Suffolk
Lazing on the sand, hurtling down a roller coaster, or sipping coffee at
a stylish boardwalk cafe to the sound of the waves. The choice is
yours at award-winning seaside resorts on the Suffolk Coast
Coastal Gems
Big skies, long shingle beaches and historic towns
and villages draw visitors back time and again to the
Suffolk Heritage Coast. Walking, cycling and
birdwatching make this a year-round destination - to
say nothing of the castles/churches to be explored.
Pretty market towns such as Framlingham,
Woodbridge and Orford border the ‘Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty'. Explore the remarkable
site of an Anglo Saxon ship burial at Sutton
Hoo (nr. Woodbridge) - and find out more at the
visitor centre. See the picturesque tide mill at
Woodbridge, climb the lofty castle keep at Orford
(towering almost 100 feet over the pretty town), or
stroll along the castle ramparts at Framlingham.
At Felixstowe, enjoy award-winning gardens and
floral displays. Let off steam in the amusement park,
then go nautical at the lofty Landguard Fort Spot
the world's largest container ships from the port
viewing area, then head to Felixstowe Ferry for a
trip across the Deben to Bawdsey, home of radar.
Go north to the bright seaside town of Aldeburgh, world famous for music and
literature - with composer Benjamin Britten the inspiration for fabulous Snape
Maltings concerts. Stroll along the High Street lined with art galleries, individual
shops and eateries. At neighbouring Thorpeness - with its mock Tudor homes
and 'House in the Clouds', you can hire a rowing boat on the mere.
Voucher Offers
Check out the special offers, including 2 for 1 vouchers at top Suffolk Coastal
attractions: Framlingham Castle, Orford Castle and Sutton Hoo.
Suffolk Coastal Stations
Felixstowe: One train per hour (with easy change at Ipswich) from London Liverpool
Street (1 hour, 53 minutes). Woodbridge, Melton and Saxmundham: One direct
train every two hours from London Liverpool Street (2 hours).
Further Information: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/tourism
---------------------------------------------------
Seaside Splash
Lazing on the sand, hurtling down a roller coaster, or sipping coffee at a stylish
boardwalk cafe to the sound of the waves. The choice is yours at two
award-winning seaside resorts on the Sunrise Coast. Family friendly Lowestoft
has two vast Blue Flag beaches, two lively piers and a great shopping centre. You
can watch the rising sun at Britain's most easterly point, stroll in beautiful
promenade gardens, or relax over a cool drink in the East Point Pavilion - as the
children dash in and out of the Royal Plain Fountains. Heading north, you can
sample spine-tingling rides at Pleasurewood Hills, or go south to see majestic
wild lions and rhinos in their natural surroundings at Africa Alive in Kessingland.
Less than half an hour away, in an area of outstanding natural beauty is
Southwold - voted Britain's most traditional resort in 2007. Classic shops and
restaurants are minutes from the sandy Blue Flag beach, picturesque harbour and
elegantly restored pier Close at hand are old market towns, castles, stately homes
and the amazing Broads.
---------------------------------------------------
Voucher Offers
Check out the special offers, including 2 for 1 vouchers at top Sunrise Coast
attractions: Pleasurewood Hills.
Sunrise Coast Stations
Beccles, Halesworth, Lowestoft and Oulton Broad South: One direct train every
two hours from London Liverpool Street (via the scenic East Suffolk Line).
Further Information: www.visit-sunrise.co.uk
---------------------------------------------------
Countryside Bliss
Welcome to the South and Heart of Suffolk - where
the countryside is undulating and tranquil, and the
towns are steeped in medieval history. Here you'll
experience the past in colourful Tudor Re-creations
at Long Melford's Kentwell Hall, or trace 700 years of
the wool trade at Lavenham's fabulous timbered
Guildhall Unwind in the glorious Stour Valley
landscapes of Constable - and admire the
remarkable Gainsborough collection at the painter's
nearby birthplace in Sudbury.
Richly decorated houses and magnificent churches
will inspire you, open air theatre will lift your spirits,
and the wealth of antiques, art galleries, local crafts
and delectable specialist shops will allow you to
indulge your own particular passion. You'll enjoy the
freedom of cycling along quiet country lanes,
perhaps following the signposted Heart of Suffolk or
South Suffolk routes, or discovering Needham
Lake (Needham Market). The award-winning
Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket is on
the doorstep, and a hop away is Eye Castle with its
amazing views over ancient rooftops. With so many
farm shops, country pubs and restaurants you will be able to savour the very best of
local Suffolk produce. Why not take some home?
South and Heart of Suffolk Stations
Stowmarket: Two trains per hour from London Liverpool Street (1 hour,
30 minutes). Manningtree (for Dedham and East Bergholt): Three trains per hour
from London Liverpool Street (60 minutes). Dedham is a signposted 30 minute
walk from the station. Sudbury: One train per hour (with an easy change at Marks
Tey) from London Liverpool Street (1 hour, 15 minutes).
Further Information: www.southandheartofsuffolk.org.uk
Sitting at the head of the Orwell, one
of Suffolk's loveliest and most historic
rivers - Ipswich is a fine blend of
ancient and modern
West Suffolk
As you enter the town of Newmarket, in its
wonderful heathland setting, you are stepping
right into the heart of the racing world. Known for
centuries as home of ‘The Sport of Kings - today
Newmarket boasts two very distinct racecourses.
The NatWest Rowley Mile is the most historic
stretch of turf in the entire world of sport, and hosts
world-class racing throughout spring and autumn.
Few sporting occasions can match the dramatic
spectacle of its flagship event, the Stan James
Guineas Festival. Summer at Newmarket heralds
the magic of the July Course, with its old fashioned
grandstand, sun-dappled lawns, magnificent beech
trees and beautiful floral displays. Social and
sporting highlights of the season are the Ritz Club
July Festival and Newmarket Nights - an evening
racing event followed by a concert from a
well-known act. Other must see attractions are
The National Stud and the National Horseracing
Museum Why not stay over for an escorted
tour of the training gallops and a trainer's yard
for a real insider's view?
In West Suffolk, open spaces and country parks combine with nature reserves to
provide the perfect short break for families keen to get out and about in the fresh air.
The RSPB Lakenheath Fen Reserve (nr. Brandon) is an ideal place to enjoy a
large-scale wetland, with rare marsh harriers, bearded tits and hobbies. It is home
to a huge diversity of fenland wildlife, and the reserve and visitor centre are easily
reached via a network of trails within a short walk of Lakenheath station.
Bury St. Edmunds is rich in medieval and Georgian architecture, and has a vibrant
shopping centre decked with flowers in summer. Historic streets bustle with
individual shops, cafés, restaurants and a traditional twice-weekly market. Soaring
above is the majestic tower of St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, a fine landmark beside
the famous abbey gardens. Why not take a guided tour to appreciate the town's
treasures, the cathedral, the beautifully restored Theatre Royal or the local Greene
King Brewery? Make time to see the clocks in the remarkable ‘Face of Time'
gallery at Moyse's Hall Museum
Travel by Train Offers
Newmarket Racing: Treat yourself to a fun day out at the races - and bag a
bargain travelling by train. The all-inclusive offer includes train travel, coach transfer
to the racecourse and race entry. Click here for our full listing of travel by train offers
West Suffolk Stations
Bury St. Edmunds: One train per hour (with an easy change at Ipswich) from
London Liverpool Street (1 hour, 50 minutes). Brandon: One train per hour (with an
easy change at Cambridge) from London Liverpool Street (2 hours, 15 minutes).
Newmarket: One train every two hours (with an easy change at Cambridge) from
London Liverpool Street (2 hours, 15 minutes).
Further Information:
Bury St. Edmunds - www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk
Newmarket - www.visitforestheath.co.uk
---------------------------------------------------
Quayside Living
Sitting at the head of the Orwell, one of Suffolk's
loveliest and most historic rivers - Ipswich is a fine
blend of ancient and modern. The story of the town
with its famous port can be traced back to Saxon
times, and its later medieval prosperity is reflected
in twelve beautiful churches and stunning Tudor
architecture. Former merchants' homes and a
magnificent Victorian Old Custom House,
combine with the chic, ultra-modern buildings of
the Waterfront, where you can linger in quayside
restaurants, bars and cafés overlooking the
marina. Take a cruise on the Orwell Lady
On a walking tour of the town, you will discover links
with Charles Dickens and Cardinal Wolsey, marvel at
the richly decorated Ancient House, and admire a
20th C. Norman Foster masterpiece in gleaming
black glass. Ipswich has over 1,000 acres of
beautiful parkland, including Christchurch Park with
its lavish Tudor mansion housing an important
collection of Constable and Gainsborough paintings.
Ipswich Museum and Ipswich Transport Museum
reveal more about the town's enthralling past.
Voucher Offers
Check out the special offers, including 2 for 1 vouchers at top Ipswich
attractions: Blue Badge Guide Walking Tours and Open Top Bus Tours.
Ipswich Station
Three trains per hour (two on Sundays) from London Liverpool Street
(1 hour, 10 minutes).
Further Information: www.visit-ipswich.com
