Aldeburgh
Have you ever come across a place so filled with history and charm that you feel you’ve travelled back in time? Welcome to Aldeburgh, a quaint coastal town in Suffolk. From its narrow streets to its wide shingle beach, you’ll find yourself captivated by the unique blend of history, music, and, of course, food.
Once a prominent Tudor port, Aldeburgh was the “birthplace” of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind. Back then, the town stretched much further south. Now the once bustling docks and the streets filled with taverns and warehouses are submerged beneath the waves. The Moot Hall, a stunning 16th century timber-framed building, stands as a testament to both the prosperity of Tudor times and the loss of a large part of the town to the sea - because in those days, the Moot Hall - now located right by the beach - would have marked the centre of town.
It’s this
life at the mercy of the sea that catches me out every time we visit this part
of the Suffolk coast. It’s disconcerting to learn that the remains of Roman
settlements lie two kilometres off the coast, find roads collapsing abruptly
onto the beach, and visit villages, cemeteries, and churches that are slowly
falling prey to the waves, like Covehithe a little north of Aldeburgh.
Yet through the centuries Aldeburgh has endured and flourished, and - while I admit that it’s the past that brings me - Aldeburgh isn’t just about history.
The Moot Hall © essentially-england.comThe town draws foodies, artists, and music lovers as easily as it attracts sailing enthusiasts, walkers, birdwatchers, and day-trippers who come for fish & chips and walks on the beach.
Speaking of the beach, it definitely invites long walks, either to work up an appetite or digest a generous lunch. And while you’re there - pay the Scallop a visit. A striking sculpture by Maggi Hambling, it is inscribed with the words “I hear those voices that will not be drowned.” That’s a quote from the opera Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten, the composer who made Aldeburgh his home.
The Scallop Shell on Aldeburgh Beach © ian driscoll | Getty Images canva.comSpend some time and you’ll find that Aldeburgh is a treasure trove of unexpected delights. The annual Aldeburgh Festival, founded by Benjamin Britten, draws music enthusiasts from around the world, with concerns in venues from the intimate Aldeburgh Church to the expansive Snape Maltings Concert Hall.
And let’s not forget the food. Aldeburgh is home to some exceptional restaurants, where you can indulge in everything from traditional English fare to innovative contemporary cuisine. Aldeburgh’s fish and chip shops are legendary, offering crispy, golden fish that melts in your mouth. Smoking shacks supply haddock, mackerel, salmon, trout, and herring still warm from the smoke. There’s seafood, too, along with the freshest vegetables and samphire foraged near the beach.
Aldeburgh Seafront and Beach © GordonBellPhotography | Getty Images canva.comThe town definitely has a holiday by the sea vibe - bursting with guest houses, B&Bs, and holiday cottages. But there’s more to it. Galleries, tiny independent shops, photographers, and painters… the place is buzzing as if it’s trying to cram in life and living at a crazy rate.
Maybe that happens when you live in a town where the sea squats on your doorstep.
Beyond the bustle and business, though, there’s yet another part to Aldeburgh. There’s the space when you gaze out to sea. The empty beach at sunrise. The huge sky that encourages visitors to stand up straight and breathe. The peace of the narrow streets on a winter’s afternoon.
Fishing Boat on Aldeburgh Beach © scottyh | Getty Images canva.comAldeburgh may seem like whirlwind. Like a place where every corner holds a story, where each night out is an event, and every meal is worth a star or two. But it’s also a place that invites slow exploration, that encourages you to appreciate the unexpected details that make it so special.
There are many sides to Aldeburgh. Why not discover the magic of this enchanting Suffolk town for yourself?
Are You Planning to Visit Aldeburgh?
There are plenty of holiday cottages and apartments to choose from in and around Aldeburgh. To view all Sykes Cottages holiday cottages in Aldeburgh, use this link, or if you prefer you could try Holiday Cottages using this link.
Another good platform to search for holiday accommodation is Booking.com.
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Return to the Suffolk page from our Aldeburgh page.
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