East Anglian beaches: part 2 – Suffolk secrets
If you’re heading to SbN then it’s only natural that you’d want to explore. We previously let you know all about beaches close to The Stoke by Nayland, but if you’re feeling a little more intrepid, why not head a little further afield to these great beaches featured in our East Anglian Beaches series!
Suffolk Beaches – Approximately 1 hours’ drive from SbN
Shingle Beach: Aldeburgh
For those that love a stone in their shoe – this beach hits the spot! A beautiful town on Suffolk coast, Aldeburgh beach is perhaps one of the most picturesque you’ll find in the county. An incredible sculpture – the Scallop – adorns the beach, celebrating Benjamin Britten’s legacy as one of the twentieth century’s most accomplished and pioneering composers. The high street just off of the beach caters for every type of person – from coastal knickknacks, to homemade ice cream. Get to the Aldeburgh Fish & Chip shop early – there’s always a queue stretching down the street.
Legend has it that if the tide is right, you can hear the bells of an ancient church being chimed by the waves!
A Get-Closer-to-Nature Beach: Dunwich
Dunwich is an incredibly relaxing beach which really helps you to feel at one with Mother Earth – the heath overlooking the sand is chocked full of bright purple heather and yellow gorse which lends itself to a beautiful peaceful walk. Although this one doesn’t have the typical seaside attractions you might think are required to keep little ones busy, there is actually some good information boards geared at children along the walks if you’ve got some budding bird watchers in your midst. As an interesting aside, Dunwich was the capital of the Kingdom of the East Aisles during Anglo Saxon times, but since then many of the historical buildings have been lost to coastal erosion. Legend has it that if the tide is right, you can hear the bells of an ancient church being chimed by the waves! Check out Dunwich a bit more here.
A Nod to the Historical: Thorpeness
Thorpeness is a quirky little beach which is lined by an equally quirky town. Many of the buildings that serve as a backdrop to the beach are either mock Tudor style or brightly coloured, so you definitely want to take your camera. The beach itself is predominantly shingle, but it also shelves quite steeply which makes it perfect for flying kites. Exploring the dunes and the bases of the low cliffs is also great for inquisitive treasure hunters, old and young alike! Modern and seemingly antique mingle side-by-side here, with mock Tudor buildings (built by local landowner Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie who wanted to recreate ‘Merrie England’) cuddling up to more unusual buildings such as The Dune House. Not to be missed if you like a place which is proud of its idiosyncrasies. Just be careful of wandering tornadoes – you could find yourself face to face with the Wicked Witch of the West during your visit! Check out Thorpeness here.
Also recommended: Southwold and Old Felixstowe.