Why go there?
Aldeburgh is a small seaside town on the Suffolk coast.
It’s a pretty place, with lots to see and do – including exploring the shingle beach, home to huts selling fresh fish and the Maggi Hambling sculpture, Scallop.
Made from steel and dedicated to the composer Benjamin Britten (who used to live in the town), the sculpture bears the words: I hear those voices that will not be drowned.
I think it’s a beautiful piece of work, but like most art it divides opinions: it’s been vandalised and some locals have petitioned to have it removed.
A couple of miles north along the coast is Thorpeness with its delightful ‘meare’ – a shallow lake on which much boating fun is to be had.
Aldeburgh is also a great base from which to explore the many charms of this part of East Anglia – among them is the RSPB’s Minsmere reserve and Snape Maltings, where visitors can eat, shop and enjoy concert hall music.
Also nearby is the perhaps better-known town of Southwold, famous for its pier and its award-winning brewery, Adnams (the smell of which often greets visitors).
Where to Stay
The White Lion, The Brudenell and The Wentworth are all on the seafront in Aldeburgh.
For those wanting something a little more unusual, you could always consider a stay in The Martello Tower or the wonderfully and very aptly named House in the Clouds in Thorpeness.
For those preferring to stay in Southwold, there’s The Swan (we stayed in its charming ‘Lighthouse’ rooms behind the main hotel).
Where to eat
You can’t go to Aldeburgh without having fish and chips from The Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop.
Tell us a local secret
The town pops up in Wilkie Collins’ 19th century novel,
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