Suffolk is a beautiful and quiet county situated in Eastern England, just below Norfolk and above Essex. A tranquil escape in most parts, it has a stunning sandy coastline with holiday resorts like Southwold and Felixstowe, next to inland countryside with pretty villages.
Here you’ll find wading birds like avocets with their unique upturned beaks (the emblem of the RSPB) along with the Suffolk Broads, manmade waterways that are home to around 25% of England’s native birds and wildlife and one of our most important wetlands. Alongside rare plants like milk parsley, you’ll also spot rare birds (cranes, bitterns, marsh harriers), swallowtail butterflies and the fen raft spider.
The Historic Town of Southwold
Southwold is a charming seaside town with a unique pier, and a lighthouse that sits in the middle of the streets, rather than being in the sea. Full of indie shops, this affluent town contains beautiful architecture and a stunning coastline.
Nearby Walberswick has a ‘wherry’ (a traditional rowing boat) that ferries visitors back and forth, to save the longer car trip. It’s an affluent area, popular with artists and writers.
A few have bought homes in this area, mostly because it’s a bolthole where they can have privacy. One local told The Guardian ‘Celebrities come here, because we don’t care about them. We don’t make a fuss. I don’t even know who this ginger-haired cap is, who everyone’s talking about. And I don’t much care’.
Felixstowe: A Vibrant Seaside Resort
Felixstowe is another charming seaside resort, which was popular with holidaymakers back in the Victorian era. The rail link established in the 1870s saw its popularity saw, bringing with it pretty beach huts and grand hotels. Today the town retains its historic buildings and elegant seafront gardens.
Lowestoft: The Sunniest Place in the UK
Not so pretty is the town of Lowestoft. However it’s the most easterly place in England, with many people visiting Ness Point, to be the first people to watch the sun rise. The place is marked by a circle of granite, which details distances and directions to various European cities.
Seals of the Suffolk Coast
Grey and harbour seals can both be found here, where they give birth, rest and digest food on local beaches.
Seals pups can’t swim when born so never disturb seals or their pups. This could spook them into the sea, to drown. Pups are often hidden by their mums in sand dunes, so keep dogs on leads and avoid walking near seals, in breeding season.
Keep at least 100 metres away (the same as a football pitch size). If a seal is looking at you, you’re too close. Seals can also give nasty bites that need medical attention.
If photographing seals, stay well away and use a zoom lens, avoid drones and stay downwind, as seals have an excellent sense of smell. Avoid high-contrast colours like white, yellow or red as they don’t see colour, so try to blend in with the background to avoid stress.
If you see any marine creature in distress, call British Divers Marine Life Rescue for help (01825 765546). To find out more on how to help seals, visit Cornwall Seal Group.
While you wait for help, stand between the pup and sea (to stop pups drowning or freezing).
Home to ‘Constable Country’ (the Hay Wain)
Inland Suffolk is ‘Constable Country’. If you grew up with a picture of his painting ‘The Hay Wain‘ on your living room wall, it was set here. The artist was born in a village on the River Stour in the 1700s, and the white cottage (owned by a neighbour) still exists.
Moving On From Betting On Horses
Suffolk is home to Newmarket, one of England’s most popular horse races. Unlike greyhound racing (just 19 courses left in England), racehorses is still very popular, despite equines dying each year on the track.
Gambling is also a huge problem nationwide (leading to suicides) in an industry that rakes in over over £13 billion for betting shops (including online bookmakers).
Racehorsing is of course done for profit. And galloping at fast feed (often being whipped) or jumping over steeples, is not natural for animals that in nature, would graze together in fields.
In November 2024, three horses died during Cheltenham Race (including the race winner, who collapsed and collapse, soon after crossing the finish line).
League Against Cruel Sports wants races of 4 miles or more (with fences) to be banned (other horses die during training or elective euthanasia). There are calls for a government body to oversee racehorse welfare (instead of self-regulation). One has asked for £12 million of prize money to help sanctuaries like Racehorse Rehoming Centre and Racehorse Rescue.
