Of course, we want you to come… in fact, we can’t wait to welcome you. But, you know, we may not be for everyone. So here are our top ten reasons why you shouldn’t visit Suffolk…
If you want to climb mountains
You won’t need carabiners and crampons when you visit Suffolk. That said, bring a bicycle or walking shoes and you’ll be rewarded with gently undulating coast and countryside and enormous skies. In Suffolk it’s easier to see the horizon. See if you can find one where you can’t spot a church tower.
Family-friendly walks in Suffolk
If you don’t like nice weather
Of course, it is sometimes inclement in Suffolk, when Scotland, Wales or Cornwall send their rain clouds our way. Otherwise, Suffolk has one of the best overall climates in the country, with more sun than most destinations and more drier days. In fact, Thetford Forest and Brandon, set in a bowl to the west of the county, has the warmest Summers.
If you don’t like history and heritage
We’re steeped in it, not least the ancient Anglo Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo (above), focus of the Ralph Fiennes’ Netflix movie The Dig, and the Anglo Saxon Village at West Stow Country Park. There’s a fabulous Norman castle at Framlingham, stately homes like Ickworth and Kentwell Hall, Flatford Mill will show you the landscapes of John Constable, not least the Hay Wain, and in Bury St Edmunds you can discover the story of England’s first patron saint, long before St George.
If you don’t like being outdoors
Being outdoors is one of the key reasons you come to Suffolk – to cycle, walk or just enjoy being in wonderful countryside. We’ve got an enchanting part of the Broads National Park to enjoy a day boat, and there’s rambling for all in the Dunwich Heath AONB.
If you don’t like coast and seaside
We’ve got 50 miles of it, including lovely sandy beaches at Lowestoft, Kessingland, Southwold and Walberswick. There’s shingle beaches but fine Summer swimming at Dunwich, Thorpeness, Felixstowe and Aldeburgh. And there are intriguing estuaries to explore on the Rivers Blyth, Alde, Deben, Orwell and Stour.
If you don’t like wildlife
We’ve mentioned the Broads National Park – they’re great for birdwatching. Likewise RSPB Minsmere, a star of BBC’s Naturewatch, and Carlton Marshes near Oulton Broad. Jimmy’s Farm outside Ipswich has a great range of animals and you can see some really big wild beasts at Africa Alive! near Kessingland. And while they’re not wild, far from it, you can see some of the world’s best thoroughbred racing horses at Newmarket.
If you don’t like culture and arts
Oh oh, you might be in trouble here because we’ve got loads of that, not least the Aldeburgh Festival at Snape Maltings where in late Summer you’ll also find the region’s best food and drink festival. There’s First Light Festival at Lowestoft, the most easterly point in the UK, Latitude at Henham near Southwold, and Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury is now the largest exhibition space in Suffolk.
If you don’t like ferries
No, we’re not talking about big ferries that go across seas, we’re talking little rowing boat ferries across our many estuaries. There’s Walberswick to Southwold, Butley and Orford, Felixstowe to Bawdsey and Harwich-Shotley-Felixstowe. Have a go, it’s the gentlest way to travel!
If you like motorways
We don’t have any. In fact we’re one of the largest counties in England without one. But we do have two or three lane roads from pretty much anywhere all the way to Ipswich, Suffolk’s county town, with its lovely nearby Orwell Bridge. After that you’re on thousands of miles of quieter roads which reflect the pace of life here… slower, more relaxing, more mindful.
If you like motorway service stations
Stands to reason doesn’t it, if we haven’t got motorways. But who needs a BLT with limp lettuce or something delivered with the ping of a microwave echoing in your ears when you can enjoy quality local produce at roadside pubs, restaurants and farm shops? In the Spring and Summer you could get fresh asparagus, samphire and strawberries from layby shacks. Much better than a Ginsters! Oh, and head to Orford, Aldeburgh and Southwold and enjoy fabulous fresh fish and shellfood.
