Things to do in and around Southwold

[TheHouseofMirth]

We're off to Dunwich next week for 4 nights with DSs who are 6 & 10. Any suggestions for what we should do there please?

I love Walberswick - the beach and crabbing off the little bridges.
South wold pier is great - the Tim Hunkin mad machines are great, although it is expensive but you have to try them all.
Fish and chips essential - hut at Dunwich I think is lovely.
Blythburgh church has some very funny carvings on the pews.
Walk up beside the river at Walberswick is lovely.
You lucky people! Enjoy.

Thank you lbnblbnb. I used to have lots of childhood holidays in Southwold but that was over 30 years ago and it's just occurred to me it might all be a bit different to the last time I went! It is DH's ambition to eat fish and chips every day whilst we're there so if you have any other recommendations, do let me know.

We went there a couple of years ago and loved it.
Are you taking kids? If so crabbing at Walberswick is fun and Southwold beach is lovely.
No kids - the Adnams brewery does tours and they have a brilliant shop too.
We also got up very early one morning to go by speedboat to see seals. It was expensive but amazing!
The National Trust cafe at Dunwich is nice and they have a bird hide plus lovely walks on the nature reserve down to the beach. Aldeburgh is lovely too and we went to another NT place to do with the Cold War, I think. DH likes it anyway!
Enjoy a lovely part of the world!

Sorry, just reread and clearly you are taking DCs. Def take them crabbing they will love it!

Minsmere Nature Reserve next to Dunwich is lovely and there's an activities centre for kids. The Springwatch TV show is there again next week though so it might be busy.

Snape Maltings is fabulous. Fantastic concert venue, lovely shops, tea rooms and pub. Lovely walks.

Walberswick is great. Gorgeous beach, nice walks and definitely try a bit of crabbing.

Southwold is a lovely town, lots of quaint shops and tea rooms and nice hotels with good restaurants if you want a nice meal out. Very expensive but worth it. The brewery, the lighthouse, the pier, the beach, all gorgeous. There's a lovely kids play area called The Pit Stop down on the tennis courts past the golf club. They just have loads of old toys and bikes to play with and tables and chairs to sit outside and they do lovely lunches and cakes. Very popular. Simple but utterly charming.

A bit further down from Snape is Orford on the coast. There's a castle and the famous Pump Street Bakery.

Can you tell I love living on the Suffolk coast?

Have a lovely time.

I think you can get fish and chips round the back of The Bell in Walberswick - check first, might only be weekends. The Bell is lovely for a meal out. Any pub is good, all that Adnams. I mainly love taking the kids to the beach, although they will need warm clothes - always breezy! My two always go in the sea regardless, but you need to get them warm in some thick clothes afterwards. Bucket, spade and crab line essential. Cut up bacon is the best bait.

I think I will take the kids there for a day next week, this has reminded me how good it is.

Thank you everyone. I'm super-excited now!

Two words. Addams champagne/bubbles ??

Mrs T's fish and chips in Southwold harbour is highly recommended.

A cycle ride from Southwold to Walberswick, or of you want longer from Walberswick to Dunwich on platforms above the reeds in the nature reserve.

YY to crabbing at Walberswick & good bait.

You can get the sedate ferry v cheap across harbour from Southwold to Walberswick or get the more expensive harbour 'blaster' for thrill seekers but expensive.

In Southwold you can go on horse drawn cart ride around the town.

We're off on hols near southwold next month so shall pinch some ideas

A trip to Sole bay inn (southwold Harbour) - amazing seafood - go and see Bert the Lobster in their tank (not for eating!)

Pier is great fun, and the boating lake next to the tea rooms.

Probably too late, but:

Alien trail in Rendlesham Forest (if you can get them past the adventure play area)
Framlingham Castle

Pointlessfan I guess you're thinking of Orford Ness

Kids have enjoyed this orfordrivertrips.co.uk/ in the past. The Jolly Sailor in Orford has always been great with kids, and with 2 smokeries in town you can't want for smoked prawns!