Places to Visit / View by the Beach

Aldeburgh is home to both a north and south ‘lookout’ – brick-built watchtowers  constructed in the mid-19th century for fishing pilotage groups. Today, the North Lookout (1840) adjacent to the RNLI Lifeboat Station serves as an RNLI store, whilst South Lookout (c.1830) is now ‘ a catalyst for art ideas’, a facility for emerging artist residencies and is open to the public (most Saturdays) as a gallery of their work.

Originally the site of a Tudor port, RSPB North Warren Aldeburgh is an oasis of calm right on the town’s doorstep. Located just across Thorpe Road from Aldeburgh’s famous ‘Scallop’, its watery marshlands make it a firm flightpath favourite with migrating geese, but varied habitats also attract warblers, yellowhammers and marsh harriers. There are a number of viewing platforms.

Aldeburgh’s famous pup called ‘Snooks’ lives alongside the yacht pond on Aldeburgh seafront. He comes with a lovely tale (and tail!) and loves putting a smile on folks’ faces, being regularly yarn-bombed since Christmas 2017. But who did he belong to? What hats does he wear? And is it true that he has a twin ?

Young and old alike love Aldeburgh’s model yacht pond on Moot Green. Even without a boat to float, it’s a calm spot for ice-cream, coffee or drifting off a while…  The shallow pond is a converted military water tank and is a year-round favourite for mini waterborn adventures. You’ll find it ‘guarded’ by ‘Snooks’, a bronze statue of a local doctor’s dog.

A memorial to the composer, Sir Benjamin Britten, ‘Scallop’ is a massive must-see sculpture in steel by the local contemporary artist, Maggi Hambling. An awesome public art work on the shingle, Scallop bears the haunting words penned by the 18th century poet, George Crabbe, and later reimagined by Britten in his opera ‘Peter Grimes’.

Must-see Aldeburgh Museum reveals the inside Aldeburgh’s iconic 16th century Moot Hall and so much more! Enjoy two floors of family-friendly interactive displays and artefacts sharing the rich history and fascinating stories of town and surrounding area.

The UK’s largest, England’s most northerly and last to be constructed – Martello Tower CC  was built to keep Napoleon out. This quatrefoil shaped building stands at the foot of the Orford Ness peninsula, between the River Alde and the sea. It is not possible to visit the interior of the property – unless you choose to stay in it, as it is cared for and let by The Landmark Trust! Its exterior can however be clearly viewed from most sides and at quite close quarters.