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 seashore, exploring the pier, and a lot extra.
A few of the prime locations to go to in Southwold embrace the Lifeboat Museum, St Edmunds church, and the lighthouse. In summer season the city comes alive with a number of enjoyable occasions from the Lattitude Pageant to a summer season theater and many great nature walks alongside the coast and heathland.
Southwold is one in all my favourite weekend getaways because of the numerous great walks, pubs, eating places, and boutique retailers within the city. It’s a perfect place for tenting and the close by heathland is taken into account an space of excellent pure magnificence.
15 Finest Issues To Do in Southwold
Under, you’ll discover among the greatest issues to do in Southwold and prime Southwold sights. 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 checklist.
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 accessible; a brewery tour, a distillery tour, and a gin-making expertise. I’ve carried out the brewery tour a few instances and all the time discover the expertise fascinating. There’s a tasting on the finish which incorporates among the mainstays of the brewery in addition to some limited-edition brews.
The brewery and distillery excursions value £25.00 and final 1.5 hours, whereas the gin-making lasts 2.5 hours and prices £95.00 (as somebody who loves a very good 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 sights in Southwold.
2. Get pleasure from a Day on the Seashore
The following neatest thing about Southwold (after the beer in fact) is its beautiful stretch of sandy seashore. Colourful seashore huts line the promenade and these may even be employed for the week. With gently sloping gentle sand and clear waters, hitting the seashore is among the greatest issues to do in Southwold for households.
The southern finish of the seashore 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 an ideal place to flee crowds.
There’s a surf college and rental store at Southwold Campsite the place you possibly can rent boards (surf and physique), wetsuits, and even bicycles. Southwold is a superb place for novices because of the small swells, however for those who’re on the lookout for massive waves then Cornwall is the prime browsing spot within the UK.
3. Stroll Alongside the Pier
Like many UK seaside cities, Southwold has its personal pier jutting out 620 toes (190 meters) into the ocean. The pier is a superb place to stroll and take within the views of the city and shoreline, but additionally the most effective locations to go to in Southwold for leisure.
On the pier itself, you’ll discover an thrilling assortment of outlets, cafes, and amusements from the boardwalk restaurant to the arcade, recreation zone, treasure chest present store, and a very good old style chippy (fish and chip store). The historic pier is certainly the most effective locations for sightseeing in Southwold.
The pier is one in all my favourite locations to seize a chunk to eat and undoubtedly some of the 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 season.
4. Go to the Albert Corry Lifeboat Museum
The Lifeboat Museum is among the greatest locations to go to in Southwold to study in regards to 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 images 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 maintain the restoration going.
In the course of the summer season 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
One of the spectacular issues to see in Southwold is the lighthouse within the heart 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 toes (31 meters) tall and contains two keepers’ cottages on the backside.
Because it’s nonetheless a working lighthouse it’s not attainable to go inside, however it may be seen from many locations across the city and makes for an ideal 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 backwards and forwards. These wood rowing boats maintain as much as 12 folks and go away at any time when they’ve a fare, so it’s really useful to e-book upfront. The village is surrounded by beautiful sand dunes and has its personal seashore.
The ferry runs day by day from the start of April to the tip of October and prices £2 for adults and £1 for kids (what a discount). The Walberswick ferry firm additionally affords boat journeys out on the River Blyth which is one other nice possibility if you wish to spend longer on the water.
7. Discover Southwold’s Boutique Retailers
The Excessive Road and city heart are crammed with fascinating boutique and unbiased retailers promoting every little thing from arts and crafts to jewellery, second-hand books, and native produce. There’s a market each Monday and Thursday within the market promoting recent meals, flowers, and extra.
You will not be stunned to study that Adnams has a buying outlet within the city the place you possibly can decide 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 fascinating choice of retailers for native specialties (notably from the Adnams store).
One other of the city’s hottest retailers is the Southwold Amber store and Museum. The proficient of us have been crafting jewellery out of amber since 1987 and this can be a great 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) area? Although in all probability not one of the best concept to look at Stephen King’s basic horror Youngsters of the Corn earlier than you do.
The Southwold Maize Maze is a superb time out for the entire household and contains two giant mazes to get misplaced in, a double zip line, leaping pillows, go-karts, a superb cafe/restaurant, and a few scenic nature walks. It’s some of the enjoyable issues to do in Southwold for sure.
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 folks and may be booked on-line.
9. See St Edmund’s Church
Named for King Edmund the Martyr (who additionally lent his title to the close by city of Bury St Edmunds), this massive and quite 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 fascinating options such because the stained glass home windows, abnormally excessive nave, and complicated carvings and work all through.
The church is open to the general public to discover or attend a mass and even hosts concert events all year long. Exploring this historic 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 time Theatre. There are occasions year-round, so test the web site to see what’s happening throughout your keep.
The Summer time Theatre is an open-air efficiency placed on by the Arts Centre and takes place on Southwold Widespread. Previous performances have included Shakespeare’s A lot Ado About Nothing, a youngsters King Arthur workshop, and the Wind within the Willows (one in all my childhood favorites).
Should you’re on the lookout for enjoyable stuff to do in Southwold through the hotter months, then remember to head to the Summer time Theatre, which can also 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 somewhat on the River Blyth and there are a few wonderful eating places with outdoors seating and scenic views to be discovered right here.
It’s a brief however nice stroll from the city heart and that is the place you possibly can catch the ferry to Walberswick or rent a ship.
The panorama across the harbor consists of heath and farmland and is a superb 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 Pageant
Lattitude is among the UK’s prime music, arts, and meals festivals and the most effective 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 somewhat totally different from different rock festivals because it’s a family-friendly occasion.
Along with among the UK and Europe’s prime expertise, there are kids’s workshops, nature walks, food and drinks stalls, and an entire 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 may simply keep at one of many Southwold lodges I’ve really useful beneath. There are a number of tickets to select from, from day to weekend, and people with tenting accessible which may be booked on-line.
13. Go to Close by Dunwich
One of the in style locations to go to close to Southwold is the village of Dunwich a couple of miles down the coast. As a baby, I keep in mind being instructed 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 folks, 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 beneath the ocean 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 superb place to take a stroll at any time of 12 months. In spring the forest ground explodes right into a sea of blue because the bluebells come out of their wintery slumber. In summer season it affords 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 among the most picturesque elements of Suffolk. That is undoubtedly one in all my favourite quick hikes round Southwold and one I’ve carried out many instances – I really like the combined panorama of seashore, 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 season night in its quaint beer backyard – you possibly can’t miss the pub because it’s proper subsequent to the lighthouse. Having fun with the food and drinks (sure, Adnams in fact) is certainly the most effective issues to do in Southwold at evening.
Along with all of the beers, ciders, wines, and cocktails you possibly can 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 anticipate good, hearty pub fare similar to native fish and chips, burgers, steaks, pasta, and salads.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Southwold
Under, I’ve put collectively some itineraries of issues to do round Southwold to make planning your journey simpler. Whether or not you’ve only a day, or for much longer, these itineraries take within the prime vacationer sights in Southwold and can provide help to get one of the best 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 Rent. Within the night head to the Sole Bay Inn for a meal and a pint.
2-3 Days in Southwold Itinerary
With somewhat extra time in Southwold, you possibly can afford to decelerate and take issues at a extra relaxed tempo. Observe the above itinerary, however save not less than a day for the seashore and a stroll alongside the dunes. Begin on the pier and make your approach down the seashore and inland to the harbor and again to the city once more.
For a 3rd day, discover the boutique retailers 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 effective period of time to discover all Southwold has to supply and soak up among the lovely close by locations. Spend a day getting misplaced on the Maiz Maze and returning to Southwold within the night for dinner at Le ROC on the Harbour.
Use one other day to discover the mysteries of Dunwich and see for those who can hear the church bells chime. The fish and chips at Dora’s Tea Room are among the greatest within the nation – I converse from expertise!
Any spare time you discover may be spent on the seashore, enjoying 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 quite a lot of minute’s stroll from any of the locations to go to in Southwold. I’ve listed three wonderful lodging choices in your keep beneath.
Sutherland Home – Finest for {Couples}
This trendy but homely Sutherland Home Lodge proper within the heart of city is a stone’s throw from the lighthouse and delightful St Edmund’s Church and only a five-minute stroll from the seashore. The romantic constructing dates again to 1455, however you’ll discover all of the mod cons you want for a snug keep. Click on right here to e-book.
The Swan Lodge – Finest for First-Time Guests
This four-star resort is situated within the heart of city yards from the seashore. All bedrooms embrace a Nespresso machine, flatscreen TV, WiFi, and an ensuite lavatory. There are additionally two onsite bars and eating places; the Nonetheless Room and the Faucet Room. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
Seaside Fisherman’s Cottage – Finest for Households
This beautiful three-bedroom cottage is just some hundred yards from the seashore and is the right place for households. There’s a patio and terrace, a completely outfitted kitchen, a big lounge with flatscreen TV, and WiFI all through. Click on right here to test the worth.
Finest Eating places in Southwold
Don’t miss these nice locations to eat in Southwold.
Sole Bay Fish Firm
The Sole Bay Fish Firm is certainly one of many prime eating places in Southwold and has a superb 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, do-it-yourself fishcakes, and a light-weight lunch menu. An awesome place to sit down and watch the world go by with well-prepared dishes utilizing native elements.
The Lord Nelson
Together with the Sole Bay Inn, the Lord Nelson is one in all 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
The easiest way to get to Southwold is undoubtedly by automotive and that is how I’ve all the time traveled with buddies. Southwold is 120 miles (193 km) from London and simply 30 miles (48 km) from Norwich. From London, you possibly can take the A12 and from Norwich the A145. To get to London fly into Gatwick, Heathrow, or Stansted.
It’s additionally attainable 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 little thing is inside strolling distance, although if you wish to discover additional afield a automotive 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 attempting their Regatta).
Summer time, and July specifically, is one of the best time to go to Southwold because the climate is ideal for swimming, browsing, and bodyboarding. There are additionally some nice occasions in July similar to Lattitude Pageant.
Southwold is certainly value visiting for its lovely shoreline, many nice pubs and eating places, and close by sights similar to Dunwich.
Southwold is the right place for an extended weekend and 4 to 5 days is sufficient to see all the key sights and spend time on the seashore.
Southwold is extremely secure. Suffolk is among the many prime 20 most secure 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 season.
Taking a tour of the Adnams Brewery is among the hottest issues to do in Southwold, in addition to visiting the seashore and pier.
The city seashore, also referred to as Denes Seashore is one of the best (and solely) seashore in Southwold, although there are many lovely close by seashores too similar to Walberswick and Dunwich.
Southwold is most well-known for its drinks made by Adnams (Regatta, Broadside, Ghost Ship, and Southwold Bitter), nevertheless, the most effective meals to strive by the ocean is fish and chips.
In Closing
Now you recognize what to do in Southwold, the beautiful coastal city on the Suffolk coast. This actually is one in all 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 among the greatest pubs within the nation (nicely, 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 the most effective seasons to go to is summer season with so many nice festivals like Lattitude to sit up for round this time.
