Aldeburgh things to see - A selection of places to see in the Aldeburgh and surrounding area that include:
Towns and Villages such as Lavenham, Southwold, Snape maltings - Historic Sutton Hoo and the Long Shop Museum - Nature and Wildlife at Orford Ness, Minsmere and North Warren - Castles, stately Homes and gardens such as Orford Castle, Framlingham Castle, Glemham Hall, The Red House, Helmingham Hall Gardens and Shawgate wineyard and winery.
Click here for things to do around aldeburgh and here if you want activities for kids.
Snape Maltings
Lavenham Wool House
Southwold Beach
Sutton Hoo burial Mask
The Long Shop Museum
Avocet at Minsmere & Orford Ness reserves
Orford Castle
Framlington Castle
Glenham Hall
The Red House
Hemmington Hall
Shawsgate Vineyard
Towns and Villages around Aldeburgh and Suffolk
Snape Maltings - Walking | Shopping | Eating
The Maltings is most famous for its history with the composer Benjamin Brittan and the internationally renown concert hall. Tickets for any production are booked out fast so check the web site link for details. Other than the concert hall the maltings is a beautiful setting. An old grain drying complex, now turned into a range of smart shops and dining. Even if you just drop in on your way by it's a great spot to enjoy a quick stroll along the river and a drink in the Plough and Sail pub. Click here to find out more. (5 miles from the cottage)
Lavenham - Walking | Shopping | Eating | Historic 15th Century
Lavenham is a medieval village in Suffolk, England famous for its impressive Fifteenth Century church, half-timbered medieval cottages and circular walk. The population of the town has never exceeded 2000. In the medieval period it was among the 20 wealthiest towns in England to find out more click here. (34 miles as the crow flies from the cottage)
Southwold - Walking | Beaches | Eating | Entertainment
It is a traditional seaside beach, with a cafe and shops, but without being too commercialised. Its famous beach huts stretch along the sand and shingle beach and many families return to this beach to enjoy its very individual charm. The beach has a full lifeguard service during the busy summer months and first aid facilities are available at the Lifeguard station.(13 miles as the crow files from the cottage)
Historic
Sutton Hoo - Historic 1st Century | Kids | Walking
Ship burial site and exhibition of an Anglo-Saxon warrior King Raewald who died in AD625 with his most treasured possessions. Walk in the shadows of warriors, pagans and kings and and visit the atmospheric burial mounds. Displays in the Exhibition hall reveal how Anglo Saxon nobles lived, went to war and founded a new kingdom in East Anglia. Discover how the beautiful objects like the famous helmet and the exquisite gold jewellery were made and used. The centrepiece is a full-size replica of the the burial chamber with grave foods laid out giving a profound impression of how important the great Saxon King was.
Telephone: 01394 389700
Address: Tranmer House, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3DJ (12 miles as the crow files from the cottage)
Web site: Sutton Hoo
Long Shop Steam Museum Leiston - Museums | Local History
Home of the famous Garrett Steam engine factory and now a museum, the longshop is perfect for those who love history and machines. The Museum is on the original Garrett Works site and one of Great Britain's first production lines for steam engines. The exhibition covers 200 years of Leiston's amazing social and industrial history. The Museum is open to the public from April to October
Telephone: 01728 832189
Address: Main Street, LEISTON, Suffolk IP16 4ES (5 miles from the cottage)
Web site: The Long Shop Museum
Nature and Wildlife
Orford Ness nature reserve - Walking | Beaches | Historic
Orford Ness is a unique place. it is a ten mile long vegetated shingle spit, with an area of marsh and also lagoons and waterways linked to the mainland at Aldeburgh . It is an internationally important site for nature conservation. It was also the site of secret Cold War military testing. Click here for more info (5 miles as the crow flies from the cottage)
Minsmere Bird Reserve RSPB- Animals | Bird Watching | Walking
"Set on the beautiful Suffolk coast, Minsmere offers both families and bird watchers an enjoyable day out. Nature trails take you through a variety of habitats to the excellent bird watching hides. In the summer you can watch avocets and marsh harriers or hear booming bitterns. On the beach, a special area is cordoned off to protect nesting little terns." click to find out opening times, entry tariff and seasonal events.
North Warren RSPB reserve - Bird Watching | Walking
Bird watching at North Warren RSPB reserve with its five different habitats. A haven of wildlife, including Dartford warblers and woodlarks on the heath. It has an excellent variety of insects and scarce plants in summer. The reserve is less than a mile's walk from Pelican cottage and is free entry. Trail guides are free from the Aldeburgh tourist information centre, just opposite Pelican Cottage in the high street. (less than 1 mile from the cottage)
Castles and Stately Homes
Orford Castle- Historic 11th Century
The progress of its construction between 1165 and 1173 is extensively recorded in royal documents. Both exterior and interior survive almost intact,allowing visitors to explore the basement with its vital well, and the lower and upper halls - the latter the principal room of the castle. Round these polygonal rooms is a maze of passages, leading to the chapel, kitchen and other chambers in the turrets. From the roof there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness. Located in Orford, Suffolk Tel 01394 450472 (5 miles as the crow flies from the cottage)
Framlingham Castle - Historic 10th Century
Visitors can explore over 800 years of life at Framlingham Castle in an introductory exhibition in the Poorhouse, which tells the story of the people who lived in the castle during its long and varied history. The displays illustrate the struggle for power between monarchs and the lords of Framlingham; the tragic stories of family members Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both married to and beheaded by Henry VIII; the accession of Queen Mary Tudor; and the Poorhouse, still in use until 1839.
Phone : 01728 724189
Address : Framlington IP13 9BP Suffolk (12 miles as the crow flies from the cottage)
Glemham Hall - Historic 16th Century
The Cobbold brewing family home dating from the 16th century, he 3,000 acre estate now hosts a variety of events including a country fair, open air opera and theatre. It is also a popular venue for weddings, meetings and conferences. During the winter months it plays host to driven game shooting and woodland deer stalking. For enlightening tours and more about the history of the hall, private views and garden open days take place throughout the year.
Opening times : Call first
Phone : 01728 746704
Address : Little Glemham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0BT (8 Miles from the cottage)
Web site: Glemham Hall Estate
The Red House - Music History
Home of composer Benjamin Brittian and his partner Peter Pears. Many of Britten's famous works were written here, including the war requiem. The house has been preserved very much as it was at the time of his death. There is the Britten-Pears library and regular exhibitions from the collections.
Opening Times : Pre booking essential
Phone : 01728 451700
Address : Golf lane off Leiston road, nr Aldeburgh. (2 Miles from the cottage)
Website : Britten-Pears Foundation
Gardens in Suffolk
Helmingham Hall Gardens - Nature | Historic 15 Century
The Tollemache family have lived in Suffolk since the roman conquest and have lived at Helmingham since 1487. The hall was completed in 1510 although the garden moat predates the house and is probably of Saxon origin. There are two rose gardens at Helmingham, both formal, but very different in character. The main garden is on the west side of the house. The second garden, to the east side of the house, was laid out in 1982. The intention was to create something that was close to the kind of garden the family might have had in Tudor times, but one that would include old, scented shrub roses. The garden is laid out in a pattern combining the square, the circle and the cross in three decorative themes. Some years later, it looks as if it must have always been there.
Opening times : Please phone
Address: Helmingham, Stowmarket Suffolk, IP14 6EF (18 miles as the crow flies from the cottage)
Phone : 01473 890799
Website : Helmingham Hall Gardens
Shawsgate Vineyard and Winery - Walking | Shopping | Drinking
One of East Anglia’s oldest commercial vineyards producing a range of white, red and rosé wines. Wines are available to taste in the shop or in the beautiful surroundings of our courtyard gardens.
There is no admission charge to the vineyard and you are welcome to wander and relax amongst the vines. A great place to watch the seasons change. Dogs are welcome on leads and there is a children's play area.
Opening times : Open April - Sept. Monday - Saturdays, 10 AM - 5 PM
Address : Badingham Road, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 9HZ (12 miles as the crow flies from the cottage)
Phone : 01728 724060
Website : Shawsgate Vineyard
Stay at Pelican Cottage
a delightfully modernised Victorian fisherman's cottage with four star accommodation right in the heart of Aldeburgh high street with the beach close by.
It has three bedrooms sleeping four adults and two children in bunk beds. There is an enclosed patio garden and games room and is available all year round for weekly rental and weekend breaks.
Click to see
holiday cottage facilities
