8 Ways to spend an autumnal weekend in Aldeburgh

There’s always something inspiring to see at Ballroom Arts, a vibrant space for contemporary art, workshops and community projects. This autumn, you can head along to their Pop Up Shop for the exhibition 'Wild Relatives', running from 20 to 25 November. Expect an imaginative mix of artworks that explore the relationships between people, nature and place in this characterful seaside gallery.

Of an evening, make your way to the grand Jubilee Hall in the heart of town. The season’s programme includes 16 November, enjoy an afternoon of swing and blues with saxophonists Derek Nash and Phil Veacock, and guitarist Mark Flanagan, all former members of the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra on 16 November and the Aldeburgh Comedy Club Showcase, featuring a brilliant line-up of emerging comedians on 21 November.

Aldeburgh has a rich and layered history, from its early Anglo-Saxon beginnings and medieval harbour roots to its association with Matthew Hopkins, the notorious Witchfinder General, who conducted trials in the surrounding area during the 1640s.

The Moot Hall itself, a striking timber-framed Tudor building dating from around 1550, once stood at the heart of the town square but now finds itself just metres from the shingle beach, a visible reminder of the centuries of coastal erosion that have reshaped the shoreline. Its red-brick façade and jettied upper floor make it one of the most photographed landmarks in Aldeburgh, and stepping inside reveals an equally captivating story.

Displays trace the many lives of the building, from council chamber and jail to its current role as home to Aldeburgh Museum. Cabinets brim with maritime curiosities, from model ships and sailors’ tools to fragments of pottery uncovered from long-lost settlements. Don’t forget to open the drawers to discover the delicate collection of butterflies and moths, displayed alongside prehistoric hand axes and flint tools found nearby, dating back thousands of years.

Knowledgeable volunteers are always on hand to share the tales behind the exhibits and point out their favourite treasures from Aldeburgh’s seafaring and civic past.

It’s a rare treat to spend a day shopping by the sea, and Aldeburgh’s bustling high street is full of independent stores and local businesses. Be sure to pop into The Pug and the Pussycat for thoughtful gifts and home accessories, each one bright, bold and bound to make the recipient smile. Norfolk Natural Living is a feast for the senses, with shelves filled with handmade home, body and laundry products scented with botanicals and essential oils. Joli is beautifully curated, with elegant fashion, jewellery and lifestyle pieces that feel both contemporary and timeless; a real treasure trove. Faro offers exuberant, sustainable homewares and clothing in bright, luxurious coloured textiles, while One Five Seven Antiques is brimming with unusual ephemera and historical artefacts that invite you to look more closely.

You’ll also find O&C Butcher, a long-established family-run clothing and footwear store, and The Aldeburgh Bookshop, a beloved independent bookshop filled with local titles and new releases. Art lovers can stop by Thompson’s Galleries to admire paintings by British and international artists or Slaughdens Fine Wines to purchase a tipple for later. Salter & King Craft Butchers showcase the best of local produce, while Burnett and Company adds a splash of colour with its hand-dipped candles and Scandinavian kitchenware. To round off your shopping trip, call in at Société Commerciale d’Aldeburgh for beautifully crafted clothing and accessories, then settle down at Two Magpies Bakery with coffee and a pastry; the cinnamon swirl is flakey and very generously sized!

Fishers Gin is a very special distillery, located right on the Aldeburgh seafront where the shingle meets the salty sea air. The team distills their gin using a copper still and a carefully balanced blend of traditional and coastal botanicals such as rock samphire, bog myrtle and spignel. The result is a spirit that is savoury, herbal and unmistakably maritime. Visits are by appointment only and offer guests the chance to learn about the distilling process, sample the range and hear how the local landscape inspires every bottle.

Afterwards, make your way to The Brudenell Hotel and settle in at The Seafood & Grill Restaurant, where you can dine with panoramic views of the sea. The menu celebrates local and seasonal ingredients, beginning with starters such as Local Pigeon Pithivier with puff pastry, chicken mousseline, parsnip purée and a rich game jus, or Crab Tian and Yuzu Mayonnaise with caviar, Thai-style jelly and soy-pickled quail egg.

For something lighter, try the Heritage Carrot Salad with quinoa, miso butter, crunchy peanut crumb, coriander and lime. Main courses include Peppered Venison Haunch with Suffolk Brie potato gratin and braised red cabbage, or the chef’s recommendation, Pan-fried Stone Bass with Mussel Cyder Cream Sauce, saffron potatoes, celeriac, apple and samphire. Vegetarians will love the Roasted Cauliflower Cheddar Croquettes with truffle cheese sauce, cavolo nero and wild mushrooms.

To finish, indulge in a Boozy Affogato with Frangelico, espresso and pistachio biscotti, or a silky Cinnamon Panna Cotta with spiced plums and almond shortbread.

While in Aldeburgh, don’t miss the chance to visit The Suffolk, which champions the best of British seafood and produce from local farms. Housed in a beautifully restored nineteenth century building on the High Street, it is home to both the restaurant and The Suffolk Bar, where you can enjoy an unusual and fitting Sea Buckthorn Margarita while you peruse the menu. The interior is elegant yet relaxed, with an open kitchen that gives a glimpse of the chefs at work and windows looking out towards the sea.

Begin with Fishers Gin Cured Chalk Stream Trout and Pickles, Roasted Cod with Samphire and Lobster Sauce, or Glemham Farm Beetroot and Burrata with Cashew Dukkah. For the main course, choose from Seared Tuna with Globe Artichoke, Tomato and Courgette Salad, the show stopping Grilled Native Lobster with garlic butter, frites and salad, or Pea, Nettle and Ricotta Gnudi, which is similar to gnocchi but made with a soft ricotta base. To finish, indulge in a Dark Chocolate Mousse made with the famous Pump Street chocolate, or an Apricot and Pistachio Frangipane Tart. It’s this commitment to Suffolk’s local produce that makes The Suffolk, and Aldeburgh’s food scene so special.