Did you see our previous blog about where to travel further afield when visiting Aldeburgh? If you didn’t, have a read here. If you did, what did you think of it? We’re adding 3 more locations that you need to get to on your day trips in Suffolk.
Snape
Distance from Aldeburgh – 5.5 Miles
Snape, as mentioned in previous posts is a stones throw away from Aldeburgh when considering a day out. Home to Aldeburgh Music, the events that take place in the village throughout the month of August ensure that it’s a sought after place to visit. Apart from that busy time of month, the Malting’s is home to a selection of shops, art gallery’s and artistic sculptures giving you enough to mooze around before you pop to the café for a coffee to recharge the battery’s.
On the sunny days of summer, you can grab the river boat which sets sail down the Alde on a 45-minute cruise around the mud flats and read lands while the captains commentary can inform you about the surrounding countryside.
If a good long walk is your more preferred idea, you can walk from Aldeburgh to Snape along sailor’s path. The route is 6 miles long and is recommended to plan for a 3/4-hour hike depending on your speed. Although the brave may head back the other direction, check the bus times for your return travel. Here is a link to more information on the walks – http://www.brittenpears.org/asset_arena/1/69/1961/v0_master.pdf
Orford
Distance from Aldeburgh – 11.2 Miles
This intimate and friendly town was named in the top 101 best places to live in Britain by The Sunday Times.
Like many of the Suffolk coastal towns it was a port and fishing village in the middle ages. It has its own mediaeval castle which was between 1165 and 1173 to consolidate royal power in the region. Currently, the castle only opens on weekends, with no available opening times further than the 31st of March, so it may be best to keep checking their website for updated information. – http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/orford-castle/prices-and-opening-times.
Orford Ness is located opposite the village on the cuspate foreland shingle spit. Boat taxis are available to head over to the nature reserve on Orford Ness, where walks can be enjoyed up the coast line. The Ness is also home to Orford’s Lighthouse, which is now decommissioned, and expected to fall into the North Sea soon if urgent repairs are not taken out immediately.
As Orford is a fishing village, it is home to some of the freshest fish along the Suffolk Coastline (Behind Aldeburgh of course!). Pinneys, Pump Street Bakery and Brinkley’s Fish Shed all available within the village.
Woodbridge
Distance from Aldeburgh – 17.3 Miles
Woodbridge is a bit further afield, as far away as Southwold but in the other direction. Woodbridge is home to a wide array of activities to keep you busy for the whole day. Shopping, cafes, parks and walks will fill your day up as you find your way around the town.
We recommend taking a trip down to the waterfront, a walk along the front ended with an ice cream is probably the best way to relax on a warm day, in winter, try one of the many cafes found around the town to warm up with a coffee and a cake.
The town is full of history, specifically Angelo Saxon, with King Raedwald (The most powerful King in England at the time) being buried on the other side of the river Deben to Woodbridge, in Sutton Hoo. Replicas of items and the story of the finds can be found in Woodbridge Museum.
Woodbridge has a swimming pool with sessions filled with fun inflatables to keep the Children entertained, alternatively if has a sauna or and gym available to get your health kick.
Woodbridge is lucky to be located with many golf courses near by, Ufford Park, Seckford Hall, St Audry’s and one named after the town its self, enjoy a round of 18 to unwind or practice your swing.
Woodbridge has a cinema too, with films being shown twice a day including an afternoon showing. If you wish to find out more, check out their website – http://theriverside.co.uk/
Aldeburgh
Distance from Aldeburgh – 0 Miles
If you don’t fancy venturing out of Aldeburgh, check out our previous blog about what you can get up to in the town itself, there is plenty to do – Aldeburgh Experiences.
Have you already visited some of these places? Did you visit any of our favourite places? How did you find them? Let us know by getting in the conversation on twitter, find us @AldeLighthouse.