Suffolk with small children

[boogeek]

We have to be down that way for a wedding in August so thought it would be a good opportunity to explore a part of the UK we have never visited. I have found plenty of attractive self-catering cottages (though any recommendations gladly received) but if anybody who knows the area can give some suggestions of good parts to head for, good days out, things to do, etc, I'd be really grateful. Where should we base ourselves? I was looking at Southwold purely because I have heard of it, but anywhere with a beach will be fine. I have DDs aged 6, 3 and a baby (who won't care where we are or what we do). Thanks ever so

Southwold is nice and has a lovely sandy beach. Make sure you go to the 'alternative amusements' on the pier as they're good fun.

Walberswick is a bit further down the coast and really nice, a little village with sandy beach and nice pubs with gardens.

Orford Castle worth a visit.
Aldburgh is nice, pebbly beach but nice town.
Dunwich Heath good for marshy walks.
Framlingham and the castle there.
Toby's walks near Walberswick

Avoid Lowestoft it's not very nice.

Lavenham area nice. Felixstowe not fab but has excellent fort (Landguard Fort).
We lived near Needham Market and there are loads of things to do within a 30 mile radius. Bury St Edmunds (we lived there too) is beautiful.
Thetford Forest High Lodge Park is great fun - Go Ape course and loads of fab play equipment for all ages. Loads of great bits of the forest to walk/cycle in.
Framlingham castle okay but not loads to do there - walking around the high bits not great with a baby.

Ahem, from a native of Lowestoft. The town is not that nice in truth, but it has a long, very sandy beach, a long, less sandy promenade which is great for roller blading, ice-cream, fish and chips, crazy golf, a boating lake and amusement arcades on the piers. I could live without most of these things, but my children love going to visit their grandparents there. It's also either the only or the first Fairtrade town in Suffolk.

Hmmph.

Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge is a great place to visit. It's the Anglo-Saxon ship burial (NT) and there's something rather magical about the atmosphere there. Great views over the Deben to Woodbridge, visitor centre, nice caff, good play area. Sort of place where adults can have an interesting time while the children are enjoying themselves.

I really like Thorpeness, small but perfectly formed.

Easton Park Farm nice too.

There's an amazing cafe/farm shop whose name escapes me so I'm hoping someone can help me out. The one near Saxmundham on the main A12 and gets tons of poncy reviews, voted best breakfast in the Universe or something. The name thing is going to drive me mad ....

Ha! this is it!

Oh, and don't forget Dunwich, the village that slipped into the sea. The Museum's great.

I live 1 mile from there ProfYaffle, Wickham Market.

Thank you, keep it coming! I think I need to get a map...

Walberswick near Southwold has a nice beach & is famous for crabbing. The national championships are sometime in August & your 6yo might enjoy it (& your 3yo too I should think). Even if you're not there for the national champs you should still try crabbing.

The best fish & chip shop is in Aldeburgh.

If you like your bacon and ham you must go to Emmetts of Peasenhall. It stocks lots of other lovely deli items in an old fashioned grocery shop in a nice village.

Ha my friend at schools dad ran emmets and she lived there, used to have lots of sleep overs above that shop!

Sorry to insult lowestoft lemonmerangue The last time I went there I was walking along the seafront with 2 little dds adn a bunch of drunken freaks asked me to sit on their faces. Then we went in a chemist and a drug addict was kicking off and demanding something not on their prescription and threatening to smash the place up. Not been back since. I'm sure that was just bad luck and it's got nice bits. Ahem. Sorry.

Blimey Boco - not a very good impression! I've honestly never experienced anything like that, but I guess it has an armpit as well as a cheerful (sandy) face.

No offence taken, anyway.

OK I've been looking at cottages, lots of which seem to be in and around Orford. Good/bad place to be based?

Orford is near Woodbridge, I personally would stay nearer to Southwold.

We stayed here and it was lovely... www.bucksfarm-holidays.co.uk.

Also have a look at this... www.suffolk-secrets.co.uk. They have a great selection of properties.

Excellent, thank you!