5 Of The Best Things You Can Only Do In Suffolk
By Carl Scott
Suffolk really is quite a large county – it is the 8th largest in England, to be precise – which helps to explain why there is so much to do here! From sightseeing, to exploring the heritage and history of Suffolk, to then going out and exploring all of our magnificent towns and villages, there is something for everyone throughout the magnificent county of Suffolk. So, what can you ONLY do in Suffolk?
- Visit our spectacular towns and villages
Suffolk is full of idyllic towns and villages which stretch from every corner of the county – all with their own character, too. Centred in what it describes itself as the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Suffolk,’ Bury St Edmunds sure lives up to its claim. From a skyline dominated by a staggering cathedral, sat in the centre of the town, perched next to the abbey gardens, it is a great town for exploring history as well as relaxing and undergoing some retail therapy.
The county town of Ipswich also has on offer a spectacular town centre for shoppers, in addition to its own history to discover. One village that is an absolute favourite amongst visitors, and sitting quite close to the Essex border, is the quaint village of Lavenham. With Tudor architecture dominating the majority of the village and having its own quirky character, Lavenham has also been made quite famous as it has been used as the set for major films – the most notable being Harry Potter. And, with other towns and villages to explore, such as Newmarket for the horse-lovers, Southwold and Aldeburgh for the beach-goers, and Lakenheath for the plane spotters, there will always be something for everyone in Suffolk.
- Explore the heritage
Suffolk’s history and heritage is rich. Framlingham Castle, now better known as the hometown of Ed Sheeran, is perched on top of a hill, presiding over the skyline of the town, and was built around the 12th century. This castle is believed to be the place where Mary I was crowned queen in 1553. Another place where heritage is rich in Suffolk is the National Trust area of Sutton Hoo, placed right next to Woodbridge. Now famous thanks to an intriguing Netflix feature that we wrote about here, the site is famously where a huge archaeological extraction took place after the remains of a ship was found. As well as various Anglo-Saxon treasures, this site is where the iconic helmet was found.
- Explore our coastline
Suffolk’s coastline is like no other – it is peaceful, picturesque and perfect as a postcard. Featuring seaside villages like Southwold and Aldeburgh, and perched on the North Sea coastline, these villages afford stunning views as well as things to do. You might find yourself trying your luck to win something in the amusements, or visiting the town centres, or for a meander down the Promenade. Alternatively, you may just want to pick up your fish and chips to sit and eat in these classic surroundings. If you struggle for inspiration, why not check out our list of the best chippys to eat in Suffolk.
- Exploring nature
Suffolk’s population is quite low for the size of it, sitting at around 760,000 residents. The density is low, too, with there being around 200 residents per square kilometer. As a result, this means Suffolk has more nature to be explored. Whether it is navigating across the Suffolk coastal path, or getting out on many of the cycle routes zig-zagging throughout the county, you can take in the various landscapes and landmarks at your leisure.
- Visit our attractions
Throughout Suffolk, there are plenty of attractions that make for a great day out. More specifically, Suffolk features zoos across the county, from Africa Alive just south of Kessingland, which homes 80 species of different animals from all across Africa, to the Lavenham falconry which is where various birds of prey call home. For those who like to explore heritage and history, why not visit one of the many museums that Suffolk has to offer, such as the West Stow Anglo-Saxon village, the National Horseracing Museum, and the Dad’s Army Museum.
With lots to do in Suffolk, why would you want to visit any other dreary part of the country? What’s more, with all of these things being within a convenient distance of our Barns and Barges for rent in Suffolk, why would you want to visit any other kind of holiday accommodation?
