Just some of the many places of interest in the area

Aldeburgh - queueing for fish n chipsAldeburgh is a very popular coastal town, renowned for its famous music festival at the nearby Snape Maltings concert hall. The Moot Hall is a fine example of some of the ancient buildings found here and there are hotels, pubs, a cinema, an imposing Church, an excellent fish and chip shop, a range of interesting shops and various seaside activities. The energetic should try a bracing stroll along the pebbly beach to Thorpeness!

An early morning trip to Aldeburgh beach will reward you with fresh fish straight from the boats.

Aldeburgh fishing boats. Photo Copyright (c) 2003 Linn BarringerAbout 150 yards off the A12 on the A1094 road to Aldeburgh, is the Friday Street Farm Shop (01728 602783) which sells a wonderful variety of fruit, vegetables, salads, herbs, locally made jams, cakes, shortbreads (a must!), pickles, etc plus a range of 'pressie type' items such as trays, smelly candles, flowers, etc.

For those staying nearer Woodbridge, there is a similar, jolly good farm shop at Grange Farm in Hasketon (on the B1079 to Grundisburgh, just off the A12).

Whilst the browser can spend long hours in the town's many art galleries, antique, gift, clothes shops, etc., the energetic can play squash, ten pin bowling or go roller skating at Martlesham Heath, swim at Felixstowe, Ipswich or Woodbridge, play tennis, explore the long river wall or mess around on the river.

Fresh water/river fishing with a rod is available at Wilford Bridge in Melton (very close to The Wilford Bridge pub). You must have a current NRA licence and bring your own equipment. Further details from Stuart Clay Traps Ltd - 01394 385567.

Tangham Forest, Rendlesham ForestTangham Forest and Rendlesham Forest are still recovering from The Great Storm of 1987, when over three million trees were lost. An interesting variety of wild animal and plant life is re-establishing itself. The Forest Centre at Rendlesham (five miles from Woodbridge) offers many kinds of activities for all the family from cycle trails, children's orienteering courses to peaceful nature trails. For a copy of their 'Guide to Forest Activities & Trails' and further information call 01394 450164.

Suffolk horse. Photo copyright (c) 2005 Linn BarringerRarer than the giant panda with only 230 remaining worldwide, the Suffolk Punch heavy horse is fighting for survival due to the threatened closure of the famous stud at Hollesley Bay by a proposed Government change of the use of agricultural land at prisons. Please show your support to keep this wonderful horse a 'trademark' of our county by visiting the Suffolk Punch museum at the Shire Hall on the Market Hill in Woodbridge and by joining the Suffolk Horse Society - 01394 380643.

Orford Ness LighthouseOrford Ness, recently acquired by the National Trust, is open to visitors on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Easter until the end of October, with a ferry departing from the Quay at 30 minute intervals. Advance bookings can be made by contacting Orford Ness Ferry on 01394 450057.

The shops at the Snape Maltings are a real Aladdin's Cave and the Team Rooms or The Plough and Sail are the perfect spots to rest weary feet, wet a dry throat and fill an empty tummy!

Shingle Street - coastguards' cottagesGet your "cobwebs" blown away on Shingle Street beach and watch the boats battle against the treacherous currents at the mouth of the River Deben.

Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, offers comprehensive shopping, some good restaurants and pubs, excellent theatre and cinemas, Crown Pools swimming complex, Christchurch Mansion museum, many timbered and historic buildings especially along The Quay, Premier Division football team, national standard stock car/speedway stadium and...

The Walk is a narrow shopping lane in the pedestrianised part of central Ipswich where there are some interesting little shops selling wonderful cheeses, tasty sausages, naughty chocolates, jokey gadgets, even nail extensions, etc!

Some of the many interesting places in mid Suffolk and a little further afield...

  • ALDEBURGH FESTIVAL - Booking office (01728 453543)
  • ALTON WATER - Tattingstone (01473 328404) - Water sports centre on a man-made reservoir. Or take a good long walk around it.
  • AMBER MUSEUM at 15, Market Place in Southwold (01502 723394) is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to 5.00pm - admission free.
  • ASPALL CYDER - Stonham Aspal (01728 860510) - From the orchards to the bottle... see how it's done!
  • BRESSINGHAM STEAM GARDENS AND GARDEN CENTRE, Bressingham
  • BUTLEY POTTERY - Butley (01394 450785) - Jolly good example of a cottage industry. Also Bernard Rooke, Otley (01473 785460) for unusual ceramics and paintings.
  • CARTERS TEAPOTS - Debenham (01728 860475) - Watch them make the teapots, and have a cup of tea and scone in their tea rooms.
  • CHELSWORTH, CAVENDISH, KERSEY, MONKS ELEIGH, CLARE, HADLEIGH - 'olde worlde' villages
  • DUXFORD AIR MUSEUM, Cambridgeshire
  • EAST BERGHOLT PLACE GARDEN - East Bergholt (01206 299224) - A tranquil 15 acre garden and arboretum with a specialist plant centre in the Victorian Walled Garden.
  • FLATFORD MILL - In the heart of Constable Country, and featured in his paintings. Signposted off the A12, south of Ipswich.
  • GAINSBOROUGH'S HOUSE Sudbury
  • HILLSIDE ANIMAL SANCTUARY - Frettenham, near Norwich (01603 891227) - An opportunity to meet and even adopt a wide variety of rescued animals (from a camel to ex-battery hens!)
  • KERSEY - The water splash in the "olde worlde" village of Kersey has featured in several television programmes.
  • KESSINGLAND WILDLIFE PARK, Kessingland
  • KINGDOM OF THE SEA, Great Yarmouth
  • LONG MELFORD and HEVENINGHAM, where the current owners are constructing the gardens to Capability Brown's original design, have beautiful stately homes and gardens which are open to the public.
  • MELFORD HALL – Long Melford
  • MINSMERE - Twitchers and non-twitchers alike should visit the R S P B reserve at Minsmere on the coast. The 'visitor centre' can be contacted on 01728 648281.
  • REDWINGS HORSE SANCTUARY - Frettenham, near Norwich (01603 737432)
  • STONHAM BARNS - Bird of Prey and Conservation Centre at Stonham Barns (near Earl Stonham village off the A1120) – plus many craft and gift shops.
  • The Meare boathouse, ThorpenessTHE GUILD HALL, Lavenham
  • THE KING'S FOREST AND GRIME'S GRAVES, near Thetford
  • THE SECKFORD GOLF CLUB - Woodbridge (01394 388000) - A 'pay and play' golf course.
  • THORPENESS MEARE - Hire a rowing boats or punt and explore the islands and grottos at Thorpeness Meare, which is overlooked by 'The House in the Clouds' - one of England's most famous follies

For even more ideas, visit WoodbridgeSuffolk.info