We’ve just returned from a few idyllic days in Southwold — a truly charming seaside town bursting with character. The influence of Adnams Brewery is woven beautifully through the town, with its distinctive buildings adding to the sense of heritage and place.
Refreshingly, there wasn’t a “kiss-me-quick” hat in sight. Instead, Southwold offers a quieter kind of charm — from its quaint pier arcade to its thoughtfully curated, high-quality gift shops.
We spent one glorious day walking from Thorpeness to Aldeburgh, a stunning route that shifts effortlessly between coastline and countryside. The weather couldn’t have been kinder — bright sunshine accompanied us the whole way. Midway through, we stopped at the Cross Keys Pub for lunch, where we were rewarded with delicious food and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. A definite highlight.
The following day, we set off from Southwold to Walberswick at quite a determined pace (my friend is in training for an Ironman, after all!). Thankfully, the terrain was gentle enough to keep it enjoyable — even for a more leisurely walker like me.
That evening, tired and happily hungry, we dined at Coasters. Tucked away in a cosy beach hut at the back, complete with fairy lights and blankets, it felt like a little hidden retreat. The food was excellent — the perfect end to an active day.
On our final day, we visited Covehithe Beach, a wild and beautiful spot where we happily spent time searching for sea glass (my absolute favourite pastime). Nearby, the Church of St Andrew stands quietly impressive — rebuilt from the ruins of its predecessor — and is a fascinating stop for anyone interested in history.
We rounded off the trip by collecting our very cheerful husbands from the Adnams brewery tour, before settling on the beach to watch the sun dip below the horizon. With fish and chips from Sole Bay Fish Company in hand, it was the perfect, peaceful ending to a truly memorable escape.