Woodbridge, Framlingham, Wickham Market

[Bloodybridget]

DP and I are going on a reconnaissance trip to east Suffolk tomorrow, toying with the idea of moving out of London (where I've lived all my life). We've been to Woodbridge briefly, but never stayed there, ditto Framlingham. I'd be grateful for any opinions and insider knowledge. We're retired, reasonably fit and active, sociable, both women (I wouldn't expect any difficulties on that front). If we did move, I want to be within easy walking distance of shops, a cafe and a pub that does ok food, i.e. don't want to have to get in the car all the time. I'm especially interested in Woodbridge - any areas to avoid? Thanks!

I think either Framlingham or Wickham Market would be fine to provide what you want, I think Wickham Market would be less ideal probably. Potentially also worth considering somewhere coastal like Aldeburgh.

What level of "shops" are you looking for? Do you want supermarkets (Woodbridge doesn't have a full supermarket, it has a medium sized Co-op, but not too big a drive to one, Fram has a small supermarket sized Co-op but no big supermarket for miles, then there are other places like Saxmundham that have multiple supermarkets but not so much in the way of nice shops and cafes). Either Fram or Woodbridge would have plenty of lovely cafes and decebt pubs to suit I think.

My DM lives nearby. It's very nice and provides her with endless Ed Sheeran references

Thanks Nacreous, driving to a bigger supermarket would be fine when necessary, I'd just want to be able to pick up bits and pieces locally - I checked out a list of shops in Woodbridge which seems to have a butcher and fishmonger too. I suppose my minimum requirement is a newspaper and very basic groceries, but some interesting independent shops would be a bonus. Aldeburgh too expensive, too many second homes, too full of visitors in summer, I think - am I wrong?

@TreacherousPissFlap I know Ed Sheeran is a Famous Person but I can never remember exactly why

Aldeburgh is lovely but expensive. It also takes a long time to get anywhere from there.
Woodbridge is very pretty and has good local shops. About 10 minutes to a big Tesco on the A12 at Martlesham and there’s also an M and S food there too. I think quite a few people retire there.
Framlingham has lots of good independent shops. The co-op there is a good size. There is talk of Aldi or Lidl (can’t remember which) taking over the old Ford garage in the town.
Suffolk is beautiful. 😀

Thanks @petalpower, that's useful! We know west Suffolk fairly well and love it.

bloodybridget , you should chat to my DM 😆

@TreacherousPissFlap if we do move, maybe you could introduce us!

We moved from south London to Martlesham near Woodbridge a few years ago. The property prices in Woodbridge are quite high compared to other areas, I think it’s partly a commuter town for those who want to get into London. There is a lot going for it though, lots going on, a small theatre and cinema, local shops (though some have closed recently), Coop, library, train station to go up the coast or into ipswich. Lovely walks by the river and easy access to gorgeous countryside and coast, Snape maltings etc. Ten mins drive to Martlesham business estate with Tesco, Aldi and lot of other stuff. I don’t know Wickham and Fram very well, but they’re smaller. I would suggest also looking at Martlesham and Martlesham Heath. Love this area and so glad we moved.

Thanks @Wotrewelookinat, glad to hear you are enjoying living in the area. I know Woodbridge is on the dear side, but it seems to have a lot of pluses, including the train station. We'll certainly have a look at Martlesham too.

Yes, Aldeburgh is expensive and second home-y but it is still nice. Definitely right that it's very out the way though. Saxmundham possibly worth considering, not many lovely cafes and restaurants etc but it does also have a railway station and a Waitrose and a Tesco.

Fram and Woodbridge are lovely though, two of my favourite towns in the whole county. Woodbridge has a leisure centre with a pool run by the council, whereas the only pool in Fram is at the private school - I haven't been to it.

Smaller places with less going on but still a cafe or two etc include possibly Needham market which is on the mainline to London, and maybe Debenham.

There are other places that will have e.g. a shop and a pub and one place that does coffee (like Earl Soham, which is also lovely) but no one could say you wouldn't need to drive a lot from there.

Fram is lovely, there is certainly enough there for getting day-to-day bits and bobs. I like Woodbridge too, there seems to be a wider range of shops there. I also moved to Suffolk recently (although I am closer to Eye) and quite often pop to Fram for the dentist or the vet. I too am an older woman who likes walking and staying active (I have to I am foster mum to an 11 week old and an 8 month old), I have found it an easy county to feel at home in.

@Bloodybridget how did your visit to Suffolk go?

We moved from SE London to this area (where my OH is originally from) a couple of years ago. No regrets. Woodbridge is a lot livelier than Fram or Wickham Market, and would have been our first choice if we could afford it - lovely selection of shops/pubs/restaurants and nice surroundings. Wickham Market is very quiet. All the small towns and villages around are lovely, but might be a bit of a shock from London.

@Wotrewelookinat we just got to Woodbridge, enjoying coffee and a cheese scone! Thanks to all for replies, will update later!

I live locally and was in Woodbridge earlier in the week. Bear in mind that at the moment it is very much quieter than is usually is. The Thoroughfare (main shopping street) is usually pretty bustling. Lots of independent shops (do check out the lovely kitchen shop!). I personally wouldn't want to live in Wickham Market (though I do make regular trips to the wonderful butcher there) as there's just not much there. Fram is lovely, but out of the three I would definitely choose Woodbridge. Have a lovely day - at least it's drier than it was yesterday!!

We moved from the Home Counties to Woodbridge last year and really love it. We wanted somewhere where we could get around by walking/mobility scooter (if it got that bad!) so that if we don't want to drive in our later years, hopefully a long way off yet, we can get everything we need here. It's certainly lived up to our requirements. The leisure centre and Riverside Cinema/Restaurant/Theatre are easy to reach and there's lots going on in normal times. Agree that the Thoroughfare is much quieter than normal but hopefully will return to busyness soon.

A good range of shops, the grocer, butcher, fishmonger, bakers, delis all stock good food. The Coop is OK for bits, and Martlesham is only 5 minutes away in the car for 'big shops'.

People are saying it's expensive here, but not by comparison with most places in London I'd guess. Woodbridge topped the Sunday Times best place to live in the East in 2017 and still scores highly.

Well, I'm back home, completely shattered after lots of walking, driving, thinking and talking! Thanks so much to all of you for your comments. We liked Woodbridge very much, and Framlingham, but I guess Woodbridge has the edge with a station. Quite to my surprise, DP is keen to give it a go, so the plan atm is to rent out our house in London for up to a year, and rent ourselves in Woodbridge. That would give us time to see if we actually do want to live there, and look around for somewhere to buy. And whatever happens, it will be an adventure!

Fab, I’m sure you won’t regret it! Good luck with the move!

Good luck! I’m sure you will love Woodbridge.

Woodbridge is great, we live very close by, actually in Woodbridge today for a walk by the river and a post lockdown hair cut! Good luck with the move.

A little update for everyone kind enough to post here - we have instructed a letting agent for our house, photos etc. happening on Tuesday, and I've registered with some agents in Woodbridge. I don't feel entirely confident that we'll get a tenant here quickly . . also I have a health issue that needs checking before we make any commitments, so our house won't be marketed til mid August. Although I am now pretty nervous about the whole plan, I will be disappointed if we can't do it! So, fingers crossed.

Good luck with it all BloodyBridget. Keep us updated!

So exciting! Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you.
Your thread has inspired me to start looking at houses in the area, too...

@SomethingNastyInTheBallPool hey, really? Please let me know if you get beyond the online stage!