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Original poster

Off to Suffolk for our holidays - best tips gratefully received!

63 replies

TyneView · 26/07/2021 12:28

We've not been before, we are a professional couple, on our knees due to stupid working hours ( more due to the covid response). We just need to chill.

We have bikes, for what I call 'leisure cycling' 😂 - round to the pub and back...maybe a bit further.
We like food, beaches or countryside. We like pretty places, independent shops and cafes rather than a chain.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Laska2Meryls · 28/07/2021 18:27

We just came back from Sutton Hoo campsite.. Sutton Hoo was fascinating,
Woodbridge is lovely, cycled out around the Deben and Had a fab meal in the Sorel Horse in Shottisham .
If you can, book Orford Ness ( sadly we missed out)

YellowBellyCat · 28/07/2021 18:31

@obeabdabother

I'm going to ask.... what things do non-professional couples like to do in Suffolk? Hmm
She’s just describing why she’s knackered and wants a relaxing break. 🤷‍♀️ I’m sure anyone who is a “non professional” could be equally knackered if they have a tough job and they may have written a post saying “I’m knackered after my tough job where I’m on my feet all day, etc”. She wasn’t actually asking for attractions for professional people.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
perenniallymessy · 28/07/2021 18:36

anglianwaterparks.co.uk/alton-water-park/cycling good cycle track here and you can drive down there past the Suffolk Foodhall.

QueenofLouisiana · 28/07/2021 18:42

A’Listers in Woodbridge is good for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Walk along the river walk afterwards- you are directly opposite Sutton Hoo.
Walks in Rendlesham Forest- look for aliens!!
The Unruly Pig (Broomswell) is good, named as one of the best pubs in Britain.

QueenofLouisiana · 28/07/2021 18:45

Oh- a bit further down the A12, by the Orwell Bridge: Suffolk Food Barn and in Woolverston go to Loch and Quay for fabulous views over the estuary. Service is a bit hit and miss, don’t go in a hurry. Be prepared to relax and enjoy the view!!

Pin Mill is also in the area, try the Butt and Oyster.

bloodywhitecat · 28/07/2021 19:04

Covehithe beach

Definitely Orford, especially Orford Ness it has a certain eeriness to it.

EastWestWhosBest · 28/07/2021 19:05

People will tell you Ipswich is a shithole but it has some nice bits I promise.
The waterfront is lovely and I recommend Grazing Sheep for lunch or you can have a coffee at Paddy and Scott’s head office coffee shop.
Christchurch Mansion is well worth a visit too.

If you go to Walberswick you can get the foot ferry to Southwold which is fun and inexpensive.

Framlingham has a lovely castle and is very lovely.

Immaculatemisconception · 28/07/2021 19:22

@TyneView

We are staying near Woodbridge - but happy to drive an hour or so...or more if it rains ...
Woodbridge itself is lovely. There are independent shops and a marina to potter around. There's a fresh fish kiosk near the shops, which sells nice fish.

Some of the pubs places round there are definitely worth going to. You're actually on the River Deben in Woodbridge, which is a fabulous river and is known as the jewel of Suffolk. The Maybush at Waldringfield is on the banks of the river, as is The Ramsholt Arms, both worth a visit. www.theramsholtarms.com www.debeninns.co.uk/maybush/

The River Orwell is also a lovely river and is just around the corner from where you are. The Butt and Oyster at Pin Mill is a very old pub on the banks of the River Orwell. www.debeninns.co.uk/buttandoyster/

If you go to the Butt and Oyster, it's worth continuing right down to Shotley where you can park and watch the yachts coming and going. You can also see over to Felixtowe docks where some of the biggest container ships in the world come into.

If you like a boat trip, don't look any further than one of the barge trips from Ipswich. www.sbvictor.co.uk

There's enough to do around there, to be fair but Aldeburgh is definitely worth a visit. I would suggest that Southwold is probably a bit far but definitely worth going another time.

Laska2Meryls · 28/07/2021 19:42

If you are cycling in Rendlesham forest , take heed, the cycle tracks and footpaths are not marked with where they go to .. we got pretty lost cycling

EastWestWhosBest · 28/07/2021 20:18

Oh and if it’s the kind of thing that might interest you then a look around Blythburgh church is recommended. Look it up. They won’t tell you about Black Shuck there because they don’t want that to be the reason people visit.

CoronaPeroni · 28/07/2021 20:29

We are staying in Orford at the moment and missed out on Orford Ness tickets. For anyone wanting to visit, tickets go on sale on Friday for the following week (certain days only). I went on the website at 9.00am Friday morning and was unsuccessful so be quick!

ChipsAndKetchup · 28/07/2021 20:37

Bury st Edmunds is lovely

petalpower · 28/07/2021 21:00

The last time we went to The Ramsholt Arms you couldn’t book so get there early for lunch - it’s quite a drive out but the food and views are lovely.

takethegirloutofwales · 28/07/2021 22:10

We stayed at The Hog in Pakefield. Gorgeous boutique hotel with an amazing restaurant open to the public. Highly recommend.

StCharlotte · 29/07/2021 08:43

Is anyone else disappointed that you can't see anything when you go over the Orwell Crossing?

bloodywhitecat · 29/07/2021 10:18

@StCharlotte

Is anyone else disappointed that you can't see anything when you go over the Orwell Crossing?
I'm just grateful they no longer keep closing the bloody thing due to high winds!
RainingYetAgain · 29/07/2021 17:11

DH picked up a newspaper type handout in the supermarket today entitled Visit East Anglia 2021. I am usually a bit cynical about such things as they are often entirely adverts. This one seems quite good, with walk and cycle recommendations and focuses on activities on various towns.
I haven't looked at the website, but it is www.visiteastangliaguide.co.uk

namesnamesnamesnames · 29/07/2021 17:19

@EastWestWhosBest

Oh and if it’s the kind of thing that might interest you then a look around Blythburgh church is recommended. Look it up. They won’t tell you about Black Shuck there because they don’t want that to be the reason people visit.
There is a song for that. I didn't realise the legend wasn't spoken about for that reason.
clouds87 · 29/07/2021 18:14

We stayed near Woodbridge.
Look up boat trips we done one three years ago for a breakfast trip, it was £28 for a two hour trip locally, tour guide and so much brunch food it was ridiculouse but lovely then we bikes to Snape Maltings x

GlencoraP · 29/07/2021 21:57

The Lady Florence sails from Orford.

IWanderedLonely · 29/07/2021 22:06

We were on Suffolk last month. Loved Woodbridge, Thorpeness & Southwold. Wouldn't go back to Aldeburgh- pretentious, overpriced, full of wankers and tiny portions of fish & chips.

Lovely234 · 29/07/2021 22:14

Ah we just had a week here too and it was SO NICE. Took us by surprise

Suggestions are:
Take a rowing boat out on Thorpeness Mere, take a picnic and eat it bobbing about - so restful. From there walk to Aldeburgh along the beach and take seafood home for tea from the shacks on the beach

Minsmere RSPB - we don’t really like birds but it’s such a peaceful haven, so beautiful and a lovely walk. You can also visit dunwich really nearby for lunch or dinner - there’s a pub there I think called the Ship

Walberswick - potter about the village, take the little boat over the river and walk into southwold. And on the way back stop for fish and chips and fizz at the Sole Bay company

Enjoy! We loved it so much

Sssloou · 29/07/2021 22:19

Covehithe Beach

www.cntraveller.com/article/travel-guide-suffolk

Iknowthiswillendbutwhen · 29/07/2021 22:19

www.munningsmuseum.org.uk/