• Explore the beaches of the Suffolk Coast

A Day of Beach Exploring on The Suffolk Coast

When there are so many fabulous beaches here on the Suffolk Coast, it seems such a shame not to spend a day exploring them all!

Perhaps that’s a rather tall order in just one day, so we’ve put together a little itinerary which will help you to discover the wonders of the Suffolk Coast’s shores…

9am - Lowestoft Beach

TTDA - Lowestoft Beach

We'll head off from Lowestoft first – a bustling and popular seaside resort with an expanse of award winning Blue Flag Beach. In the height of the summer the sands are thronging with excited children who are keen to start excavating with their buckets and spades. You’ll be doing well if you don’t succumb to the familiar waft of freshly cooked fish and chips which taste so much nicer when eaten in the fresh air! There’s no shortage of kiosks offering similarly tempting refreshments, and you really can’t leave without sampling one of the many flavours of fluffy ice-creams!

10.30am - Kessingland Beach

TTDA - Kessingland Beach

Head slightly south to the quieter sands of  Kessingland – here you’ll escape the hustle and bustle and maybe catch up with some reading whilst the kids go armed with their buckets on a hunt for hidden treasure…

12pm - Southwold Beach

TTDA - Southwold Beach

Next stop is the quintessentially English town of  Southwold. So popular is this little gem of a seaside resort that many stars of stage and screen have set up home here – if you come face to face with someone who seems very familiar, the chances are you are brushing shoulders with the rich and famous!

Southwold is well known for so many things – the quirky shops and trendy boutiques, home of Adnams Brewery and its line-up of chalky coloured beach huts, but most of all, visitors to the town flock to the illustrious pier. Get ready to experience the eccentric British seaside at its best!

Southwold Pier sits beside the award winning sands and is the hub of the beach scene here – choose to sample fish and chips at its best, wander around the fascinating shops or have fun in in the amusement arcade but don’t leave before you’ve seen the cheeky water clock in action!

2pm - Walberswick Beach

TTDA - Walberswick Beach - (c) Gill Moon Photography

We have arrived at Walberswick, where a lovely little sand dune backed beach sits just across the River Blythe from Southwold. A walk in the other direction will take you past the Walberswick Nature Reserve with its mix of marsh and heathland then onward to.…

3.30pm - Dunwich Beach

TTDA - Dunwich Beach - Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB

Dunwich is another little seaside haven packed with a collection fisherman’s huts and boats and a small café to grab a refreshing cuppa. Here you’ll find a long stretch of shingle beach which is great for discovering unusual stones and enjoying a game of Ducks and Drakes by the shore!

5pm - Thorpeness Beach

TTDA - Thorpeness - Aerial view

We’re slowly working our way south to the delightful and quirky village of  Thorpeness, famous for the Peter Pan inspired Meare, mock Tudor buildings and ‘House in the Clouds’. The beach here consists of steeply shelving shingle, with some sand at low tide. Dunes and low cliffs start to the north of Thorpeness, whilst the southern end forms the Haven Nature Reserve.

6.30pm - Aldeburgh Beach

TTDA - Aldeburgh Beach - (C) Ade Gormley

Our whistle stop tour brings us to the final beach of the day- the rather exclusive town of Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh’s sand and shingle beach is one of the best known of all Suffolk's beaches. Backing on to this pretty seaside town, there are no shortage of facilities either.

There is plenty to explore on and around the beach. Along the beach front are any number of quirky historic buildings. These include the 400 year old Moot Hall, a Martello tower, a converted windmill and a Norman church.

There is cultural heritage here too; composer Benjamin Britten is strongly linked with the town and there is a monument to him on the beach - the Scallop. However, it has been said that one of the best cultural experiences to be had in Aldeburgh is the fish and chips which have been rated as the best on the Suffolk Coast! (Notice the reoccurring theme happening here?!)

Don't Miss...

TTDA - Felixstowe Beach - (c) Emily Fae Photography

The beautiful seaside resort of  Felixstowe is about a 40 minute drive from Aldeburgh, making it a little too far away to tag on to our day of beach exploration on the Suffolk Coast. However, make sure you set another day aside to check out the town’s fantastic beach which slopes gently to the sea in a sheltered bay. It’s backed by a promenade which is level with the beach and behind the prom you’ll find the exquisite gardens which are always a popular destination with families.




Things to see and do

National Trust Dunwich Heath

National Trust Dunwich Heath

Dunwich Heath and Beach is a precious landscape on the Suffolk coast where you can experience a true sense of being at one with nature. 

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Dog friendly Wheelchair Accessible

RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve

RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve

Westleton

Discover nature together on the beautiful Suffolk coast. Wander among the wetlands and woods, potter along the beach, and pause to watch some amazing wildlife. 

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Free wifi Wheelchair Accessible EV charging

Pakefield Riding School 

Pakefield Riding School

One of the oldest and best-known horse riding centres and stables in East Anglia.

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Free wifi Wheelchair Accessible

Felixstowe Seafront Gardens

Felixstowe Seafront Gardens

The restored Felixstowe Seafront Gardens sit on cliffs between the town centre and beach.

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Visit Felixstowe 

Visit Felixstowe

Everybody loves a great day by the sea, and Felixstowe has great days for everyone.

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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

Oulton Broad Day Boat Hire

Oulton Broad Day Boat Hire

Self drive boat hire from as little as 1 hour to a full day, spend time afloat in the newly created Broads National park here in Suffolk. 

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Dog friendly

Orwell Lady river trips

Orwell Lady river trips

Ipswich

From April to December each year, Orwell Lady cruises up and down the beautiful and historic River Orwell from Ipswich waterfront, offering passengers a choice of trips and experiences whilst taking in the beautiful wooded stretches of the river, local wildlife and points of  interest.

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Dog friendly

Discover Landguard

Discover Landguard

The Landguard Peninsula is located at the southerly most point of the town of Felixstowe. 

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Dog friendly Cycle friendly

Mannings Amusements

Mannings Amusements

Mannings Amusements have been providing traditional family fun on Felixstowe Seafront since 1946!

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Free wifi 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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Hippersons Boatyard 

Hippersons Boatyard

Some of the best ways to see and experience the river! Hippersons Boatyard offers day boats, canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and pedal boat hire on the southern reach of the Norfolk Broads in Beccles. 

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Free wifi Dog friendly Visit England Rose Award

Southwold Pier

Southwold Pier

Southwold

Southwold is a popular destination for the many visitors to the East Coast and its most prominent attraction, the pier, hosts a wide range of things to see and do.

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Free wifi Dog friendly Wheelchair Accessible

National Trust Orford Ness

National Trust Orford Ness

Wild, remote and exposed, Orford Ness contains the ruined remnants of a disturbing past. Ranked among the most important shingle features in the world, rare and fragile wildlife thrives where weapons, including atomic bombs, were once tested and perfected.

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Landguard Fort

Landguard Fort

Felixstowe

Discover the rich military and maritime heritage of Landguard Fort, one of England's best preserved coastal defences, with a history spanning almost 450 years.

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Dog friendly

Waveney River Tours

Waveney River Tours

Lowestoft

Conducted river tours and day boat hire through the Waveney Valley and the Broads National Park.

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Dog friendly Wheelchair Accessible

Deben Cruises

Deben Cruises

Enjoy a two-hour river cruise along the River Deben with Deben Cruises.

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Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant 

Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant

Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant provides a unique and exciting dining experience offering breakfast, lunch, supper and dinner cruises from Orford Quay.

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Dog friendly Allen Gardiner - Good Food Gold Seal Award

Visit Deben Peninsula

Visit Deben Peninsula

The Deben Peninsula is located in Suffolk between the Deben River to the South and the Alde & Ore Estuary the North.

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where to stay

The Brudenell

The Brudenell

Aldeburgh

The Brudenell Hotel in Aldeburgh is the Suffolk coasts hidden gem. Enjoy breath-taking sea views and exquisite dining experiences right by the beach, the perfect destination for your Suffolk getaway.

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Free wifi Dog friendly Wheelchair Accessible

The Crown Hotel Southwold

The Crown Hotel Southwold

Southwold

An exciting and intimate combination of small hotel, bar, pub and restaurant, The Crown is always buzzing with a lively informality.

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Free wifi EV charging

The House in the Clouds

The House in the Clouds

Thorpeness

The House in the Clouds is one of the UK's/world's most famous follies! Set in 1 acre of private grounds, this iconic landmark overlooks Thorpeness Golf Course, Thorpeness Meare and the sea on the very beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast.

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Free wifi