What to do near Southwold?

[nuttycyclist]

Due to not thinking about geography I got meself muddled up - slightly.

Last weekend I wanted to go up to Southwold, enjoy the countryside and coast, and have a jolly good day out with Mrs Nutty.  BBQ on the beach was one thought.


She bought resale wimbledon finals tickets at face value at the last minute, so I had to go up to centre court and sleep through that    She's suggested we go out for this weekend and do the Southwold thing, which I was looking forward to until I looked at the map and realised it might not be the place I was thinking of!


I was up there cycling last year, did Southwold, ferry south to Walberswick and a very good meal (had parked at Dunwich so it was a good loop).  I wouldn't mind actually looking in Blythburgh for the old churchy thing that was on Time Team, but Mrs Nutty hates that show.  I recall Toby's Walks from family trips up to Norfolk, but they seemed disappointingly small both on the map and when I went past last year (they were so much more exciting when I was 6).  Southwold itself was ok, but nothing more than a typical seaside town such as Southend/Clacton/Brighton/etc.



I really want Mrs Nutty to see some of the beauty of our local area, instead of wanting to always go off to France/further afield.

I did Orford Ness last year, enjoyed it, but I think it's too "specialised" to interest Mrs Nutty; the same with Sutton Hoo (which I haven't seen yet)

What can you suggest as things to do in this general area?   I'm thinking of good places to see, walks on Dunwich Heath, BBQ on beach, pretty towns, etc.  Without driving too much, sticking between Southwold and Aldeburgh?

[toekneep]

Sorry I don't know the area well enough to advise and it's thirty years since I  was there but whatever you do it ought to involve some of Adnams fine ales I would have thought. Enjoy yourselves.

[RJ]

The RSPB: Minsmere ?

[nuttycyclist]

The RSPB: Minsmere ?

Good call.  I have a membership card and also I think still a "visitor pass" so that won't cost anything.      From memory I think I cycled near that on the way back from Leiston Abbey to Dunwich and the area near there was great for woodlands and quiet walks.

Sorry I don't know the area well enough to advise and it's thirty years since I  was there but whatever you do it ought to involve some of Adnams fine ales I would have thought. Enjoy yourselves.

Having looked at streetmap, I do believe that the excellent pub I had a few pints and some fantastic food in in Walberswick was an Adnams one.

[hatler]

Walberswick is pretty special in a peace and quiet sort of way.  A walk through the marshes is a must.

Framlingham isn't so far away if old buildings are your thing.

I think you'll be hard pushed to find many pubs that aren't Adnams.

[citoyen]

The Crown Hotel is the place to go for Adnams beer. But it also does excellent wines if beer isn't your thing. And the food is pretty darn good too.

I've not stayed there but it also has a good rep as a hotel.

d.

[Hot Flatus]

The pub opposite the brewery is where I had possibly the best pint ever, and it was Admams bitter.

Norfolk is a better bet than Suffolk, if you have done Orford Ness.

Cromer and Sheringham are nice. Holkham sands and Blakeney point are lovely

[nuttycyclist]

Thanks for the suggestion, but Southwold is I think as far north as I want to venture this time.  2 hours each way from Southend.

Blakeney and Holkham are wonderful, and were ticked off the list 8 or 9 years ago

[hatler]

Head along Southwold High Street towards the sea. Where the 'main' (I use the word in its loosest possible sense) heads right, keep straight on and you get to The Nelson. Great boozer. Keep straight on again until you get to the sea, then turn left. A few yards along on your left is the (I think) Seamen's Reading room. A real gem.

[Wowbagger]

When I was at Dunwich a week or two ago there were people naked in the sea. 

Shocked I was. I'm normally the only one.

[nicknack]

Brewery tour?

[Hot Flatus]

You must go on the pier and go into the home-made amusement bit. Have a ride in the bathyscape

[hatler]

Brewery tour?

I tried this. Adnams don't arrange such things apparently.

[rogerzilla]

Crabbing at Walberswick (dodging the unspeakable Sloanes who inhabit the place).

Go to Dunwich for a cup of tea, obviously.

Go boating on the Meare at Thorpeness.

Go on a tour of Sizewell B.

[Hot Flatus]

I'm no sure they do tours at sizewell anymore. Not since edf took over

[Domestique]

You could visit the Snooks Memorial

[pixieannie]

Snape Maltings?  I went there today before heading on to Aldeburgh.  You can kill a few hours at Snape Maltings and another few at Aldeburgh.  Take a walk along the river at Snape.  There's a great pub there, Charlotte and I ate there a week or so ago, good grub.  

[rogerzilla]

They're ruining Snape Maltings by converting part of it into eye-wateringly expensive flats.

I would quite like to retire to that part of the world, but somewhere inland (safe from flooding) and on the train line.  Saxmundham isn't touristy, but quite pleasant, and is large enough to sustain essential shops, including a Waitrose.  Or Framlingham, although that's getting a bit far from the sea.

[pixieannie]

They're ruining Snape Maltings by converting part of it into eye-wateringly expensive flats.

I would quite like to retire to that part of the world, but somewhere inland (safe from flooding) and on the train line.  Saxmundham isn't touristy, but quite pleasant, and is large enough to sustain essential shops, including a Waitrose.  Or Framlingham, although that's getting a bit far from the sea.

The flats are quite tasteful although I wouldn't want to live at Snape, far too many visitors and a constant flow of traffic throughout the summer months.

Some nice little houses in Aldeburgh but so far away from everywhere, plus I don't think I would fit in.

[rogerzilla]

Aldeburgh is too expensive for anyone except retired Lahndoners.  And it'll all probably be flooded in 50 years' time anyway.