Suffolk Coast Winter Bucket List

Walking the Scores in Lowestoft offers a unique way to explore the town’s maritime and industrial heritage while enjoying fresh sea air and scenic views. This network of narrow, elevated pathways—originally built to provide safe access above the flood-prone streets—winds through historic streets, alongside waterways, and past quirky local landmarks.

In winter, the Scores take on a quiet, reflective charm: the crisp air carries the smell of the sea, the sky often stretches wide and pale over the North Sea, and the town feels peaceful without its summer crowds. It’s a stroll that combines history, nature, and a touch of adventure, perfect for walkers wanting to experience Lowestoft off the beaten track.

Set sail from The Suffolk Coast and discover unforgettable seal-watching adventures with both Seal Watching Trips, Harwich and Jet Adventures. From Harwich, you’ll cruise out from Half Penny Pier into the sheltered creeks of Hamford Water Nature Reserve where around 250 seals haul out on the mud-banks and may even pop their curious heads alongside the boat.

Meanwhile from Lowestoft, Jet Adventures offers a faster, open-boat thrill up to the offshore sandbanks of Scroby Sands — home to the UK’s largest colony of grey and common harbour seals — making for a wild blend of adrenaline and wildlife. Both trips combine stunning natural beauty, wildlife encounters and the dramatic East Coast seascape — perfect for families, nature-lovers and anyone wanting to see seals in their element.

As the festive season approaches, Snape Maltings opens its doors to a rich and varied Autumn & Winter 2025 programme curated by Britten Pears Arts. Running from September through December, the season blends family-friendly screenings with live music, moving choral works centred on remembrance, dynamic orchestral evenings and seasonal concerts brimming with holiday cheer.

Highlights include:

• Thought-provoking events during “Britten Weekend” in early November that reflect on war and peace through song, testimony and performance. 
• A swinging festive concert featuring Sinfonia of London and acclaimed jazz singers, performing holiday classics in style. 
• Interactive sessions like “Sing Christmas!” where everyone is invited to join in singing popular seasonal songs—no experience needed. 
• Family-oriented shows including a magical staging of The Snowman accompanied by live orchestra and a spectacular production of The Nutcracker that brings festive storytelling to life. 

Whether you’re drawn by stirring classical works, community sing-alongs or festive spectacle, Snape Maltings invites music lovers of every age to celebrate the season in an atmosphere of warmth, artistry and coastal charm.

For more information, visit snapemaltings.co.uk

After a bracing walk along the beach, stopping en route to admire Maggi Hambling's sculpture The Scallop, head into the town to peruse the independent shops, boutiques and cafes before paying a visit to Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop. Choose your steaming hot cod and chips to go, and walk through the historic buildings onto the beach, where you can find a spot to listen to the waves crash, watch the boats go by, and tuck in to the 'world's best fish and chips'. For more information, visit www.aldeburghfishandchips.co.uk

You're spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious fish & chip shops on The Suffolk Coast, click here to take a look at our favourites!

One of the most picturesque walks on The Suffolk Coast, start in Woodbridge and follow the River Wall, past the boats and out along the banks of the estuary. Remember to pack the binoculars too and look out for Redshanks, Curlews and Oyster Catchers to name but a few.

Afterwards, head into the town and pay a visit to one of the many cafes and bakeries (our favourites are Maeve's Tearoom and Deben Cafe Bar on HMS Vale) or make a weekend of it, and book a stay at The Crown at Woodbridge; complete with dinner in the award-winning restaurant, followed by cocktails in the stylish bar. 

Download the route map here:

Southwold's historic Pier plays home to a cafe and restaurant plus Tim Hunkin's Under the Pier Show; collection of hand-built, utterly silly, totally potty machinery, the Wacky Walk of Mirrors, the Waterclock and The Quantum Tunnelling Telescope; demonstrating the latest advances in particle physics and quantum dynamics focusing on time and space to bring you everything that could possibly happen in the North Sea... including nuclear explosions and singing mermaids!

After a stroll along the pier and out to sea, enjoy locally caught fish and chips or a hearty roast dinner at The Crown or walk down to the harbour to The Sail Loft or The Harbour Inn.

Check out our Southwold Town Guide to plan your visit.

The Suffolk Coast Path stretches for around 60 miles, from Landguard Point in Felixstowe to South Pier in Lowestoft, tracing the county’s stunning Heritage Coast. Along the way, walkers pass through charming seaside towns like Aldeburgh and Southwold, explore heathlands, nature reserves, and wide sandy beaches, and encounter cultural highlights such as Snape Maltings with its shops, restaurants, and concert hall.

The trail is clearly way-marked with blue discs and yellow arrows, and offers unique experiences such as crossing the seasonal Bawdsey Foot Ferry. Whether you choose to tackle the entire route or enjoy it in shorter sections, the Suffolk Coast Path provides a fantastic way to experience the county’s wild, scenic coastline and its rich mix of natural and cultural attractions.

Molly dancing traditionally only appeared during the depths of winter as a means of earning some money when the land was frozen or waterlogged and could not be worked. East Anglia's 'Morris Dancers', the Molly dancers of Old Glory are all men, whilst the musicians are all women playing a variety of instruments, which may include at least one four-stop melodeon in the "Suffolk key" of C, concertina, recorder, drums, trombone, “tea-chest” bass and rommelpot.

This winter, appearances include:

• Railway Inn, Framlingham on Saturday 29 November at 7.45pm and The Castle Inn at 8.30pm. 
• Oddfellows, Pakefield on 6 December at 8pm.
• The Star Inn, Wenhaston on 12 December at 8pm
• The Locks Inn at Geldeston on 21 December (Winter Solstice) at 8pm.
• Various venues in Southwold on 24 December (Christmas Eve). Red Lion at 7.30pm, Market Place at 8pm and Sole Bay Inn at 8.30pm.
• The Ancient Ceremony of the Cutty Wren at on St Stephen's Day, 26 December, at The Bell Inn, Middleton at 9pm.
• Green Dragon, Bungay on 3 January at 8pm.
• The Triangle Tavern, Lowestoft on 9 January at 8pm
• The Rumburgh Buck on 12 January at 8pm.
• The Sweffling White Horse on 22 January for the Village Wassail at 7.30pm.
• The Locks Inn, Geldeston on 1 February at 7pm for A Celebration of Imbolc.

Visit The Old Glory Molly Men website for more information https://old-glory.org.uk/programme

Tucked beside the tranquil River Waveney in Beccles, and run by the local community, Beccles Lido offers a particularly invigorating winter swim experience. From November through the colder months the pool is part of the “chill swim” programme—water temperature is reduced to around 15 °C, making for a true cold-water session. 

Sessions are scheduled for Thursday and Friday evenings and Friday and Saturday mornings, catering especially to those who appreciate the bracing, clear-air dip. 

Whether you're a seasoned winter-swimmer or looking to dip your toes into cold-water wellness, the lido provides a safe, structured setting—with changing rooms, accessible entry, and the charm of outdoor swimming into the bargain. 

Boasting a spectacular view of the surrounding mere and Suffolk countryside beyond, a visit to Framlingham Castle in winter is a great day out for all members of the family. Discover the fascinating past of Ed Sheeran's 'Castle on the Hill', and be sure to head up the steep staircase to enjoy the castle walls walk. 

Afterwards, explore the unique landscape of the Mere Nature Reserve and take a stroll into the town to warm up with a delicious meal at the award-winning Watson & Walpole.