Suffolk Villages and Towns – Snape

Snape may be a tiny village (with only around 600 inhabitants) but it punches well above its weight when it comes to tourist destinations.

The main reason Snape is so regularly visited by our guests when they stay with us here at Woodfarm Barns is Snape Maltings.

No longer a functioning commercial Maltings, it has been beautifully converted into a major tourist centre, the most prominent feature of which is the concert hall that plays host to the the annual Aldeburgh Festival.

Whilst we thoroughly recommend shopping the day away at Snape Maltings and relaxing and unwinding to some world class music at the concert hall, the Maltings isn’t all this small treasure of a village has to offer.

Calling the village historic would be an understatement. There have been people living in Snape for around two thousand years! In 1862 a Saxon Burial Ship was discovered there and is believed to date back to between AD410 and AD650.

Though still small today, there were only 49 men recorded as living there at the time of the Domesday Book in 1085, meaning the population was probably close to 150 including women and children.

As if all the history wasn’t enough, visitors in search of a relaxing river trip can embark upon one at the Snape Maltings, operated by Waveney River Tours. It’s a splendid way to spend a beautiful day.

An important note: despite its impressive historical pedigree, regretfully there is no known connection with the actual village and Professor Severus Snape from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. To the disappointment of all us fans (of both the village and the books).

Looking to visit the village and discover this tiny treasure of a village for yourself? We recommend you treat yourself to a luxury stay in one of our holiday cottages here at Woodfarm Barns.