Southwold is a seaside city within the English county of Suffolk. It’s well-known as the house of the Adnams Brewery which makes a few of my favourite beers (Broadside is a must-try). There are many issues to do in Southwold from touring the brewery to days on the seaside, exploring the pier, and a lot extra.
A few of the prime locations to go to in Southwold embody the Lifeboat Museum, St Edmunds church, and the lighthouse. In summer time the city comes alive with a lot of enjoyable occasions from the Lattitude Competition to a summer time theater and plenty of great nature walks alongside the coast and heathland.
Southwold is certainly one of my favourite weekend getaways because of the various great walks, pubs, eating places, and boutique outlets within the city. It’s a super place for tenting and the close by heathland is taken into account an area of outstanding natural beauty.
15 Finest Issues To Do in Southwold
Beneath, you’ll discover a number of the greatest issues to do in Southwold and prime Southwold points of interest. From sampling the refreshing delights of the Adnams Brewery to exploring this elegant stretch of the North Sea shoreline, that is one vacation spot you’ll need to add to your UK bucket record.
1. Take an Adnams Brewery Tour
If like me you’re a beer-lover, then taking a tour of the Adnams Brewery is a should, and one of many prime issues to do in Southwold. Adnams has been brewing beer within the city since 1872 and its beers (and wines and liquors) are loved up and down the nation.
There are three totally different excursions obtainable; a brewery tour, a distillery tour, and a gin-making expertise. I’ve executed the brewery tour a few instances and at all times discover the expertise fascinating. There’s a tasting on the finish which incorporates a number of the mainstays of the brewery in addition to some limited-edition brews.
The brewery and distillery excursions price £25.00 and final 1.5 hours, whereas the gin-making lasts 2.5 hours and prices £95.00 (as somebody who loves an excellent gin, I’m wanting ahead to having a go at making my very own on my subsequent go to to Southwold). The Adnams Brewery is certainly one of many prime points of interest in Southwold.
2. Get pleasure from a Day on the Seashore
The following smartest thing about Southwold (after the beer after all) is its pretty stretch of sandy beach. Colourful seaside huts line the promenade and these may even be hired for the week. With gently sloping gentle sand and clear waters, hitting the seaside is among the greatest issues to do in Southwold for households.
The southern finish of the seaside is a wilder stretch with sand dunes backing onto heathland. This space of excellent pure magnificence is a haven for migratory birds and different wildlife, in addition to a fantastic place to flee crowds.
There’s a surf faculty and rental store at Southwold Campsite the place you’ll be able to rent boards (surf and physique), wetsuits, and even bicycles. Southwold is a good place for novices because of the small swells, however if you happen to’re in search of large waves then Cornwall is the top surfing spot in the UK.
3. Stroll Alongside the Pier
Like many UK seaside cities, Southwold has its own pier jutting out 620 ft (190 meters) into the ocean. The pier is a good place to stroll and take within the views of the city and shoreline, but in addition among the finest locations to go to in Southwold for leisure.
On the pier itself, you’ll discover an thrilling assortment of retailers, cafes, and amusements from the boardwalk restaurant to the arcade, recreation zone, treasure chest reward store, and an excellent old style chippy (fish and chip store). The historic pier is certainly among the finest locations for sightseeing in Southwold.
The pier is certainly one of my favourite locations to seize a chunk to eat and positively one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Southwold for households. The pier is open year-round from 10:00 am till 5:00 pm in winter and 9:30 am to eight:00 pm in summer time.
4. Go to the Albert Corry Lifeboat Museum
The Lifeboat Museum is among the greatest locations to go to in Southwold to study concerning the city’s seafaring historical past. Inside, you’ll discover the 129-year-old Alfred Corry lifeboat which operated for 25 years between 1893 and 1918. The vessel was launched 41 instances throughout this era and saved the lives of 47 sailors.
In addition to the lifeboat, the museum homes an intensive assortment of pictures and different shows charting the historical past of the city. This enjoyable and academic museum is among the greatest free issues to do in Southwold, however please contemplate giving a donation to assist hold the restoration going.
In the course of the summer time months, the museum is open day by day from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, and solely at weekends through the winter.
5. See the Lighthouse
Probably the most spectacular issues to see in Southwold is the lighthouse within the middle of city. The enduring whitewashed tower rises above the rooftops to warn passing ships of the shallows across the coast.
The lighthouse dates again to 1887, although it was automated in 1938 and is now unmanned. This grade two listed constructing is 102 ft (31 meters) tall and contains two keepers’ cottages on the backside.
Because it’s nonetheless a working lighthouse it’s not potential to go inside, however it may be seen from many locations across the city and makes for a fantastic Insta picture alternative.
6. Take the Ferry to Walberswick
Walberswick is a small village throughout the River Blyth which has a rowing boat ferry that crosses forwards and backwards. These wood rowing boats maintain as much as 12 individuals and go away each time they’ve a fare, so it’s advisable to ebook prematurely. The village is surrounded by beautiful sand dunes and has its personal seaside.
The ferry runs day by day from the start of April to the top of October and prices £2 for adults and £1 for youngsters (what a cut price). The Walberswick ferry company additionally presents boat journeys out on the River Blyth which is one other nice choice if you wish to spend longer on the water.
7. Discover Southwold’s Boutique Outlets
The Excessive Road and city middle are full of attention-grabbing boutique and unbiased outlets promoting every part from arts and crafts to jewellery, second-hand books, and native produce. There’s a market each Monday and Thursday within the marketplace promoting contemporary meals, flowers, and extra.
You will not be stunned to study that Adnams has a procuring outlet within the city the place you’ll be able to choose up beers, wines spirits, and presents too. Southwold actually is among the most charming little cities within the UK and I really like searching the attention-grabbing collection of outlets for native specialties (notably from the Adnams store).
One other of the city’s hottest outlets is the Southwold Amber shop and Museum. The proficient people have been crafting jewellery out of amber since 1987 and it is a excellent spot to search for presents and souvenirs.
8. Get Misplaced within the Southwold Maize Maze
What higher place to lose your self for some time than in a large maize (corn) subject? Although in all probability not the perfect thought to observe Stephen King’s basic horror Kids of the Corn earlier than you do.
The Southwold Maize Maze is a good time out for the entire household and contains two giant mazes to get misplaced in, a double zip line, leaping pillows, go-karts, a wonderful cafe/restaurant, and a few scenic nature walks. It’s one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Southwold surely.
The Maize Maze is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm from April to October. A household ticket prices £32.00 for 4 individuals and may be booked online.
9. See St Edmund’s Church
Named for King Edmund the Martyr (who additionally lent his identify to the close by city of Bury St Edmunds), this huge and moderately splendid-looking church dates again to the 1430s. It’s one of many prime locations to see in Southwold for its spectacular thirteenth Century structure.
Together with the lighthouse, St Edmund’s Church is among the city’s main landmarks. Exploring the within is inspired and also you’ll observe some attention-grabbing options such because the stained glass home windows, abnormally excessive nave, and complex carvings and work all through.
The church is open to the general public to discover or attend a mass and even hosts concerts all year long. Exploring this historical church is one other one of many nice free issues to do in Southwold.
10. See What’s On on the Southwold Arts Centre
The Southwold Arts Centre is the city’s premiere place for leisure from stay music to pantomime, espresso mornings, and the distinguished Summer season Theatre. There are occasions year-round, so check the website to see what’s occurring throughout your keep.
The Summer season Theatre is an open-air efficiency placed on by the Arts Centre and takes place on Southwold Frequent. Previous performances have included Shakespeare’s A lot Ado About Nothing, a children King Arthur workshop, and the Wind within the Willows (certainly one of my childhood favorites).
If you happen to’re in search of enjoyable stuff to do in Southwold through the hotter months, then make sure to head to the Summer season Theatre, which can be one of many nice issues to do in Southwold for {couples}.
11. Stroll Alongside the Quaint Harbor
Southwold has a small harbor largely for visiting pleasure boats with the odd fishing or shrimp vessel coming and going. The harbor is situated inland a little bit on the River Blyth and there are a few glorious eating places with exterior seating and scenic views to be discovered right here.
It’s a brief however nice stroll from the city middle and that is the place you’ll be able to catch the ferry to Walberswick or rent a ship.
The panorama across the harbor consists of heath and farmland and is a good place to blow away the cobwebs earlier than grabbing a chunk to eat at one of many pubs or eating places close by (see beneath for extra).
12. Lattitude Competition
Lattitude is among the UK’s prime music, arts, and meals festivals and among the finest issues to do close to Southwold in July. Pulp, Sophie Ellis Bexter, the Proclaimers, and the Lightning Seeds have all been confirmed for 2023. Lattitude is a little bit totally different from different rock festivals because it’s a family-friendly occasion.
Along with a number of the UK and Europe’s prime expertise, there are kids’s workshops, nature walks, food and drinks stalls, and a complete host of different leisure choices set throughout the beautiful Suffolk countryside 5 miles from Southwold. The pageant takes place throughout the gorgeous environment of Henham Park and has been serving to guests create unforgettable experiences for 15 years.
There are many choices for tenting from a household campsite to boutique “glamping” experiences. Or you possibly can simply keep at one of many Southwold inns I’ve advisable beneath. There are a selection of tickets to select from, from day to weekend, and people with tenting obtainable which may be booked online.
13. Go to Close by Dunwich
Probably the most widespread locations to go to close to Southwold is the village of Dunwich a couple of miles down the coast. As a toddler, I keep in mind being advised the story of an underwater city with a church bell that also rings, although I’ve by no means managed to listen to it myself.
Within the 12 months 1086 Dunwich was a thriving port city of round 3000 individuals, nevertheless, these days all that’s left is a tiny coastal village with a inhabitants of round 100 residents. Coastal erosion and storm surges imply that the traditional city now lies under the sea and scientists have certainly mapped streets beneath the water utilizing sonar.
Dunwich is an enthralling place in and of itself, however the truth that it’s England’s reply to Atlantis means it shouldn’t be missed. It’s an eight-mile drive or a five-mile hike from Southwold to Dunwich (I like to recommend the stroll).
14. Reydon Woods Nature Reserve
The traditional woodland at Reydon Woods is a good place to take a stroll at any time of 12 months. In spring the forest flooring explodes right into a sea of blue because the bluebells come out of their wintery slumber. In summer time it presents a cooling escape from the warmth, and in fall the colours erupt right into a fiery crescendo of reds, yellows, and oranges.
There’s a four-mile (6.6 km) round stroll from Southwold to Reydon and again which takes in a number of the most picturesque components of Suffolk. That is positively certainly one of my favourite quick hikes round Southwold and one I’ve executed many instances – I really like the combined panorama of seaside, riverbank, creek, and marshland.
15. Have a Pint on the Sole Bay Inn
My favourite pub in Southwold is the Sole Bay Inn and I’ve spent many a nice summer time night in its quaint beer backyard – you’ll be able to’t miss the pub because it’s proper subsequent to the lighthouse. Having fun with the food and drinks (sure, Adnams after all) is certainly among the finest issues to do in Southwold at evening.
Along with all of the beers, ciders, wines, and cocktails you’ll be able to drink, the pub additionally serves lunch (12:00 pm to 2:45 pm) and dinner (6:00 pm to eight:45 pm).
You possibly can count on good, hearty pub fare akin to native fish and chips, burgers, steaks, pasta, and salads.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Southwold
Beneath, I’ve put collectively some itineraries of issues to do round Southwold to make planning your journey simpler. Whether or not you may have only a day, or for much longer, these itineraries take within the prime vacationer points of interest in Southwold and can show you how to get the perfect out of your keep.
1 Day in Southwold Itinerary
With only a day in Southwold take a tour of the Adnams Brewery earlier than heading to the pier for fish and chips and to admire the gorgeous views of the city and shoreline.
See the lighthouse within the afternoon, go to St Edmund’s Church, and take a stroll alongside the sand dunes. If it’s a pleasant day don’t hesitate to leap in for a dip or rent a board from Southwold Surf Hire. Within the night head to the Sole Bay Inn for a meal and a pint.
2-3 Days in Southwold Itinerary
With a little bit extra time in Southwold, you’ll be able to afford to decelerate and take issues at a extra relaxed tempo. Observe the above itinerary, however save a minimum of a day for the seaside and a stroll alongside the dunes. Begin on the pier and make your means down the seaside and inland to the harbor and again to the city once more.
For a 3rd day, discover the boutique outlets and the market (if it’s a Monday or Thursday for the market). Take a look at the Lifeboat Museum, and contemplate the round stroll to Reydon Woods if it’s a pleasant day.
1 Week in Southwold Itinerary
One week is an efficient period of time to discover all Southwold has to supply and soak up a number of the stunning close by locations. Spend a day getting misplaced on the Maiz Maze and returning to Southwold within the night for dinner at Le ROC at the Harbour.
Use one other day to discover the mysteries of Dunwich and see if you happen to can hear the church bells chime. The fish and chips at Dora’s Tea Room are a number of the greatest within the nation – I communicate from expertise!
Any spare time you discover may be spent on the seaside, taking part in arcade video games on the pier, or taking one of many many nature walks or hikes within the space.
The place to Keep in Southwold
Southwold is a really small city with no distinct neighborhoods (actually it’s extra of a village), so wherever you keep can be no various minute’s stroll from any of the locations to go to in Southwold. I’ve listed three glorious lodging choices to your keep beneath.
Sutherland Home – Finest for {Couples}
This trendy but homely Sutherland House Hotel proper within the middle of city is a stone’s throw from the lighthouse and delightful St Edmund’s Church and only a five-minute stroll from the seaside. The romantic constructing dates again to 1455, however you’ll discover all of the mod cons you want for a snug keep. Click on here to book.
The Swan Resort – Finest for First-Time Guests
This four-star hotel is situated within the middle of city yards from the seaside. All bedrooms embody a Nespresso machine, flatscreen TV, WiFi, and an ensuite rest room. There are additionally two onsite bars and eating places; the Nonetheless Room and the Faucet Room. Click on here to find out more.
Seaside Fisherman’s Cottage – Finest for Households
This beautiful three-bedroom cottage is only a few hundred yards from the seaside and is the right place for households. There’s a patio and terrace, a completely geared up kitchen, a big lounge with flatscreen TV, and WiFI all through. Click on here to check the price.
Finest Eating places in Southwold
Don’t miss these nice locations to eat in Southwold.
Sole Bay Fish Firm
The Sole Bay Fish Company is certainly one of many prime eating places in Southwold and has a wonderful location proper subsequent to the small harbor. There’s a takeaway fish and chip store (the Little Fish and Chip Store) and a sit-down restaurant specializing in shellfish and different seafood.
Le ROC on the Harbour
This trendy however cheap restaurant by the harbor has a menu of British and European delicacies with rustic dishes like my favourite Beef Bourguignon, selfmade fishcakes, and a lightweight lunch menu. An amazing place to sit down and watch the world go by with well-prepared dishes utilizing native components.
The Lord Nelson
Together with the Sole Bay Inn, the Lord Nelson is certainly one of my favourite pubs in Southwold because of its excellent location on the seafront, Adnams on faucet, and first rate menu of pub classics and specialty pizzas (the Black Canine with garlic mushrooms, smoked hame and mascarpone is a must-try).
Getting To Southwold
One of the simplest ways to get to Southwold is undoubtedly by automobile and that is how I’ve at all times traveled with pals. Southwold is 120 miles (193 km) from London and simply 30 miles (48 km) from Norwich. From London, you’ll be able to take the A12 and from Norwich the A145. To get to London fly into Gatwick, Heathrow, or Stansted.
It’s additionally potential to achieve Southwold by public transport by taking a prepare from London or Norwich to Halesworth after which taking an (rare) bus or a taxi for the ultimate 9 miles (14 km).
Getting round Southwold is simple as every part is inside strolling distance, although if you wish to discover additional afield a automobile can be needed as public transport on this a part of the nation isn’t so dependable.
Issues To Do in Southwold: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Southwold.
Southwold is most well-known as the house of the Adnams Brewery which has been brewing beer within the city since 1872 (I like to recommend making an attempt their Regatta).
Summer season, and July particularly, is the perfect time to go to Southwold because the climate is ideal for swimming, browsing, and bodyboarding. There are additionally some nice occasions in July akin to Lattitude Competition.
Southwold is certainly value visiting for its stunning shoreline, many nice pubs and eating places, and close by points of interest akin to Dunwich.
Southwold is the right place for a protracted weekend and 4 to 5 days is sufficient to see all the key points of interest and spend time on the seaside.
Southwold is extremely protected. Suffolk is among the many prime 20 safest counties in the entire of the UK, and sleepy Southwold is not any exception. Take commonplace precautions; don’t go away valuables on show, and solely swim when lifeguards are on patrol in summer time.
Taking a tour of the Adnams Brewery is among the hottest issues to do in Southwold, in addition to visiting the seaside and pier.
The city seaside, often known as Denes Seashore is the perfect (and solely) seaside in Southwold, although there are many stunning close by seashores too akin to Walberswick and Dunwich.
Southwold is most well-known for its drinks made by Adnams (Regatta, Broadside, Ghost Ship, and Southwold Bitter), nevertheless, among the finest meals to strive by the ocean is fish and chips.
In Closing
Now you realize what to do in Southwold, the beautiful coastal city on the Suffolk coast. This actually is certainly one of my favourite locations to go for a couple of days relaxation by the ocean because of its superior array of untamed nature, nice walks, and a number of the greatest pubs within the nation (effectively, there’s a brewery on the doorstep!).
Whether or not you need to eat fish and chips on the pier, go birdwatching alongside the marshes and sand dunes, or seize a bodyboard and catch some waves, there’s one thing for everyone. Don’t neglect among the finest seasons to go to is summer time with so many nice festivals like Lattitude to sit up for round this time.
