Suffolk, on England’s east coast, blends rural charm with coastlines, historic sites, and unique culture. It’s a county that offers something for everyone, from lively seaside towns to peaceful fields and woodlands.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
Check for dog restrictions that may change by season. Read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
Suffolk’s coastline stretches for miles, marked by cliffs, shingle, and sandy beaches. Aldeburgh and Southwold offer classic English seaside fun, pastel-coloured huts, and fresh fish on sale.
Exploring the Suffolk Broads: An Idyllic Waterway
The Suffolk Broads shine as one of England’s most peaceful, lesser-known hidden gems. With winding rivers, charming villages, and stretches of untouched nature, these waterways gift visitors a slow pace and a chance to reconnect with the countryside.
These wetlands remain a protected National Park.
They are also home to wading avocets with their unique upturned beaks (the emblem of the RSPB). Alongside rare plants like milk parsley, you’ll also spot more birds cranes, bitterns, marsh harriers), swallowtail butterflies and the fen raft spider.
The Broads are perfect for lazy days on the water. Hire a dayboat, canoe, or even a paddleboard to explore quiet backwaters and wide rivers.
Southwold: Reasons To Visit This Suffolk Gem
Southwold is a small seaside town full of charm on the Suffolk coast. Its quirky beach huts, iconic pier, and lighthouse make it the perfect spot for those who love English seaside life.
These beach huts are a classic part of Southwold’s seafront. Painted in soft pastels and bold shades, they stretch along the promenade and have become a symbol of the town.
The pier stands out with its mix of old and new. You’ll find quirky amusements, like traditional penny arcade machines and Tim Hunkin’s oddball inventions. T
The white Southwold Lighthouse sits just back from the shore, keeping watch over the town since 1887. It still guides ships today.
You can join a tour to climb the stairs for a sweeping view of Southwold and the Suffolk coast. Its steady beam sweeping over the houses is a familiar comfort to locals.
Walkers set off along the River Blyth towards Walberswick, or circle the town’s edges for quiet views at sunset.
Walberswick: Suffolk’s Best Kept Secret
Walberswick sits in Suffolk’s Heritage Coast, quietly promising the perfect mix of British seaside charm and rustic appeal. Tiny cottages line narrow lanes, many once home to artists and writers.
Walberswick gained fame in the early 1900s as a retreat for painters, actors, and poets. Its quiet beauty still attracts creative souls and nature-lovers seeking peace.
It’s an affluent area, with many artists and writers having bought homes here, as it’s a bolthole where privacy is respected.
One local told The Guardian ‘Celebrities come here, because we don’t make a fuss. I don’t even know who this ginger-haired chap is, who everyone’s talking about. And I don’t much care’.
Crossing to Southwold by foot ferry is a real treat. This tiny rowing boat takes you and your bike over the Blyth in minutes. It’s a quirky, simple joy and saves a long drive.
Suffolk Constable Country: A Guide
Willy Lott’s Cottage by John Constable
Suffolk Constable Country sits along England’s east coast. It covers the area most closely linked with John Constable, the famous landscape painter.
Dedham Vale sits on the border of Suffolk and Essex. It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and for good reason. The open fields, willow-lined rivers, and old tracks remain much as they looked 200 years ago.
Many of Constable’s most famous works come from this landscape. Walk along the River Stour, watch local wildlife, or just take in the views that inspired so many paintings.
Flatford is the home of Willy Lott’s Cottage and Flatford Mill. Both feature in Constable’s work, including “The Hay Wain”, one of England’s favourite paintings.
East Bergholt is a friendly Suffolk village and the artist’s birthplace. The house where John Constable was born still stands.
The Stour Valley Path is a long-distance walking route that stretches over 60 miles from Newmarket to Cattawade. The best-known section runs through Constable Country, linking villages like Dedham, Flatford, and Stratford St Mary.
Felixstowe: Seaside Charm and Port Life
Felixstowe stands out on the Suffolk coast for its mix of seaside charm, historic sites and busy port life. Whether you’re heading for a relaxing break or a day trip, you’ll find plenty here – from long beaches to woodland walks.
Felixstowe’s shoreline stretches for miles, lined with both sand and shingle. It’s a popular spot for families, walkers and anyone who likes to watch the waves roll in.
The promenade runs alongside colourful beach huts and offers easy access to cafés and seating. Even on quieter days, it’s a good place to clear your head and take in the sea air.
The town centre and seafront are full of period buildings. Old hotels, homes and public gardens give Felixstowe a classic English seaside feel. The Spa Pavilion theatre and the Grand Hotel echo back to its days as a fashionable resort.
Just stroll around the town centre and you’ll spot details from another era – ornate windows, decorative ironwork and tilework still in great shape.
Landguard Fort stands at the southern tip of Felixstowe where the North Sea meets the River Orwell. The fort itself played a role in defending the coast for hundreds of years and now welcomes visitors.
Next door, the Landguard Nature Reserve is great for birdwatching, wildflowers and sandy walks, plus there’s a view of the giant container port in action.
The Seafront Gardens link the beach to the town centre. Landscaped in the early 1900s and carefully maintained ever since, these gardens are full of flower beds, lawns, ponds and winding paths.
There’s a different display in every season, plus peaceful spots to sit and unwind. Look out for the historic shelters and sculptures along the way.
Not far from the seafront, you’ll find nature reserves and peaceful woodlands. The Grove in the north of town has shaded paths, ancient trees and plenty of birds.
The nearby Millennium Green and Cavendish Park offer even more space if you want to roam and explore away from the crowds.
