Aldeburgh, Felixstowe and the Suffolk Coast

With 40 miles of Heritage Coast, set in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' - the Suffolk Coast (Aldeburgh and Felixstowe) provides a feeling of peace and tranquillity even at the height of summer.

Aldeburgh www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
Charming and sedate seaside town, which grew from an old fishing and shipbuilding centre. Fishermen still haul their boats up the steep shingle beach, and sell their catch each morning. The wide High Street has attractive Georgian shop fronts housing craft shops and restaurants. Try the fish and chips - some of the best in the country. Historic buildings include the 16th C. Moot Hall and the fine hilltop church - where the famous composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) is buried. He started the annual music festival held each June.

Tourist Information Centre - 152 High Street +44 (0)1728 453637.

Things to do

Take the children to the model yacht pond to sail their little craft.
Enjoy a musical performance at the famous concert hall at Snape.
Visit the seafront lifeboat station.
Hunt on the beach for the precious gem amber.
Discover the town's history at the Moot Hall.
Browse in the various shops and galleries at Snape Maltings.
Seek out the martello tower - the largest on the East Coast.
Film buffs will love the cosy independent cinema.
Walk along the beach to Thorpeness to see the 'Scallop' sculpture.

Felixstowe www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

This Edwardian-style resort retains much of its original charm. The
4 mile (6 kilometre) long seafront features a sand and shingle beach, beautiful award-winning gardens, paved promenade and pier. It's popularity began with the arrival of the railway in 1887, then a visit in 1891 by the Empress of Germany and her children. Felixstowe is particularly good for families, offering safe clean bathing and a host of activities likely to appeal to younger children.

Tourist Information Centre - 91 Undercliff Road West
+44 (0)1394 276770.

Things to do

Let the children loose at the indoor swimming pool.
Test your skills on the adventure golf at Mannings.
Turn back the clock and explore history at 18th C. Landguard Fort.
Visit the viewpoint to watch the shipping at the Port of Felixstowe.
Enjoy an evening at the town's theatre, with its variety of shows.
Hire your very own beach hut for the day.
Take a walk to Felixstowe Ferry for a pint at the riverside pub.
Discover nature at Landguard Point, rich in birds and shingle flora.

Other 'Seaside' Places of Interest

The coastline is dotted with seaside villages, such as Thorpeness with its steeply shelving shingle beach. Built as a holiday village in the 1930s, it is most unusual - featuring mock Tudor buildings, the 'House in the Clouds' and a meare, with fairytale islands to explore by rowing boat. To the north, Dunwich is noted for its sand/shingle beach, crumbling cliffs and fish and chips. Whilst neighbouring Walberswick has a pretty green, sand dunes and an annual crabbing competition. Also don't miss, the quiet rural beaches and flora-rich dunes at Sizewell, and Shingle Street, where the steep shingle beach is a good place to hunt for the precious gem amber.