Suffolk Tourist Guide

See What Suffolk Has To Offer PLACES TO VISIT FOOD & DRINK TOWNS & VILLAGES ACCOMMODATION ARTS & CRAFTS SPECIAL EVENTS

2010

Suffolk

TOURIST GUIDE

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Welcome

Welcome to the Suffolk Tourist Guide. Use this guide to take your first steps towards a relaxing break in this lovely part of the UK. And to help make your visit extra special, visit our online guide for current special offers at

www.suffolktouristguide.com 4 WHAT TO SEE & DO

24 FOOD & DRINK

38 COAST

Suffolk is famous for its local produce. Take your first taste right here.

Take a trip to the exciting seaside resorts of Lowestoft and Felxistowe or to charming coastal towns such as Aldeburgh and Southwold.

27 ARTS GALLERIES Art around the county.

52 WEDDING VENUES 28 TOWN & VILLAGE

Discover new things to do, interesting places to visit and a whole host of great events throughout the summer, from festivals and concerts to air shows and historic re-enactments.

Fabulous locations and settings for your big day.

Visit historic towns such as Lavenham, Long Melford, Framlingham, market towns such as Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, the small villages of Constable Country, or the county’s capital town of Ipswich.

60 PLACES TO STAY Find somewhere special to spend your visit to Suffolk.

66 INFORMATION Map & Information Centres

Suffolk Tourist Guide is produced and published by www.suffolktouristguide.com in association with Thompson Media Partners Ltd, Unit 15, Cedars Court, Brockford, Suffolk 01449 768880. If you would like to advertise in the next edition or require more information, please contact Darren Marshall on 01449 768064 email darren@eastmag.com or Sarah Quinlan on 0845 3627855 email info@suffolktouristguide.com

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See&Do The National Stud Go Ape! Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm

Beautiful countryside, heaps of history, family fun and adventure... see what Suffolk has to offer

ACTIVITY Anglia Indoor Karting This full size, purpose designed indoor racetrack offers many exciting features, all to boost the thrill of competitive racing in an atmosphere of fun and excitement. Farthing Road, Sproughton, Ipswich (01473 240087) Beacon Rally Karts

Outdoor off-road rally kart centre for all ages over 5. Three separate tracks and different size karts make this a fun day for all.

Bealing Road, Martlesham, nr Woodbridge 0845 644 1592 Beccles Outdoor Swimming Pool Traditional lido. Heated pool situated by the

river Waveney. Puddingmoor, Beccles 01502 713297 Exploring the Broads Great fun by cycle or canoe from Outney Meadow Caravan Park. Outney Meadow, Bungay 01986 892338 Felixstowe Leisure Centre 25m pool, state of the art fitness suites, activity hall, bowls hall, soft play area, health suite and more. Seafront, Felixstowe 01394 670411 Foxworth Leisure & Fishery Offering fishing for novices right through to experienced anglers, with three lakes.

Foxearth also offers air rifle shooting and archery. Glemsford Road, Foxearth, Sudbury 01787 280024 Fultons Clay Pigeon Shooting

'Have-a-go' taster sessions for beginners comprise safety instruction, gun fit, eye

dominance check and include gun loan, cartridges, clays, ear and eye protection, and individual improvers coaching sessions develop and expand existing basic knowledge. Worlington (07734 735 511) Go Ape! Extreme tree-top challenge course - an amazing trail of nets, rope bridges, slides and trapezes high up in the trees.

Santon Downham, Brandon 0870 420 1279 Halesworth Outdoor Swimming Pool Outdoor heated swimming pool.

Dairy Hill, Halesworth 01986 872720 High Lodge Sporting and leisure venue set in 100 acres of woodland and delightful countryside, offering Clay Target Shooting, Golf, Fishing, Holiday Lodges, Restaurant Services and a Retail Shop that caters for Shooters & Golfer.

Haw Wood, Hinton, nr Darsham 01986 784347 Leiston Leisure Centre Pool, sports facilities, fitness and health suites and more. Red House Lane, Leiston 01728 830364

High Lodge Forest Centre Three lengths of way-marked walks, over 20 miles of cycle trails for all abilities, cycle hire, 2 and a half km sculpture trail, picnic area, unique forest shop and stunning 100 seat restaurant. High lodge stages a number of arts events and concerts during the summer (see events pages), in addition to 'Whats On' activities such as deer safaris, fungal forays and children's craft days. Why not try the ‘Go Ape’ high ropes adventure course - 2 hrs of fun 30ft up in the trees!

Thetford Forest, nr Brandon 01842 815434 www.forestry.gov.uk/highlodge

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Fritton Lake Suffolk Owl Sanctuary

Suffolk Moto Park The home of Suffolk's off-road driving experience, the Moto Park offers the thrill of rough terrain driving. There are 4x4s, with both Land and Range Rovers protected by safety roll cages; Quad Riding, with 250cc Polaris Trail Blazer quads, and 290cc off road Dirt Karts. Instruction and safety equipment provided for all. Clay Pigeon shotting slso available. Red House Farm, Bucklesham, Ipswich 01473 659222 Wildtracks Off Road Activity Park The only purpose-built offroad activity park in the UK dedicated to a range of colourful, fast-moving and fun outdoor events for the public and corporate entertainment market.

Offroad driving course and play areas; 4x4s and tuition; Military vehicle driving range; 10m wide, 700m tarmac karting circuit and high performance karts; Purpose-built tracks for motocross, supermoto, quad bikes and rally karts; Clay and laser target shooting, laser combat, archery and fly casting; Hovercrafts and juggernaut driving; Dynamic and competitive events, competitions and trials; Event planning, hosting and catering.

Chippenham Road, Kennett, Newmarket 01638 75191

ANIMALS Africa Alive Enjoy a walking family safari through 8 acres of farmland with lions, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs and more. An awe-inspiring presentation of the African Savannah, where the animals roam freely together as they do in the wild. Kessingland, Lowestoft 01502 740291 Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm Working livestock farm breeding endangered breeds of farm animals. Cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, alpacas and pigs. Every child gets a free bag of food to feed the animals. Main area of farm is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Walks round paddocks, beside river and lake shore. Picnic areas. Disabled toilet.

Baby changing. Café and shop with gifts and home made refreshments. Mill Lane, Baylham, Ipswich 01473 830264 Easton Farm Park Delightful farm where you can learn all about the different animals. Lambs, ponies, Suffolk Punch Horses, piglets, rare breed cows and more. Chick nursery, adventure playground, pedal tractors, go karts, café and gift shop. Easton, nr Framlingham 01728 746475 Jimmy’s Farm As seen on TV, Jimmy’s Farm is the home of the rare breed Essex Pig. It’s a working farm and is open for visitors 7 days a week. There's loads to do at the farm for a great family day out. There’s a Nature Trail, Woodland Walk, Beautiful Garden's, Farm Shop, Adventure Play Area and Field Kitchen. You can buy the home reared free range pig produce, beef and lamb in the butchers as well as an abundance of herbs and veggies from the garden. And if you can't make it to the farm, you can order online from www.jimmysfarm.com

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The National Stud The only Thoroughbred horse stud in Britain open to the general public. Take a tour around the 500-acre site, see stallions, 200 mares, and foals. Newmarket 01638 666789 Oasis Camel Centre Farm Park that specialises in camels, llamas, alpacas, plus there's a pets corner, play areas, crazy golf, bouncy castle, walks and gift shop. Orchard Farm, Cratfield Road, Linstead, Halesworth 07836 896644 Suffolk Owl Sanctuary A delightful place to visit to watch, study or simply enjoy the company of Owls and other birds of prey. There are over 60 raptors at the Centre, all housed in spacious aviaries and flying free in narrated flying displays or demonstrations. You will also find Red Squirrels, the Raptor Hospital, an information centre about Owls, a woodland walk with bird hide, picnic areas and plenty of activities for children including a mini-maze & adventure frame, plus the famous Owl Barn Gift Shop. Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal 01449 711425 Valley Farm Camargue Horses A working farm and a diverse, multi awardwinning equestrian leisure centre.

Attractions include an animal collection, featuring Britain’s only herd of Camargue horses from the south of France, and their foals, as well as Camelot the Camel, Muffin the Mule and other animal friends, as featured many times on television. Wickham Market, Woodbridge 01728 746916

OPEN AIR Alton Water Largest reservoir in Suffolk offering fishing, sailing, windsurfing, nature reserve interest, picnic area, footpaths, water sports centre extension and visitor centre. Cycle hire available. Holbrook Road, Stutton, nr Ipswich 01473 589105

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Lackford Lakes Pleasurewood Hills, Lowestoft Marina Theatre, Lowestofts

Brandon Country Park 32 acres in the heart of the Brecks with walks, cycle and easy access trails. Bury Road, Brandon 01842 810185 The Brecks One of the great natural areas of Britain with over 370 square miles of forest, heathland and countryside. 01842 760116 Carlton Marshes Over 100 acres of beautiful Suffolk grazing marsh, fens and peat pools to explore via waywarked trails. Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft 01502 564250 Clare Castle Country Park Beautiful quiet space that contains the remains of the 13th century stone castle keep. The Nature Trail takes in the River Stour and the Railway Walk. Visitor Centre. Maltings Lane, Clare 01787 277491 Dunwich Heath Coastal Centre Enjoy wonderful walks and fabulous views at this Site of Specific Interest within an area of outstanding natural beauty. Minsmere Road, Dunwich 01728 648505 Fritton Lake A beautiful stretch of water where you can mess about on boats, children can enjoy the playground, forts and mini tractors, there's 9hole golf, fishing,pony rides and relaxing walks. Fritton, nr Lowestoft 01493 488288 High Lodge Forest Centre The Forestry Commission's premier recreation site in the East of England. You can walk, cycle, play, picnic, barbecue or simply relax and enjoy the forest. There are walks ranging from one to three miles and cycle trails for all abilities. Santon Downham, Brandon 01842 810271 Lackford Lakes This nature reserve has year round importance for birds, dragonflies and other wildlife. The visitor centre offers stunning views across the reserve and is an ideal place to start your visit. Lackford, Bury St Edmunds 01284 728706

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Nowton Park

200 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside landscaped over 100 years ago in typical Victorian style. Nowton Road, Bury St Edmunds 01284 763666 RSPB Havergate Island The island is famous for its breeding avocets and terns, which can be seen throughout the spring and summer. The boat trip to the island (at 10am) adds to the interest of your day out, and helps you really feel you're getting away from it all. Prior booking essential.

Orford Quay 01394 450732 RSPB Lakenheath Fen Twelve years ago, the land that is now Lakenheath Fen nature reserve was a carrot field with little to offer in the way of wildlife interest. Now it's a wetland area filled with life: marsh harriers, hobbies, bearded tits and warblers. Lakenheath 01842 863400 RSPB Minsmere A beautiful place for a day out, whether you're a birdwatcher or simply want to enjoy a country walk with the family. Westleton, Saxmundham 01728 648281 RSPB North Warren Nature Reserve Stroll across the heathland to hear Dartford warblers and woodlarks, while bitterns and marsh harriers can be seen in the reedbeds.

The wet grassland supports breeding waders and wintering wildfowl, including some of the UK's only regular tundra bean geese.

Aldeburgh 01728 648281 RSPB Wolves Wood Ancient woodland used to cover much of East Anglia. This is one of the few remaining areas, managed by traditional coppicing to benefit a variety of wildlife.

Hadleigh 01473 328006

SHOWTIME Theatre BUNGAY Fisher Theatre Georgian building that started life as a theatre but spent most of its life serving other purposes until 2001 when it reopened as a centre for shows, arts and film. Broad Street, (01986 897130) BURY ST EDMUNDS Theatre Royal Built in 1819 and designed by the eminent architect William Wilkins, this is the country's sole surviving example of a Regency playhouse. One of only eight Grade 1-listed theatres in the country, it is, in terms of both its architecture and history, one of the most significant theatre buildings in the UK. You can enjoy a wide range of entertainments. Westgate Street 01284 769505 FELIXSTOWE Spa Pavilion Located on Felixstowe’s picturesque seafront, this excellent 892 seat theatre has an adjoining restaurant with wonderful panoramic sea view.

Undercliff Road West 01394 282126 HALESWORTH New Cut Arts Centre Community arts centre hosting a range of theatre and music productions, plus film screenings.

New Cut 0845 6732123 HAVERHILL Haverhill Arts Centre Originally the Town Hall, this 210-seat auditorium hosts music, theatre, arts events, and films.

High Street 01440 714140 IPSWICH Regent Theatre & Corn Exchange The Regent is East Anglia’s largest theatre, and the Corn Exchange has an impressive Grand Hall. They feature top West End shows, international music, comedy and high quality amateur productions. 01473 433100 New Wolsey Theatre A 400-seat theatre with a varied programme of drama, music, comedy, poetry, dance and children's shows. Civic Drive 01473 295900 LOWESTOFT Marina Theatre This superb theatre dates back to 1897 and today hosts a range of top flight shows. 01502 533200 The Seagull An important performing arts venue, reopened in 2009, offering a diverse range of shows, classes and workshops. Morton Road, Pakefield (01502 589726) SUDBURY Quay Theatre Small, charming theatre by the Stour offering a wide range of shows and films. Quay Lane 01787 374745 WOODBRIDGE Seckford Theatre New 350-seat theatre situated in the beautiful grounds of the four centuries old Woodbridge School.

01394 615111

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East Anglia Transport Museum Southwold Pier

Sandlings Forests The Sandlings covers woods in Rendlesham, Tangham and Dunwich. The forests have quite a diverse mix of conifer plantations interspersed with broad leaved areas, lowland heathland and wetland areas.

Rendlesham forest is the main area for recreation and there are various picnic sites and recreation areas. There are 3 circular walks including disabled trails and forest cycle trails and an adventure playground. Nr Woodbridge 01394 450164 Thornham Walks Twelve miles of footpaths through the woodland, farmland and parkland of the Thornham Estate. Red House Yard, Thornham Magna, Eye 01379 788345 West Stow Country Park 125- acre country park with a wide range of Breckland habitats - heath, woodland, river and a lake. There are nature trails, walks, bird hides and a bird feeding/viewing area, visitor centre, café, shop, picnic areas and adventure playground. Icklingham Road, West Stow, Bury St Edmunds 01284 728718

FAMILY FUN Adventure Island Playbarn Excellent purpose-built children’s indoor soft play centre. Units 15/17 Pinbush Road, South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, Lowestoft 01502 519933 Anglia Indoor Karting The thrill of competitive racing in an atmosphere of fun and excitement. Purpose designed race track and hospitality centre.

Farthing Road, Sroughton, Ipswich 01473 240087 The East Point Pavilion Visitor Centre A glass, all-weather Edwardian-style structure with a large indoor play platforms called Mayhem. Small souvenir shop, restaurant and tearooms. Royal Plain, Lowestoft 01502 533600

Lowestoft Family Bowl Indoor bowling, 9-hole mini-golf.

Capital Estate, Rant Score, Whapload Road, Lowestoft 01502 519200 Mannings Amusement Park

Originally opened in 1933 by Sir Billy Butlin this fun park has been run by the Manning family since 1946. Traditional fairground rides and amusement arcades. Seafront, Felixstowe 01394 282370 Mr G’s Bowling Centre 8 lane complex with stylish 200 seating capacity bar & restaurant in the centre of Brandon. Market Hill, Brandon 01842 813111 Moo Play Farm Indoor play barn and outdoor adventure play farm for ages up to 12. Tractor rides, nature hunt, picnic area and farm pets. Locks Road, Brampton, Beccles 01502 575841 Pleasurewood Hills Award-winning amusement park with over 40 amazing rides, including the thrilling 120ft, 50mph Wipeout, Enigma roller coaster and awesome spinning Wizzy Dizzy. Plus lots of family rides and entertainment, including wonderful shows with Sea lions, parrots, acrobats and clowns! Leisure Way, Corton, Lowestoft 01502 586000 South Pier Leisure Complex Ten-pin bowling, amusement arcades, luxury casino and more. Royal Plain, Lowestoft 01502 512793 Southwold Maize Maze A giant puzzle of pathways within 8 acres of

maize, a real brain-teaser that will test your navigational skills to the limit. Every year there's a new design. Plus play and picnic area. Old Hall Farm, Halesworth Road, Reydon, Southwold 01379 586746 Southwold Pier Following extensive renovation Southwold Pier is now one of the finest examples of a Pier to be found in the British isles. From traditional fish and chips in the Promenade Café to mouthwatering menus in the Boardwalk and The Clockhouse. Plus gift shop, children's shop and lifestyle store, amusements and more. The pier receives visits from Britain's only surviving sea-going steam passenger ship, the PS Waverley paddle steamer and its sister ship the MV Balmoral. North Parade, Southwold 01502 722105

GARDENS Abbey Gardens

Beautiful public gardens surrounding the ruins of the Abbey, with a prize-winning record. Stunning summer bedding displays set the tone for the annual Bury in Bloom campaign. The Gardens include a host of ducks, a children's play area, aviaries, tennis courts, putting, a bowling green, a teashop and a riverside walk leading towards a local nature reserve known as No Man's Meadows.

Bury St Edmunds 01284 757067

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Somerleyton Hall Thorpeness Windmill Helmingham Hall Gardens

Sutton Hoo One of Britain’s most important and atmospheric archaeological sites, burial ground of the Anglo-Saxon kings of East Anglia, discovered during 1939 excavations, completed in 1991. Priceless royal treasures were discovered in a huge ship grave. Axhibition hall tells the compelling story of early English history, and you can also enjoy sandlings heathland and woodland walks. This year's exhibition at Sutton Hoo features the stunning work of Time Team artist Victor Ambrus. See how his drawings bring the people of the past to life and capture the atmosphere of a distant history.

Nr Woodbridge 01394 389700

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Helmingham Hall Gardens Spectacular Grade 1 listed garden in the grounds of the 500 year-old house, home to the Tollemache family. A moated and walled garden with many rare roses and possibly the best kitchen garden in Britain. With a new rose garden and herb and knot garden created in the early 1980s. Helmingham Hall, nr Stowmarket 01473 890799

HISTORY Christchurch Mansion A fine Tudor mansion built between 1548 and 1550 with later additions. A good collection of furniture, panelling, ceramics, clocks and paintings from the 16th-19thC. Christchurch Park, Ipswich 01473 433554 Euston Hall Euston Hall has been home for the Dukes of Grafton for over 300 years and is currently lived in by the eleventh Duke. The Hall has been open to the public during the summer for over 25 years. The Hall, Craft Shop and Tea Room are manned entirely by volunteers on open days. The Hall contains, among its treasures, the famous collection of paintings of the court of Charles II and includes works

by Van Dyck, Lely and Stubbs. Visitors are also invited to enjoy the tranquil gardens, the church and the river walk to the recently restored watermill. Euston, Thetford 01842 766366 Eye Castle A Norman motte-and-bailey with medieval walls and a Victorian folly. The castle has always had close associations with royalty since the Norman conquest.

Eye 01449 724636 Framlingham Castle A magnificent example of a late 12th-century castle. Built by Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, the castle, together with Framlingham Mere, was designed both as a stronghold and as a symbol of power and status - as befitted one of the most influential people at the court of

the Plantagenet kings. Architecturally, the castle is notable for its curtain wall with mural towers, an early example of this design. Walk around the impressive wallwalk, explore the mere and admire the fine castle gatehouse. It was here that Mary Tudor waited to hear whether she or Lady Jane Grey had been declared Queen after the death of Edward VI. A new introductory exhibition in the Poorhouse tells the story of the people who lived in the castle through its long and varied history.

Glemham Hall An elegant, red brick Elizabethan mansion surrounded by 300 acres of parkland situated between Woodbridge and Saxmundham.

Glemham Hall was built circa 1560 by the de Glemham family, who took their name from nearby Great (Magna) and Little (Parva) Glemham. After a varied history, the Cobbold brewing family purchased the house in 1923; it became the home of Captain John Murray Cobbold - founder and first chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club as a professional club - and his wife Lady Blanche, a daughter of the 9th Duke of Devonshire. The 3,000 acre estate now hosts a variety of events including a country fair, open air opera and theatre. Little Glemham, Woodbridge 01728 746704 Hadleigh Guildhall A medieval timber-framed complex, Grade I listed dating from 15th century. There is a timbered guildroom, an old town hall which has a fine crown-post roof, a Georgian assembly room and a Victorian ballroom. Small walled garden with medieval features.

Market Place, Hadleigh 01473 823884 Holton Saint Peter Postmill A restored postmill, dating from the mid18th Century, on a 2-storey roundhouse.

There are displays on the history and workings of the mill. Holton St Peter, Halesworth 01986 872367

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Orford Castle West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village

Kentwell Hall & Gardens Moated redbrick Tudor mansion in a tranquil parkland setting. Over 150 years ago it was written that ‘visitors emerging from the Avenue on a summery evening cannot withhold admiration when they see the manifold beauties of Kentwell Hall’. This remains true today. The exterior is almost unaltered, whilst the interior retains the original Tudor service areas. Elsewhere, alterations reflect the changing tastes of successive families, embellished by that of the present owners.

Renowned for its incredible Re-creations of everyday Tudor life and, occasionally, of WWII daily life. The present owners’efforts, since 1979, to restore the house and recover and extend the once noted gardens, add to any visit’s enjoyment. Long Melford 01787 310207 Lavenham Guildhall of Corpus Christi One of the finest timber-framed Tudor buildings in Britain, with tearoom, shop and children's guide. Market Place, Lavenham 01787 247646 Leiston Abbey One of Suffolk's most impressive monastic ruins of a 14th century abbey with a 16th century brick gatehouse.

Leiston 01223 582700 Melford Hall

Romantic Tudor mansion, home of the Hyde-Parker family. New interpretations, craft displays, special events.

Long Melford 01787 379228

The Malthouse Project A unique attraction providing a Heritage Centre, café and guided tours. The Project is a restored old maltings, which dates back to the 17th Century. Elsey's Yard, Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds 01284 732550 Orford Castle

Saxtead Green Postmill

The unique polygonal towerkeep of Orford Castle stands beside the pretty town and former port which Henry II also developed here in the 1160s. His aim was to counterbalance the power of turbulent East Anglian barons like Hugh Bigod of Framlingham, and to guard the coast against foreign mercenaries called to their aid.

An 18-sided drum with three square turrets, and a forebuilding reinforcing its entrance, the keep was built to a highly innovative design.

Climb its spiral staircase leading to a maze of rooms and passageways and visit the museum in the upper hall. Orford 01394 450472

Somerleyton Hall & Gardens

St Edmundsbury Cathedral There has been a church on the site of Suffolk's Cathedral for nearly 1000 years.

Once part of the great Abbey of St Edmund, St James' Church served the people of the town. The nave of today's church, started in 1503, is the successor of that church. Though little remains of the Benedictine Abbey, following the Dissolution in 1539, St James' Church has continued to grow over the centuries. In 1914 St James' became the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Saint Edmundsbury and Ipswich. The last 40 years have seen several additions to the church and its associated buildings, culminating in the recent Millennium Project. The striking Millennium Tower, completed in 2005, is now the crowning glory of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds 01284 754933

This corn mill was one of many built in Suffolk from the late 13th century. Though milling ceased in 1947, it is still in working order.

Climb the stairs to various floors, which are full of fascinating mill machinery. Saxtead Green 01728 685789 Home of the Crossley family since 1844, the Hall was remodelled from an original Jacobean Manor. 12 acres of beautiful gardens with famous 1846 Yew Tree Maze. Guided tours of the hall, garden trail, Walled Garden and special events. Somerleyton, Lowestoft 0871 222 4244

Southwold Lighthouse Enjoy a tour of this marvellous operational landmark, first lit in 1889. Stradbroke Road, Southwold 01502 722576

Thorpeness Windmill This working mill dates from 1803 and is a Visitor Centre for Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Uplands Road, Thorpeness 01728 687110 West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village Unique reconstructed Anglo-Saxon Village built on an original settlement site, giving visitors the opportunity to touch and experience Anglo-Saxon houses as we imagine them to have been one thousand five hundred years ago. Visitors can also see the archaeological objects excavated from the site on display in a specially built centre.

West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds 01284 728718 Woodbridge Tide Mill By the early 1950s Woodbridge was home to the only surviving tidal mill in the country.

It is now fully restored and working.

Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge 01473 626618

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Amber Museum Gainsborough’s House Lady Florence River Cruises

MUSEUMS The Amber Museum The UK’s only purpose-built museum dedicated to the history of amber. The Museum has artefacts, carvings, jewellery and objets d'art from the Whole Amber World; both modern and antique. It also houses many large examples of Amber found on the English coast - including the largest at 2.2kilo.

The Amber Shop has a stunning collection of Amber jewellery and gifts. 15 Market Place, Southwold 01502 723394 Bawdsey Radar Station Visit ‘The Magic Ear’- an exhibition about the history of Radar. In 1937, Bawdsey was the first of the Chain Home Radar stations that played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain.

Bawdsey 07821 162879 Bentwaters Cold War Museum Musuem housed in a command post or bunker on what was the USAF air base at RAF Bentwaters. See restored ‘war operations’ rooms and other displays. Bentwaters Parks, Rendlesham.

Gainsborough’s House Established museum in the birthplace of artist Thomas Gainsborough. The historic townhouse, with an attractive walled garden, displays more of the artist’s work than any other gallery. The collection is shown together with 18th century furniture and memorabilia with work by Gainsborough’s contemporaries and followers. There is a varied programme of temporary exhibitions of both historic and contemporary art. Gainsborough Street, Sudbury 01787 372958

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Greene King Brewery The visitor centre is full of interesting exhibits and displays about the brewery, plus you can book a tour around the brew house. See how Greene King make their famous beers during your guided tour, have a tutored tasting and learn about Greene King and Bury St Edmunds from 1086 to the present. Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds 01234 714382 Heavy Horse Museum Museum dedicated to the Suffolk working horse breed (or Suffolk Punch), the oldest such breed in the world and possibly the most perfect working animal ever bred by man.

Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge 01394 380643 Ipswich Museum The museum and gallery has displays of Roman Suffolk wildlife, Suffolk and world geology, the Ogilvie bird gallery, People of the World and much more. High Street, Ipswich 01473 433550 East Anglia Transport Museum A fabulous working museum where the past comes to life. Travel as often as you like on preserved historic vehicles or take a trip on the narrow gauge railway. Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft 01502 518459 Long Shop Museum Discover Leiston’s unique history and visit the home of the Garrett collection. An award-winning museum housed in the original Garrett works buildings including the Grade II listed Long Shop built in 1852 as the 1st production line for portable steam engines. Four exhibition halls, resource centre, picnic garden and gift shop. Main Street, Leiston 01728 832189

SHOWTIME Cinema Aldeburgh Cinema Delightful independent cinema. The auditorium dates back to around 1920, and today it has 286 seats and all the latest technology. 51 High Street 01728 452996 Hollywood Cinema Hatter Street, Bury St Edmunds 01284 762586 Palace Cinema Fabulous independent cinema dating back to 1937 and offering blockbuster movies and a real retro cinema experience. Crescent Road, Felixstowe 01394 671330 Cineworld Cardinal Park, Grafton Way, Ipswich 0871 2002000 Hollywood Cinema Anglia Square, Ipswich 01473 232666 Leiston Film Theatre Suffolk’s oldest purpose built cinema, first opened in 1914. The original picture house had a capacity for 700 people; it had a small stage and a pit for the then ubiquitous organ. After a re-refurbishment, completed in July 2001, it is more than ready for the 21st Century.

High Street 01728 830549 Hollywood Cinema 41 London Road South, Lowestoft 01502 564567 Electric Picture Palace, Southwold Owned and run by Southwold Film Society this delightful small cinema was opened in 1991 by Michael Palin. It is named after the first Southwold cinema which began to operate in 1912 and follows the style of this period. It has 66 authentic cinema seats, a box office, kiosk, circle, organ and air-conditioning. 07815 769565 Riverside Theatre Films, occasional stage shows and restaurant.

Quayside, Woodbridge 01394 382174

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Newmarket Racecourse The Granary, River Stour Trust, Sudbury Coastal Voyager

Mechanical Music Museum and Bygones Small music boxes, polyphons and organettes, larger street pianos and player organs, large fair organs, dance band and cafe organs plus a number of unusual items and the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. The interior roof is adorned with hundreds of old records and horned gramophones. Blacksmith Road, Cotton 01449 613876 Mid Suffolk Light Railway Museum The MSLR, known affectionately as ‘The Middy’was a classic case of a railway built late on in the great railway age that never paid its way - indeed, it effectively went broke before it opened, but still struggled on for fifty years.

This fine example of quirky English history is remembered in Suffolk’s only railway museum. Brockford Station, Wetheringsett 01449 766899 Moyse’s Hall Museum Housed in the oldest domestic building open to the public in East Anglia, Moyse’s Hall dates back over 800 years. Many striking architectural features can be seen in the building. A museum for 100 years, it houses local history collections relating to the town, Abbey & St Edmund. They also include William Corder’s scalp from Murder in the Red Barn relics as well as many other curios from the local area.

Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds 01284 706183 Museum of East Anglian Life Open-air museum in 75 acres of beautiful countryside. Here you can explore nearly 3km of woodland and riverside nature trails, learn about fascinating East Anglian crafts and traditional Gypsy culture and discover fifteen splendidly restored historic buildings.

Plus steam engines, animals, including Suffolk Punch horses, and more.

Stowmarket 01449 612229 The National Horseracing Museum The story of the people and horses involved in racing from its Royal origins to Lester Piggott, Frankie Dettori and other modern heroes.

Highlights include: the head of Persimmon, a great Royal Derby winner in 1896; a special display about Fred Archer, the late Victorian

jockey who committed suicide, which features the pistol he used to take his life; and the colourful jackets of ‘Prince Monolulu’, the 1950’s tipster. High Street, Newmarket 01638 667333

SPORT Greyhound Racing Evening racing with up to four races per hour, every Tues and Friday. Mildenhall Stadium, West Row, Mildenhall 01638 711777 Ipswich Town Football Club Championship club steeped in history.

Stadium tours available. Portman Road, Ipswich 0870 111 0 555 Ipswich Witches Top speedway racing every Thursday night.

Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich 01473 623640 Newmarket Racecourses One of the world’s greatest racetracks, steeped in history and offering top racing and an unbeatable experience on both its Rowley Mile and July Racecourses. Cambridge Road, Newmarket 01638 675500

TOURS Coastal Voyager Fast exciting seatrips from the harbour.

Southwold Harbour Kiosk 07887 525082 Deben Cruises Cruises on the River Deben for organised parties. Lunches, teas and suppers are to order.The Quay, Waldringfield, Woodbridge 01473 736260 Greene King Brewery Start at the museum and finish off with a tasting at the Brewery Tap. Guided tours of Brew House for over 12s only. Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds 01234 714382 Hoofbeats Offer tours around Newmarket’s rich equestrian heritage, including The Gallops, Equine swimming pool, British Racing School, The

National Stud, Jock Club rooms and more.

Laceys Lane, Exning, Newmarket 01638 578628 Ipswich Blue Badge Guides Walking tours on Tues and Thurs, May-Sept.

Discover the town’s history and heritage. Also, Ipswich Ghost Tours on 1st Thurs of month.

Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, St Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s Lane, Ipswich 01473 258070 Lady Florence River Cruises For a different fine-dining experience, cruise the calms waters of the river Alde and Ore while enjoying a freshly prepared meal.

Orford Quay, Orford 07831 698298 Newmarket Tours Palace House can arrange hour-long tours of historic Newmarket, explaining in depth its associations with Royalty and the Sport of Kings. Tourist Information Centre, Palace House, Palace Street, Newmarket 01638 667200 Orwell River Cruises Choose between the 3.5 hour Harwich Harbour Cruise or the 2.5 hour Pin Mill Cruise and explore some the stunning coastline.

Orwell Quay, Ipswich Wet Dock 01473 836680 River Stour Trust Boat trips from Sudbury to Great Henny and vice versa on Rosette, an elegant Edwardian style electric launch with a traditional canopy, or Francis J, a specially adapted, pontoon-style boat. Take in lunch at the delightful Henny Swan. The Granary, Quay Lane, Sudbury 01787 313199 Waveney River Centre An ideal departure point for a day on the southern Broads. A range of vessels available for hire from rowing boats and canoes to luxury day cruisers. Staithe Road, Burgh St Peter, Beccles 01502 677343 Waveney River Tours River trips from Outlon Broad to a number of destinations along the southern Broads. Mutford Lock, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft 01502 574903 Woodbridge Open Top Bus Tours A chance to get a great view of some of the town’s historic features. 01394 382240

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Framlingham Castle

Family Fun Framlingham Castle!

Imagine yourself back in Tudor times as you become 'King or Queen of the Castle' at the top of the impressive wall walk at Framlingham Castle.

The 800year old castle, situated in the market town of Framlingham, Suffolk is steeped in history as the site at which Henry VIII's daughter, Mary Tudor, rallied her supporters and was named the first ever ruling Queen of England in 1553.

The castle has long been a favourite attraction for Suffolk locals and visitors to the region alike, and this summer there is even more reason to visit. Kids can step back in time with our Time Travellers Go‌ series and try their hand at a whole variety of fun activities including training to be a knight, taking part in a mini dig or experiencing the gruesome punishments of days gone by!

A fascinating exhibition takes visitors through 800 years of the castle's long and colourful history, while younger audiences can also discover more about life in the castle with a variety of themed games and interactive activities.

Make sure you experience Framlingham Castle this summer!

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For opening times and prices as well as details of the events programme please take a look on the website at www.englishheritage.org.uk /events

Knights Tournament of Foote 2-3 May Tudor Family Fun Trail and Traditional Games 22- 31 May

Framlingham Castle Suffolk IP13 9BP Tel. 01728 724189

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Bittern by Allan King; red admiral by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve Can you remember when you first fell in love with wildlife and the countryside? What was it that got you excited?

Perhaps it was kicking fallen leaves on a frosty autumn morning, or the crunch of feet on shingle as waves rush relentlessly up the beach. Maybe it was watching blue tits on the feeders or listening to a blackbird singing from the nearest chimney pot.

Why not re-ignite that flame of excitement with a visit to RSPB Minsmere nature reserve this spring?

There's so much to see and do that I'm sure you'll fall in love with nature again - if indeed you ever fell out of love with it!

Minsmere offers a truly sensory experience, especially in spring. Tickle your taste buds with a delicious snack in the Minsmere tearoom - most of our produce is locally sourced and homemade, offering a real taste of Suffolk.

Experience the wonderful natural symphony of spring birdsong. You should hear nightingales and a myriad of warblers vying for your attention as they busily defend a territory and try to attract a mate.

There's a cacophony from the nesting black-headed gulls on the Scrape. Then, from deep within the reedbed, comes the unmistakable sound of the “bull of the bog.� A male bittern is booming his deep, fog-horn-like call.

Look around, and there's every colour you can think of, starting with the array of finches and tits on the visitor centre feeders. On the marshes, see how many colours you can spot among the black and white avocets, gulls and terns. Butterflies and dragonflies flit around reflecting every colour in the rainbow while, bluebells form carpets in the woodland, and an array of flowers line the many paths through the reserve.

Don't forget smell too. A delicate scent of coconut marks the abundant flowering gorse bushes along the shingle beach.

Entry to Minsmere is free for RSPB members and RSPB Wildlife Explorers. For non-members there is an entry charge, refundable if you choose to join. Why not visit us this spring and discover more of Minsmere's wildlife?

Whatever your interest, there's something for you, from regular guided walks to family activities, relaxing country walks to retail therapy in the RSPB Shop. For further detail please see our website at www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere or telephone us on 01728 648281.

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Top to bottom Nightingale by Ian Barthorpe (RSPB); bluebell by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com); common blue damselfly by Jodie Randall (rspb-images.com)

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Snape Maltings

Snape Maltings is a world-renowned landmark on the Suffolk Coast. Newson Garrett started malting at Snape in 1854 and the site grew to become Suffolk's largest Maltings complex.

The striking complex of brick and slate buildings that he established is now Grade II listed and one of the few remaining Maltings complexes in Britain which has retained all of his buildings, spanning some 7 acres.

In the 1960’s Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears fell in love with the Maltings and its magnificent settings. From the largest malthouse they created one the finest concert halls in the world. Music, dance and the arts is celebrated at this cultural hub throughout the year from Britten’s great classics to the fun and festivity of the August Proms.

For over forty years, the owners of the site, the Gooderham Family, have converted the buildings into shops and galleries and the most recent edition of a House & Garden emporium. This stunning conversion of these Victorian buildings with their high roofs and timber frames, houses an artisan delicatessen, a bountiful food hall, and a stunning

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furniture and homes department with hand chosen items from across Europe.

Shopping here is far removed from any high street. Locals and visitors enjoy wandering through the wonderful selection of specialist shops with their independent and eclectic style. There is something for everyone, from food and homewares, to fashion and books, childhood delights, galleries and an antiques and collectors shop.

As you would expect there is a charming Tea Shop serving homemade cakes and light lunches and a country style pub with an excellent restaurant.

Snape Maltings offers excellent facilities for visitors, making it an ideal base from which to explore this fascinating area, which is located in an Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty. The Snape Explorer offers two wonderful walks on the banks of the River Alde.The Maltings plays an important role as a hub to promote local producers through its well known monthly Farmers Markets and the nationally recognized Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival which it hosts annually. The nation’s leading chefs and food writers, including Mark Hix,

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Fergus Henderson, Tom Parker-Bowles, Rose Prince and Matthew Fort return each September to Snape Maltings to celebrate the weekend’s foodie festivities.

On the first Saturday of each month the famous Snape Maltings Farmers Market is held gathering together the region's top 25 producers. Fill your baskets to the brim with real Ale, Organic chicken, homemade cakes, award winning cheeses and freshly pressed apple juices.

During the months of June to August there’s an additional market on the third Saturday.

After ample food tastings and savoring flavours, join an experienced RSPB guide who takes visitors on a walk along the picturesque Alde Estuary at 11.00 am.

The RSPB have a Wildlife Information Centre offering nature walks, talks and activities for visitors of all ages.

RSPB guided walks also take place each Thursday at 11 am and through the summer holidays there are a host of children's activities.

River trips run from Snape Maltings from Easter to October on the River Alde which is rich in both wildlife and history. Over 100 years ago, Snape Maltings quay was a busy port yet today you can appreciate the tranquility of the swaying golden reeds and the

wading birds. Sailing times vary as the river is tidal so do telephone in advance if you wish to book a ticket. The river trips take 30 minutes and tickets can be purchased from the Craft Shop.

Another exciting new chapter which was completed in the spring was the meticulous development of residential properties which nestle around a secret courtyard garden and boast individual roof terraces. For those who love English coastal countryside, or those who love music and the arts, it’s hard to imagine a better place to live.

You need more than a day? Then why not stay there?

Snape Maltings has holiday accommodation which offers the perfect holiday for lovers of the Suffolk Coast, music and the arts and with all the Maltings has to offer there is something for everyone. The luxury self-catering apartments are available all year round and with the Maltings having its own local pub the Plough & Sail, delicatessen and shops and galleries, eateries and picturesque river walks, there is no need to reach for your car keys.

There is no doubt that the Snape Maltings has secured all the vital ingredients that make it a truly special place.

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Events 10 July Katie Melua at Thetford Forest 9 May East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival

Festivals, concerts, country shows, historical recreations, airshows, sports... Suffolk has it all

APRIL

1-2 Guineas Festival Newmarket Race-

2-4 Aldeburgh Easter Music Festival

course (0844 579 3010)

1-3 May Day Celebrations Kentwell,

15-16 13th Suffolk International Kite Festival Rougham Airfield, nr Bury St Edmunds (01787 247189)

Snape Maltings Concert Hall and surrounding venues (01728 687110)

Long Melford (01787 310207)

2-5 Easter Funfair

2 Beccles Antiques Street Market

15-16 Weird and Wonderful Wood Woodcrafts event. Haughley Park, Stowmarket

Beccles (01502 711174)

(01359 240724)

Felixstowe (01394 277092)

2-5 Easter Re-creation of Tudor Life Historical re-creation. Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207)

2-5 The Suffolk Garden Show Trinity Park, Ipswich (01702 549623)

10-11 Romano-British Family Life Living history. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

11 Mid Suffolk Show Ring events, displays, crafts and more. Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal (01449 711755)

24-25 Classic & Vintage Weekend

Felixstowe (01473 601120)

15-24 Suffolk Open Studios Showcase Exhibition Art and crafts.

2-3 Suffolk Game & Country Fair

Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham (01473 780330)

Glemham Hall, Little Glemham, Woodbridge (01485 528954)

Bungay (01986 782464)

2 Historic Vehicle Rally Ipswich to

2-3 Anglo-Saxon Encampment Living history. Sutton Hoo (0844 556 9210) 2-3 Knights Tournament of Foote Framlingham Castle (01728 724189)

3 Woodbridge Horse Show Trinity Park, Ipswich.

3 Mendlesham Street Fair Mendlesham, nr Stowmarket (01449 766563)

East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft (01502 518459)

9 East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival

29-3 May High Tide Festival New work in theatre. The Cut, Halesworth

9 South Suffolk Show Ampton Racecourse, Ingham (01638 750879) 9 Wings & Wheels Air and car displays.

(020 7566 97 65)

Oulton Broad, nr Lowestoft (01780 470718)

Henham Park, Beccles (01986 872710)

MAY

14-30 Bury St Edmunds Festival Entertainment throughout the town.

1-2 Large Model Aircraft Show Rougham Airfield, nr Bury St Edmunds (01359 270524)

Bury St Edmunds (01284 757630)

15 The Hadleigh Show Popular country show. Holbecks Park, Hadleigh (01473 827920)

The stars come out in Suffolk

There’s a host of top stars performing open air concerts in Suffolk this Summer...

At High Lodge, Thetford Forest you can see Keane, Simply Red, Katie Melua, Doves and The Saturdays (left), at the Latitude Festival there’s a whole roster of top talent, while at Newmarket Racecourse there’s Simply Red, Spandau Ballet, Westlife, Razorlight, James Morrison and Madness.

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16 Bungay Garden Street Market 22-23 Ipswich Food, Drink & Garden Festival Christchurch Park, Ipswich (01206 525527)

22-31 Tudor Family Fun Trail & Traditional Games Framlingham Castle (01728 724189)

27-6 June Stowmarket Festival Inc. Stowfest music fest on 6 June. Stowmarket (01449 612060)

27-12 June Pulse - Ipswich Fringe Festival Theatre, bands and more. Ipswich (01473 295900)

28-31 Spring Funfair Felixstowe

(01394 277092)

29-30 Crafts of the Anglo-Saxons Living history. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village,

West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

29-31 World War II Re-creation Fabulous living history event. Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207)

JUNE

2-3 Suffolk Show Large country show with lots of family entertainment. Trinity Park, Ipswich (01473 707110)

4-6 Suffolk Folk Festival Woodbridge (01473 742334)

5-6 Woolpit Steam Rally Warren Farm, Wetherden, nr Stowmarket (01359 241886)

5-6 Barton Mills Scarecrow Festival Barton Mills, nr Mildenhall (01638 713155)

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10 June Simpl Red concert, Thetford Forest 5-6 June Woolpit Steam Rally 18-20 June Festival of the Sea, Southwold Pier

5-6 Anglo-Saxon Life Historical re-creation. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

5-27 Suffolk Open Studios Artists throughout the county open their studios to the public over the weekends. (01473 780330) 8-20 Woolpit Festival Music. Woolpit (01359 241553)

10 Music in the Forest Concert by Keane. High Lodge, Thetford Forest (01842 814612)

11 Music in the Forest Concert by Simply Red. High Lodge, Thetford Forest (01842 814612)

11-13 Ipswich Riverside Folk Weekend Folk music festival. Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich (01473 601902)

11-27 63rd Aldeburgh Festival of Music & The Arts One of the world’s major classical music festivals. Snape Maltings Concert Hall and surrounding venues (01728 687110)

12 Music in the Forest Concert by Doves. High Lodge, Thetford Forest (01842 814612)

12 Music in the Park Classical music.

Chippenham Park, Nr Newmarket (07938 197358)

27 Two Counties Motor Show Large car show. Rowley Mile Racecourse, Newmarket

course, Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

(01223 812405)

18-20 Festival of the Sea Nautical themed festival. Southwold Pier

Horham, nr Eye (07894 903829)

12-13 Eye Open Gardens Eye. 12-13 Teddy Bear Parachuting and Flower Festival Blundeston.

13 Rural Pastimes Family event now in its 18th year. Euston Park, Euston Hall, nr

27 Chelsworth Open Gardens Day Chelsworth (01449 740257)

(01502 565269)

19 British Gas Great East Swim

Alton Water, nr Ipswich www.greatswim.org 19 Pin Mill Barge Match River Orwell, Pin Mill (01473 780271)

19-20 Long Melford Midsummer Country Show Melford Hall, Long Melford.

(0800 141 2823)

20 Nowton Park Country Fair Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds (01284 757067)

20 The Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds Bury St Edmunds (01284 764667) 20 Lavenham Hidden Gardens Lavenham (02787 247434)

20-11 July Great Annual Re-creation of Tudor Life Major historical re-creation event. Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207)

25 Newmarket Nights Horseracing followed by Spandau Ballet concert.

July Racecourse, Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

12 Horham Bygones Country Rally

Thetford.

18 Newmarket Nights Horseracing followed by major pop concert. July Race-

25-4 July Arts Framlingham Summer Festival Arts festival. Various venues, Framlingham (01728 723028)

26-27 Wings, Wheels & Steam Country Fayre Rougham Airfield, nr Bury St

Edmunds (01359 270524)

26-11 July Ip-Art Festival Ipswich Arts Festival - theatre, music, visual arts, film, literature. Ipswich (01473 433100)

Long Melford

Midsummer Country Show

A wonderful event for all the family including Suffolk Punch display team, falconry and birds of prey, sheep show, dog shows, rural demonstrations, arts, crafts, lifestyle and food stands, children’s entertainment and much more.

19-20 June

JULY

1-4 Snape Antiques & Fine Art Fair Snape Maltings (01278 784912) 1-4 14th Festival of Beer and Brewing Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket (01449 612229) 2-4 Thurston Festival Music and air displays. Thurston, Bury St Edmunds (01359 235122) 3-4 Felixstowe Fuchsia Festival Felixstowe (01394 275972) 4 Ipswich Music Day Free festival of live music, crafts, fairground. Christchurch Park, Ipswich (01473 433100)

4 Shakespeare in the Garden Glemham Hall (01728 746704) 4 Darells Day Landguard Fort, Felixstowe Living history event commemorating the last invasion of England. Re-enactments.

(07854 122 007) 7-9 July Festival Major horseracing event. July Racecourse, Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

7-11 Bures Music Festival Bures. www.jazzbythestour.org.uk

8-11 Sept Suffolk Summer Theatre Great plays throughout the season. Southwold (01502 722638) Aldeburgh (01394 382199)

9 Music in the Forest Concert by pop band The Saturdays. High Lodge, Thetford Forest (01842 814612)

9 Music in the Forest Concert by singer-songwriter Katie Melua. High Lodge, Thetford Forest (01842 814612)

10 Newmarket Town Carnival (01638 667227) 10-11 Gypsy Arts Festival Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket (01449 612229) 11 Heveningham Hall Country Fair Large country show. Heveningham Hall, nr Halesworth (01986 798151)

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13 Aug Westlife at Newmarket Racecourse 16-18 July Weeting Steam Rally

11 Bus & Coach Event 2009 East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft (01502 518459) 15-18 Latitude Festival Now considered one of the UK’s top summer events, this ‘boutique’ festival features an eclectic range of music, comedy, poetry and the arts. Henham Park, Beccles (0871 231 0821)

16 Newmarket Nights Horseracing followed by Simply Red concert. July Racecourse, Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

16-18 Weeting Steam Rally Weeting (01842 810317)

17-18 5000 Years of West Stow Historical re-creation. West Stow Anglo-Saxon

Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718) 18 Woodbridge Regatta Woodbridge.

18 Lowestoft Classic Vehicle Club Static Rally Maltings Meadow Sports Ground, Ditchingham, nr Bungay (01502 531468)

19 Peasenhall Pea Festival Nr Yoxford.(01728 660457)

23 Newmarket Nights Horseracing followed by Razorlight concert. July Racecourse, Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

24-25 The Glemham Salute Military Tattoo. Glemham Hall, Little Glemham, Woodbridge (01728 746704)

25 Eastern Lights Motorcycle Cavalcade From Norwich to Lowestoft.

25 Xtremefest Festival of extreme activities and sports. Brackenbury Fort, Felixstowe (01394 444652)

25 Picnic at the Pavilion Jazz featuring Gwyneth Herbert. The Pavilion, Orford

6 Newmarket Nights Horseracing followed by Madness concert. July Racecourse,

(01394 450799)

Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

26 Shakespeare in the Garden Glemham Hall (01728 746704) 28-29 Aug Theatre in the Forest Red Rose Chain’s annual open-air theatre.

508050)

Rendlesham Forest (01473 288886)

30 Newmarket Nights Horseracing followed by James Morrison concert. July Racecourse, Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

30-1 August Hachfest Music fest for local bands. Hacheston 30-2 Aug Westleton Wild Flower Festival & Exhibition Westleton.

31-1 Aug World War II Re-creation Fabulous living history event. Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207)

31-1 Aug Anglo Saxon Encampment Living history event. Sutton Hoo, nr Woodbridge.

AUGUST

1 29th British Open Crabbing Championships Great fun for children of all ages. Ferry Road Car Park, Walberswick (01502 722359)

1-31 Snape Proms Major music festival featuring classical, jazz, blues, folk. Snape Maltings Concert Hall, nr Aldeburgh (01728 687110)

John Williams

Latitude Festival The fifth edition of Latitude continues to inspire and innovate offering the very best from the worlds of music, film, comedy, theatre, cabaret, dance, poetry, literature and art. With stunning individual performance spaces dedicated to each of the arts, the arenas are treasure troves of talent, with open doors and inviting atmospheres. Sit back and be entertained by over 700 performers or participate and learn a new skill in the many workshops on offer, there are new experiences round every corner 15-18 July

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6-8 Gig in the Park Music festival now in its 13th year. Halesworth Town Park (01603 7-8 Spotlight on the Dark Ages Historical re-creation. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

7-8 Southwold Model Railway Exhibition Southwold (01502 723230) 7-8 Thurlow Steam & Country Fair Horseheath, nr Haverhill (07711 988332) 8 Lowestoft Carnival Parade Lowestoft (01502 563847)

12-13 Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival Major annual air display event, with plenty of ground entertainment. Lowestoft (01502 533600)

13 Newmarket Nights Horseracing followed by Westlife concert. July Racecourse, Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

13-15 Felixstowe Carnival Felixstowe.

14-15 Air Display & Classic Car Show Rougham Airfield, nr Bury St Edmunds (01359 270524)

14-15 Anglo Saxon Encampment Living history event. Sutton Hoo, nr Woodbridge.

14-16 Aldeburgh Carnival Carnival day on 16th. Aldeburgh (01728 453637) 15 Westleton Barrel Fair Traditional annual event. Westleton, nr Saxmundham 19-20 Thorpeness Regatta & Fireworks Thorpeness (01728 453637) 21-22 Travellers through Time Historical re-creation. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

29-12 Sept Suffolk Open Studios Art Exhibition Sutton Hoo, nr Woodbridge.

27-30 High Summer Re-creation of Tudor Life Major historical re-creation event. Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207) 28 Hot Rod and Classic Vehicle Rally Felixstowe Promenade.

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26 - 28 Nov Burt St Edmunds Christmas Fair 5 Sept Art on the Prom, Felixstowe

28-30 Mildenhall Cycling Rally 29 Most Easterly Classic Vehicle Run Lowestoft area (01502 584566)

29-30 Lavenham Carnival and Rare Breeds Motor Show Lavenham (01787 247434)

Anglo-Saxon Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

18-19 Grand Henham Steam Rally Major annual family event. Henham Park, nr Beccles (01502 742376)

21-25 Fressingfield Music Festival

31 Bungay Pumpkin Night Halloween event Bungay (01986 893638)

NOVEMBER

Fressingfield, Nr Eye.

5 Big Night Out Large firework display.

Maleford Hall Park, Long Melford (01787 379783)

29-30 Medieval Mayhem!

25-26 Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival Large show of local producers, plus entertainment and more. Snape Maltings, nr Aldeburgh

Framlingham Castle (01728 724189)

(01728 688303)

5-7 Aldeburgh Poetry Festival

29-30 Eye Show & Country Fair Large annual family event. Goodrich Park,

25-26 Tudor Michaelmas Historical re-creation event. Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207) 30-2 Oct Cambridgeshire Meeting Horseracing. Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

Aldeburgh.

29-30 Anglo Saxon Encampment Living history event. Sutton Hoo, nr Woodbridge.

Palgrave, nr Eye (01379 870247)

29-30 Walsham le Willows Open Gardens Nr Bury St Edmunds (01359 259450) 30 Lowestoft Lions Oulton Broad Gala Day Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (01502 533600)

OCTOBER 2-3 Ploughs to Propellers 1940s Weekend

5-7 The Art, Craft & Design Show Rowley Mile Racecourse, Newmarket (0800 141 2823)

6 Christchurch Park Firework Display Massive display. Christchurch Park, Ipswich (01284 728718)

7 Yule Fest Craft stalls, live traditional music and festive cheer. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

9-10 Christmas Craft, Food and Country Gift Fair Suffolk Showground, Trinity Park, Ipswich

SEPTEMBER

Rougham Airfield, nr Bury St Edmunds (01787 247189)

(01283 820548)

2-17 Suffolk Festival of Performing Art

11-15 Southwold Literary Festival

3-5 The Suffolk Autumn Garden Show Large show. Trinity Park, Ipswich

Various venues (01473 625077)

2-3 World War Two Re-creation: Country House Requisitioned Historical re-creation event. Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207) 3-4 Ipswich Beer Festival Ipswich Corn

Various venues, Southwold (01803 867373)

(01702 549623)

4-5 500 Years Historical re-creation.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718) 5 Art on the Prom Felixstowe (01394 671033)

5 Suffolk Heavy Horse Spectacular Easton Farm Park, Easton, nr Woodbridge (01394 380643)

11-12 Maritime Woodbridge Woodbridge.

11-12 Harvest at Jimmy’s Festival of food and music. Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich (0207 287 9482)

11-12 Trolleybus Weekend East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft (01502 518459)

11-3 Oct Artworks Art exhibition.

Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham (01359 270091)

17-26 Beccles Music Festival St Michael’s Church, Beccles (01502 712317)

18-19 Anglo-Saxon Death and Burial Historical re-creation. West Stow

13-12 Dec Craft Fair Weekends Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham (01359 270091) 13-14 Christmas Gift Fair Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge.

9-24 Halesworth Arts Festival Halesworth

14 Yule Fest Craft stalls, live traditional music and festive cheer. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village,

(01787 247189)

West Stow, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 728718)

Exchange www.ipswichcamra.com

9-10 Suffolk Robin Hood Country Show

26-28 Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre

Suffolk Showground, Trinity Park, Ipswich (01702 549623)

Busy St Edmunds (01284 764667)

15-16 Champions’ Meeting Horseracing.

DECEMBER

Newmarket (0844 579 3010)

15-31 Scaresville: The Haunted Village Fabulous Halloween event. Kentwell, Long Melford

6-8 Christmas Street Fair Woodbridge (07830 158708)

(01787 310207)

22-31 Saxmundham Arts Festival

6-8 Bungay Christmas Street Market

(01728 604595)

Bungay (01986 782464)

22-31 Halloween Family Fun Trail

6-8 Kentwell Christmas Wonderland

Framlingham Castle (01728 724189)

Kentwell, Long Melford (01787 310207)

See what Suffolk has to offer Find out more at www.suffolktouristguide.com www.suffolktouristguide.com 23

food & drink

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Food&Drink

In Suffolk there’s no shortage of places to find delicious home grown, locally produced food & drink...

Adnams The brewer of distinctly nautical ales including Broadside and Explorer, along with a range of seasonal brews. The empire also includes an estate of 78 pubs and two hotels in its home port of Southwold. 01502 727200 www.adnams.co.uk Alder Carr Farm Shop Alder Carr farm raise their own Highland cattle for beef, and produce a delicious range of fruit ice creams. Their large farm shop and delicatessen sells a wide range of produce that includes home-baked pies, meats, Suffolk-cure bacon, herb plants, free-range eggs, goat's cheese, European cheeses, Jersey cream and local wines and beers. The pick your own farm offers a great range of fruit and veg, there’s also a yard restaurant and crafts centre.

Summer opening 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-2pm. Creeting St Mary 01449 720820

freshly pressed fruit juices and bacon alongside a wide range of own grown fruit and veg. The shop also sells local pork sausages, bread, free-range eggs and cakes. Specialities include homegrown fruits, Jersey cream and honeycomb ice-cream. And there’s also plenty of choice at their pick your own farm, which is open throughout the summer.

Willow Tree Farm, Assington, Sudbury 01787 211610 Bartrams A micro-brewery run by Marc Bartram since 1999. The intervening years have seen it win a host of sought-after awards, including one for the label of Comrade Bill Bartrams Egalitarian Anti Imperialist Soviet Stout. Bury St Edmunds bartramsbrewery.co.uk 01449 737655

comes - owner Bill Pinney will have been at sea catching it himself. Perfect, unadulterated fresh fish and seafood, oysters from Pinney’s own beds, a large range of fish from their own smokehouse, all available in the shop or the wonderfully simple restaurant. Market Hill, Orford 01394 450277 Earl Soham A brewery based in an old chicken shed behind the Victoria pub since 1985 before being reopened in 2001 after a refit. Its beers - which include Victoria Bitter, Albert Ale, Gannet Mild, Empress India and Porter - are now available in over 25 pubs in the region.

01728 684097 earlsohambrewery.co.uk

Aspall Cyder Eight generations of the Chevalier family in Debenham have produced Aspall Suffolk Cyder. All apples pressed for the cyder are from the local area. aspall.co.uk 01728 860510

Brandon Built in an old dairy in 2005 which forms part of a hotel and restaurant complex offering tearooms and hire boats.

Among the range of beers is Gunflint, which commemorates the role of the local flint in winning the Battle of Waterloo.

Brandon brandonbrewery.co.uk

Emmets of Peasenhall Mark Thomas is widely recognised as producing the finest hams in southeast England, using locally-reared, free-range Suffolk pork and curing and smoking on the premises at his delightful well-stocked shop that has a Royal Warrant.

Vintage Velvet hams are cured with port, others with cider.

Peasenhall, Saxmundham, 01728 660250

Assington Farm Shop Willow Tree Farm at Assington sells own-produced honey,

Butley Orford Oysterage A unique experience where you can enjoy fish as fresh as it

Engel A small brewery called "Opa Hay's" in memory of the

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owner's great grandfather who brewed beer in northern Germany. Its Pale Ale, Best and Amber beers can be found in five local pubs and the Real Ale Shop in Wrentham. Beccles engelfineales.com 01502 679144 Farmcafe & Foodmarket An oasis on the A12 offering locally produced food in both the café and shop. A12, Marlesford, Woodbridge 01728 747717 farmcafe.co.uk Friday Street Farm Shop Locally produced organic veg and chocolate are sold beside a wide range of home-grown seasonal vegetables. A good selection of organic meat includes beef, chicken, pork and lamb. Farnham, nr Saxmundham 01728 602783 Goslings Farm Shop This well stocked general farm store offers plenty of home grown and local fruit and vegetables, local meats and poultry, cakes, bread and preserves and a range of gluten free and vegetarian foods. They sell owngrown Maris Bard, Stemster and Saxon potatoes throughout the year and offer a wide range of pick-your-own soft fruit and veg. To add to your visit there’s a coffee shop serving homemade

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Ufford Produce & Provision Co The Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead Newbourne Farm Shop Jimmy’s Farm Powters Greene King

dishes and cakes, and a packed plant centre. Open Mon-Sun 9.30am-5pm. Longford House, Trimley St Mary, Felixstowe 01394 273361 Grange Farm Shop Seasonal apples are a speciality here, sold beside home-grown pears, plums, blackcurrants and more. The shop also offers a range of locally sourced products including seasonal veg, groceries, meat, cakes, juices and ice cream. Grundisburgh Road, Hasketon, Woodbridge 01473 735610 Green Jack

A three-man team producing beer inside the Triangle Tavern who produced a brew called Ripper which was voted the best winter beer in the UK. All its beers are known for their hoppy character thanks to a blend of local and new world hops.

Lowestoft 01502 582711 green-jack.co.uk

Greene King A pub owner and brewer based in Bury St Edmunds for over 200 years, Greene King is responsible for iconic beers including Abbot, Old Speckled Hen, Ruddles County and its eponymous IPA. Bury St Edmunds 01284 763222 greeneking.co.uk Hadleigh Maid Chocolates Beautifully packaged chocolates carefully hand-made by a team of chocolate fanatics in the picturesque town of Hadleigh.

George Street, Hadleigh 0845 330 6384 hadleighmaid.com High House Fruit Farm Fruit growers for more than 40 years with a shop that’s open daily selling fresh fruit, juices and preserves. Or pick your own!

Sudbourne, Woodbridge high-house.co.uk Hollow Trees Farm Shop This Les Routier accredited farm shop has been established for 20 years. You’ll find local meats including kid meat from their own-reared goats, and homereared beef, pork and lamb locally baked breads and carrot cakes, home grown vegetables, hay for pets, locally smoked fish and fine cheeses, local ales and ciders, fresh pressed juices and smoothies, and home grown cut flowers and plants. There’s also a

farm trail that takes you through the fields and livestock sheds, and a café. Semer, nr Hadleigh. 01449 741247 James White A range of bottled fruit juices produced just eight miles north of Ipswich and available to buy regionwide. jameswhite.co.uk Jimmy’s Farm As seen on TV, Jimmy Doherty’s place is a working farm which makes for a geat family day out with trails, and play areas. In the farm shop you can buy all of their home reared free range pig produce, beef and lamb in our butchers as well as an abundance of herbs and veggies from the garden. Pannington Hall Lane, Wherstead 08444 938088 Mauldons A micro-brewery set up in 1981

by Peter Mauldon, re-establishing a family business dating back to the 18th century.

Though it has since been purchased by an outsider it continues to produce the old favourites, including awardwinning Black Adder.

Sudbury www.mauldons.co.uk 01787 311055 Musk’s It’s not just horses Newmarket is famous for. The recipe for these sausages is a closely guarded

secret and unchanged since the days of Queen Victoria. Today, the company still supplies sausages to the Queen. 01638 662626 Newbourne Farm Shop Family run farm shop selling home grown fruit & vegetables and locally sourced, Suffolk food. suffolkcheese.co.uk 01473 836996 Palmers Bakeries The oldest traditional family bakers and confectioners in Suffolk. Established in 1869, the Palmer Family use only traditional ingredients and methods.

Shops located in Haughley, Stowmarket, Woolpit, Stanton, Claydon, Meredith & Norwich Road in Ipswich. 01449 673286 Powters Since 1881, Powters has built a reputation for its ‘Newmarket Sausage’. Prime cuts of East Anglian pork, freshly boned by hand and mixed with their secret blend of herbs and spices gives this a unique and distinctive flavour. Wellington Street, Newmarket 01638 662418 powters.co.uk Red Rat Craft Brewery A brewery whose success allowed it to multiply its output by 20 times in a year to 10,000 pints a week. Among its favourites is the highly-regarded Crazy Dog Stout (named after

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The Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead Big Tom Tomato Juice

the owner's own dog) which is a great accompaniment to dark meat and game. Troston 01359 269742 redratcraftbrewery.co.uk Rookery Farm Shop Locally produced Double Fudge Delight ice cream is one of a number of specialities. The shop also sells Sutton Hoo chicken, local lamb, smoked fish, honey and seasonal veg such as purple sprouting brocolli and butternut squash. Tattingstone, Ipswich 01473 327220 St Peters A brewery relying on Anglian malts and water drawn up from the chalky ground within its perimeter. It supplements a range of traditional beers with seasonal treats such as honey porter and fruit beer, as well as a gluten free variety.

Bungay 01986 78232 stpetersbrewery.co.uk

Shawsgate Vineyard One of East Anglia’s oldest commercial vineyards producing a range of white, red and rosé wines. Wander around the vineyard, visit the shop, or take a tour. Badingham Road, Framlingham 01728 724060 Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses All cheeses are made from Jason & Elisabeth Salisbury’s Guernsey cows on their farm in Cottenham. 01473 836996 suffolkcheese.co.uk Suffolk Food Hall The Food Hall brings together several businesses under one roof providing an outlet for the best local quality food. The concept of the Suffolk Food Hall started to take shape in 2005.

As farmers, Oliver and Robert Paul were frustrated that con-

sumers had limited and often inconvenient access to much of the fantastic food produced locally. Hence they set about creating a Food Hall that is a showcase for quality local food with provenance. They have teamed up with a number of specialists, including Hamish Johnston cheese, Crystal Waters fishmonger, Bread by Helena Doy, Promotion Wine and the Bourne Garden Centre and are looking to provide a great day out for the whole family with quality, traceable food alongside other local products.

Restaurant. Wherstead 01473 786610 Ufford Produce and Provison Co Award winning specialist Suffolk Food Store. As well as fresh produce from surrounding

Suffolk Farmers’ Markets ALDEBURGH Church Hall, Victoria Road 3rd Saturday monthly 9am to 12.30pm BARSHAM The Grange Farm Centre Last Saturday 9am-1pm BECCLES Beccles Heliport 1st & 3rd Saturday 9am-1pm EARSHAM Earsham Hall 2nd Saturday 9am1pm

IPSWICH Corn Hill Exchange 1st Sunday 9am-4pm LAVENHAM Village Hall 4th Saturday all day

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Willow Trees Farm Shop Willow Trees farm shop sells as much seasonal and local produce as possible, and it is all superb quality. There are cheeses and chickens, cakes and breads, as well as classic frozen vegetables and ready meals.

Willow Trees also stock a wide range of locally produced jams and chutneys, oils and sauces, and they are well worth a visit during the short asparagus season for a taste of those alone.

Lower Road, Glemsford, Long Melford 01787 280341

Dates indicate the regular day of the month the markets are held

SNAPE Snape Maltings 1st Saturday 9.30am-1pm

STRADBROKE Business and Enterprise College 1st Saturday 9am-1pm SUDBURY St Peter's Church Last Friday 9.30am-1pm

NEEDHAM MARKET Alder Carr Farm 3rd Saturday 9am-1pm

SOUTHWOLD Beachcomber Rooms, Southwold Pier 4th Saturday 9am-1pm STANTON Wyken Vineyards Every Saturday 9am-1pm

RICKINGHALL Village Hall 2nd Saturday 9am-1pm

STOWMARKET Market Place 1st Friday 9am-1pm

WOODBRIDGE Community Centre 2nd & 4th Saturday 9am-1pm

EASTON LONG MELFORD Easton Farm Park Village Hall 4th Saturday 9am-1pm 3rd Saturday 10am-1pm HALESWORTH Holton Village Hall METFIELD 2nd Sat 9am-1pm Village Hall HARKSTEAD Village Hall 3rd Saturday 9am 12noon

farms all meat products are sourced from suppliers who raise and butcher their animals within a 30 mile radius of the shop. Loudham Lane, Lower Ufford, Woodbridge 0844 556 9323 suffolk-produce.co.uk

1st Saturday 9am -12 noon

WHERSTEAD Jimmy’s Farm 1st Saturday 9am-1pm

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Arts&Crafts

Suffolk’s scenery has inspired generations of artists and continues to do so today. Art lovers will find many contemporary landscapes and seascapes in galleries throughout the county

Galleries Just a few places to find great art and crafts Aldeburgh Gallery 143 High Street, Aldeburgh 01728 453203 Angel Gallery 17 Market Place, Lavenham 01787 248417 Art Garden Gallery High Street, Yoxford 01728 668163 Beyond the Image Gallery Red House Yard, Thornham Magna 01379 678230 Buckenham Galleries 81 High Street, Southwold 01502 725418 Textile painting by Helen Dougall www.hdbatik.co.uk

arts 1

Bury St Edmunds Gallery The Market Cross, Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds 01284 762081 Cork Brick Gallery 6 Earsham Street, Bungay 01986 894873 Craftco High Street, Southwold 01502 723211 The Crooked House Gallery 7 High St, Lavenham 01787 247865 Eyestorm Gallery 27-29 St Nicholas Street, Ipswich, 01473 222197 Ferini Art Gallery All Saints Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft 01502 562222

1st Floor Gallery 1 Lower Downs Slade, Haverhill 01440 762444 Halesworth Gallery Steeple’s End, Halesworth 01986 872409 Hunter Gallery Coconut House, Long Melford 01787 466117 Imagine Gallery Hall Street, Long Melford, 01787 378786 Jessica Muir Gallery Hall Street, Long Melford 01787 310400 John Russell Gallery 4 - 6 Wherry Lane, Ipswich 01473 212051 Kersey Pottery The Street, Kersey 01473 822092

Kesgrave Arts 83 Main Rd, Kesgrave 01473 333553 Lime Tree Gallery Hall Street, Long Melford 01787 319046 Reunion Gallery 36 Gainsborough Road, Felixstowe 01394 272266 Sea Pictures Gallery Well Lane, Clare 01787 279024 Serena Hall Gallery 16 Queen St, Southwold 01502 723887 Snape Maltings Snape, nr Aldeburgh 01728 688303 Soule Pottery Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal 01449 711000

Southwold Gallery High Street, Southwold 01502 723888 Spiral Gallery High St, Debenham 01728 861699 Thompson’s Gallery 175 High St, Aldeburgh 01728 453743 The Town Hall Galleries Cornhill, Ipswich 01473 432863 The Upstairs Gallery Exchange Square, Beccles 01502 717191 Wildwood Gallery Churchgate St, Bury St Edmunds 01284 752938 Wingfield Barns Church Rd, Wingfield 01379 384505

The Suffolk Craft Society was formed in 1970 to support and promote the work of contemporary designer crafts people in Suffolk. The group have a permanent gallery at Gallery 2 in the Town Hall Galleries, Ipswich, where you’ll find a changing display of members work. There is also an online shop where you can buy members' work online and get it delivered to your door, and the website also provides details of members’ studios that are open to the public. The 39th Annual Exhibition of the Suffolk Craft Society will be held at the Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh, in July. www.suffolkcraftsociety.org

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Towns&Villages

Just one hour from London, Suffolk has a bounty of attractive towns and villages with great shops, beautiful buildings and plenty to explore.

Woodbridge The picturesque market town of Woodbridge effortlessly mixes the old with the new and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Whether it’s for a walk along the smooth River Deben overlooking Sutton Hoo, the ancient burial site of the Anglo Saxon Kings tucked across the river estuary, or simply to enjoy one of the many cafes and eateries around the town, you'll find plenty of reasons to return again and again.

The town’s most well known landmark is the white-boarded Tide Mill, which is neatly nestled

between the boat builders, sail makers and chandlers still plying their wares. It may be one of the earliest mills in the UK - a mill was first recorded on this site in 1170 - but today’s building dates from the 18th century. In town you will probably want to catch your breath in The Thoroughfare, a cornucopia of delicatessens, boutiques, and bookshops.

One of the real charms of the town are the tiny winding lanes bedecked on either side with fine medieval timbered cottages, Georgian townhouses, and a

plethora of cosy pubs.

Market Hill provides one of the best vantage points in town and it's here that you'll find Woodbridge Museum which includes an excellent collection of memorabilia telling the intriguing story of the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo site amongst other things. Then there’s the Shire Hall to explore. Built in 1575 by Thomas Seckford, the beautiful building bisects Market Hill and is home to the Suffolk Punch Heavy Horse Museum.

woodbridge clare cavendish

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The Stour at Clare Caste Country Park Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Clare Cavendish

Cavendish

Cavendish is the perfect ‘picture postcard’ English village with a 14th-15th century church, a number of thatched cottages, and the Sue Ryder Foundation Museum, which tells the life story of Sue Ryder and the history of the Foundation. In 1381 during the Peasants Revolt, Sir John Cavendish hung on to the handle of the church door to plead for sanctuary from his pursuers after his son had put to death Wat Tyler, the peasants’ leader. What is even more amazing is that the same handle still hangs on the door some 620 years later.

Clare A delightful little wool town on the River Stour; in fact, its name is said to derive from the “clear” nature of the river Stour as it flows through the town. Visit the remains of a13th Century Augustinian Priory and the quaint Ancient House Museum. The open space of Clare Castle Country Park is a wonderful place to relax, while there is a lovely nature trail along the pretty River Stour and summer events including open air garden theatre and treasure trails for children.

The so-called Rendlesham Forest Incident took place in nearby Rendlesham Forest in 1980.

Unexplained lights were seen in the sky close to RAF Woodbridge, a United States Airforce base, and there were claims that a UFO had landed in the forest. The incident continues to interest ufologists and vigorous debates take place between those who believe that an alien spacecraft landed there and the sceptics who offer alternative explanations.

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Lavenham Lavenham is a joy to explore any time of the year and looks as beautiful in the evening as it does during the day. The village has a proud history of being one of the foremost cloth making centres in England from the 14th to the 16th century and the many magnificent buildings that remain are a testimony to the town being the fourteenth wealthiest in England.

Lavenham’s importance as a trading town was recognized as far back at the thirteenth century, and was granted its market Charter in 1257. It then became of some international importance in the reign of Edward III, during which time Lavenham exported its famous blue broadcloth to Russia, trading with the notorious Catherine the Great. Lavenham’s industry went into a steep decline in the 16th century though, as Dutch refugees to Colchester brought with them cheaper, more fashionable cloth. At the turn of the 20th century much of the village was in a state of near dereliction.

Today it ranks amongst the most beautiful of villages; set in lush green countryside it makes the ideal weekend getaway.

The appearance of the town has changed little over the years, the buildings are fascinating, some are huge and imposing, others are tiny and some are crooked!

Lavenham has been described

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as “the finest medieval town in England” and no fewer than 300 of its buildings are listed as being of architectural or historical interest. One of these is the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is among the finest in East Anglia, a magnificent church with a spire of 141 feet. Other buildings of interest that are open to the public include The Guildhall of Corpus Christi, owned by the National Trust. This is a 16th-century timber framed building overlooking the market place and houses a museum offering insights into local life.

Little Hall is a lovely example of 15th-century hall house with a crown-post roof. It contains the Gayer-Anderson collection of furniture, pictures, sculptures and ceramics.

Art lovers will be at home here too with collection of wonderful galleries to visit.

Much recommended is a walk along the disused railway line, followed by a wander through the gift and antique shops, then a cream tea, lunch or dinner in one of the many fabulous tea rooms, pubs and restaurants.

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Bury St Edmunds Few places in England can match the beauty, character and history of Bury St Edmunds. Rich in legend and folklore, the town has been admired down the years by visitors and authors from Daniel Defoe to Charles Dickens.

The town grew up around the powerful Abbey of St Edmund in early medieval times. For five centuries it was visited by pilgrims from all over the world, coming to worship at the shrine of St Edmund - the martyred King of East Anglia. St Edmund was the patron saint of England until the dragon-slaying George took up the title in more militant times.

Evidence of St Edmundsbury’s past and present is all around.

Town and village streets, magnificent parish churches, and unspoiled landscapes throw light on an England that elsewhere has long been lost.

Take the Abbey Trail through the town and visit the old Abbey Ruins; the remains of the great

Benedictine Abbey, destroyed in the dissolution of 1539.

It’s a wonderful town to visit, with almost 1,000 preserved buildings and a network of streets that still follow the grid pattern devised by the abbots in the 11th century. The town has excellent leisure and shopping facilities and is at its busiest on Wednesdays and Saturdays when people flock to the Buttermarket and Cornhill to visit one of the best provision markets in East Anglia. The town is a shoppers’ delight, where every sort of store from the large High Street names to family-run businesses and fascinating small gift shops sit comfortably side-by-side.

The Abbey Gardens are wellknown for their stunning floral displays. St Edmundsbury Cathedral was mostly built in the 16th century and has been a cathedral since 1914. There has never been a better time to visit this medieval building, once part of the great abbey of St Edmund, as it has recently been

completed with the addition of a new Gothic style lantern Tower.

Other buildings to admire include the Victorian Corn Exchange, with its imposing colonnade; the Athenaeum, hub of social life since Regency times; Cupola House, where Daniel Defoe once stayed; the Angel Hotel, where Charles Dickens and his creation Mr Pickwick stayed; and The Nutshell, owned by Greene King, and probably the smallest pub in the country. The town is home to Greene King and any visit must include a visit to the brewery, where you can take a tour and a tasting.

The small but enormously significant Theatre Royal, built by National Gallery architect William Wilkins in 1819, is the sole surviving Regency Theatre left in the country and even after nearly 200 years remains a vital part of the town’s cultural identity.

The theatre recently reopened after a major restoration.

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Beccles Beccles lies in North West Suffolk on the banks of the Waveney river on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

Its name, which means ‘meadow by the stream’, still makes sense today, with the town backing onto the southern edge of The Broads. The pretty riverfront and quay make Beccles a popular stop for pleasure craft, and the river offers a splendid view of the Georgian gardens sloping down to the water’s edge.

The Bell Tower next to St Michael’s Church dominates the

skyline and climbing its hundred or so steps offers the reward of some commanding views.

Beccles’ streetplan dates back to medieval times. Devastating fires in the 16th and 17th centuries led to the arrival of the town’s many fine Georgian houses.

The narrow streets are home to an eclectic mix of boutiques and antiques shops. Among them too are quality food shops, including Bailey’s Delicatessen on Hungate.

There’s plenty to tempt the palates of visitors; Twyford’s café

in Exchange Square serves a fine tea, for dining there’s Bells in The Old Market, Indiagate in Newgate and The Swan House wine bar and restaurant near the bell tower comes recommended by the Broads Quality Charter.

Beccles has its fair share of festivities too with an annual carnival and regatta in July, with live music, a parade, fun fair and fireworks; a fiercely-contested charity rubber duck race in September and the “Straw Race”, a pub crawl for people encumbered with a straw bail.

Black Shuck - the Black Dog of Bungay - was a wild hound which reputedly rampaged through a thunderstorm in the mid 16th century, killing two people. The Church was struck by lightning and in such a superstitious age, it was seen to be the work of the devil. The legend is said to be the inspiration for The Hound of the Baskervilles - and even made it as a song by Lowestoft rock band, The Darkness

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Bungay market town sits in the Waveney Valley, partly encircled by the River Waveney, with views of picturesque water meadows. The streets are full of historic character and offer several independent shops, restaurants, tea and coffee shops, cafes and bars. Thursday is market day, and Earsham Street is where you’ll find many of Bungay’s shops.

Take a look at the ruins of Bigod’s Castle, built in 1170, details of which can be found at the castle visitor centre on Cross Street. Bungay Festival, focused around the castle, is held in July.

The town museum is in the District Council Office in Broad

Street, and St. Mary's Church, with its tall tower, is the site of the famous local Legend of Black Shuck.

For a bite to eat there’s the well-loved Buttercross Tearooms and Tea Gardens, lunch from local produce at The Castle Inn on Earsham Street and at the award-winning Earsham Street Café & Delicatessen you’ll find excellent British and Mediterranean food.

To enjoy the scenic route of the Waveney walk along the riverside pathway or hire a rowing boat and look out over the heathland and golf course of Outney Common.

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Stowmarket town sign Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket River Stour at Sudbury sign Saxmundham town sign

Sudbury Set in the heart of the Stour Valley, the market town of Sudbury was for centuries a centre of the weaving and silk industries. The painter Thomas Gainsborough was born here, and a fine collection of his paintings can be seen in his house, which also has a contemporary art gallery and a print workshop offering summer courses. The Quay theatre puts on a lively programme of events and nearby, visitors can enjoy a lazy boat trip on the River Stour followed by a cream tea at the restored 18th century granary.

There is still a traditional market on Thursdays and Saturdays, a farmers' market on the last Friday of each month plus a lovely range of shops to explore.

Saxmundham Saxmundham is a popular market town on the River Fromus at the centre of Suffolk's Heritage Coastal region. Saxmundham, or 'Sax' as it is known locally, has many local shops and

businesses, sports and leisure facilities. The town has two caravan and camping sites, as well as several excellent hotels, guest houses and B&Bs. There's also a market every

Wednesday. There are several significant annual events in the town such as St. Georges' Day Weekend celebrations, 'Saxmundham in Bloom', and Saxmundham Arts Festival.

Stowmarket A town at the geographical heart of rural Suffolk and on the River Gipping, Stowmarket was originally an agricultural Market Town.

Industry developed upon the canalization, in 1793, of the River Gipping bringing new prosperity

to the town. Now the old towpath forms an enjoyable footpath through the GippingValley from Stowmarket railway station to the docks at Ipswich. Even though it is growing in size and population, Stowmarket hasn’t lost its charm,

with a variety of listed buildings, typical of Suffolk’s towns and villages, notably St Peter & St Mary’s Church. Not to be missed is the Museum of East Anglian Life, one of the UK’s leading open air museums.

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Main Street, Long Melford Kentwell Hall Melford Hall

Long Melford Long Melford is one of Suffolk’s most attractive villages, and in a nationwide poll by Savills, the estate agent, it came 7th in Britain as one of the most desirable villages to live.

It has a long, long High Street - two and a half miles to be exact; the longest in England - populated by charming independent shops, vibrant art galleries, antique centres, cafes, restaurants, and, of course, typical Suffolk Inns.

This, combined with beautiful architecture and amazing countryside, and it is no wonder that Long Melford is such a desirable place!

There’s plenty of interesting sights, including, at the top of the village, Holy Trinity Church, a wool church dating from the 15th century. It contains several noteworthy memorials and brasses, and just outside is the brick hospital, founded in 1573 as an almhouse for twelve poor men and two poor women.

There are also two Tudor mansions in close proximity.

Kentwell Hall is a romantic, completely moated, mellow redbrick mansion in a tranquil parkland setting. There are lots of events going on at the Hall, not least their famous Tudor re-creations, and you can have a guided tour of the house.

Melford Hall is a large Elizabethan house, built of red brick around a quadrangle and ornamented with mitre-topped turrets. It is run by the National Trust.

One of the attractions of Long Melford today is it’s thriving and growing hub of Art Galleries. In the past Long Melford has been known as an antique centre but now the village has a reputation for being the place in Suffolk to go to see and buy works of art. This has brought a new vibrancy to the village and there is a now a wider array of good quality shops from ladies boutiques to Fine Foods, as well as some remaining high quality antique shops.

Long Melford is a true Suffolk gem. It has lots to offer the visitor, from historic buildings to contemporary fashions, and the food available throughout the Village - from the butcher to the restaurants and pubs - will keep you sustained throughout your stay.

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Ipswich Wolsey's Gate, near the Ipswich Waterfront, is all that's left of Thomas Wolsey's dream to build a great college in his home town: a dream immortalised in Shakespeare’s play Henry VIII. When the Lord Chancellor fell from grace, this bustling, buoyant Tudor town fell with him. But not for long, because unlike Cardinal Wolsey, who died penniless and bereft, the modest maritime town of Ipswich quickly recovered its civic poise and dignity.

Anyone who is unfamiliar with the fascinating county town is in for a pleasant surprise. Once a solid centre of maritime commerce and activity, the Ipswich ‘Docks’ have been transformed into the Ipswich ‘Waterfront’. Much of the rich fabric of the past remains intact

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Film and TV actress Jane Lapotaire was born in Ipswicn as was film and theatre director, Trevor Nunn and actor Ralph Fiennes. Other famous names associated with the town are 80s singer Nik Kershaw and the late actor Sir John Mills, who has a theatre named after him in the town. Comedian Hugh Dennis’s father was Bishop of Saint Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Ipswich Docks were used as a location for the 1987 film The Fourth Protocol starring Michael Caine.

with sensitive renovations of several heritage dockland buildings including the delectable boutique style Salthouse Harbour Hotel and the imposing Old Custom’s House. Meanwhile, a new wave of vibrant cafes, cosmopolitan restaurants, interesting shops and modern apartment blocks has washed in with the tide.

Add this to the ever-changing skyline; the vista of visiting large sailing boats, Royal Navy ships, yachts and powerboats, and it’s easy to see why Ipswich has become one of the most sought after destinations in the East.

Ten minutes walk away is the town centre, which offers rich pickings in terms of its museums, galleries, theatres, parklands and high street shops.

There’s also a great open-air

market on the Cornhill on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, located right outside the newly refurbished Town Hall Galleries, which is well worth a visit.

Christchurch Mansion, a fine Tudor house set in its own beautiful park in the heart of the town, boasts the most important collection outside of London of works by Constable and Gainsborough.

International pop acts, mainstream and fringe theatre and an unrivalled arts festival all this and more you'll find at venues such as The Regent Theatre, the Corn Exchange, and the New Wolsey Theatre.

Of course, retail therapy is a must when out on the town.

St Nicholas Street is ‘boutique paradise’, and there’s a thriving High Street and the Tower Ramparts shopping centre.

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Willy Lott’s house, Dedham Vale

Constable Country Beautiful Constable Country is located on the Suffolk and Essex border. This enchanting part of England was the birthplace of renowned artist John Constable and the subject matter of many of his most famous paintings, most notably The Hay Wain, a scene depicting a horse-drawn cart in the water, haymakers at work in the distance and a charming little cottage rented by a farmer called Willy Lott.

Known the world over for its atmospheric skies and captivating natural beauty, this is an inspirational place to spend a holiday.

One of the best ways to experience the countryside that John Constable knew and loved is to walk around the picturesque Stour Valley.

By following in the footsteps of Constable you’ll have a better appreciation of the trees, rivers, sounds and light captured on canvass by one of the greatest British painters of all time.

Visit Flatford: this little riverside hamlet is the setting for some of Constable’s most famous paintings,such as ‘The Hay Wain’, ‘The Mill Stream’, ‘Boat-building near Flatford’ and ‘The White Horse’. The Bridge Cottage is now home to a small exhibition on Constable, a tearoom and shop. Flatford Mill and Willy Lott’s house are owned by the National Trust.

Visit the pretty village of East Bergholt, Constable’s birthplace, and from where a young Constable used to walk across the riverside meadows to Dedham every day on his way to school.

Close by is the historic market town of Hadleigh, the delightful Shotley Peninsula, and some wonderful villages along the Stour Valley, which you can follow all the way to Haverhill.

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Coast

The Suffolk Coast is one of the UK’s finest landscapes with 40 miles of Heritage Coast set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Under big East Anglia skies discover charming seaside towns, lively resorts and beautiful coastal scenes

Pin Mill On the banks of the River Orwell the hamlet of Pin Mill is a haven of tranquillity, loved by artists, walkers and birdwatchers. The 17th century Butt & Oyster inn is so close to the river that it can serve pints of ale through the window to yachtsmen at high tide. Pin Mill was the setting for Arthur Ransome’s book We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea.

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Lowestoft beach Dunwich Southwold Bawdsey

Walberswick Walberswick is a village across the River Blyth from Southwold.

Until the early 20th century, it was a trading port, but today it is one of Suffolk’s top tourist attractions with half of the properties in the village being holiday homes.

The village and surrounding beach and marshland have long attracted residents drawn from the arts, film and media. In the 1890s and 1900s it became associated with Philip Wilson Steer and his circle of English Impressionists, and it was home to the noted artist and architect

Charles Rennie Mackintosh from 1914.

Considering its size, an inordinate number of British celebrities own holiday homes in the village including Sir Clement Freud and his wife Jill, and their daughter, Emma Freud and her husband Richard Curtis. Martin Bell and Geoffrey Palmer both maintain properties here, while Paul Heiney and Libby Purves live nearby. The village is the setting for Esther Freud’s novel, The Sea House, thinly disguised as ‘Steerborough’ - presumably a coded reference, or in-joke,

towards one-time resident, Philip Wilson Steer.

The village is famous for its annual crabbing competition The British Open Crabbing Championship, held every August. The person who catches the single heaviest crab within a period of 90 minutes is declared the winner. The proceeds go towards strengthening Walberswick's sea defences.

The village has tea rooms, restaurants, two public houses, an art gallery, original crafts and gift shops.

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Southwold Southwold lies in the centre of an area of great natural beauty – a paradise for the walker, the naturalist, and the birdwatcher. Situated on a hill that gently rises from the Blyth Valley, the town is virtually an island, being surrounded by the River Blyth to the south and Buss Creek to the north. This has enabled Southwold to retain its old world charm. The dramatic coastline and the town’s beautiful architecture make it a popular attraction throughout the year. In the summer, Southwold’s sandy beaches are a huge draw and out of season some its most charming elements can be enjoyed – cosy pub lunches, isolated

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George Orwell’s parents moved to Southwold in 1921 and the famous author wrote many of his novels while in the town.

Crime novelist PD James is local and many of her books are set in East Anglia.

walks or a quiet browse in its many antiques shops.

Southwold’s beach is immaculately kept and is a regular Blue Flag winner. The shore is famous for its rows of brightly coloured and highly sought after beach huts. These days they sell for the price of a small flat!

Quiet and full of character, Southwold is a refreshingly unspoilt coastal resort.

In the town centre there’s an exciting selection of interesting and independent shops, selling antiques, crafts and gifts. There is also a variety of art galleries, boutiques and jewellers.

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The man with the sword on the Adnams pump clip is called ‘Southwold Jack’.

A famous local figure, Southwold Jack represents a soldier from the Wars of the Roses. The original Jack lives inside the church of St Edmunds. He dates from the 15th century and is a mechanical figure dressed in armour and made from oak. In his hand is an axe which he uses to strike the church bell.

As you’d expect, first class seafood can be found in the town’s many fine restaurants and pubs, most of which serve ales brewed by the local – and world famous – Adnams Sole Bay Brewery.

They simply must be sampled on a visit.

The Adnams stamp is everywhere and reflected in the cluster of great pubs: Sole Bay Inn, Lord Nelson, Harbour Inn and King’s Head. The Crown Hotel is one of several Adnams-owned hostelries.

Winner of countless awards and accolades, no visit to the town is complete without the chance to discover the delights of the 16th century coaching inn and its creative bar and restaurant menus. The

Swan Hotel, which dominates the Market Place, is not only an excellent place to stay but has a highly regarded restaurant.

Adnams has been brewing from its base in the town for over 100 years and now has an estate of 80 pubs, two bespoke hotels and a chain of successful high quality wine and kitchenware stores.

The brewery can be found on East Green, and you can see some of its workings through an external glass wall. Elsewhere in town look out for the stylish Adnams Cellar & Kitchen shop on Victoria Street.

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Southwold Special to the town is the Southwold Summer Theatre, with a season of children’s performances, lunchtime events and evening theatre.

Southwold looks out over Sole Bay, scene of an inconclusive battle in 1672 between the combined British and French fleet and the Dutch fleet. The town was once known for its herring fishery, and today the attractive harbour is still home to a little fleet of boats. To discover something of Southwold's maritime heritage visit the Sailors’ Reading Room,

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on East Cliff overlooking the sea, where the exhibits include ship models, figureheads and early photographs of past seafaring local heroes. There’s more maritime history to be found in The Alfred Corry Museum, at the end of Ferry Road, the resting place of Southwold’s old sailing lifeboat, which saved 47 lives during its use between 1893 and 1918.

In Victoria Street the Southwold Museum, once a weaver’s cottage, houses an intriguing collection of artifacts from the town's past.

Southwold’s gleaming white lighthouse, built in 1890, stands 101 feet above the town. Its warning beacon can be seen for 17 miles out to sea. Visitors who climb the winding lighthouse stairs are rewarded with fantastic views. Join one of the regular tours.

Those wanting to take to the sea themselves can take the Coastal Voyager sea trip from the harbour, a 30 minute tour of Sole Bay. The kiosk can be found in the harbour car park near the Lifeboat Shed

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Waiting for the ferry at Felixstowe Ferry Port of Felixstowe Martello Tower Spa Pavilion Theatre

Felixstowe Felixstowe, bordered on the north by the River Deben and on the south by the River Orwell, is a well loved resort known for its Blue Flag quality sand and shingle beach, long promenade, perfectly kept seafront gardens and seaside attractions.

Felixstowe became a fashionable seaside resort in the 1880s, and has retained many of its attractive Victorian and Edwardian houses and hotels. The seafront is over four miles long, with a wide promenade that stretches almost the entire length of the beach from Languard Point to Felixstowe Ferry.

Five Martello towers, built to prevent Napoleonic invasion, stand on Felixstowe’s coast.

The front has all attractions of the traditional seaside holiday resort, with old-fashioned beach huts, fish and chip shops, a funfair, amusement arcade, miniature golf, bowling green, cafés and

restaurants, as well the leisure centre’s pool, saunas and sunbeds.

The art deco style Spa Pavilion theatre, also on the seafront, stages dance shows, music and musicals, comedy, ballet, children’s shows and hosts the annual Felixstowe Drama Festival (May 22-29).

Or you could enjoy a retro night at the movies at the 1930s Palace Cinema.

Felixstowe’s summer season of events includes a French Market, Historic Vehicle Rally, tennis tournament, Carnival and Fair and Art on the Prom.

(See events pages for further event details).

Felixstowe is home to the UK’s largest container port, and Europe’s busiest. The viewing area at Landguard on the southern edge of the town offers great views of container and passenger ships from Felixstowe and Harwich harbours. Next to the

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Simon Tappenden, Manager, Felixstowe Leisure Centre

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Famous names associated with the town include The Rt. Hon. Arthur Balfour, British Prime Minister from 19021908 (who was Captain of Felixstowe Golf Club in 1889); actor Sir John Mills (CBE) who grew up in Felixstowe and Wallis, The Duchess of Windsor who spent time at Felixstowe waiting for Edward VIII’s abdication.

Felixstowe Ferry

view point is the Felixstowe Museum, full of artifacts from Roman to recent times, and Landguard Fort, a multi-period military building dating back to the 16th century. The fort’s warren of tunnels and rooms is open for exploration every day throughout summer.

Here too, at the mouth of the River Orwell, are the Landguard Bird Observatory and the Landguard Peninsular nature reserve, a significant site for shore and migrant birds, and rare shingle flowers.

North of the town centre is the fishing village of Old Felixstowe and, at the mouth of the River Deben, the hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry with its gallery, golf course, cottages, boat yard and riverside inns. Here you can explore coastal paths, see the Martello Towers, pick up fresh fish at The Shed fish stall, enjoy excellent fish and chips at the Ferry Café and catch the small ferry boat across the estuary to Bawdsey.

Spa Pavilion Theatre; Undercliff Road West (01394 282126) Flynnstar Bicycles; Bike hire by day or half day, also go-karts, skateboards and scooters. 25b Cobbold Road (01394 274701) Harwich Harbour Ferry; Felixstowe to Harwich ferry departs from The Crow’s Nest Snack Bar, Landguard Viewing Area (07919 911440)

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Lowestoft Located on the most easterly point of the British coast, Lowestoft provides an ideal holiday location for all ages. With a mix of vibrant sandy beaches, pleasant seaside walks and quality family attractions all set in a traditional seaside town.

This once flourishing fishing port is now renowned for the quality of its golden sandy beaches. The North & South beaches are considered to be some of the very best in Europe and both currently hold the ENCAMS Blue flag award. The Victorian garden provide the perfect surrounds to one of the east coasts highlights The town centre and seafront areas have seen some recent changes to make them more accessible to visitors.

The improvements also included the introduction of the Princess Royal Fountains. The fountains consist of 74 individual waters jets that provide the perfect attraction for children through the day and a visual spectacle in the evenings.

Lowestoft also offers a unique shopping experience. The main town centre provides all the high street names, Kirkley offers a choice of independent stores whilst the High Street provides an opportunity to shop in one of the most interesting and historical parts of the town.

Those wishing to indulge into Lowestoft Rich Maritime History will be able to explore Heritage Quay and the Maritime Museum. There is also the opportunity to buy some local fish from one of the merchants or from the local smoke house.

Heading away from the beach, the town is surrounded by a wide choice of attractions, ranging from museums, wildlife parks, piers and other facilities that will keep all visitors entertained.

The Marina Theatre in the town provides a number of high quality acts throughout the year and is also the eastern home to the internationally acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Those wishing to be a little more active may decide to follow the coastal walk and horse riding along the coast or for the more adventurous why not try your hand at kite boarding.

Not to be missed is the legendary Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival on 12-13 August.

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In the 1840s, Charles Dickens came to stay with Sir Samuel Morton Peto. Lowestoft's Beach Village, along with Blundeston village, became the inspiration for David Copperfield. The composer Benjamin Britten was born in Lowestoft in 1913. He lived on the seafront at 21 Kirkley Cliff Road until 1933. Radio One DJ Tim Westwood was also born in the town- and Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One CEO - was born near Bungay and lived on Denmark Road in Lowestoft. Rock band The Darkness are from the town and Lil’ Chris (Hardman), who found fame on Channel 4’s Rock School series, was discovered when the second series was filmed at Kirkley Community High School, where he was a pupil.

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Thorpness Meare Boat at Dunwich The beach at Thorpeness

Dunwich Thorpeness Orford It’s hard to believe that the sleepy village of Dunwich was once a bustling port city with a population of 4,000.

It might have been still if the sea hadn’t eaten away at it, leading to its almost complete abandonment by the 19th century. There are fabulous reminders of its heyday, including the ruins of a Franciscan priory, while the natural splendour of Dunwich Heath is still intact.

Steeped in history, Orford is an attractive small townoverlooked by its 12th century castle keep built by Henry VII for coastal defence. Brick and timber buildings line the streets to the little quayside, where there are boat trips to Orford Ness Europe's largest vegetated shingle spit.

Try the locally cultivated oysters.

Take a short boat trip to Orford Ness Nature Reserve, the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe.

The Reserve contains a variety of habitats including shingle, saltmarsh, mudflat, brackish lagoons and grazing marsh. It provides an important location for breeding and passage birds as well as for the coastal shingle flora and wildlife, including a large number of nationally rare species. The Ness was a secret military test site from 1913 until the mid 1980s. Visitors follow a 5.5 mile route, which can be walked in total or in part (the full walk involves walking on shingle)

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If there was ever a village that deserved to be called ‘fantastic’, it is Thorpeness, built at the start of last century by a wealthy Scottish barrister with a penchant for mock Tudor and Jacobean architecture. He also ingeniously disguised the village’s water tower as an overgrown house, the striking ‘House in the Clouds’, lest it offend the eye. J.M. Barrie fans of all ages can find his work realised at the Meare boating lake where islands and coves are given names taken from Peter Pan. After an afternoon’s boating enjoy a meal and explore the stalls at the Thorpeness Brasserie and Emporium.

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Don’t miss the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival 2010 on 25-26 Sept. Held at Snape Maltings, it’s a wonderful celebration of Suffolk’s finest food & drink featuring an array of producers, tastings, cooking demonstrations, country walks and much more.

Aldeburgh Aldeburgh is a beautiful town on the river Alde. It is blessed with breathtaking scenery, both seawards and following the river Alde inland.

Aldeburgh’s name comes from Alde Burgh meaning “old fort”.

The town’s history is inextricably

linked to the changes time has wrought to the coastal map.

It was once an important Tudor port, its shipbuilders responsible for Francis Drake’s ‘Golden Hind’.

Some historic buildings have survived the centuries, such as 400-year old Moot Hall (now

home to Aldeburgh’s museum), a Norman Church and a martello tower.

Aldeburgh had to wait until the 19th century fashion for beach and craze for sea air brought back visitors in quantity, establishing it as a popular resort.

The Scallop is a 4-metre high stainless steel sculpture by local artist Maggie Hambling. It is dedicated to Benjamin Britten, who used to walk along the beach in the afternoons.

Visitors are encouraged to sit on it and watch the sea.

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The town is famous for being the home of composer Benjamin Britten, and there are many reminders of his life about the town. Britten, Eric Crozier and Peter Pears established the classical Aldeburgh music festival at nearby Snape Maltings in 1948, where it has taken place ever since.

The town’s summer season of events also includes Jill Freud’s Aldeburgh Summer Theatre in July and August, and the Carnival and Regatta in August (see our events section for further details).

For weekend seadogs it has a very active yacht club and teaches sailing to juniors and adults.

There are also two popular golf courses, all-weather tennis courts, and, of course, excellent bathing.

Aldeburgh’s strong local community shares activities and knowledge with the visitor, providing poetry and arts and craft residential courses.

The pretty high street has craft, food and antiques shops, reflecting local passions, as well as a myriad of pubs and an independent cinema.

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Weddings Seckford Hall Christchurch Mansion

There’s no better place to be for your special day - Suffolk is the perfect location for your wedding

VENUES

doors, carpet, chandeliers, and heaters to keep it warm whatever the weather. The Hall also caters for evening receptions for up to 140 guests, and there's Minstrel's Gallery from which a small band can play.

Woodbridge www.seckford.co.uk (01394 385678)

Seckford Hall

Le Talbooth

Seckford Hall is a splendid Tudor hotel near Suffolk's Heritage coast, set amongst 34 acres of private countryside.

It is licensed for civil ceremonies with an oak-panelled Great Hall, which can seat 30 people, or the Lakeside Suite for up to 120 guests, which overlooks the gardens.

A glamorous marquee in the grounds is available for hire, with windows, French

lous menus, and rooms, to suit every style of wedding. The River Room offers space for larger parties, while the Weavers room is suitable for a small, intimate gathering.

There's also a marquee on the upper terrace, which caters for groups of up to 180 people.

Dedham www.milsomweddings.com (01206 323150) Christchurch Mansion Christchurch Mansion is a red brick Tudor manor house set amid lovely 100 acre parkland, close to the centre of Ipswich.

The picturesque grounds are perfect for wedding photography; the rooms of the manor are beautifully furnished in various period styles from Tudor to Victorian.

Soane Street, Ipswich (01473 433554) Bedford Lodge Hotel

For wedding in the heart of Constable Country this family run, luxury country house hotel is set in an idyllic position beside the river Stour and provides fabu-

Glemham Hall This impressive, elegant red brick Elizabethan mansion is steeped in history and is the perfect setting for a traditional English country-style wedding. This stunning venue is now offering a mid-week wedding package that retains all the romantic charm that Glemham Hall is renowned for but at a fraction of the cost.

Glemham Hall, Little Glemham, Woodbridge www.glemhamhall.co.uk (01728 746704

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The elegant white Bedford Lodge, with it's romantic rose gardens, dates back to the 17th century. A beautiful venue for a civil wedding ceremony and wedding reception, the hotel offers a choice of three self-contained banqueting suites which can accommodate from 10 to 150 guests. There is also space for a marquee in the grounds. Bury Road, Newmarket (01638 663175)

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Ufford Park Best Western Ufford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa is set in a tranquil 120 acres of historic Suffolk parkland.

The hotel holds a civil wedding licence and offers a choice of beautifully decorated modern function rooms that can accommodate small gatherings or large parties. Prior to the big day there are also the golf, spa and health club facilities to enjoy; perfect for hen parties and stag weekends.

Melton, Woodbridge www.uffordpark.co.uk (01394 383555)

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Butley Priory Woodhall Manor

Butley Priory This luxury fairytale wedding venue, with a stunning gothic interior, was originally an Augustinian Monastery. The Priory is located between Rendlesham Forest and the Heritage Coast. Both the Great Hall, which can seat 90 people, and the smaller panelled Drawing Room seating 50, are licensed to hold wedding ceremonies.

Sumptuous overnight accommodation is also available. Woodbridge, Orford, Aldeburgh www.butleypriory.co.uk (01394 450 046) Trinity Park

This contemporary setting for a wedding sits amid 300 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds, and has a stunning courtyard garden. The venue holds a license for civil marriages and partnership ceremonies, and also offers the services of a wedding coordinator. The Park can

comfortably accommodate up to 500 guests for a wedding breakfast, and more intimate spaces can be created for smaller wedding parties. Ipswich. (01473 707119) www.trinityparkevents.co.uk Woodhall Manor The Elizabethan Woodhall Manor is set in nine acres of landscaped grounds. Wood panelled walls, open fires, sumptuous furnishings and stunning grounds make the manor a perfect year round wedding venue. Woodhall is available for weddings at weekends and during the week with some cost effective mid-week packages available.

The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships, so the whole wedding ceremony can take place in one convenient venue from start to finish.

Parties of up to 150 can be accommodated in the Banqueting Suite for the wedding breakfast, or smaller groups may appreciate the more intimate dining setting in the Manor House itself. A dedicated wedding co-ordinator will work with brides in the run-up to the wedding and be on hand on the day itself. Woodbridge. (01394 411288) www.woodhallmanor.co.uk

Thorpeness Hotel and Country Club The Thorpeness Country Club is a magical wedding location, just a pebbles throw from the beach. The hotel offers a selection of menus and dishes, all of which are individually priced, allowing you the flexibility to create a bespoke menu and package to suit your requirements.

You may wish to give your wedding a seaside theme, or simply opt for something traditional; the choice is yours. www.thorpeness.co.uk (01728 452176) Hungarian Hall Events The wedding venue is set in landscaped surroundings. The tastefully decorated Danube Suite can cater for up to 160 ceremony guests. For the reception, the stunning marquee is suitable for 200 guests. The marquee has been carefully designed with a curved window, presenting guests with beautiful rural views throughout the day. The marquee can also be tailored to meet your individual colour schemes and dĂŠcor ideas. Pettistree, Woodbridge. www.hungarianhallevents.co.uk (01394 460362)

Hintlesham Hall With its grand entrance to the estate and its sumptuous rooms, Hintlesham Hall is ideal for a picturesque wedding banquet in regal settings, whether you marry at the Hall or nearby, any day of the week. There's a warm, relaxing and friendly ambience to this beautiful country house hotel, together with attentive staff and renowned cuisine. The magnificent Salon, the Carolean Room with its stunning 17th century plasterwork ceiling and the intimate Justice room are licensed to accommodate civil ceremonies for up to 100, 50 and 20 guests respectively. Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Hintlesham, Ipswich (01473 652334)

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Haughley Park Barn Hungarian Hall

Haughley Park Barn

This 17th century, oak-framed barn is surrounded by beautiful country house gardens. A private, exclusive and individual venue located in central Suffolk, Haughley Park Barn is an idyllic setting for a wedding with civil ceremony, reception _and evening party all in the one place.

Haughley Park, Stowmarket. www.haughleyparkbarn.co.uk (01359 240 701) High Lodge

High Lodge is unique venue on the Suffolk Coast, giving exclusive use to you and your guests at exceptional value and at a very high standard.

Their caring and professional team ensure that every detail of your wedding celebration is taken care of. High Lodge can provide the full wedding package, including civil ceremonies and, complete with onsite accommodation, it is a great venue for the smallest, most intimate gathering to the grandest of events. High Lodge Wood, Hinton, Nr Darsham, Suffolk. www.highlodge.co.uk (01986 784347)

area. The Mixing Barn is licensed for 40 to 170 guests for civil ceremonies. Brick and flint built, it is fully carpeted and attached to the Main Barn where a reception can be held to seat up to 300 guests, with a large dance floor and licensed bar. (01394 459 995) www.wantisden.co.uk Bruisyard Hall

Wantisden Valley

Wantisden Valley, in the heart of the Suffolk countryside on the Heritage coast, provides for civil ceremonies and receptions in a beautiful and very private location in Suffolk. A number of buildings are available. Shepherd's Cottage is an 18th century thatched building nestled on the edge of a medieval wood, overlooking extensive lakes. It is licensed for civil ceremonies and small receptions for up to 40 guests with an enclosed garden and patio

Bruisyard Hall is a historic manor house which has been renovated and is available for weekend breaks, holidays and weddings. The Hall is in a beautiful position in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, providing wonderful settings for some stunning wedding photos. Staff can provide contact for details for caterers, marquee hire, florists and even a wedding planner should you wish, but then it is down to you to organise your perfect wedding day without the constraints often imposed by hotels. Bruisyard, Saxmundham. www.bruisyardhall.co.uk (01728 638712)

St. Peters Hall The moated St Peters Hall is fully licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies and offers a superb photogenic medieval setting for weddings for up to 250 people, with bar, two function rooms, garden, optional marquees and a chapel. The Hall has an on-site events manager and will help as much as you wish with planning and is also home to Wickedly Good Food, the high-class event catering company. St Peter South Elmham, Bungay www.stpetershallsuffolk.co.uk (01986 782288)

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Orwell Park The Swan at Lavenham

Ipswich Town Hall and Corn Exchange Professionals at Ipswich Town Hall and Corn Exchange can help plan your event down to the very last detail. The prestigious grade II listed building in central Ipswich can cater for any size group from 50 to 800 guests. The rates are reasonable, and professional and experienced staff are on-hand to help ensure and unforgettable and special day. (01473 433465) Orwell Park This elegant Georgian Mansion set on the banks of the River Orwell in over 110 acres of parkland provides an exclusive setting for weddings, with a suite of rooms for civil ceremonies, wedding breakfasts and celebrations, offering exceptional food, lavish rooms and magnificent views over the River Orwell. Orwell Park Events, Nacton, Ipswich. (01473 653232) www.orwellparkevents.co.uk

larger wedding receptions, and The Orangery and beautiful gardens are available for reception drinks. Horringer, nr Bury St Edmunds (01284 735957) The Swan at Lavenham The Swan dates back to the 15th Century when it played a key role in Lavenham's wool trade. Today it is a quintessential English country hotel and restaurant, proud of its achievement of an AA four star 81% rating and two AA Rosettes. The Swan offers a full package of wedding assistance, with floral arrangements, wedding cakes made to order, a Master of Ceremonies available, and a Honeymoon Suite for after the big event. Lavenham.

(0844 556 9425) The Bildeston Crown

Somerleyton Hall and Gardens The Hall and gardens at Somerleyton have been the setting for many magical weddings over the years. Somerleyton Hall is the perfect venue for any

The West Wing at Ickworth

wedding day. Its lavish architecture, fine staterooms, three ceremony rooms, and formal gar-

An elegant setting for Weddings and Civil Partnerships for 80 to 200 guests. The impressive Gallery on the first floor of The West Wing overlooks the beautiful Italianate Gardens, and accommodates wedding ceremonies and sumptuous wedding breakfasts for up to 200 guests. The Court is a smaller room, adjacent to The Gallery, and is available for the bride and groom to use as an extra area for a crèche or quiet room. There are marquee areas for

The Bildeston Crown is located in the heart of Suffolk's picturesque countryside, close to the historic towns of Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich. The Bildeston Crown is an original 15th century coaching Inn which has been imaginatively refurbished to restore the building without losing any of the character of its past 600 years. With a function room licensed for weddings, a fantastic honeymoon suite, an award winning chef, and catering for up to 150 people, this is a perfect all-purpose Wedding venue for that special day. High Street, Bildeston (0844 556 9423) www.thebildestoncrown.com

56 Find more information online at www.suffolkweddingsguide.co.uk

dens designed by Price Albert's favourite architect John Thomas, provide a perfect setting and ideal backdrop for a traditional country wedding. The wedding ceremony can take place in three different areas of the estate; the main Hall, the gardens, and the walled garden.

The gardens are also perfect venues for a wedding reception.

Somerleyton Hall, Lowestoft. www.somerleyton.co.uk (01502 734904)

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Kersey Mill Stoke by Nayland Club

Fynn Valley Golf Club & The Valley Restaurant

Only a stone's throw from Ipswich set in picturesque surroundings, our Valley Restaurant offers fantastic views across the golf course's rolling countryside.

Weddings are a speciality at Fynn Valley.

Each event is tailored to your individual requirements and prices start at ÂŁ25 per person midweek and ÂŁ40 per person at weekends for a package including ceremony, arrival drink, three course wedding breakfast, wine with the meal and fizz for the toast. They also cater for stand alone civil ceremonies and evening receptions.

Witnesham, Ipswich (01473 785267) www.fynn-valley.co.uk

Hotel holds a licence for Civil Marriage Ceremonies and, with the assistance of the experienced and dedicated team, their tailor-made, comprehensive wedding service is second to none. Keepers Lane, Leavenheath (01206 265818) Wingfield Barns The Great Barn, in its magnificent and very private location offers the perfect setting for a day as special as your wedding.

Wingfield Barns is fully licensed to conduct civil ceremonies so your marriage can be conducted on-site or at a nearby church, moving into the Barn for your reception and celebration. Adjacent to the Great Barn is the terrace and lawns which offer great outside space in fine weather and can accommodate outside catering, dancing, musical entertainment or a wedding fete. Church Road, WIngfield (0844 822 7518) www.wingfieldbarns.com Kersey Mill

The Stoke by Nayland Club.

Hotel, Golf & Spa

With its magnificent setting in 300 acres of picturesque, rolling Suffolk countryside, a beautifully appointed hotel and superb facilities, The Stoke by Nayland Club provides one of the most idyllic venues for weddings and wedding receptions. The

The Mill is situated in the heart of the picturesque Brett valley and is surrounded by 20 acres of meadow and river, with a fully serviced marquee site. The venue also has 6 functions rooms and is licenced to conduct Civil marriages and partnerships with attending guests from 10 through to 170.

Kersey www.kerseymill.com (01473 820250)

58 Find more information online at www.suffolkweddingsguide.co.uk

Jockey Club Rooms There are six individual rooms all licensed for civil ceremonies, so they are able to cater for a small intimate wedding ceremony or a celebration of up to a maximum of 100 guests.

All weddings at the Jockey Club Rooms have the exclusive use of the venue, this gives total flexibility for couples to design the day in a bespoke style for their personal wishes.

The Jockey Club Rooms can be your own country house providing the perfect backdrop for a formal wedding, a relaxed country house style party celebration with a traditional afternoon tea, or even a barbecue on the terrace overlooking the private walled garden. Jockey Club Rooms, 101 High Street, Newmarket. www.jockeyclubestates.co.uk (01638 663101)

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Visit the website to discover more of what Suffolk has to offer

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PlacestoStay Hintlesham Hall Run Cottage Touring Park

Visitors to Suffolk are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a great place to stay.

Here are just a few of the hotels, holiday parks, guest houses, cottages and farmhouses Suffolk has to offer...

HOTELS The Brudenell Most of the 42 rooms of the fresh looking Aldeburgh hotel offer either spectacular views of the sea or of the River Alde and marshland.

There's a superb restaurant that overlooks the sea and a beach terrace. The Parade, Aldeburgh www.thebru.co.uk (01728 452071) The Bildeston Crown

terrace. Thorpeness, Aldeburgh (01728 452176) www.thorpeness.co.uk The Ship at Dunwich Once a haunt of smugglers, you will now find a traditional coastal inn with: real ales, real food and real fires, comfortable, traditionally furnished bedrooms, some with views over the marshes to the sea, an enormous garden and a beach that really is just a short stroll away. In the famous village of Dunwich and surrounded by nature reserves, heathland and beach, The Ship is a perfect base from which to explore this wild and wonderful coastline, enjoy some of the best fish and chips on the Suffolk coast or simply indulge in a pint or two of Adnams.

Tel: 01728 648219 www.shipatdunwich.co.uk The Westleton Crown

A stylishly renovated 15th century timber framed former coaching inn. Each of the Bildeston Crown's twelve en-suite double rooms are uniquely decorated. The hotel's AA triple rosette restaurant is rated equal to London's top restaurants by the British Food Guide. High Street, Bildeston (01449 740510) www.thebildestoncrown.com Thorpeness Hotel Right next to the Meare at Thorpeness, and five minutes' walk from the beach, the hacienda style three star Thorpeness Hotel is a great spot for all who come to enjoy the golf, the Meare boating lake, tennis and al fresco dining on the

60 Find more at www.suffolkhotelsguide.com

Set in the heart of the quintessentially Suffolk village of Westleton, this traditional coaching inn is perfectly situated for exploring the delights of the Suffolk Heritage Coast. The Westleton Crown combines the character and charm of its heritage with the comforts of contemporary living: smouldering log fires, 34 stylish bedrooms, sumptuous duvets, Egyptian cotton bed linen, Fired Earth bathrooms, an

award winning restaurant, sophisticated wine list and delightful terraced gardens. AA 3 stars 2 rosettes Suffolk Dining Pub of the Year - The Good Pub Guide 2008 Tel: 01728 648777 www.westletoncrown.co.uk The Swan at Lavenham A classically charming 15th century country hotel that's complete with rich furnishings, inglenook fireplaces and 45 beautifully decorated en-suite bedrooms. The stunning oak beamed restaurant has been awarded AA four star 81% rating and two AA Rosettes. High Street, Lavenham (01787 247 477) www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk Kesgrave Hall The Kesgrave Hall Hotel offers plenty of luxurious contemporary cool. All the rooms are exceptionally comfortable and well equipped.

The hotel's 100-seat restaurant has an openplan kitchen, and offers a full a la carte menu from 12 noon to 9.30pm. Hall Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich (01473 333741) www.milsomhotels.com Sutherland House This two star boutique hotel on Southwold's High Street is truly unique, blending medieval charm with contemporary furnishings. The restaurant has been awarded two AA rosettes and is named 'Best Restaurant in the UK for use of Local Produce' by The Good Food Guide. High Street, Southwold (01502 724 544) www.sutherlandhouse.co.uk

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The Ship, Dunwich King’s Head Orford Kesgrave Hall

Hintlesham Hall Offering sumptuous comfort, this spacious four star hotel is a classically decorated Elizabethan Manor House set in 175 acres of rolling countryside. The 33 bedrooms and suites are of varying shapes, sizes and styles. Guests can enjoy the health club and pool, and treat themselves to a range of health and beauty treatments. Hintlesham (01473 652334) www.hintleshamhall.com Angel Hotel The Angel is believed to be the oldest inn in the picturesque medieval village of Lavenham.

The attractive pub hotel accommodation offers eight well-equipped en-suite bedrooms, six doubles, one twin and a family room.

Market Place, Lavenham (01787 247 388) www.theangelhotel.com The Swan Hotel The fine looking Swan Hotel on Southwold's market place has 42 unique bedrooms a peaceful drawing room. The hotel's two AA rosettes restaurant offers a menu for all pockets.

Market Place, Southwold (01502 722186) www.adnams.co.uk/hotels The Crown

This boutique hotel in the pretty village of Stoke by Nayland, in the Stour and Box river valleys, has eleven stylish luxury en-suite bedrooms, all individually designed and furnished.

The restaurant offers great food, wine and real ale and a choice of dining areas to suit your mood. Main Road, Stoke By Nayland www.crowninn.net (01206 262001)

62 find more at www.suffolkhotelsguide.com

HOLIDAY PARKS & CARAVAN SITES Broadland Holiday Village Bring your own caravan or stay in a brick or wooden lodge close to one of the prettiest of the Norfolk broads. A heated indoor pool, sauna, gym, boat hire, waterside bar and restaurant have earned it a full five stars.

Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (01502 573033) www.broadlandvillage.co.uk Badwell Ash Holiday Lodges These cosy Scandinavian timber lodges cater for the sportsperson, nature lover and lounge lizard all at once, thanks to their lakeside setting, wireless internet and outdoor hot tubs.

It's for grown ups only though. Badwell Ash www.badwellashlodges.co.uk (01359 258444) Carlton Meres Country Park Leisure lodges and touring caravan pitches are dotted around a well-stocked fishing lake, but there's a restaurant, beer garden, play area, tennis court, gym, spa, sauna, steam room and an outdoor swimming pool too. Saxmundham (01728 603344) www.carltonmeres.co.uk Broadland Sands A classic, affordable seaside holiday on the coast between Great Yarmouth and the historic fishing port of Lowestoft. The four star site offers a heated pool 45m water flume, sun terrace, crazy golf and tennis. Corton (01278 792222) www.broadlandsands.co.uk High Lodge Self-catering lodges for up to six with balconies over-looking a well-stocked fishing lake, grassland and woodland area. The site offers a challenging nine-hole golf course and clay pigeon shooting. Darsham www.highlodge.co.uk (01986 784347)

Run Cottage Touring Park Camp amid wildlife in this peaceful caravan touring park on the Heritage Coast. Caravans and motor homes from £16 per night, tent pitches from £10 per night, all with 10amp electric hook up. Open all year round.

Hollesley, Woodbridge (01394 411309) www.run-cottage.co.uk Pakefield Caravan Park An award-winning four-star caravan park complete with outdoor pool, wi-fi and children's play area perched high on a cliff top near Lowestoft. Its mobile homes have modern kitchens, shower rooms, toilets and TVs. Lowestoft (01502 539264) www.pakefieldpark.co.uk Felixstowe Beach A full, family holiday park, complete with minislide, adventure playground and paddling pool, within a stone's throw of Felixstowe and the perfect base to explore the coast.

Felixstowe (0844 8471115) www.hoseasons.co.uk

Harbour Camping Park This council-run caravan park is such a firm favourite among city folk that it is sometimes called "Islington-on-Sea". It has relatively few on-site attractions but is in easy reach of beaches, the riverside, a pier, and the Adnams brewery. Southwold (01502 722486) www.waveney.gov.uk

COTTAGES & FARMHOUSES Bay Tree Cottage An idyllic, thatched, self-catering, Grade II listed, chocolate box hideaway dating from the 17th century in the well-known village of Redgrave. Bay Tree cottage overlooks fields to the front and rear and offers beautiful walks on the doorstep. The large rear garden is totally private and houses a small, separate studio room. Redgrave, Eye (01993 810194)

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Rumburgh Farm The Angel Hotel

The Old Mill Nearly a thousand years old, the Old Mill on the River Deben overlooks its own golf course, which is free for guests. With shops close by and beaches 10 miles away, this self-catering holiday cottage makes for a unique break away. Glevering Mill, Wickham Market, Woodbridge (01728 746 571) Sweffling Hall Farm Tucked away from the Framlingham to Saxmundham road, this peaceful farmhouse with pond, garden, goats and chickens is a great place from which to enjoy beautiful woodlands, Framlingham Castle, Saxstead Mill and the coast. Aldeburgh and Minsmere Bird Reserve are a short drive away. There's one double bedroom with private bathroom and a family bedroom with one double and two single beds. (01728 663644) www.swefflinghallfarm.co.uk Valley Farm Vineyards Guests to Valley Farm can opt for the self-catering cottage (sleeps 8-10) with its garden and terrace, or bed and breakfast at the farmhouse.

The Elizabethan farmhouse is surrounded by 14 acres of wine-producing vineyards that guests can wander through. The vineyard visitors' centre offers wine tasting sessions. Four star accommodation. Wisset (01986 785535) www.valleyfarmvineyards.co.uk Rumburgh Farm This working farm offers b&b farmhouse accommodation, or self-catering in one of two lodges (each sleeping four, plus travel cot).

The lodges are situated alongside a fishing pond stocked with trout. Southwold and Walberswick are close by, as are the attractions of Kessingland Wildlife Park, Banham Zoo, Orford and Framlingham castles. Rumburgh, Halesworth (01986 781351) www.rumburghfarm.co.uk

64 find more at www.suffolkhotelsguide.com

GUEST HOUSES & BED & BREAKFASTS Ocean House A beautifully decorated Victorian guest house, a stone's throw from Aldeburgh's beach and High Street. There are two double/twin ensuite rooms, each with bay windows that overhang the beach and offer views up and down Crag Path. There's also a top floor musician's studio room with a grand piano.

Crag Path, Aldeburgh (01728 452094) www.oceanhousealdeburgh.co.uk Kiln Farm Guest House

Accommodation at Kilm Farm is within the Victorian farmhouse and a courtyard of six converted stables. Double, twin and family rooms are available, some self-catering. The farm's meadow is a certified Caravan Club location and has spaces for five tourers with electric hook up. Kiln Lane, Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds. www.kilnfarmguesthouse.com (01359 240442) The KIng’s Head Orford A ‘very English’ historic 13th Century pub that combines all the atmosphere of a traditional inn with great real ales, classic pub lunch favourites and a more traditional evening menu, which incorporates modern British

cuisine and twists on popular classics. All dishes are prepared using local ingredients where possible and subject to chef’s acclaimed, individual style. Front Street, Orford (01394 450271) www.thekingsheadorford.co.uk Milden Hall

Milden Hall is a 16th century farmhouse that offers bed and breakfast accommodation for up to six people. The farmhouse is decorated with beautiful period furniture and tapestries, there are three large bedrooms and a woodburnerheated hall sitting room. Self catering accommodation is also available in a restored Tudor barn. The Hall, Milden, Lavenham (01787 247235) The Old Butchers Shop The Old Butcher's Shop bed and breakfast is a listed building in the centre of the conservation area Orford village. There are three rooms, one of which looks out to the sea. Guests can have breakfast in the courtyard in the summer and there's a large garden with fine views of Orford church. 111 Church Street, Orford, nr Woodbridge (01394 450517) www.oldbutchers-orford.co.uk Newmans Hall A quiet place to stay in the Suffolk countryside.

Guests at this B&B have the use of a heated indoor swimming pool and an En-Tout-Cas tennis court. There are two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom. The breakfast room has French windows onto the garden, there's spacious grounds and a pub nearby.

Little Waldingfield, Sudbury (01787 249111)

where to stay ads

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WHERE to stay in Suffolk hotels caravan parks camping guest houses

Suffolk Tourist Guide 2011 Advertise in next year’s Where to Stay in Suffolk for just

£95 Call Darren now on 01449 768064

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Information

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www.suffolktouristguide.com Everything you need to know about Suffolk

Information

National Rail Enquiries

08457 484950 Suffolk Tourist Information Centres Flatford (seasonal) Flatford lane T 01206 299460 E flatordtic@babergh.gov.uk

Newmarket Palace House, Palace Street T 01638 667200 E tic.newmarket@forest-heath.gov.uk

Hadleigh Hadleigh Library T 01473 823778 E hadleigh.library@libher.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Southwold 69 High Street T 01502 724729 E southwold.tic@waveney.gov.uk

Ipswich St Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s Lane T 01473 258070 E tourist@ipswich.gov.uk

Stowmarket Museum of East Anglian Life T 01449 676800 E tic@midsuffolk.gov.uk

Bury St Edmunds 6 Angel Hill T 01284 764667 E tic@stedsbc.gov.uk

Lavenham (seasonal) Lady Street T 01787 248207 E lavenhamtic@babergh.gov.uk

Sudbury Gaol lane T 01787 881320 E sudburytic@babergh.gov.uk

Felixstowe 91 Undercliff Road West T 01394 276770 E ftic@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

Lowestoft East Point Pavilion T 01502 533600 E touristinfo@waveney.gov.uk

Woodbridge Station Buildings T 01394 382240 E wtic@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

Centres are staffed by dedicated, experienced officers who know everything there is to know about what’s going on in their local patch. Check their opening hours locally as some are seasonal and some may close at 1pm on Saturdays.

Aldeburgh 152 High Street T 01728 453637 E atic@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk Brandon 31 High Street T 01842 814955 E tic.newmarket@forest-heath.gov.uk

66 www.suffolktouristguide.com

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Shops, Galleries, Food & Drink, Heritage buildings, River trips, Farmers Markets and River walks Located on the River Alde and 10 minutes from Aldeburgh & the coast Snape Maltings Snape near Aldeburgh Suffolk IP17 1SR T +44 (0) 1728 688 303 F +44 (0) 1728 687 199 E info@snapemaltings.co.uk W www.snapemaltings.co.uk

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