Suffolk Accommodation Guide
Suffolk is a large county in the East of England which is mostly made up of low-lying land that is dedicated to farming and crop production. Having said this, Suffolk has some notable hills in the west of the county. Suffolk’s territory also extend to parts of the Broads (commonly referred to the Norfolk Broads). Suffolk’s wetlands, heathlands and coastline are all part of an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Suffolk’s large number of open spaces and its spectacular coastline, attract many millions of tourists every year. The county draws over 30 million tourists every year with over 1.5 overnight stays and another 30 million day trips. In this guide, we will exhibit some of Suffolk’s best accommodation and also explore some of the region’s finest attractions.
Although Suffolk has some of the East coast’s most popular seaside resorts such as Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Aldeburgh and Southwold, it is perhaps the smaller coastal towns within the county that deserve special mention.
Covehithe beach is one such example and you would be hard pushed to find a lovelier stretch of sand anywhere on the east coast of England. With a backdrop of eroding cliffs, Covehithe is perhaps the wildest and prettiest of all Suffolk’s beaches.
Yet Suffolk has so much more to offer than just a long list of incredible beaches. The county has a number of superbly preserved medieval villages to explore too; these include Lavenham, Somerleyton, East Bergholt and Kersey – all boasting quaint cottages, cosy local pubs and picture postcard village scenes.
Suffolk has historically been part of East Anglia which today embodies Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. The region’s name originates from ‘The Kingdom of the East Angles’ which drew reference to the Eastern kingdom of the Angles who settled crossed the North Sea from modern day Germany to England in the post-Roman era.
By the 5th century AD, the Angles and the Saxons had established control of the whole of East Anglia. The Anglo-Saxon peoples later became known as “north folk” and “south folk” depending on which region (north or south) in which they lived. The names Norfolk and Suffolk stem from these ancient terms.
Modern day Suffolk has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east. The county town is Ipswich, itself a wonderful town to visit and full of character. Ipswich played an integral part in the Tudor-period wool trade and many historic buildings remain for you to visit and explore.
Key Facts Of Suffolk / Tourist Information
- County Town: Ipswich
- Land Area: 4,106 km2 (1,585 square miles)
- Population: 761,350 (2019)
- Population Density: 200 / km2 (520 / square miles)
- Average Temperature: (Summer 21 °C)
- Days Of Rain: Dry for 162 days a year
Best Attractions In Suffolk
Lavenham: Walking around Lavenham is like stepping back in time. Many of its half-timbered medieval cottages were built in the 15th century and the village’s ‘Little Hall’ was built in the 1390s! Lavenham once played a central role in the wool trade and in the late 1400s it was once of the richest towns in all of England, despite having a population of just 2,000 people. When visiting Lavenham, allow time to stop at Long Melford too, another historic wool town in the immediate vicinity.
Helmingham Hall & Gardens: Helmingham is quite simply one of England’s finest stately homes dating from the tudor period. Set in a 400 acre deer park, Helmingham Hall is surrounding by a superbly intact moat; it is one of the best preserved moats of its type in the whole of the United Kingdom. The gardens in summer are a sight to behold and include separate herb, rose and wild gardens. It will come as no surprise that the gardens here won the HHA/Christie’s Garden of the Year award in 2017. There is a tearoom on site too for when your legs get weary.
Thorpeness: With origins as a historic fishing village, Thorpeness is a seaside village with a very unusual past. The whole village was bought in 1910 by a wealthy Scottish businessman called Stuart Ogilvie who transformed it into a private ‘fantasy village’ by adding a variety of buildings that exhibited both mock Tudor and Jacobean architecture. Inspired by J.M Barrie’s book ‘Pater Pan’, Mr Ogilvie also added an artificial boating lake known as ‘The Meare’. Thorpeness has become one of Suffolk’s principal holiday attractions and is a major hit with adults and children alike.
Best Accommodation In Suffolk
St Michael’s House (South Elmham): Sleeping 11 people across 5 bedrooms, this charming 16th century farm house is located in the beautiful hamlet of St Michael, South Elmham. This incredible cottage includes an enclosed rear garden and a small pond which will be a massive hit with your little ones! There is also a cosy woodburning stove in the sitting area and a single bedroom downstairs for anyone with limited mobility.
Waveney Cottage (Harleston): Located near Harleston, Shorelands Wildlife Gardens and Homerfield Lake, this spacious and spotlessly clean cottage receives rave reviews online. Sleeping 4 people across 2 bedrooms, there is also a huge garden and summer house. Guests can also enjoy spending time in the superb outdoor hot tub / jacuzzi too.
Stay In Britain is the ultimate guide to places to stay and things to do in Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a luxury self-catering cottage, a cheap B&B for a weekend stay, a short break in a caravan park or a business-friendly hotel in the Suffolk area, we have everything you need. Enjoy your stay in Britain!
