East Anglia coast recommendations

[TheMachMan]

So folks, where does the coastal area start getting interesting? We are thinking end of the week heading up the coast but don’t know where to start as most comments found seem to cover the North Norfolk coast which we’ll be heading towards. Is there much just above Felixstowe area?

 

[scotjimland]

Plenty to see on the Suffolk Coast .. we live in Alderton.. near Woodbridge ..

Woodbridge , lovely market town with lots of interesting small shops, a river and harbour ,
nearby is Sutton Hoo ..

Nice campsite near us in Hollesley . Run Cottage ..walking distance to shop and a local Pub

Not far from the campsite is Bawdsey Quay with a passenger ferry across the Deben River to Old Felixstowe. If you cycle, you can take your bikes on the ferry and cycle the seafront into Felixstowe ..

Moving on, Orford, with a castle and harbour

Aldeburgh.. good shopping and interesting fishermen's huts selling local caught smoked fish

Southwold .. worth a visit

 

[Southend]

Another vote for the Suffolk Heritage coast. I'd add RSPB Mimsmere great nature reserve and walking if you don't have a dog. Nice little campsite at The Ell's Foot pub Eastbridge.
Dunwhich is worth a visit with a great beach side carpark and a nice museum documenting the old towns flooding as the coast retreats.
Lots of parking at Southwold especially near the harbour and a great rowing boat ferry crossing to Walberswick.

 

[AndyPK]

We found Sutton Hoo (probably) the most boring ‘attraction’ we ever went to…..but that was many,many,many years ago, and it may have improved….?

 

[mitzimad]

just a bit further south you can sample the delights of harwich lots of history and beaches

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[Jev88]

Love Aldeburgh and ThorpeNess the other end of the beach.

 

[matbic]

Orford - nice pubs, restaurants, river walks, bird watching, smoke house, castle and ferry to NT Orford Ness (great for a wild walk and also WW2 military history)

 

[starquake]

Dunwich Heath, nice campsite there (independant) thats not too overpriced, nice walks onto the NT land, and you can see the new Sizewell from above there. This is above the issues around Leiston mentions below. You can park a motorhome (in day) at the NT site if you just want walks as the parking is huge there (you don't need to stay at the campsite).

Kessingland CAMC site (White Sands I think it's called). Book a non-awning pitch, most are on the front (usually about 30 a night for 2 in Sept until closure), you literally have a gate onto the beach from that part of campsite. No awnings (caravan style) allowed on those, you can put out your motorhome awning in day, but it must be in before a certain time of day due to the sea winds causing a lot of damage (they basically don't allow awnings past 6 or 7pm on that part of site). Theres also a parkdean in Kessingland with similar access to beach and often cheaper pitches (10-20 a night out of sesason). Kessingland is a lovely small quiet village by the sea.

Woodbridge is good for waks but you can walk otehr side of river from Sutton hoo to see part of it. No idea on campsites near there, but we do go walking there a lot.

I would reccomend avoiding Leiston and Sizewell area at moment as Sizewell C is in full groundworks phase and traffic can be horrid.

Orford Ness as mentioned above is nice but you need to check the Ferry schedule and ideally book to go over in combination with that. Be warned there were still unexploded landmines there if you stray off the paths, but it's apparenly safe on the paths (I've never heard of issues on the marked paths).

 

[starquake]

Should also say don't miss the Shotley penisula (other side of river from Felixstowe). Some nice places there (CL's mostly) plus one pub has a campsite this time of year for not much per night (The Rose). I'd personally reccomend the CL though as it's walkable to a (slightly) better pub (Butt & Oyster at pinmill). Do drive to the end to see the marina opposite Felixstowe (theres room to turn a van and a small pub/carpark at end (The Shipwreck). Sitting and watching the big container ships from there is an occasional passtime of mine.

 

[scotjimland]

Word of warning !

The A12 is a nightmare , miles of 30mph limits , closed lanes , all due to works traffic for Sizewell .

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[AndyPK]

Not changed much since I lived in the area then………?!

 

[TheMachMan]

Appreciate the advice, we had 3 nights in Butley at their village hall. Only £10pm. EHU extra £5. Good walking down the coastline. Now at Aldeburgh on the seafront for free stop tonight. Heading to Eastbridge next to Eels Bridge Inn site.

 

[bubble63]

Southwold, the campsite is pants but its location is fabulous, an easy walk into town of the harbour
Thorpeness is weird and wonderful
Aldeburgh is great
Avoid Lowestoft

 

[Gaston aires]

Southwold, the campsite is pants but its location is fabulous, an easy walk into town of the harbour
Thorpeness is weird and wonderful
Aldeburgh is great
Avoid Lowestoft

I kind of agree but when was the last time you went to Lowestoft? They are trying hard to revamp it with promenade walks etc, but it’s not my favourite part of Suffolk. Heading south to Gorleston, Kessingland and then Southwold is better then comes the best bit.
Dunwich, Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Snape, Woodbridge, Felixstowe etc.
Very nice part of the country.
Phil

 

[Jev88]

Appreciate the advice, we had 3 nights in Butley at their village hall. Only £10pm. EHU extra £5. Good walking down the coastline. Now at Aldeburgh on the seafront for free stop tonight. Heading to Eastbridge next to Eels Bridge Inn site.

Where did you overnight in Aldeburgh?

I thought that awful bumpy car park near marina/boat store used to be allowed or do you mean along the road to Thorpeness?

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[bubble63]

I kind of agree but when was the last time you went to Lowestoft? They are trying hard to revamp it with promenade walks etc, but it’s not my favourite part of Suffolk. Heading south to Gorleston, Kessingland and then Southwold is better then comes the best bit.
Dunwich, Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Snape, Woodbridge, Felixstowe etc.
Very nice part of the country.
Phil

Lowestoft, often. Sailed from the sailing club , ate in the restaurants and walked up the high street this year , which nice bit did I miss , it’s not great, but the rest you mention are fab. and well worth a visit

 

[Jasz]

There is a nice CL less than a mile from Pin Mill which is on the South Bank of the Orwell. Quite a few footpaths around and there is a good Chinese take away across the road from the CL.

 

[Gaston aires]

Lowestoft, often. Sailed from the sailing club , ate in the restaurants and walked up the high street this year , which nice bit did I miss , it’s not great, but the rest you mention are fab. and well worth a visit

South beach area.
Phil

 

[TheMachMan]

Where did you overnight in Aldeburgh?

I thought that awful bumpy car park near marina/boat store used to be allowed or do you mean along the road to Thorpeness?

We’re on the unmade road, it was very peaceful last night. Great views, stunning sunset and then full moon rising behind.

 

[scotjimland]

Lowestoft , oft maligned but South Beach is lovely and plenty to see and do.

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[scotjimland]

We’re on the unmade road, it was very peaceful last night. Great views, stunning sunset and then full moon rising behind.

How can you see a view from that road ?

 

[TheMachMan]

How can you see a view from

How can you see a view from that road ?

 

[scotjimland]

View attachment 1115641

Drone photo or where were you standing , there is no view from the road , it’s behind the the sea wall

 

[DerryW]

How can you see a view from that road ?

Across the marches I suppose. You’ll see some of the best Sunsets of anywhere looking across towards Snape.

 

[scotjimland]

Across the marches I suppose. You’ll see some of the best Sunsets of anywhere looking across towards Snape.

I know the road well , used to park on the sea wall before motor homes were banned , and yes across the marsh but there is no sea view,
I think the photo was taken from standing on the top of the sea wall , looking toward Snape , not from road level or out of a van window

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[TheMachMan]

Drone photo or where were you standing , there is no view from the road , it’s behind the the sea wall

What is this some kind of interrogation! No drone, taken from the raised car park adjacent to the beach behind us. We are looking out on the marshes and the Slaughden Boat Club and Alde River. Never mentioned sea view! Satisfied?

 

[scotjimland]

What is this some kind of interrogation! No drone, taken from the raised car park adjacent to the beach behind us. We are looking out on the marshes and the Slaughden Boat Club and Alde River. Never mentioned sea view! Satisfied?

sorry, no offence meant, and didn't mean to interrogate .. but I know the road well and was puzzled by the photo .. it makes it look really nice .. but now realise you were staring up on the sea wall looking inland, which changes the perspective..

after they banned campervan parking on the sea wall we tried using the road but didn't like it ..