I visited one of the best seaside towns in the UK – it clearly deserves the title | UK | Travel

Travelling from Manchester to Aldeburgh isn’t the easiest of journeys when you don’t have a car and have to rely on trains, but it’s certainly worth the trouble. This coastal town in Suffolk was recently named one of the UK’s best seaside towns, and when visiting it’s easy to see why.

After arriving in Saxmundham, the nearest train station, I ordered a taxi and headed to the Brudenell Hotel, where I would be staying for my two-night visit. The hotel, located right on the seafront, is in a prime location for exploring the town and has a restaurant, so you won’t even have to wander far for your meals. The hotel also offers deluxe rooms, one of which I was lucky enough to stay in.

These rooms have just a bit more than your typical hotel room. They have an attached sitting room, which even comes with its own telescope for anyone who wants to do a bit of stargazing during their stay.

Things to do

No trip to a seaside town is complete without some exploration, and while Aldeburgh may not be the biggest town in the world, there is still plenty to do. From strolling to the Martello Tower, which dates back to the Napoleonic Era and was used to spot any incoming ships from France, or walking along the beach to the nearby Thorpeness.

Thorpness was built as a Peter Pan-inspired holiday village in the early 20th century under the visionary guidance of Alexander Ogilvie. Here, you can enjoy some time on the boating lake, browse through an antique shop, or wander through the town looking at the mock Tudor houses and the water tower turned holiday home known as the House in the Clouds.

Back in Aldeburgh, there are plenty of independent shops to visit alongside cafes and restaurants. While there are a few chains here, those looking for some lesser-known brands will also be quite happy. One highlight is Reed Books, a second-hand bookshop that has plenty of hidden gems within its shelves.

Visitors should also be sure to stop at the Union Chapel, which often hosts art exhibitions, typically featuring one local artist, who you may even spot doing some painting during your visit.

On a previous visit to Aldeburgh, I enjoyed a tour around the Fishers Gin distillery, famed as the closest gin distillery to the sea in the UK. Although I was unable to book a tour this time around, I would still highly recommend it to anyone visiting this part of the world. And don’t forget to try their Smoked Gin—this has proved rather like Marmite among my house guests since I purchased some.

For those wanting to learn about the history of Aldeburgh then be sure to head to the Aldeburgh Museum, located in one of the UK’s best preserved Tudor buildings. Open daily from 1-4 pm, you can discover history stretching from the Roman era right up to the modern day.

The beach

While Aldeburgh’s beach is rather rocky, it still proves popular with visitors, and is home to the stunning scallop sculpture, which was constructed in 2003 as a tribute to the late Benjamin Britten, who spent a number of years in the town and would regularly walk along the coastline.

Although it was much too cold for me to go for a swim during my visit, I did see plenty of people taking a dip. Those looking for a more sandy beach can also head to the nearby beaches in Southwold and Dunwich.

Food and drink

Aldeburgh is full of restaurants, pubs, and cafes, the majority of which offer truly delicious options. On my first night in the village, I ate at Brudenell’s Seafood & Grill. 

As a vegetarian, I wasn’t exactly spoiled for choice, but the quality of the food certainly made up for it. I ended up ordering the beetroot and ricotta ravioli, which was truly delicious.

Staying in the hotel I also had breakfast at the Seafood & Grill, which was just as great as a dinner – and has the bonus of being included in the price of your stay. Those not staying at the hotel can also enjoy breakfast at the Brudenell, but obviously non-hotel guests will have to pay for this.

For lunch, I then ate at the Two Magpies Bakery, which also proved a great choice. Having eaten here, I am definitely planning on purchasing the bakery’s cookbook and trying my hand at some of their creations at home.

Dinner on my second night was at the Sea Spice restaurant, an Indian located within the White Lion hotel. Reviews on TripAdvisor, refer to this as the best Indian restaurant in the area, and although it was the only one I tried during my stay I was truly blown away by the quality of food.

Opting for samosas, followed by Paneer Khurchan, this was truly one of the best Indian meals I’ve had in a long time. I’ll certainly be returning here if I find myself in Aldeburgh once again.

Where to stay

I would highly recommend staying at the Brudenell Hotel. Its beachfront location, 24-hour bar, and delicious breakfasts make it the perfect choice for staying in the village. And it has the added bonus of being dog-friendly, meaning you can bring your four-legged friend along on any getaway.

Also located in Aldeburgh is the White Lion Hotel, run by the same company as the Brudenell, and so while I haven’t stayed there, I would presume that it is just as wonderful as its sister hotel.

Check rates and book a stay at the Brudenell Hotel website. Room only and bed and breakfast packages are available.