A Town of Two Halves - Four Quarters - So Many Layers & Tales to Tell
About Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh is a gently elegant market town on the Suffolk coast with a nostalgic air, and a rich and compelling history. It is a place of personality, shaped by personalities and the North Sea winds of fate. Everything in Aldeburgh from its rows of independent shops to its arts and entertainment programmes, its festivals and its amazing food offerings has an individuality and creativity of its own.
It is a welcoming town which celebrates what it is, where it has come from and where it is heading. A visit, a stay, a life here is an invitation…
Be yourself – Enjoy Aldeburgh.
Wander & Wonder
From painted wooden boats to watchtowers and a stop-you-in-your-tracks stunning seashell on the shore, Aldeburgh is full of surprises. Whether you walk Crag Path along the seafront, dive down a little alleyway on a family fish and chips run from the shingle beach to the High Street, or climb the town steps to enjoy views from The Terrace, there will always be whimsical discoveries along the way.
Looking to take time out with family and friends? Aldeburgh is ideal – relaxed, with plenty of experiences to share, and full of conversation pieces!
Taste, Experience, Enjoy
Inspirational – that’s Aldeburgh. Surrounded by the freshest ingredients under the Suffolk and North Sea sun, it’s simply foodie heaven. Bagging a delicious picnic or catering for yourself with something special is a not just a piece of cake. Then there are relaxed bistro, café and fine dining options aplenty too…
When it comes to the Arts, there’s so much to feast on – and join in with or sample, whatever your interests, age or abilities. Aldeburgh and the arts offering at nearby Snape Maltings will wow, woo, indulge and inspire you.
Splash, Sail, Shop & Stay
Enjoy messing about on the water? Looking to spend some time out with your yacht and moor up on the River Alde to enjoy a spot of Aldeburgh elegance? Or just fancy putting a toe in the water, having a browse around the shops and see what Aldeburgh has to share?
Simple pleasures, elegant experiences, memory-making magical moments – Aldeburgh has so much to see and do. The combination of activities is yours to choose… whatever floats your boat!
Aldeburgh Town & its History
Aldeburgh has almost no recorded history before the time of Henry VIII, but archaeological evidence on the River Alde around Barbers Point at Hazlewood Marshes, indicates the earlier presence of both the Romans and the Saxons. By the time Domesday Book was compiled in 1086, this corner of Suffolk was one of the most highly populated parts of the country. Foreign merchant ships were visiting English waters. The port of Dunwich just a few miles to the north was developing at a pace. Soon it would dominate the coast.
Amidst all this East Anglia wealth and action, Aldeburgh remained a humble and unimportant little fishing village community. But as the dawn of the 16th century edged over the North Sea horizon, that was all about to change…
ALDEBURGH’S MOVERS & SHAPERS
The Waves
Some time after 1500, Aldeburgh’s shifting coast-line opened up a sheltered ‘haven’. Soon it became a thriving centre for ship-building and trade. The town prospered and had a bustling market place around a fine moot hall, surrounded in all directions by dwellings and merchant businesses. Aldeburgh was granted borough status in 1529 by Henry VIII.
But what the sea gives, it is only ever lent. Today the Moot Hall lies beached with half of its townscape lost to the waves. The river port to the south at Slaughden, lost its battle against silting and the waves finished the job, cutting it off with a massive shingle spit.
The Fashion for Seabathing
Treading water as a humble fishing community, tides began to turn in Aldeburgh’s favour again in the late 1700s. Against the backdrop of ever-growing cities, the health benefits of the coast began to be recognised. Like other towns up and down England’s coast, Aldeburgh experienced a gentle influx and building boom in the Regency period.
And when the industrial revolution turned London into the ‘big smoke’ in Victorian times, seaside Aldeburgh was ripe, ready and just up the turnpike road, to reap the benefits of the fashion for seabathing.
Engineers & Industrial Revolutions
One Newson Garrett – son of East Suffolk’s industrial revolution great, Richard Garrett of nearby Leiston – Victorian vision of revitalising the Regency resort of Aldeburgh. But he recognised that it needed not only a railway, but a quality offer of dwellings with all the mod cons of the time, and plenty of cultured entertainment to entice the more refined guests who would bring their wealth, and support the local community to thrive again.
Today, Newson’s ‘Aldeburgh New Town’ is one of Aldeburgh’s best kept secrets.
Creative Spirits
Aldeburgh developed its own personality as a fashionable spot. Folk built their homes and business premises just as they wished, with whimsical and colourful façades. Artists and creatives took up residence, inspired by the sea and amazing qualities and effects of light – as well as the gathered company!
In the 20th century, a young composer, born just up the coast at Lowestoft, fell in love with all that Aldeburgh had to offer. He both lived and created an amazing concert hall in Snape, and moved into Aldeburgh itself. He brought his partner and his friends. He cherished the local community, its history, its spirit and its potential. And in return, he made his mark and left Aldeburgh with one amazing visionary legacy.
His name was Benjamin Britten.
