SHOTLEY PENINSULA
4 miles / 16min drive / 40min cycle
Suffolk's most surprising destination. From locally-produced food and drink, to wonderful views and lovely countryside, quirky accommodation and superb sailing, there's something for everyone on the Shotley Peninsula.
Discover Suffolk's largest expanse of inland water, and it's walks, wildlife and watersports. Enjoy fantastic views over the estuarine rivers Orwell and Stour from a boat or barge, pub or restaurant - there's plenty of choice. Stay in luxury lodges, converted barns, farm cottages or even six-storey Elizabethan tower. Or pause for a moment in the atmospheric churchyard that's the final resting place of the first casualties of World War One.
Whatever floats your boat, the Shotley Peninsula is the perfect place for a day out or a week's holiday.
Find out more about the Shotley Peninsula.
HADLEIGH
9 miles / 20min drive / 35min bus
A charming market town with an interesting history. Hadleigh is one of the first towns in East Anglia that prospered from the cloth and wool industry and is known as one of Suffolk’s ‘Wool Towns’.
The town has some wonderful traditional Suffolk architecture including the fabulous 15th century guildhall, the Deanery Tower complex and some proper Suffolk pubs serving local beers, spirits and food.. The high street has a mix of independent shops and boutiques as well as home to Partridges; the famous hardware store which is a maze of anything you could ever need!
And surrounded by quite rolling countryside - perfect for walking and cycling; a day in Hadleigh gives you a true flavour of the Suffolk good life.
WOODBRIDGE
9 miles / 15min train / 22min drive / 50min cycle
A beautiful riverside market town on the banks of the Deben, Woodbridge combines excellent shops with superb pubs and restaurants and numerous activities both indoors and out. On the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Woodbridge is a great stop-off point before exploring the rest of the Suffolk coast.
Visit National Trust Sutton Hoo just outside of Woodbridge, a key attraction in the area; this hauntingly beautiful 255 acre estate is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Walk amongst the ancient burial mounds and discover the story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasure which you can view in the museum including the ancient sword of an Anglo-Saxon prince.
Find out more about Woodbridge.
FELIXSTOWE
11 miles / 30min drive / 38min train
Nestled between the rivers Orwell and Deben, Felixstowe is a bustling Edwardian seaside town with traditional seaside attractions and a spectacular pier.
The north of of the town is home to the quaint fishing and sailing hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry, a true hidden gem of the Suffolk coast. Wander along the banks of the river Deben, hop on the foot ferry for a trip to Bawdsey, grab fish & chips, go crabbing and see how many of the iconic Napoleonic Martello Towers you can spot.
To the south, there's Landguard Peninsula which is home to Landguard Fort, one of England’s best preserved coastal defences. There's also Felixstowe Museum, the Nature Reserve and Britain's busiest port; where you can watch the giant container ships arriving and departing.
Discover more about Felixstowe.
STOUR VALLEY
11 miles / 16min drive / 35min bus
A famously beautiful part of East Anglia; the Stour Valley encompasses the Dedham Vale AONB (Area of Outstanding National Beauty), Constable Country and quaint villages such as East Bergholt, Stratford St Mary and Nayland.
Dotted across the Stour Valley, you can find wonderful spots of stunning countryside for walking and cycling along with pristine riverways where you can hire boats and canoes for exploring the valley from the river with the swans.
The area is also filled with traditional country pubs and contemporary hotels and bistros, making the Stour Valley a great place for foodies to explore too.
Find out more about Stour Valley and the Dedham Vale.
FRAMLINGHAM
16 miles / 37min drive / 45min bus
A delightful market Tudor market town home to the famous Framlingham Castle; the inspiration behind Ed Sheeran's hit song Castle On The Hill.
With little streets, lovely shops, quirky cafes and world-class restaurants, exploring the town of Framlingham is a pleasure all year round whilst also being home to a host of local art galleries and the setting of many a Suffolk ghost story and witching tale.
Framlingham Castle, the headline attraction of the town, is a magnificent late 12th-century castle overlooking the nearby mere and surrounded by parkland. Was once the refuge of Mary Tudor before she became Queen in 1553, the castle has a rich and bloody history that is a must see!
Discover more about Framlingham and Framlingham Castle.
LAVENHAM
18 miles / 35min drive
With its Tudor houses, wonky half-timbered cottages and 15th Century Wool church, Lavenham is known as England’s best preserved medieval village and one of Suffolk’s important Wool Towns.
A trip to Lavenham could be filled with hours of wandering around the village exploring all the quaint streets and characterful buildings, including the spooky De Vere house which was used as a location for the Harry Potter films.
Explore history at the stunning timber-framed Lavenham Guildhall, view one of England’s most beautiful and stately churches at St Peter and St Paul Church, and take in the wonderful 14th Century Little Hall, which is home to the Gayer-Anderson collection of fascinating pictures and artefacts.
