The Town & Country: Five of the Best to Visit in Suffolk This Summer

To get you inspired ahead of the summer, we’ve rounded up five of the most exciting towns and villages to explore in Suffolk. With plenty of destinations to meander around, areas to explore, and restaurants and bars to discover, we’re confident that our list of two towns and three villages will provide something for everyone renting a Barn or Barge in Suffolk to enjoy.

1: Aldeburgh

Situated on the stunning Suffolk shoreline and surrounded by beautiful scenery, Aldeburgh is undeniably one of the most charming destinations to explore in East Suffolk. Boasting a blue flag shingle beach and a beautiful promenade with arcades, not to mention a nearby and picturesque village, this tranquil seaside town on the shores of Suffolk is totally unmissable. As well as its beaches and various restaurants, visitors will also find a Martello Tower on the River Alde, which is one of only one hundred to be found along the British coast. So, what makes this one so special? Well, it’s the last building standing in a village called Slaughden, which got completely lost to the sea. Over the years, it has been reinforced and transformed but originally, these Martello Towers were put into place during the Napoleonic Era to prepare for an invasion.

2: Lavenham

Nestled in mid-Suffolk between Sudbury and Ipswich, the colourful village of Lavenham is the very definition of an idyllic Suffolk village. With Tudor buildings, and featuring in the Harry Potter Franchise -it’s here that you’ll find Godric’s Hollow – Lavenham is perfect for walks that transport visitors back into the past as they stroll alongside historic buildings and quaint streets.

3: Bury St Edmunds

As it quite rightly says on the sign entering it, Bury St Edmunds is ‘The Jewel in the Crown of Suffolk.’ With it being the only place in Suffolk to have a cathedral, and one of the only towns in England to have a cathedral, Bury has a rich history and is fast becoming one of the coolest modern destinations to explore in Suffolk. Here, visitors are able to stroll through the historic areas of the town, from the cathedral to the Abbey Gardens, and it also has an iconic garden area with the ancient ruins of a monastery within it. Furthermore, anyone heading into the town centre will find all that a shopper could wish for as well as a variety of stunning restaurants and bars.

4: Clare

Close to the Essex border, visitors to Suffolk will find the historic market town of Clare. Rich with history and walking routes, this village is an ideal place to retreat to on a summer’s day. Home to Clare Castle Country Park, which features part of a wall from the Castle remains and part of the old railway station, there’s plenty of picturesque spots to stop off at. As well as all this, from Clare Country Park, you can walk, ride or run down part of the old railway line near to Cavendish and walk around the pond at Clare Country Park. Crowned by a suitably quaint high street filled with all the essentials for village life, Clare provides a true taste of Suffolk living.

5: Framlingham

On the East side of Suffolk is the beautiful market town of Framlingham, home to where Ed Sheeran grew up. As well as that, this small market town boasts a ‘Castle on the Hill’ – Framlingham Castle, a Norman motte and bailey castle, built around 1148, but partially destroyed in 1173-4 by Henry II of England, and then replaced. It is the perfect town for a stroll and to take in the beautiful history which surrounds it with a town trail marking primary sites of interest. 

Set for an Adventure?

Should our selection of towns and villages have you ready to explore all that Suffolk has to offer, get in touch with us today to book your Barge, Barn or Cottage for a holiday in Suffolk.