|
|
|
|
See
the fishermen hauling out their boats onto the beach
at this fine old fashioned seaside town which has given
its name to the famous festival. If you wish to attend
a concert we can send you details of the festival programme
in advance.
back
to map
|
| Bury
St Edmunds |
| |
An
ancient market town, full of history and old Suffolk
charm. Walk through the massive stone gateway to the
ruined abbey, now forming the back cloth to beautiful
gardens. Visit the twice weekly open air market or take
some refreshment at The Nutshell, the smallest pub in
Britain.
back
to map
|
| Covehithe |
| |
The
road ends abruptly at the crumbling cliffs of Covehithe,
which sweep down the coast to Southwold. A short distance
inland are the melacholic ruins of the enormous medieval
church, within which now stands a smaller thatched church.
back
to map
|
| Debenham |
| |
A
pretty village of overhanging houses and antique shops.
back
to map
|
| Dedham |
| |
A
charming village with an impressive church, located
a short walk down the River Stour from Flatford. Take
a boat out on the river, stop for a cream tea or browse
in the antique shops and craft market on the pretty
high street.
back
to map
|
| Dunwich |
| |
The
one time capital of East Anglia; it was a gated, ramparted
town with at least eight parish churches in the days
of King John. Almost all has now vanished beneath the
waves and fishermen tell of ghostly knells from the
sunken church towers.
back
to map
|
| East
Bergholt |
| |
The
birthplace of John Constable. Visit the church with
its sixteenth century bell house on the ground next
to the unfinished tower - the Devil is said to have
cast down the tower at night as quickly as quickly as
the builders could build it by day!
back
to map
|
| Flatford
Mill |
|
|
Just
down the hill from East Bergholt, Flatford Mill was
once run by Constable's father. You may wish to take
a guided walking tour to visit some of the local scenes
depicted in Constable's paintings such as "The
Haywain" or "Boatbuilding". Alternatively,
you could exchange pedals for oars and take a rowing
boat out on to the sedate River Stour or simply take
refreshment in the riverside tearoom.
back
to map
|
| Framlingham |
| |
A
quiet market town with many interesting buildings. The
church contains historic tombs and effigies and a number
of treasures removed from Thetford Priory during the
Reformation. The superb 12th century castle was built
by the Earls of Norfolk. The very well preserved curtain
wall has thirteen integral towers - the design was considered
revolutionary in its day. Home to Mary Tudor in 1553.
back
to map
|
| Hadleigh |
|
|
This
busy market town in the Brett Valley was once a Viking
royal town. Due to the wool trade, it rose to become
one of the most prosperous towns in the country in the
14th and 15th centuries. The medieval heart of Hadleigh
is much in evidence, with many fine old buildings to
be seen on the High Street and gathered around the Guildhall,
Deanery and church.
back
to map
|
| Kersey |
|
|
Probably
one of the prettiest villages in England. Freewheel
down from the church perched high above the village
and dual with the ducks in the water splash on the High
Street.
back
to map
|
| Lavenham |
|
|
The
most spectacular of the wool towns, this wonderfully
atmospheric towns has a unique collection of medieval
buildings.
back
to map
|
| Long
Melford |
| |
As
the name suggests, it is set along a broad attractive
street (full of antique shops) over a mile in length.
At the northern end of the street are sited a magnificent
chuch and two splendid Tudor mansions, both of which
are open to the public.
back
to map
|
| Minsmere |
| |
RSPB
with 2000 acres of marsh, lagoon, reedbed, heath and
woodland. Immense variety of birds including Bitterns,
Marsh Harriers and Avocets.
back
to map
|
| Orford |
| |
Now
a small village, this was a prosperous port in Elizabethan
times. It is now inaccessable to all but pleasure craft
due to the growth of Orford Ness, a shingle spit some
ten miles long. The commercial lifeline thus cut off,
the old world character of this charming coastal retreat
has been preserved. The impressive 12th century castle
offers good views over the river to Orford Ness.
|

|
Orford
Castle and The Ness Courtesy of English
Heritage and Skyscan Balloon Photography.
Orford Castle is open 10am to 6pm daily
(April to Sept; opening times restricted Oct to March)
www.english-heritage.org.uk
back
to map
|
| Shingle
Street |
|
|
A
quiet and beautiful spot at the tip of Orford Ness.
back
to map
|
| Snape
Maltings |
| |
The
Snape Maltings Arts Centre has a lovely riverside setting
and features a concert hall, art galleries, craft shops,
a pub and a tea room. Tide permitting, you can also
take a boat excursion around the upper reaches of the
River Alde - a good way to see the animal and bird life
of the salt marshes.
back
to map
|
| Stoke
By Nayland |
| |
A
pretty hill top village of jettied houses and oak beamed
pubs. The church tower, standing on the highest ground
and being some 120 feet high, can be seen for miles
around, and was often featured in paintings by John
Constable.
back
to map
|
| Sudbury |
| |
Ancient
market town built on a defensible loop of the River
Stour, bordering Essex. The artist Thomas Gainsborough
was born in the town in 1727; his house is now preserved
as a museum and art gallery.
back
to map
|
| Southwold |
|
|
A
distinguished seaside town with a definite old world
charm. Elegant rows of pantiled Georgian cottages stand
between broad greens on a cliff top above the North
Sea. The pretty lighthouse overlooks the town centre
brewery, source of Adnams traditional ales.
back
to map
|
| Sutton
Hoo |
| |
Located
across the Deben from Woodbridge, this is the site of
the richest burial ever discovered in Britain - an Anglo-Saxon
ship containing a magnificent treasure. It is thought
to be the grave of Raedwald, one of the earliest known
English Kings, who died c 624 AD. Guided tours are available
at weekends.
back
to map
|
| Wingfield
Old College |
| |
Delightful
historic house with magnificent medieval great hall.
Walled gardens, topiary, arts and homemade teas (plus
an excellent pub across the lane).
back
to map
|
| Woodbridge |
|
|
Built
on the banks of the River Deben, this attractive market
town has a history of ship building and sail making.
The famous Tide Mill has been restored to full working
order and is open to the public. The historic narrow
streets provide a pleasant shopping experience.
back
to map
|
| Bressingham
Gardens & Steam Museum |
| |
Eleven
acres of beautiful trees, shrubs & flowers and over
fifty steam engines, some of which run on the three
narrow gauge lines along five miles of track through
the woodlands and gardens and beside the lake. All this
and the Victorian Gallopers (steam merry go round) too.
back
to map
|
| |