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SOUTHWOLD & SURROUNDING AREAS

 

Beautiful

Southwold

Visiting Southwold is almost like stepping back in time for a moment. A place to forget about the bustle of every day life and take a breath. Famed for its award winning traditional pier, grade II listed Southwold Lighthouse and the stunning promenade, adorned with brightly coloured beach huts, you’d be forgiven for just grabbing yourself a pint of Adnams, finding a spot on the beach, and kicking back for the rest of your stay. For those of you wanting to explore a bit more, there’s lots that Southwold has to offer for all ages, young or old.

Stroll around Southwold’s famous pier, wander along the promenade and take in the iconic beach huts and the 17th century seafront cannons on Gun Hill. Visit the Under The Pier Show for a unique and eccentric collection of interactive machines and have fun posing in the wacky wall of mirrors on the North side of the pier.

Follow one of the various footpaths across the fields, dunes or marshes to the historical harbour and back, or further afield towards Reydon (there’s a footpath map at Number Fifteen that you can borrow). Stroll over Bailey Bridge or take the little ferry from the harbour to the lovely neighbouring village of Walberswick.

The famous Adnams Brewery is located right in the heart of Southwold and offers tours of both its brewery and distillery. You can even make your own gin! For a bit more local history, visit The Sailor’s Reading Rooms and Southwold Museum, or the Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum down by the harbour.

For a cultural fix try the Electric Picture Palace, which recreates the heyday of cinema-going with usherettes and a rising cinema organ. Or visit Southwold Arts Centre, with its live music, comedy and theatre. A short drive away is the incredible Thorington Open Air Theatre, constructed on the site of a bomb crater from WWII, which left a natural amphitheater in the woods. They have a fabulous line up for the summer season, with comedy, opera, Shakespeare and family favourites, but tickets sell out quickly so pre-book.

For the smaller people, Tibby’s Green playground is within skipping distance from Number Fifteen. There are football goals, a play park and table tennis table (bats and balls provided at the cottage). Visit The Pier Arcade for some slot machine fun (especially good if it rains!) or head to the mini skate park opposite the pier. You could also try your hand at a spot of crazy golf or the more traditional putting green.

Crabbing is a must, either at Southwold Harbour or on the opposite side of the water at Walberswick. For those of you with sea legs, try out The Coastal Voyager boat trip. Kite flying on the beach by the dunes is also great fun on a blustery day, and who can resist building a good old fashioned sand castle?! Buckets and spades are provided for use during your stay.

There is something for everyone in and around Southwold.