Top 10 Suffolk Coast Shopping Spots

The Waveney Valley is home to the market towns of Bungay, Beccles and Halesworth; each packed with independent shops, cafes and galleries - ideal for buying local produce, jewellery and unique gifts, homewares and fashion. This pretty little market town has a lot to offer when it comes to shops. 

Located in Earsham near Bungay, Flint Vineyard is an award-winning vineyard producing four wines; Bacchus 2018, Silex Blanc 2018, Pinot Noir Precoce and the Charmat Rose 2018 - ideal as a special gift or as a treat for yourself!

If you prefer ales to wine, head to St Peter's Brewery where you can enjoy a tour of the brewery and buy a case of one of the craft beers including stouts, porters, ales, lagers, alcohol free, gluten free, organic beers and seasonal specials. 

Just a short drive away you will also find Fen Farm Dairy - producer of Baron Bigod Cheese, which was served at the wedding reception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle! The farm produces and sells a range of mouthwatering raw dairy products including raw-cultured butter, free range eggs, raw cream, buttermilk and milk from their farm shop, and you can fill up a bottle of delicious raw milk from the farm's vending machine! 

If you're enjoying a stay in the Waveney Valley, Suffolk Lunch can deliver a hamper of delicious local goodies direct to your door. Pop into their shop in Bungay or visit the website to book yours!

Aldeburgh is world-renowned thanks to its connection with Benjamin Britten, the founder of the Aldeburgh Festival, which takes place in June every year. Pastel-coloured 19th Century holiday villas line the promenade and to the east, the pebble beach with fisherman’s huts selling the daily catch.

From a shoppers point of view there’s a generous sprinkling of clothes boutiques, antiques and arts, an independent book shop and a huge variety of culinary temptation!

Although Aldeburgh has changed in many ways over the last hundred years, one business has been ever present in the town. O & C Butcher is still in its prime High Street location, and still sells a vast range of clothing and footwear. They mainly specialise in country clothing and stock dozens of leading brands plus accessories, meaning you can buy a complete outfit from the store and look the picture of sartorial elegance. Your four-legged friend isn't left out either as the store sells a range of dog coats and accessories!

Although the Adnams shop in Southwold is the true Flagship, there are now Adnams stores located in many Suffolk towns including Aldeburgh. Offering a top class tasting experience, pop in to purchase the famous Ghost Ship and Copper House Dry Gin and choose from a huge selection of wines, handcrafted spirits and gifty bits.

The fine seaside town of Lowestoft has long been a favourite destination for bucket and spade family holidays and day trips. Today, the award winning Blue Flag beach and promenade is as busy as ever - Running alongside the beachfront is a mix of popular high street chain stores as well as some lovely independent shops too.

Just outside the town, in the coastal village of Pakefield, you will find the Ferini Art Gallery. The Gallery hosts a range of workshops and events, as well as exhibitions of local artists; with many pieces featuring the stunning landscape of The Suffolk Coast. 

Drive on to Oulton Broad where, alongside the beautiful Edwardian park, you will find The Gift Shop; the perfect place to buy souvenirs and mementos from your visit to The Suffolk Coast or to find a birthday or anniversary present; with collectables, jewellery, home fragrances, figurines and Suffolk branded items. 

The Suffolk Coast is blessed with a huge selection of local food and drink producers, selling jams, honey, Suffolk-cured ham, strawberries, asparagus, breads, cheeses and ales... Whenever you visit, there's bound to be a market selling fresh, local produce and artisan goods nearby; with weekly street markets at Beccles, Bungay, Felixstowe, Framlingham, Halesworth, Southwold, Wickham Market at Woodbridge and farmers markets at Woodbridge, Snape, Beccles, Halesworth, Ipswich and The Long Shop Museum. 

So wherever you are, whatever the day, you know where to go for a taste of The Suffolk Coast!

Click here for a for a full list of markets on The Suffolk Coast.

Snape is a gem of a village and a 'must-visit' destination for anyone who wants to sample the beauty and atmosphere The Suffolk Coast countryside has become famous for, whatever the season!

The Snape Maltings complex houses art galleries, restaurants, cafés, shops and stunning holiday cottages inside an intricate network of beautiful brick buildings. Unsurprisingly, it’s a favourite place for visitors and locals alike. Shopaholics will be in their element amongst the eclectic mix of wonderful stores here from toy and book shops, boutiques, craft shops, to house and gardens and fresh food pantry. Whilst visiting, make sure you stop by the Lettering Arts Centre; selling a range of beautiful lettered artworks and gifts from statement works of art to small gifts.

There are few seaside towns quite as quintessentially British as Southwold. With its sandy beach and beach hut-lined promenade, Southwold offers a wonderful environment for holidays and weekends away, as well as a thriving market town atmosphere.

Southwold is home to the Adnams Brewery, winner of The Good Pub Guide 2011’s ‘Brewery of the Year’. The brewery itself is very much the focal point of the town with its brewing rooms set just behind the High Street and adjacent to the town’s lighthouse. Brewery tours are on offer throughout the year, and there is no shortage of pubs and restaurants at which to sample the variety of Adnams beers on offer. More recently they have added a distillery, which as well as the wine shop, guarantees your favourite ‘tipple’ will be available!

Collen & Clare is a beautiful multi-brand store in Southwold offering womenswear, menswear, beauty, lingerie and accessories. Further along the coast you’ll also find their contemporary womenswear and accessories store in Aldeburgh.

You really can’t leave Southwold without visiting the iconic Pier which hosts a wide range of things to see and do. Take a moment to watch the cheeky water clock as you wander around the cafés, restaurants, shops and an amusement arcade.

The ‘gem’ in Suffolk’s crown, Woodbridge combines excellent shops with superb pubs and restaurants and numerous activities both indoors and out. You’ll find stores covering every type of item from DIY and craft supplies to wool shops, outdoor clothing, boutiques, deli’s cook shops, tailors, and even a violin shop!

If you get a whiff of delicious freshly baked bread during your shopping spree it’s most probably emanating from The Cake Shop. This award-winning family run bakery is now in its third generation and after winning ITV’s “Britain’s Best Bakery” in 2014, it is a must-see if you are visiting the Suffolk Coast!

To make sure you don’t miss out on your shopping experience in Woodbridge, check out the Choose Woodbridge website for a full directory listing of local shops.

If you’re a bit of a ‘foodie’ then The Suffolk Food Hall located in Wherstead near Ipswich will not leave you feeling disappointed… with everything you’d expect from a large farm shop and more. 

The 10 year Champion of Champions for Local Food (Countryside Alliance rural ‘Oscars’) you will find a restaurant (booking advisable) which has been judged to be the Best On Farm Restaurant in Britain and separate café with a children’s play area. The Food Hall brings together the best local specialists and has a wide selection of artisan and luxury food and drink including a market hall, scratch baker, traditional butcher, fishmonger, delicatessen, chocolatier and greengrocer.

Located between Aldeburgh and Southwold and close to Snape, Friday Street Farm Shop and Cafe site hosts an in-store fishmongers and butchery, a cafe, PYO fruit and a large home store which stocks a mix of well known brands, new designers and local craft and giftware producers, plus gardening products and Salters nutritional dog food.

Pay a visit to the oldest artisan ham and bacon producer in the UK and pay a visit to Emmett's Stores in Peasenhall near Saxmundham. Along with their famous Suffolk Black ham many other flavours of ham are available along with bacon and a wide range of natural and delicious food products.

Wickham Market is home to E.W. Revett & Son, where you can buy all you need for your summer BBQ or if you prefer seafood to meat, a visit to Pinneys of Orford is a must! Here you can buy freshly caught and smoked fish and stock up on home produced cooking such as crab cakes, potted crabs or angels on horseback. Whilst in Orford, don't forget to stop by the iconic Pump Street Bakery for delicious baked goods, coffee and artisan chocolate!

Or if you prefer to dine in style in the comfort of your own home, order meal-box from Pinch, who create restaurant calibre meal-kits for you to finish at home all made the finest Suffolk produce.

The Suffolk Coast is famous for being a treasure house for antiques. Whether you are interested in furniture or decorative items in your home, splendid jewellery, or something very precious and beautiful to keep as an investment - Suffolk is the place to come!

Searching for antiques and vintage items is great for getting a little insight into previous lives and long gone eras. It’s a very satisfying pass time and well worth planning day trips or a holiday exploring the world of Suffolk antiques alone! 

Pay a visit to Black Dog Antiques in Halesworth, built around 1570,  the Grade II* listed property is the perfect setting for the eclectic mix of antiques, vintage and mid-century modern pieces that it houses. Inside you will find antique pine and mahogany pieces, mid-century modern industrial, vintage tools, pictures, taxidermy and lots more. Blackdog also holds specialist markets in the historic Market Place over the course of the year. Starting with the Spring Garden Market at the end of April, followed by the Midsummer Market at the end of June. On the antiques front, the monthly Brocante Antique & Vintage Fair takes place at the Old Print Works on the first Saturday of the month from March - December. With thirty-five Brocanteurs attending each month, there is an ever-changing array of antiques, vintage and collectables on offer.

Located on the outskirts of Wickham Market, you can enjoy an hour exploring the antique centre at Old School Antiques where you will find a wide variety of antiques, collectables and curios on display; from large furniture, seating, chests of drawers and closets through to small collectables.

You will find antiques a'plenty also at Beccles Antiques Street Market, organised by Blyburgate Antiques, which takes place in May and September - check out our Antique and Vintage Markets guide which highlights a few across The Suffolk Coast which are well worth a visit…

If you are a lover of arts and crafts and galleries, The Suffolk Coast scores points with this too. Places such as Southwold, Bungay, Beccles, Halesworth and Aldeburgh are full of art galleries and craft shops for visitors to enjoy. 

Just a short drive from Walberswick and Saxmundham in Yoxford, you will find Rowe & Williams Gallery; a commercial art gallery in Yoxford, specialising in the art of Suffolk and East Anglia, which presents changing displays of museum quality art from the early 20th century to the present day at a range of prices. The small gallery is spread over two floors where there is always a display of a range of paintings, drawings and prints that celebrate the sense of place of Suffolk and the extraordinary landscape. Many of the artists shown have work included in national and regional collections and we offer the opportunity to have a little piece of Suffolk at home.

Saxmundham is also home to Vela Art Gallery; a new art gallery and cafe bar on Saxmundham High Street, with a cosy atmosphere to enjoy art, German food and artisan coffee. 

And whilst in the coastal town of Aldeburgh, head to the beach and visit the Aldeburgh Beach Lookout and Art House. The gallery welcomes a new artist, poet, performer, musician, thinker each week as artist in residence. Each Weekly artist’s residency culminates in an exhibition of brand new work.