Southwold is a great place to be all year round, whatever the weather. In fact for some of us it’s at its best in the middle of winter during a howling north easterly gale. Have a bracing walk on the beach, find a cosy pub in one of the narrow back streets or greens, and settle down with a drink and the paper!
From your sitting room window in Far View you will be able to enjoy some spectacular East Anglian sunsets.
Walks
Have an early walk across the Common and marshes to the Harbour and then up to the beach and back to Town across the dunes, enjoying splendid views all the while.
Eating Out
The Crown and The Swan are favourites of visitors to Southwold. Adnams Cellar and Kitchen for breakfast and light meals is 2 minutes away.
Coasters in Queen Street serves good quality food and has a local feel.
Sutherland House is the only fish restaurant in town and out of season features ‘toss up Tuesday’ where you toss a coin to pay or not pay for your meal!
Tilly’s – a good tea shop during the day and serving early evening meals.
The Pier restaurants and coffee bars.
Walking across Mights Bridge to Reydon will bring you to The Randolph, another favourite.
There are two pubs in Walberswick – The Bell and The Anchor, both having good restaurants.
Southwold Pubs (all of which serve food)
- The Lord Nelson (East St.) Good pub food and stacks of nautical atmosphere
- The Red Lion (South Green) Hearty pub food with big helpings
- The Blyth (Station Rd.) Well stocked bar with snacks and restaurant food
- The Blue Lighthouse (East St.) Bar with food
- The Harbour Inn (Southwold Harbour) Good pub food, particularly fish and chips
- The Sole Bay (Brewery Green) By the lighthouse. Pub with good food
- The Kings Head (High St.) Pub with a range of food and entertainment, including Sky TV
Art Galleries
Several in the High Street and East Street – something for everyone.
The Craft Co – (opposite the Post Office in the High Street) excellent quality craft work, interesting shop and automata.
Take-Away Food
Two Southwold take-aways are only 2 mins away in the High Street:
Marks Fish and Chips
Shoeme Balti House
Munchies for sandwiches and a range of prepared home-made meals to re heat at home.
Newsagents
Purdy’s is two mins walk away from Far View in the High Street. Also sells basic convenience store items like milk and bread.
Chapman’s newsagents in the High Street. Also sell cards and stationery.
Little Joe’s in Station Road by the roundabout, opposite the Blyth Hotel, is a good local convenience store.
Sports
Golf at Southwold Golf Club on the Common. Tennis courts in Hotson Road and on the Common.
St Felix Gym – non resident tickets available, see house book for details.
Delicatessens and Supermarkets
Nutters (East St.).
Black Olive (High St.).
Crab Apple (Market Place) for great fruit and veg and some deli’ items.
Co-op Supermarket in the Market Place and Tesco Metro in Queen Street, both open extensive hours.
Fashion Shopping
Probably one of the best destination shopping towns in East Anglia. Some privately owned shops that are different are listed below:
- Collen and Clare – Upmarket, chic, like having a mini Fenwick’s fashion department on your doorstep. Extensive range of good labels
- Denny’s – Quality, traditional country clothes. Suitable for the green wellie brigade
- Chatterton’s – Edgy, upmarket urban chic
- Gun Hill – Casual and holiday wear
- The Little Shop – Collen and Clare children’s shop
- Seventy Seven – good range of casual clothes
- Thomas Traddle – New mens fashion shop – smart casual
Book Shop
Wells in Queen Street for interesting books, CD’s, gifts and photographic services. A great personal service.
WH Smith in the Market Place for holiday reading.
Tourist Information
Can be found in the High Street next door to Barclays bank. Good range of information and advice. Maps and guides on sale.
www.visit-sunrisecoast.co.uk. For local information www.southwold.biz.
Transport
The nearest railway stations are Darsham and Halesworth about 15 miles away. Further travel information:
TRAIN National Rail: Enquiries: Tel: 08457 48 49 50 www.nationalrail.co.uk
COACH/BUS
Traveline: Tel: 0871 200 2233 www.traveline.org.uk
Anglian Bus: Enquiries: 01502 711109 www.anglianbus.co.uk
Architecture & Notable Buildings
- Adnams Brewery (tours available) and cellar/kitchen shop
- St Edmund’s Church
- Lighthouse – open for tours in the high season
- Town Hall
- Museum – a 17th century building with lovely dutch gables and interesting artefacts
- Numerous attractive pretty streets
- Southwold Pier – newly restored and a great experience
- Southwold Cinema – with its somewhat eclectic architecture and 60 seats – a niche cinema
- The Sailor’s Reading Room
- Idiosyncratic architecture – old and new
The Town Market, on Monday and Thursday, usually includes a fishmonger, local farmer butcher, local produce, a local plant nursery, clothing, artefacts / baskets.
Good Friday morning farmer’s market behind Adnams Cellar and Kitchen shop
And if you are lucky – we still have local charity stalls in the Market Place, usually on Saturdays, where you can buy local jams, home made cakes and scones.
Local butchers with bakery (Hutsons) where on two days a week you can buy the unique Southwold delicacy of butter buns, made to a secret recipe.
New artisan bakery opens in the High Street Easter 2013
The Southwold Museum (Victoria Street) is one of the best small museums in the UK. Newly refurbished in 2008.
The Pier – no ‘kiss me quick’ hats. Nice shops, wacky and unique Tim Hunkin machines. Fishing at the end.
Station Road Shops
Newly renovated shops at the entrance to the town. Excellent fishing tackle shop, ladies fashion, china painting and convenience store.
Other Amenities
There is also a Boating Lake and Putting Green next to the Pier. Model Yacht Regattas take place annually in the summer months close by the Boating Lake.
You can also Click here for more details of things to do in and around Southwold.
