2 miles from Minsmere RSPB
reserve in the heart of Suffolk's Heritage Coast
| Here is a selection of places that you may like to visit during your stay in Suffolk: | |
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| RSPB Minsmere:
needs no introduction to birdwatchers with its breeding Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, Avocets, Bearded Tits, Nightingales, etc. Minsmere offers a great day out as it has a variety of habitats to explore, a large visitors information centre, a shop and restaurant. Family explorer backpacks and trail booklets are available at the information centre. Also special events are held throughtout the year. Within walking distance is the National Trust Dunwich Heath which also offers trails through woodland and heathland, where Dartford Warblers breed. For more information visit: www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/minsmere/ Other nature reserves in the area are: - RSPB North Warren - National Trust Dunwich Heath - Sizewell Belts - Walberswick - Blythburgh Estuary - Hen Reedbeds |
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| Southwold:
A charming seaside town with a working lighthouse (open to visitors),
colourful beach huts, a pier, harbour and beach. Here, again, there
is a parade of interesting shops and the Sailors Reading Room which
shows the history of Southwold and the sea. |
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Aldeburgh: A quaint Victorian fishing town where fishermen still pull their boats up onto the beach and sell their catch. Aldeburgh has interesting shops, art galleries and The Moot House which houses the town's museum. There is also a beach sculpture on the lovely pebble beach halfway between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. |
| Snape Maltings: About 10 miles away is a collection of Victorian granaries and malthouse buildings nestling beside the River Alde. Craft and antique shops, galleries, restaurants and the Snape Maltings Concert Hall - home of the Aldeburgh Festival - fill the old buildings where local barley was once malted. Walk along the Alde estuary to enjoy the haven of wildlife or join a guided walk or river trip. | |
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Thorpeness: Another seaside village on the coast just north of Aldeburgh designed by the same architect as Port Merrion. You can easily walk between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Boating is available on 'The Meare', there is a good beach, a restored windmill and the intriguing 'House in the Clouds' which was once a water tower but is now a holiday home. |
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Dunwich: Once a thriving large town most of which is now under the sea. There is a very interesting museum about the town and its demise over the centuries. Dunwich beach is mainly stones but it is nice to walk along or take a drive to Dunwich Heath (National Trust) where there are beautiful views across the water, heathland and RSPB Minsmere Reserve. |
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Walberswick: Sand-dunes, a sandy beach and two pubs serving good food and local ales. Walberswick is home to the International Crabbing Competition held in August each year. There are good walks and superb views to Southwold further along the coast. In fact Walberswick is accessible from Southwold via the rowing boat ferry. |
| Orford: Is of particular interest and charm with its 12th Century Castle from which there are spectacular views over Orford Ness. The National Trust Reserve Orford Ness - the largest shingle spit in Europe - was a secret military testing site from 1913 and has a 5 mile pedestrian route through important habitats for rare birds, insects, plants and animals and offers lovely coastal views. There is also the RSPB sanctuary at nearby Havergate Island, famous for its Avocets. | |
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| Visit Suffolk - (www.visit-suffolk.org.uk) | |
| Suffolk Coast and Heaths - (www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org) | |
| Visit Suffolk Attractions - (www.visitsuffolkattractions.co.uk) | |
| Suffolk Coastal - (www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/tourism/) | |
| One Suffolk - (www.onesuffolk.co.uk/whatson) | |
| Visit East of England - (www.visiteastofengland.com) | |
| Snape Maltings - (www.snapemaltings.co.uk) | |