Places of Interest

There are many places to visit and things to do in Aldeburgh. The 16th century Moot Hall is well worth viewing and it houses a small but interesting museum.The High Street offers a range of interesting shops selling anything from antiques to groceries for your everyday needs. There are many pubs and several good restaurants, not to mention the famous fish and chip shops!Fish can be bought daily on the beach and the Royal National Lifeboat Station, housing the famous Aldeburgh lifeboat, offers visitors a rare opportunity to view at close quarters one of these remarkable vessels.

The area around Aldeburgh reflects the unspoilt nature of the Suffolk coast. Only 2 miles north along the shore is the unusual coastal village of Thorpeness, with its picturesque Mere and excellent golf course.

The village of Snape, about 5 miles by road, is the home of the Aldeburgh Festival and "Proms" at the renowned concert hall at Snape Maltings, which is augmented by an extensive complex featuring craft and antique shops, exhibition areas, restaurants and a wide range of related activities.

The small industrial town of Leiston was created by the establishment of the steam and agricultural machinery works of Richard Garrett and the fascinating Long Shop Museum reflects this industrial heritage. The nearby ruins of St Mary's Abbey are probably the most impressive monastic monument left in Suffolk.

To the south of Aldeburgh the isolated castle town of Orford is of particular interest and charm, its 800 year-old castle being open to the public and the church of St Bartholomew has seen several performances of Benjamin Britten's works over the years, including Noye's Fludde in 1958 and Curlew River in 1964.

The market town of Saxmundham was once an important communication centre between London and Great Yarmouth and the 14^th Century parish church possesses a renowned hammer beam roof. The world famous Bird Sanctuary at Minsmere is close at hand, as are the villages of Tunstall and Westleton.

Other places of interest further afield

Woodbridge is situated on the River Deben between Aldeburgh and Ipswich and is an attractive town which is recommended for a visit. There are many buildings of interest including the Tide Mill down on the quay and the Moot Hall on the Market Square. There are several places to eat and drink after a stroll along the river bank.

Framlingham is another interesting market town, famous for its castle up on the hill. East Bergholt and Flatford, being Constable country to the south of Ipswich, with river and beautiful countryside.

Southwold is another charming and comparatively unspoilt seaside town, home of the excellent Adnams Brewery, and the villages of Westleton, Dunwich, Walberswick and Blythburgh can be visited en route. The little museum at Dunwich explains the fascinating story of this previously prominent town, now lost beneath the sea, while Blythburgh has its famous large church, often called the Cathedral on the Marshes.

Halesworth, Bungay, Beccles & Eye - typical market towns offering a further impression of Suffolk life.