Southwold is a charming north Suffolk seaside town on the Suffolk Heritage Coast. Almost an island, being bounded by the North Sea to the East, by the River Blyth and Southwold harbour to the South–West and by Buss Creek to the North, there is just the one road in to and out of Southwold, approached through neighbouring Reydon.
The town offers much of interest, but it is the sea and Southwold’s links with it that make this a wonderful destination at any time of the year. Come and sample the Southwold sea air! All the attractions of the working lighthouse, beach huts, award-winning pier, busy harbour, cliff top cannon and of course the beach, combine to make Southwold a quintessentially English resort town. Take a look at Southwold from a different viewpoint and learn a little about it from the photo captions on our Panorama feature.
Accommodation in Southwold features self-catering cottages and houses, bed and breakfast establishments, guest houses and pub accommodation as well as the camping and caravan site near the harbour. Maybe stay close to the town, abandon the car and relax by just walking the coast and footpaths. For details of local events visit our what’s–on calendar. Venture across the River Blyth by foot ferry to Walberswick, perhaps crossing back by the footbridge, in so doing exploring the trackbed of the old Southwold Railway.
The award-winning beach runs alongside rows of the famous Southwold beach huts, gleaming in the sunshine in their vibrant colours. The pier houses gift shops, a broadwalk cafe and the bizarre ‘Under the Pier Show’.
The town is steeped in maritime history and its museum and Sailor’s Reading Room provide an insight into the town’s past. Maritime success relied upon the beacon from the Lighthouse, built in 1890 and standing an impressive 101 feet above the town.
The High Street is the perfect location for some retail therapy alongside cafes and restaurants that serve quality food, exquisitely cooked and washed down with ale brewed at the local Adnams brewery.
Take in the sights of the harbour and walk along the banks of the River Blyth, where you will find the bridge or foot ferry that will take you across the estuary to Walberswick.
Surrounded by heath and marshland sits the beautiful village of Walberswick. With its village freen, tea rooms, pubs, craft, art and gifts shops, you can wander at your leisure, watching local fisherman land their catch or indulge in crabbing off the bridge or riverbanks, a favourite pastime for visitors and locals alike.
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