• Thorpeness Mere - (c) Gill Moon Photography

A Coastal Foray: Lowestoft to Harwich

Exploring the coast of England has now been made even easier, with the launch of England's Coast. The interactive booking tool allows visitors to design their own itineraries, explore and book their holidays to coast of England at the click of a button. 

 

Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have created this fabulous itinerary, encapsulating the coast and countryside from Lowestoft to Harwich.

9am - After a stay at The Hatfield Hotel on Lowestoft's seafront, leave Lowestoft and drive to Southwold via the A12/B1127. The 10 mile trip should take you approximately 20 minutes.  Upon arrival, visit Southwold Pier and Harbour, treating yourself to an ice cream or a bottle of Adnams Ghost Ship from the Adnams Store, to enjoy later that evening. 

TTDA - Adnams Store - Front of Store  - (c) Josh Simpson Photography
10.15am - Leave Southwold and drive to Blythburgh via the A1095, stopping for a stroll through the Hen Reed Beds Wildlife Reserve. A walk to the hide, takes approximately 20 minutes; spotting the wading birds and enjoying views across Blyth estuary (http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/hen-reedbed).

Before leaving Blythburgh, visit the church to photograph the wooden angles in the roof.


11.15am - Leave Blythburgh and drive along the B1125 to Dunwich. Visit the Lost City, once the busiest port on the east coast, where now only a few houses remain and stop at the beach café, the excellent museum and the abbey ruins. (http://www.dunwichmuseum.org.uk/).


12.30pm - Leave Dunwich and drive to Aldeburgh along the B1122 (signposted to Leiston, traveling via the coast road at Thorpeness). 

Pay a visit to Thorpeness, enjoying a boat trip on the Mere, or a nose around the Emporium, before travelling on to Aldeburgh for a stroll along the Prom and to dip your toes in the sea. 

Thorpeness boats

Lunch can be enjoyed at The Brudenell Seafood & Grill, The White Lion's Brasserie Bleue or on the beach, with steaming hot fish & chips courtesy of Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop.


2.30pm - Leave Aldeburgh and drive to Sutton Hoo, to Melton (via Snape) along the A1094 and B1069. Visit National Trust Sutton Hoo where the King of the Anglo-Saxons Raedwald ruled, overlooking the River Deben (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo). 

4.30pm - Leave Sutton Hoo and drive to Pin Mill, on the Shotley peninsula. Stock up on Suffolk's finest produce at Suffolk Food Hall and take in the views across the Orwell estuary (George Orwell took his name from here, and Arthur Ransome wrote some of his children’s books about this area) (http://www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk/)

Enjoy an early supper at The Butt and Oyster, soaking up the fantastic views of the old fashioned harbour.

6pm - Leave Pin Mill and the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and drive into Dedham Vale AONB, Constable Country. The drive to Flatford takes approximately 20 minutes, once there, take a stroll through (John) Constable County, and visit the spot where the Hay Wain was painted.

(https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford)

If you are ahead of time, hop on the last boat trip of the day at 4.15pm for a sail along the River Stour.
(http://www.riverstourtrust.org/river-trips/flatforddedham-river-trips/)


7pm - Leave Flatford and drive to Harwich International Port (we recommend the rural route via Mistley and Wrabness on the B1352). The journey takes 30 minutes, where upon arrival, you can enjoy a nightcap or stay in Harwich town at The Pier Hotel. 

For more information on England's Coast and to build your itinerary, visit https://englandscoast.com/en

Things to see and do

Adnams Tours and Experiences

Adnams Tours and Experiences

Fancy doing something a little bit different? Take a tour of the Adnams Sole Bay Brewery and Copper House Distillery in the heart of Southwold where Adnams have been brewing since 1872. If Gin is your favourite tipple the 'Make your own Gin Southwold' experience is a must!

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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape

Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape

The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape is a stunning landscape packed full with wildlife and exciting places to explore and discover. 

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Dog friendly Cycle friendly

Gill Moon Photography

Gill Moon Photography

Gill is a professional freelance photographer specialising in local landscapes, waterscapes and sailing photography.

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National Trust Sutton Hoo

National Trust Sutton Hoo

Woodbridge

This hauntingly beautiful 255 acre estate, with far-reaching views over the River Deben is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

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Dog friendly Wheelchair Accessible

Suffolk Wildlife Trust 

Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Felixstowe

From tiny meadows to rolling heaths, the nature reserves extend all the way along the Suffolk Coast from Trimley Marshes at Felixstowe to Lound Lakes north of Lowestoft and are some of Suffolk's most inspiring wild places. 

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Angels & Pinnacles (Suffolk churches)

Angels & Pinnacles (Suffolk churches)

Angels and Pinnacles helps you discover Suffolk’s magnificent medieval churches, among the finest in Europe.

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Suffolk Food Hall and Cookhouse

Suffolk Food Hall and Cookhouse

Ipswich

Suffolk Food Hall has everything you’d expect from a large farm shop and more. It is the 10 year Champion of Champions for Local Food (Countryside Alliance rural oscars) and it’s also an ideal location to the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

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Free wifi Dog friendly Wheelchair Accessible

WHERE TO EAT

Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop 

Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop

Traditional family run fish and chip shop since 1967, offering Cod, Haddock, Plaice, Scampi and more with chips made from locally sourced potatoes. Located a short walk from the beach to enjoy fish and chips 'The Aldeburgh Way'.

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Brudenell Seafood & Grill

Brudenell Seafood & Grill

Aldeburgh

The Seafood & Grill restaurant has panoramic sea views from every table, with a décor inspired by the vibrant colours found on the Suffolk coast throughout the year. Featuring a fantastic sea facing terrace that makes for the perfect spot in the warmer months.

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Free wifi Wheelchair Accessible