Movers & Shapers

Lowestoft-born composer, Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), was in tune with Aldeburgh’s past, present and future. He put the town on the world map with his music festival and concert hall and from ‘Curlew River’ to ‘Peter Grimes’, drew inspiration from its coast, countryside and long-lost sons. Find out more and take a look at the Britten Connections Map/ Walk.

Son of Leiston agricultural engineering giant, Richard Garrett, Newson Garrett (1812-1893), returned from London with this family in 1840 to seek health, more wealth and happiness near the coast in Suffolk. An entrepreneur and shrewd businessman he bought first bought a brickworks, then set about making his money and his mark. The rest is Aldeburgh history. 

The vision behind the Edwardian holiday village of Thorpeness, its ‘Merrie England’ in microcosm architecture, the water tower disguised as a House in the Clouds, its magical Meare and so much more.