‘Suffolk Towns A-Z’ Archives
Minsmere
View from Bittern Hide at Minsmere by Geoff and Hilary Welch. Bittern by Chris Gomersall (www.rspb-images.com) Avocets – by Ian Barthorpe For a great day out in beautiful scenery, why not visit RSPB Minsmere nature reserve? The visitor centre includes a shop and [Read More]
Needham Market
Needham Market sits on the west bank of the River Gipping, eight miles north-west of Ipswich. The towns’ name apparently means “needy homestead with a market”. Throughout the years it was spelt variously – Nedeham, Nedham or Neidham and it [Read More]
Newmarket
Think Newmarket… think Horses! Famous worldwide for being the home of horseracing it is also the location for the National Stud. Newmarket itself is a busy market town with shopping, cafes, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs. Horseracing came to Newmarket in the 17th [Read More]
Orford
As you drive down the B1084 into Orford, it’s like stepping back in time. The narrow streets and fisherman’s cottages look the same now as when they were built. The 12th Century Royal Castle, of which the 90-foot high Keep survives, dominates the surroundings. [Read More]
Oulton Broad
History, wildlife, relaxtion, boating, walking – Oulton Broad can offer it all. The southern gateway to the newest National Park in the country, Oulton Broad offers the visitor a unique experience. Right in the centre of Oulton Broad you will find Nicholas Everitt [Read More]
Saxmundham
Saxmundham, or Sax as it is known to the locals is an historic market town. Once sitting on the busy A12 it is now bypassed and lays on the righthand side of the main road about 20 miles North-East of Ipswich. The Bell Hotel on the High Street was a staging post for the [Read More]
Snape
An Anglo-Saxon ship was unearthed at Snape in 1862, the ship was dated to around AD625. The village of Snape has been a port, albeit a small one, since Roman times, mainly dealing with coal and grain. The river is tidal as far as Snape, however the sea although only 5 miles [Read More]
Southwold
One of the factors that makes the coastal town of Southwold popular with visitors is that it is unspoilt by modern day living. Drive past the sign that says “Welcome to Southwold” and it is as if you are stepping back in time. From Gun Hill, where there are six [Read More]
Sudbury
Set in the heart of the River Stour Valley and well-known as home of Thomas Gainsborough is the thriving and ancient market town of Sudbury. The foundation of the present town dates from the middle Saxon period and Sudbury’s semi-circular street pattern represents [Read More]
Thorpeness
All is not what it seems in Thorpeness! This quaint and pretty little seaside village has an interesting history. Originally a small fishing and smuggling hamlet, situated just up the coast from Aldeburgh. In the mid 1800’s a Scottish couple by the name of Ogilvie [Read More]