid the number of wealthy Londonisitas has reached plague proportions form always historically manageable numbers, not helped by the broadsheets supplements pushing the area (when they used to stick to n norfolk en masse), irrevocable changing the likes of Woodbridge, Orford, Walberswick (well thats always been a bit sniffy) and making them 'insert posh area of london here' on sea in the school holidays if not most of the non winter months. Makes it worse than Rock imo and that's saying something.
You forgot Aldeburgh.Lovely area (but I'm biased) but the past 20 years since i was a kid the number of wealthy Londonisitas has reached plague proportions form always historically manageable numbers, not helped by the broadsheets supplements pushing the area (when they used to stick to n norfolk en masse), irrevocable changing the likes of Woodbridge, Orford, Walberswick (well thats always been a bit sniffy) and making them 'insert posh area of london here' on sea in the school holidays if not most of the non winter months. Makes it worse than Rock imo and that's saying something.
I really wish I could disagree with you regarding the infestation of weekend Londoners in Suffolk seaside towns but I'm sorry to say I can't.
Jaguar steve said:
theplayingmantis said:
If you don't mind the londonfifcation of the popular places it will be nice, but some places have become a parody of themselves - see Southwold.
Lovely area (but I'm biased) but the past 20 years since i was a kid the number of wealthy Londonisitas has reached plague proportions form always historically manageable numbers, not helped by the broadsheets supplements pushing the area (when they used to stick to n norfolk en masse), irrevocable changing the likes of Woodbridge, Orford, Walberswick (well thats always been a bit sniffy) and making them 'insert posh area of london here' on sea in the school holidays if not most of the non winter months. Makes it worse than Rock imo and that's saying something.
You forgot Aldeburgh.Lovely area (but I'm biased) but the past 20 years since i was a kid the number of wealthy Londonisitas has reached plague proportions form always historically manageable numbers, not helped by the broadsheets supplements pushing the area (when they used to stick to n norfolk en masse), irrevocable changing the likes of Woodbridge, Orford, Walberswick (well thats always been a bit sniffy) and making them 'insert posh area of london here' on sea in the school holidays if not most of the non winter months. Makes it worse than Rock imo and that's saying something.
I really wish I could disagree with you regarding the infestation of weekend Londoners in Suffolk seaside towns but I'm sorry to say I can't.
Build it and they will come and they still do
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