Step back to Yesterday

It’s writer Richard Curtis’ love story to his adopted county and highlights some of its most scenic corners, south and north of the 40mile long coastline. In fact, there’s no denying Suffolk is the star of the movie, beginning and ending with the iconic Latitude festival.

Directed by Danny Boyle, Yesterday stars Lily James as Ellie and Himesh Patel as aspiring musician Jack Malik, who wakes up in an alternate reality where The Beatles have disappeared from everyone’s memories.

At first, he shares songs from memory – his first being, of course, Yesterday, filmed by the River Deben – but he soon starts to claim The Fab Four’s classics as his own. How’s that going to turn out?

“There was very little in the way of set-dressing, it’s present day. There were loads of local people as extras,” said Rachel Aldridge of Screen Suffolk.

Oh, and let’s not forget Suffolk superstar Ed Sheeran has a starring role too. In fact, the singersongwriter was chosen for his local connections and love of his home county, so much so that the videos for his latest album are all shot on or by the Suffolk coast. So… let’s head back to Yesterday…

Day 1

PLAYING YESTERDAY: The Ramsholt Arms, near Woodbridge, plays the role of Jack and Ellis’ local pub and is a fabulous setting. It takes a little while to reach on a single lane from the B1083 but it’s well worth it. Order at the bar and then take the picnic bench in the beer garden where Jack first sings Yesterday to his incredulous friends.

‘It’s one of the greatest songs ever written,’ says Jack.

‘Well, it’s not Coldplay. It’s not Fix You,’ says Carol. Think on that as you enjoy the view of the River Deben, with, depending on the tide, sailing boats heading out to sea or back to the marina at Woodbridge.

MEETING JOHN LENNON: Our second stop is Shingle Street, where Jack meets John Lennon (Robert Carlyle). In the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this setting can be, depending on the weather, raw and untamed or quietly serene.

You can’t miss where the filming took place, the tiny hamlet is simply a row of cottages on a single street by a shingle beach with tufts of marram grass for protection from erosion.

‘Have you had a happy life?’ Jack asks.

‘Very,’ says John.

‘But not successful?’

‘I just said, ‘Very happy’. That means successful.’

WHERE TO STAY: For hotels, try beach-side Fludyers in Felixstowe, waterside Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich or in Woodbridge the lovely Crown or Seckford Hall On the outskirts try Hintlesham Hall or Milsoms Kesgrave Hall. For luxury self-catering, try The Suffolk Escape

THINGS TO DO: Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum, Bawdsey Radar Trust, Easton Farm Park, Orford Castle (English Heritage), Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park

Day 2

ELLIE’S SCHOOL: Lily James plays a teacher in the film and some of her character’s school scenes were shot at Ormiston Denes Academy in Lowestoft with pupils playing roles. As well as being on screen, the children also benefited from a movie masterclass by Danny Boyle.

While you’re in Lowestoft, take a walk along the promenade by the beach. Still popular today with tourists and day trippers, the town had its heyday in Victorian times when the railway arrived.

ELLIE’S HOUSE: Some of the scene’s for Ellie’s home were shot at the end of the High Street closest to the beach at Dunwich, maintained by the National Trust. The little village has a fascinating history. You wouldn’t believe it, but in medieval times Dunwich was one of the largest ports in the country, but two devastating storms left most of it underwater. They say on a quiet day, you can hear church bells ringing from under the depths of Sole Bay. All that’s left are the ruins of Greyfriars Abbey. To get a sense of how big it was, take a look at the scale diorama in the Dunwich museum.

The beach at Dunwich is shingle, but if you want to get the feel of sand under your feet, head along the boardwalks through the marshes to Walberswick.

HIGH STREET: Ed Sheeran, Himesh Patel and Lily James shot scenes at Halesworth. Remember the rainy High Street scene? That was Halesworth.

The Hideout Café, family-run White Hart pub and Thoroughfare car park were also used as locations in this lovely market town.

LATITUDE FESTIVAL: This popular festival at Henham Park near Southwold tops and tails Yesterday, something that was important to writer Richard Curtis.

‘Yesterday was written in Suffolk, set in Suffolk, and begins and ends at Latitude. I’ve rarely missed a year since it first began, so I’m overjoyed to be bringing it home.’

Curtis scheduled a special screening of Yesterday for Latitude 2019. Of course to experience Latitude, you’ve got to be here when it’s on! You can get tickets for 2024 here Latitude Festival | Henham Park, Suffolk, 25-28 July 2024

WHERE TO STAY: Check out Potton Hall Hotel and Spa or The Anchor at Walberswick.

THINGS TO DO: Africa Alive Zoological Reserve, Jet Adventures, Old Hall Southwold, Southwold Maize Maze & Play Park.