If you love Southwold, you'll love...

If you’ve enjoyed a stroll along Southwold Pier then you’ll love Felixstowe Pier. After its multi-million pound reinvestment Felixstowe Pier has claimed the badge of ‘Britain’s newest pier’, with plenty to do for young, old and everyone in between.

The family entertainment centre offers an authentic British seaside gaming experience with its twinkling amusement arcade and mini ten pin bowling. The Boardwalk Cafe Bar has amazing sea views and serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as drinks, alcoholic beverages and a range of lighter snacks.

In the evenings, live music, candlelit decking and special cocktails makes for a real party atmosphere. Of course, no trip along the pier is complete without fish and chips and a Mr Whippy, so make your way to The Pier Fish Company and Lorenzos to get your fix. 

Another top tip for your trip to Felixstowe is a visit to the stylish pop up shops in Beach Street. The trendy beachfront destination has a range of upcycled shipping containers with different independent vendors inside. Enjoy takeaway street food, coffee and sweet treats as well as artisan homewares, arts and crafts and fashion. 

Mannings Amusements is a well-loved destination for traditional family fun in Felixstowe. Built by Billy Butlin in 1933, the amusements is just the tip of the iceberg, with games and prizes, a funfair and the most recent addition; crazy magical golf, all available on site.

For a great breakfast to kick start your day by the sea, enjoy 'breakfast at Benny's at Cafe Bencotto, and take in the sea views and hustle and bustle over lunch at The Alex Cafe Bar.

If you enjoyed your trip to Adnams and want to discover more new beers and traditional ales, pay a visit to St Peter’s Craft Brewery near Bungay where you can sample their range of award-winning beers including stouts, porters, ales, lagers and seasonal specials. Take a tour around the brewery and bottling hall, before taking part in a tutored tasting in the visitor’s centre, the tour even includes a free bottle of beer of your choice to take home.

If a crisp and cold glass of wine is more to your taste, then Flint Vineyard will tickle your tastebuds as one of the most exciting new vineyards in Britain. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Waveney Valley, the vineyard is home to a state of the art winery and offers tours and tastings as well as lunches on Saturdays. Flint’s award-winning wines include the ‘Bacchus’, a white grape variety closely related to the Riesling with hints of elderflower and lime, and the perfumed and soft ‘Pinot Noir Precoce’. 

If Southwold’s sandy beaches have you hankering after another trip to a different shore, then head to the gorgeous golden sands at the Pakefield and Lowestoft. For the full seaside experience, hire a traditional beach hut on Pakefield beach - the perfect base for a holiday spent sunning yourself, splashing in the sea and settling down in a comfy deck chair to read a good book. If you prefer something a little more energetic, then an early morning hack along the beach with Pakefield Riding School will be just the ticket!

The award-winning blue flag beach at Lowestoft offers wide stretches of family-friendly space to play and relax at your leisure, with lifeguards on duty to keep everybody safe. Lowestoft beach hut hire allows you to make a jaunty beach hut your very own for a day, week or even for the whole season, and each hut includes two brightly coloured deckchairs. 

For more family-friendly beaches on The Suffolk Coast, click here to check out our handy guide!

If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of Southwold’s high street, you’ll certainly relish Beccles’ many interesting shops and boutiques. As well as some of the more popular high street chains, Beccles has a thriving collection of independent retailers, including quirky gift shops, tempting sweet shops and vintage emporiums where you can while away the time looking at all sorts of nostalgic items. Like Southwold, the town also boasts a Public Hall which hosts a range of live theatre, comedy and music events and film screenings. 

Situated on the banks of the River Waveney, the town also is the perfect base to explore the Suffolk and Norfolk broads. Visit Hippersons Boatyard to hire a boat or paddleboards and soak up the views of the river and Waveney Valley whilst enjoying a dip at Beccles Lido. 

Southwold’s excellent eateries and pubs are well known for their atmospheric interiors and brilliant sea view locations, if you enjoy a dining experience with a view then you should make a beeline for stylish Oulton Broad with its vibrant atmosphere and waterside eateries with stunning views of the Broads.

In the Summer you can settle at one of the many popular pubs and restaurants to watch the boats floating along the river, or even the exciting powerboat races. Locals flood to the Commodore, where you can often enjoy live music alongside great food, the stately Wherry Hotel, The Lady of the Lake bar and the Copper Steak House; all great options for a sunset pint and bite to eat.