Aldeburgh is a very popular tourist destination for people of all ages and interests.
It is a town with a wealth of history to be explored, an abundance of nearby nature and wildlife,
water sports and being relatively flat it is ideal for those who like to explore on foot or by bicycle.
A popular destination for holidays and day trips, Aldeburgh remains pretty much the same as it has been for decades,
key feature of this are the Fishermen who launch their boats from the shingle beach and still sell much of their daily catch from huts on the beach.
Changes are most noticeable on the high street which now boasts a number of designer shops, boutiques and galleries plus award-winning restaurants.
The nearby Snape Maltings Concert Hall, provides the backdrop to a rich musical heritage,
with Benjamin Britten’s world renowned Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts held in June
and a wide range of musical and arts events throughout the year. For more details please check out
Whats On - Aldeburgh
On the seafront, the Moot Hall houses the town’s museum and is a major focal point, with its ancient timbers and outside staircase.
At the top of the Town Steps, leading off the High Street and up the cliff, there is a wonderful view over the roof tops and out to sea.
Famous residents include Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first female doctor and mayor, her younger sister Millicent Garrett Fawcett a campaigner for woman's suffrage were both born here,
the poet George Crabbe was born in Aldeburgh, Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears became residents of the town in 1942.
In the sixteenth century Aldeburgh had a thriving harbour and shipyard at Slaughden, famous for building the Pelican (later re-christened the Golden Hind),
Sir Francis Drake's Flagship and the first ship to circumnavigate the world.
The RSPB’s flagship nature reserve at Minsmere is four miles from Aldeburgh and the National Trust’s Dunwich Heath, is just eight miles away and all around
the Suffolk Coast and Heaths are designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Aldeburgh has a gently sloping shingle beach that has won awards for cleanliness and good management, the southern end near the Martello Tower slopes more sharply and is very popular with beach fisherman.
NB: From May to September no dogs are allowed on the beach.
The Aldeburgh Museum
Moot Hall
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5DS
Situated on the Aldeburgh Sea Front, the Moot Hall is one of the best preserved public Tudor Buildings in Britain and a major focal point in the town.
Still a working meeting place, the Moot Hall is used as the Town's Council Chamber, Town Clerk's Office and houses the Aldeburgh Museum.
The Museum charts the history of the town from Roman Times and houses a fascinating number of historical artefacts, stuffed birds, moths and more.
Some unusual objects include several chests (treasure style, sadly empty!) dating back to the fourteenth century that have washed up on the beach over the years.
There is a nominal admission charge for adults, but accompanied children are free, manned by volunteers it is open to the public from April to October,
please check the website for specifics
Aldeburgh Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
Victoria Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5EA
Although most of the church was rebuilt in the 16th century it still retains an original tower that dates back to the 14th century
Aldeburgh Catholic Church
The Terrace
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5HU
Martello Tower
Slaughden Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15
The Martello Tower at Aldeburgh is a unique quadruple Martello Tower south of the town.
Built during the Napoleonic War it is the largest of its type and can be rented as self catering accommodation from the Landmark Trust.
It Sleeps four in two twin rooms.
Aldeburgh Lifeboat
There are two lifeboats stationed at Aldeburgh, one of which is a small 16' D Class lifeboat used for inshore work and recovery in the River Alde.
The lifeboat station includes a shop and history of the exploits of the volunteer crews.
Aldeburgh Yacht Club
Slaughden Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5NA
Aldeburgh Yacht Club is located between the sea and the River Alde one mile south of the town of Aldeburgh.
The clubhouse has changing rooms and showers, a well stocked bar, a kitchen and dining room.
Slaughden Sailing Club
Slaughden Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5NA
Slaughden Sailing Club is a friendly sailing club in Aldeburgh, there is a clubhouse with galley, changing rooms, showers and a lounge with a fine view over the River Alde.
Town Steps
The Town Steps are a public footpath that leads up the side of the cliff (cliff is a bit strong, but I suppose it does classify as one) from the High Street to The Terrace and offers wonderful views over Aldeburgh and the Sea.
At the top there are seats and a roofed brick built shelter where you can sit in comfort from offshore winds and count satellite dishes.
The Scallop
The Scallop is a four-metre high steel sculpture erected as a tribute to Benjamin Britten and his music, it stands just outside of Aldeburgh near the Thorpe Road car park on the coast road between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.
The phrase "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" (from Peter Grimes) is pierced through the steel and people are encouraged to clamber over it.
Coastal Images Gallery
Mariners House
127 High Street
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5AR
Looking for some inspiration? then this is a great place to start! You can browse and purchase images online or visit the shop.
In addition Coastal Images do Photography Workshops (half or full day) on various subjects including Natural Landscape, Creative Portraits, Camera Skills (full day only)
and Adobe Lightroom (half day only)
North Warren Nature Reserve
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5BD
Just outside Aldeburgh this is a mixture of heathland popular with Dartford Warblers and Woodlarks and wet grasslands and reed beds favoured by Bitterns and Marsh Harriers.
During the winter it supports wintering wildfowl including the Tundra Bean Goose
Aldeburgh Golf Club
Saxmundham Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5PE
Aldeburgh Golf Club was founded in 1884 and is one of East Anglia’s best golf courses, it is rated amongst the top 70 Championship Golf Courses in the Golf World Top 100.
Individual players, parties and societies are welcome with concessionary Green Fees available for 18 hole and 9 hole courses
Aldeburgh Tourist Information Centre
High Street
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5AQ
Tel: 01728 453637
Aldeburgh Tennis Courts
Park Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
Four hard courts for public use, no booking required - first come basis
Aldeburgh Recreation Ground
Kings Field
Victoria Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
What's on - Aldeburgh - Back to top
Aldeburgh has a long history of music and entertaining, best known is the Aldeburgh Festival which takes place each June in the nearby Snape Maltings.
There are though concerts and events taking place all year round in many local venues.
Aldeburgh is also a place where artists at all stages of their career come to be inspired and educated.
Aldeburgh Music
Snape Maltings
Concert Hall
Snape
Suffolk
IP17 1SP
Aldeburgh Music provides details and tickets to events and concerts taking place in and around the Snape Maltings.
Snape Maltings
Snape Maltings
Snape
Suffolk
IP17 1SP
Home to the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, Snape Maltings is a collection of shops, galleries and eateries by the River Alde
Britten-Pears Foundation
The Red House
Golf Lane
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5PZ
The Red House in Aldeburgh is where Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears lived and worked together for almost thirty years.
Today, it is the home of the Britten - Pears Foundation and welcomes visitors to gain insights into Britten's music in the place where much of it was written.
Britten was one of the foremost composers of the 20th century and together with the tenor Peter Pears
formed a creative partnership which led to the founding of the Aldeburgh Festival.
The Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme offers bespoke training and development opportunities to UK and international artists, as well as an extensive education curriculum.
Aldeburgh Cinema
51 High Street
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5AU
Home to the Aldeburgh Documentary Film Festival, Aldeburgh Cinema has a fascinating history and has been screening films continuously since 1924.
Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall
Crabbe Street
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
IP15 5BN
The Jubilee Hall is used throughout the year for all manor of events and is still used by the festival as an occasional venue.
It is the main venue for the
Aldeburgh Poetry Festival,
and is used each year by Jill Freud's
Summer Theatre Repertory Company
Thorpeness Meare
Remembrance Road
Thorpeness
Suffolk
IP16
Thorpeness Meare is a large shallow lake of some 40 acres two miles north of Aldeburgh. There are cafes and restaurants onsite and you can hire
rowing boats, kayaks, canoes, punts, dinghies and sailing boats.
No-where is the Meare more than three feet deep and there are many islands on the Meare based on locations found in the book Peter Pan which children are encouraged to play on.
House in the Clouds
Thorpeness
Suffolk
IP16
A unique folly with five bedrooms (two doubles and 3 twins) and great views over Thorpeness Golf Course, Thorpeness Meare and the sea.
Thorpeness Windmill
Thorpeness
Suffolk
IP16
Thorpeness Windmill is a Grade II listed post mill which was built in 1803 at Aldringham and moved to Syleham then onto Thorpeness.
Originally built as a corn mill, it was converted to a water pumping mill when it was moved to Thorpeness.
Long Shop Museum
Main Street
Leiston
Suffolk
IP16 4ES
The Long Shop Museum is an award winning attraction based in the original Garret Works Buildings.
The Long Shop is a grade II listed building built in 1852 as the first production line for the manufacture of portable Steam Engines.
There are four exhibition halls, a resource centre, picnic garden and gift shop where you can discover Leiston's unique history and visit the home of the Garret Collection.
Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Quay Office
Orford Quay
Orford
Suffolk
IP12 2NU
Orford Ness National Nature Reserve is an internationally important nature reserve with an abundance of rare flora and fauna
with a fascinating 20th-century military history of secret Cold War military testing.
It is the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, although it is South of Aldeburgh the only public access is by ferry from Orford Quay.
Havergate Island
Orford Quay
Orford
Suffolk
IP12 2NU
Havergate Island is an RSPB Reserve famous for its breeding Avocets and Terns which can be seen throughout the spring and summer.
Lady Florence
Orford Quay
Orford
Suffolk
IP12 2NU
Lady Florence provides a different and exciting fine-dining experience.
The River Cruise Restaurant offers Brunch, Lunch, Dinner & Sunset Cocktail Cruises on the rivers Alde and Ore from Orford regardless of weather & tides.
Every cruise includes an informative commentary on both the intriguing history that made this area, and the wildlife that now inhabits it.
Orford Sailing Club
Orford
Suffolk
IP12 2NU
Orford Sailing Club is a friendly open club for sailors of all abilities, based in the picturesque village of Orford within sight of the medieval castle.
Sutton Hoo
Tranmer House
Sutton Hoo
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 3DJ
Sutton Hoo is the burial ground of the Anglo-Saxon kings of East Anglia and is one of Britain's most important archaeological sites.
The exhibition hall tells the story of early English history and there are priceless royal treasures that were discovered in a huge ship grave.
Buttrum's Mill
Woodbridge
Suffolk
Buttrum’s Mill is built of red brick and at just over sixty feet is the tallest surviving windmill in Suffolk.
It was a working mill until 1928, when the stones turned for the last time.
The Mill is open (afternoons only) Sundays and Bank Holidays from the end of March to the end of September and Saturdays from the beginning of May to the end of August - Entrance Fee
The Tide Mill
Woodbridge
Suffolk
There has been a mill here since the twelfth century although by the late nineteen sixties the current Woodbridge Tide Mill was near collapse.
It took the efforts of a lot of dedicated enthusiasts and fourteen years, but now the Woodbridge Tide Mill is up and running again and open to the public.
A trip around the mill is a fascinating experience, there is much to see, but please note the mill wheels only work for two hours either side of low tide.
The Mill is open (late morning to late afternoon) at Easter, April weekends and daily May to September - Entrance Fee
Dunwich Heath
Dunwich
Saxmundham
Suffolk
IP17 3DJ
Dunwich Heath is an area of coastal lowland heath, sandy cliffs and beach, home to rare wildlife, such as the Dartford Warbler.
Minsmere
Dunwich, Westleton and Saxmundham
Suffolk
One of the RSPB's most famous reserves, a beautiful place for a day out whether you are a bird watcher or simply enjoy country walks
Adnams Brewery
Adnams
Sole Bay Brewery
Southwold
Suffolk
IP18 6JW
Brewing great beer from the finest ingredients and creating award winning wine
River Deben Cruises and Moorings
Waldringfield Boatyard
The Quay
Waldringfield
Near Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 4QZ
Explore the River Deben from a Weather Proof Boat, with commentary, bar and refreshments
Attractions and Days Out in Suffolk
Attractions and Days out in Suffolk:
Family Attractions and Amusements; Zoos, Children's Farms and Animal Sanctuaries;
Country Parks, Nature Trails, Bird Watching and Wildlife; Watersports and Cruising;
Stately Homes, Gardens and Parks; Museums and Galleries;
Castles, Abbeys and Churches; Theatres and Music in Suffolk
