Ed Sheeran by Annie Leibovitz.
And has anybody done more than the famous singer-songwriter to put help put Suffolk on the map, not least on his album Subtract for which he filmed video singles at locations along the coast.
Let’s start on North Denes Beach at Lowestoft where Ed filmed his video, Boat and Salt Water.
Shot close to the groynes and dunes near the Gunton Warren Nature Reserve, the rugged coastline here suits the melancholic mood of the songs. There’s a useful car park here and you can pop into The Sparrows Nest Café for a bite to eat.
If you’re interested in nature reserves don’t miss Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes, 1000 acres of wildness that are the southern gateway to the Broads National Park. Endorsed by Sir David Attenborough, a £4m investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund helped start the remarkable transformation into a new home for myriad wildlife.
Lowestoft has a lovely Promenade to take a stroll along, with lots of amusements, activities and places to eat.
Next stop is the delightful Southwold, with its iconic red and white-striped lighthouse and Victorian pier where Ed filmed videos for Borderline and Colourblind.
The films are sombre and monochrome but just imagine what it’s like on a bright, sunny day with the amusements, attractions and refreshment kiosks all in flow. It’s the pier-fect place to take the family and enjoy more than 600 feet of British seaside fun.
Oh, and don’t miss Tim Hunkin’s marvellous and extremely eccentric Under The Pier Show.
While you’re in Southwold, why not take a distillery or brewery tour with Adnams… or head up the famous lighthouse, with a pint of Adnams at the bottom.
Ed played a special concert at Snape Maltings for the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend 2021.
Snape is the home of the annual Aldeburgh Music Festival and the fabulous Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival and is worth a visit any time of the year for lovely walks by the River Alde and a range of eateries and shops selling local produce.
All destinations on Day 1 of itinerary
Framlingham is Ed’s home town and it’s been his inspiration, not least ‘Castle on the Hill’, his ‘love letter to Suffolk’, which recounted his teenage years in the town, home of the iconic English Heritage 12th century fortification which is well worth a visit, if just for the walk around the battlements. Now who’s the king of the castle?
Find Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham and you’ll see where Ed met his wife Cherry Seaborn.
The Subtract video for End of Youth was filmed at a school in Woodbridge and sees Ed singing in the playground, while a group of kids ran around him playing.
Riverside Woodbridge is a picture perfect market town with main Thoroughfare of local independent and artisan shops, restaurants and cafes, mixed in with High Street names. The Crown in the Thoroughfare is the place to have a meal or just a drink.
On the river Deben is the picturesque Tide Mill Museum and not far from the town is National Trust Anglo-Saxon burial site Sutton Hoo, focus of the hit Netflix movie The Dig starring Ralph Fiennes and Carrey Mulligan. Also nearby is the family-friendly Easton Farm Park.
A great place to stay near Woodbridge is the Run Cottage Touring Park.
Ipswich is home to Ed’s beloved Ipswich Town and in June 2004 Ed and his father John went to an Elton John concert at the football club’s Portman Road ground.
In October 2022 Ed performed an impromptu gig on the footsteps of the town hall on the Cornhill for the Disney+ documentary The Sum Of It All.
The video for Life Goes On on Subtract was filmed in the quiet woods and heathland at Pin Mill, Chelmondiston, on the Shotley Peninsula by the Orwell Estuary.
Walk in Ed’s footsteps by taking a country walk and then popping into The Butt & Oyster for refreshments.
All destinations on Day 2 of itinerary
