Guide to Self-Catering Holidays in Suffolk

Thinking of booking a self-catering break in Suffolk and want to find out what this county offers for cottage breaks?  Read our guide and discover what Suffolk offers visitors for cottage holidays.

 

Why Book a Holiday in Suffolk?

With close proximity to other counties in East Anglia, and to the city of London (some parts of Suffolk are only around an hour and a half’s drive from London, and a similar train journey away), a rich history, lush countryside, an attractive coastline and plenty of interesting places to visit, there are lots of good reasons to book a holiday in Suffolk.

 

Want to Book a Holiday Cottage in Suffolk?

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What does Suffolk Offer for Cottage Holidays?
 

• Fascinating historical towns and villages
   

• Unspoilt Countryside
   

• Scenic Coastline
   

• National Trust Properties in Suffolk

 

Some of Suffolk’s Best Historical Towns and Villages Include:

Suffolk is home to beautiful countryside and coastline.  In rural Suffolk you can discover delightful historical villages and towns.  Some of the best loved towns in rural Suffolk include Lavenham with its rich collection of medieval buildings, Clare with its castle country park, and Long Melford with its long high street and Woodbridge.  And let's not forget, Sudbury, with its attractive high street with a good choice of shops, cafes and eateries, a beautiful town hall, and a library housed in a grand Old Corn Exchange building.  There are nice walks around Sudbury Common by the river, and Sudbury Water Meadows is another nice spot for a walk or a picnic.  Head to the coast and you can discover gems like Aldeburgh with its long stretch of shingle beach and Southwold with its sandy shores.  If you want to find out read our guide to Suffolk's prettiest villages and towns.

 

Discover Suffolk’s Fascinating History on Holiday 

Lovers of English history should adore Suffolk.  This county is home to medieval buildings galore and is rich in history.  This is a county where the new has evolved alongside the old. Well-preserved cottages and buildings from the 12th century onwards are lived in and still contribute to the life of villages and towns.  Certain villages contain large numbers of these listed buildings so that a walk down the high street is very much a walk into East Anglia's past.  The churches, the centre of life in latter years, are particularly well-preserved and hundreds are in active use today.  The walls of many of these churches are covered with stones or flints - a style popular in East Anglia. 

A large number of pubs are former coaching inns.  It is possible to take a drink in places frequented by the notorious highway man Dick Turpin and others with more salubrious connections. These pubs are full of nooks and crannies, timbered and beamed, with warming fires in the inglenook.  There are many self-catering cottages in Suffolk that are also listed buildings with a story to tell.

 

Explore Suffolk’s Unspoilt Countryside on a Cottage Holiday 

Suffolk is rich in unspoilt countryside and if you love walking, cycling or horse riding in the great outdoors, it’s a joy to discover.  Alton Water near Ipswich is a great place to enjoy cycling on traffic-free paths, walking or watersports.

Other naturally beautiful parts of Suffolk to explore include the Dedham Vale AONB which covers both Suffolk and Essex, and is home to gems such as Flatford and Constable Country.
        

Explore Suffolk’s Stunning Coastline on Holiday 

Dotted with sandy and shingle beaches, as well as charming coastal towns such as Southwold, Lowestoft and Aldeburgh, Suffolk’s coastline is well worth a visit.  Much of the Suffolk Coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and covered by the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB.  The area is also home to many RSPB nature reserves covering marshland, that attract birdwatchers.

 

National Trust Properties in Suffolk

If you adore country houses you may want to visit some of Suffolk's best National Trust Properties.  Guided tours are often available at many National Trust properties, ask on arrival for more information.   Whilst in East Anglia you may want to visit one or more of the following:

•    Melford Hall, located close to the village green in Long Melford.

•    Lavenham Guildhall, a fine example of a medieval Guildhall in the centre of Lavenham.

•    Ickworth, a Georgian Palace surrounded by acres of woodlands.
 

We hope you've found our guide helpful and that we have given you a taste of special Suffolk and what this beautiful part of East Anglia has to offer.