A town for all seasons

As Suffolk’s most aspirational seaside town, Southwold is renowned throughout the UK as a sophisticated and stylish staycation destination. What makes Southwold special is the fact that the town has resisted the temptation to change with the times too much, and in the process has ensured that visitors to the town enjoy a quintessential British seaside town experience not dissimilar to the one that greeted previous generations. Time may have stood still, but that doesn’t mean the town has the air of a living museum or mired in nostalgia – it offers the perfect combination of the new and the old, while also appealing to well-heeled visitors used to the creature comforts of the city during their visit. So while many people come to Southwold year after year for the lighthouse, the pier, the beach huts and sandy beaches, there is more to enjoy in the town at any time of year.

Yes, there are timeless fair-weather activities like catching crabs or messing about on the water at the boating lake (before taking a much-deserved afternoon tea), but there is more to explore. There’s the Adnams brewery tour, for instance – a fine example of a Southwold stalwart that refuses to stand still after more than 670 years. Book a place on their tour and find out all about the beer making process, enjoy a guided tasting session and leave with a signature bottle of beer to enjoy at home. And it’s not just beer at Adnams – the Adnams

A town for all seasons!

Copper House Distillery was opened in 2010 and now manufacturers award-winning vodka and gin. Regular sessions are held where guests can learn all about the process and even make their own bespoke gin. Private tours of both the brewery and distillery are also available. Artistry of a different flavour is evident at Southwold’s growing collection of boutique galleries. There’s the eponymous gallery from local artists Serena Hall, showcasing her own work inspired by the town as well as other artists drawing on regional influences. Buckenham Galleries meanwhile offers a wide and changing selection of contemporary art, ranging from paintings to furniture. There’s also a cool café on the ground floor.

Shops may be struggling on Britain’s high streets but the boutiques in Southwold are thriving, thanks to an eclectic mix of quality brands and unique products. For fashion, British success story Joules provides high quality casualwear for men, women and kids, while Denny of Southwold stocks a carefully curated collection of country classics and casualwear from the likes of Barbour. Seasalt Cornwall may be a long way from home but its marine-inspired range is perfectly suited to life in coastal life in Suffolk. Blackshore offer a brand of amazing British coastal clothing with a range of jackets, shirts and trousers handmade right here in Southwold. For kids, Oscar & Rose on the market place is a boutique dedicated to young fashionistas, stocking brands such as Emile et Rose and Guess How Much I Love You.

After a hard day or retail therapy, it’s essential to recharge the batteries with a fine meal. The Sail Loft was taken under the wing of Suffolk chef and restaurateur Jonathan Nicholson in 2016 who revamped the food and drink offering of this beachside hideaway (see p23).

One of the most popular options in town is the Sole Bay Inn located at the foot of the lighthouse, and offering fab sea views and close to Adnams Brewery. The refurbished interior is a welcoming space to sample beers and wines and traditional pub grub. For delicious food on the go, or to restock the pantry, look no further than Black Olive Delicatessen, there is a great salad bar to mix and match a healthy lunch, or grab produce from local food heroes (see p23). The quirky, independent Prandium café has food to eat in, take away and also delivers alcohol should the need arise. Two Magpies Bakery (see p22) makes all of its tempting treats on the premises from raw ingredients. Finally, no meat lover should leave Southwold without a visit to Mills and Sons – the top-quality butchers run by young brothers George and Henry. Renowned for their passion, knowledge and service – plus their famous carvery baguette – these guys are a TV series in waiting.