Suffolk's Prettiest Villages and Towns

Want to discover Suffolk’s prettiest towns and villages?  Read Country Cottages Online’s guide and discover which are the most beautiful villages and towns to discover on holiday in Suffolk, from the coast to the countryside.

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So what are the prettiest villages and towns in Suffolk?

Suffolk is home to miles and miles of unspoilt countryside, as well as a beautiful coastline.  You may prefer to discover some of Suffolk’s villages and towns in the countryside where a number are known as Wool Towns. Places like Clare, Lavenham, and Long Melford are known as Wool Towns and are home to some magnificent historical buildings which were built during boom times in the medieval period, when the areas became rich from the wool trade.  Wherever you choose to discover, much of the appeal of Suffolk’s town and villages is down to the ample historic charm and appealing backdrops found in this part of the country.  

If you are after some peace and tranquillity you may wish to opt for a stay in one of the less well known Suffolk villages such as Clare, Debenham, 
Boxford, Hadeleigh, East Bergholt, Cavendish, Beccles, Thorpeness

Mention also Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.

•   Aldeburgh is set along Suffolk’s coast and offers quaint picturesque appeal with its elegant historical buildings, as well as a shingle beach and coastal paths that stretch for miles and miles.  Aldeburgh has a good selection of eateries, independent shops and a very popular fish and chips shop, and oozes coastal appeal.  Around mid-way along the beach, between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, is the very famous and much photographed shell sculpture. 

•    Beccles
  
•    Boxford

•    Cavendish
 
•    Clare is Suffolk’s smallest town and features lovely little cafes, pubs and ample historical charm.  In the heart of the town is a large impressive Wool Church, and there are over 130 listed buildings in the town.  Meander around Clare Castle Country Park which offers good walking trails, and discover the unspoilt countryside around Clare Priory.

The area is also good for a spot of pampering and spa days, with Gainsborough Spa on the outskirts of the town.
 

•    Debenham

•    East Bergholt

•    Hadleigh
 

•   Lavenham comes highly recommended for its medieval historical buildings, tea shops, country pubs and picturesque qualities.  As one of the original wool towns, the sense of history you get in Lavenham with its multitude of historic beamed buildings (there are more than 320 buildings of historical interest in the village) is not to be underestimated.

In the market place at Lavenham, an interesting place to visit is Lavenham Guildhall.  This timber-framed building is protected and maintained now by the National Trust, and dates back to medieval times.  The building also featured in one of the Harry Potter films; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, as Harry’s parent’s derelict house.  
Lavenham is an appealing place to enjoy a leisurely afternoon, and there are also nice country walks around the town.
 

•    Long Melford has ample picturesque appeal, with its village green area, historical houses, pubs and cafes.  There are also country walks and riverside walks to enjoy.  Meander through the countryside and through a nature reserve at Long Melford Country Park by the River Stour.

The National Trust's Melford Hall is found on the outskirts of Long Melford and has fascinating links with the author Beatrix Potter. Holidaymakers who love historic houses will also want to visit Kentwell Hall close to Long Melford, where the house and gardens can be visited in the summer months.  Various events are held throughout the year. 
 

•    Sudbury, is home to an 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.  One of Suffolk’s wool towns, there are some splendid historic buildings in the town.  One of the most interesting has to be Gainsborough’s House where the artist Thomas Gainsborough grew up.  The house is now a museum and an art centre dedicated to Suffolk’s best known artist who was so inspired by the Suffolk countryside and landscape.

There are nice walks around Sudbury Common by the river, and Sudbury Water Meadows is another nice spot for a walk or a picnic.

 

•    Southwold - this popular Victorian seaside town boasts elegance and historical appeal aplenty, along with a long sandy beach, colourful beach huts and a pier with various amusements.

Southwold’s elegant architecture make it an appealing place for a coastal break and the town is home to a good selection of eateries, shops and pubs.  The town is also home to the Adnams Brewery with its large shop, and brewery tours.
 

 

•    Woodbridge