Lonely Planet's Best in Travel has listed East Anglia as one of 30 incredible destinations to visit 2025. We've picked our top places to visit on The Suffolk Coast during your stay!
"...this region features charming villages with 16th-century half-timbered houses, artistic wool towns and a coastline adorned with beaches and bird reserves where the sounds of bitterns can be heard in spring." - Lonely Planet's Best in Travel.
The Suffolk Coast, with its stunning landscapes, rich history, and charming coastal towns, offers a quintessentially British seaside experience in the East of England. From sandy beaches to ancient ruins, and bustling markets to tranquil nature reserves, this part of the UK has something for every traveler. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or someone seeking peace and quiet, here’s a guide to the must-visit spots along The Suffolk Coast.
1. Aldeburgh: A Seaside Gem with Artistic Flair
Aldeburgh is a picturesque coastal town that captures the essence of old-world charm with its Victorian architecture, shingle beach, and famous fish and chip shops. Art and music lovers will also enjoy Aldeburgh’s vibrant cultural scene, thanks to its association with composer Benjamin Britten, who co-founded the renowned Aldeburgh Festival of music and whose home The Red House, that he shared with his partner Peter Pears can be visited. A walk along the beach to see the iconic Scallop Sculpture, created in Britten's honour, is a must.
Top Attractions: Aldeburgh Beach, Ballroom Arts, Maggi Hambling's Scallop, Aldeburgh Festival.
2. Southwold: Traditional Seaside Charm
Southwold is the quintessential British seaside town. Its colourful beach huts, pier, and lighthouse make for a postcard-perfect day out. Southwold is also home to the Adnams Brewery, where you can tour the brewery and sample its famous beers. The town boasts a great mix of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a great spot for a leisurely day trip.
Top Attractions: Southwold Pier, Southwold Lighthouse, Adnams Brewery, Gun Hill, Southwold Maize Maze.
3. Dunwich: History Lost to the Sea
Dunwich, once a thriving medieval town, is now a tiny village with a fascinating history. Much of the old town has been lost to the sea due to coastal erosion, but what remains is a peaceful retreat with haunting beauty. Visit the Dunwich Museum to learn more about the town’s storied past and its importance as a medieval port. The nearby National Trust Dunwich Heath and Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline, perfect for a relaxing walk, before heading back to The Ship at Dunwich for delicious pub grub and a night's sleep by the sea.
Top Attractions: Dunwich Museum, Greyfriars Monastery ruins, Dunwich Heath and Beach.
4. Orford: Castles and Culinary Delights
Orford is a delightful village, famous for its 12th-century Orford Castle and its picturesque quay. The castle offers spectacular views of the surrounding marshes and coastline. The village also boasts a strong food scene, with Pinneys Smokehouse and the award-winning Butley Orford Oysterage providing local delicacies. You can also take a boat trip to Orford Ness, a wild and mysterious shingle spit that’s home to rare wildlife and a former secret military testing site.
Top Attractions: Orford Castle, Orford Ness, Orford Quay, Pinneys Smokehouse.
5. Walberswick: Coastal Tranquility
Just across the River Blyth from Southwold, Walberswick is a haven of tranquility. Known for its crabbing, where families and visitors compete to catch the most crabs from the banks of the river, it’s a great spot for a laid-back afternoon. The village has a few charming pubs and plenty of scenic walks through dunes and marshland. The crossing over the footbridge to Southwold provides wonderful views of both towns.
Top Attractions: Walberswick Beach, River Blyth footbridge, Walberswick Nature Reserve, Walberswick Ferry.
6. RSPB Minsmere: Birdwatcher's Paradise
As named in Lonely Planets' Best in Travel 2025, RSPB Minsmere is one of the UK’s premier birdwatching sites. Located near the village of Westleton, this nature reserve offers diverse habitats, from reed beds to coastal lagoons, attracting a variety of birds, including avocets, bitterns, and marsh harriers.
Every autumn, the normally peaceful grounds of the female red deer are soon to be turned into a battlefield as rutting season begins. At this exciting time of year the deer engage in fierce mating battles, as the stags fight each other to win the chance to mate with as many females as possible!
Even if you’re not a keen naturalist, Minsmere is a great place for a peaceful walk, with several trails that offer stunning views of the Suffolk countryside.
Top Attractions: 4 x 4 Safari, guided walks & cafe.
7. Snape Maltings: Culture & Countryside
A short drive inland from Aldeburgh, Snape Maltings is a hub for culture, arts, and natural beauty. Once a Victorian maltings complex, it has been transformed into a venue for concerts, galleries, and shops. Snape Maltings is home to the Aldeburgh Festival, Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival and a range of year-round cultural events. The surrounding marshlands and river make it an ideal spot for a scenic walk or boat trip and the shops, galleries and cafes are the perfect place to while away an hour or two.
Top Attractions: Snape Maltings Concert Hall, the Home & Garden shop, River Alde walks.
8. Framlingham Castle: Ed Sheeran's Castle on the Hill
The home town of Ed Sheeran and inspiration behind his song 'Castle on the Hill', Framlingham and its stunning castle is well worth a visit. Framlingham Castle, once home to powerful Tudor families, played a key role in the rise of Queen Mary I. A walk along the castle’s curtain wall offers panoramic views of the Suffolk countryside. The town itself is full of charm, with independent shops, cafes, and a vibrant market on weekends.
Top Attractions: Framlingham Castle, Framlingham Market.
9. Felixstowe: A Step Back in Time by the Sea
Felixstowe is a larger coastal town that offers a blend of history and modern attractions. With a bustling promenade, pier, and Martello towers, Felixstowe has plenty to explore.
Watch a show at the town's Spa Pavilion theatre, visit Felixstowe Museum to delve into the town’s military and maritime past, or take a stroll in the peaceful Seafront Gardens. Landguard Fort, an 18th-century military structure, offers fascinating tours and great views over the busy Port of Felixstowe.
Top Attractions: Felixstowe Beach, Beach Street, Landguard Fort, Felixstowe Museum, Spa Pavilion, View Point Cafe.