We all tend to spend hours researching into exotic places to visit for our yearly holidays or look to head to the continent for the odd weekend away, when sometimes all you need is right on your doorstep.
For readers close to home, then most of you will have visited this beautiful place or heard of it at least. For those a little further away, if ever you’re in Suffolk or nearby, it is well worth a trip and any international followers when planning your visit to England, the Suffolk Coast is something that you ought to include in your plans.
Over the weekend I went on my second visit to Southwold, a coastal town vibrant with life, shops and colourful beach huts. Not only were we extremely lucky with the weather – glorious sunshine and heat – Southwold is a great place in rain or shine.
If you strike lucky and get one of the rare (with the exception of this year) English days of sunshine then you can enjoy time on the sandy beach and even brave a dip in the North Sea. A back drop of colourful beach huts will put a smile on any face and the names will bring more cheeriness to a good day. The price may shock you but one can always dream and they’re a good opportunity to ‘do it for the gram’ and gain some popularity on social media with likes on your photos.
You can then mooch into the small town filled with shops full of trinkets as well as some well known designer brands such as Joules and White Stuff. Allow time for this because the shops have the cunning ability to suck you in and you may think that it’s only been five minutes but actually you’ll have been browsing for an hour or more. If charity shops are you preference then there are also plenty of these and most of the stores are dog friendly so you don’t have to worry about your furry friend while you enjoy spending some well earned cash.
While wandering around you will notice some of the huge houses which are all very pricey but great to look at and if it all gets too much then the Lord Nelson is never far away. The Lord Nelson is a traditional pub serving delicious food and some of the best Adnams bitters as well as the one and only Suffolk cider – Aspalls. Ensure that you have a driver with you because some of these beverages are strengthy ones so you’ll be reenacting the Fools and Horses scene where Del Boy falls off the side of the bar in no time at all. Nice and cool son, play it nice and cool.
If beer is too bloating for you then take a look at the gin selection that they also have and many tonics to accompany and add to the deliciously refreshing taste.
The Adnams shop is a must where they sell a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including the ones you will have tasted while in the pub, so remember which you liked best and take it home to enjoy in front of the cosy fire. Not only does the store stock wine, beers and spirits but stylish home bits too. Whether it’s a new bottle opener you’re looking for, a tasteful chopping board or an artistic tray on which to lay out nibbles – this place has it all.
So next time you’re planning a short escape, don’t shy away from heading to somewhere in your home nation. If England is your home, then the Suffolk coast is a great place to be.