Nearby Attractions

One of England’s top birdwatching spot and a great place for a gentle stroll or time out in abundantly nature-rich coast-side landscapes, just a short distance north of Aldeburgh. Home to everything from avocet to otter and booming bittern and Silver-studded Blue butterflies to Great Green Bush crickets, the range of habitats here include woods, reeds, lagoons, grass- and heathlands and vegetated shingle coast.

Snape Marshes, Snape Warren and the reedbeds and mudflats flanking the Sailors’ Path on its final furlong before Snape Maltings, rank amongst Suffolk’s most inspirational riverside scenery. Experience Sir Benjamin Britten’s ‘Curlew River’, painted in his musical masterpieces and pictured in John Piper’s stained glass window in Aldeburgh Church.

A true cultural hub and centre of learning on the Alde River. Today the complex is home to concerts, events, independent shops, cafés, galleries, walks, boat trips, private homes, self-catering accommodation and the annual Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival. Above all, this the home of the world-renowned Britten Pears Arts organisation and Snape Maltings concert hall.

Thorpeness’ famous House in the Clouds is not open to the public (although you can rent it!), but its location opposite Thorpeness windmill allows clear viewing from the footpath. Now a privately owned, self-catering property for 10, it was originally built as watertower and disguised to fit in with the idyllic village surroundings! Its water tank has been converted into the property’s main reception space and games room!

Originally located in the nearby village of Aldringham, Thorpeness Postmill has been recently renovated. It is in private hands, but has open days to welcome visitors to learn of its rich history and how and why it came to be located next to the famous ‘House in the Clouds’, sitting above Thorpeness Meare.

Enjoy time out on the water at a boating lake like no other. Amidst the wide range of dinghies, kayaks, large family rowing boats, canoes, punts and sailing boats for hire, there are many original boats from the Meare’s earliest days back in 1913. Home to Thorpeness Regatta (August), and its after-party featuring decorated boats and fireworks. 

Suffolk’s very own, free mobile app for walking, cycling and more is a useful tool for walkers and cyclists enjoying the East Suffolk coast and beyond. This handy digital solution gives free access to high-quality Ordnance Survey mapping and a growing library of tried and tested trails including some in East Suffolk.