Things to see and do in Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh is a delightful seaside town in Suffolk. The town enjoys beautiful views of the North sea and of the River Alde inland. The town has a relaxed pace of life, miles and miles of beaches and is an artistic and literary centre with several cultural festivals being held annually. Aldeburgh's most famous resident has been music composer Benjamin Britten who launched the Aldeburgh Festival in 1948.
If you are planning to visit the Suffolk coast this Summer, then Aldeburgh is a truly wonderful place to spend a few days. Good food, music and arts, a beach that runs and runs, historical buildings, independent boutiques, antique shops and a very welcoming local community - Aldeburgh has something for everyone. We spent a weekend recently at Aldeburgh and here are my suggestion on what you can do and see in the coastal town.
The town has a pleasing mix of architecture and you will some really nice sea front cottages - beautifully decorated and inviting. Most of these cottages are let out as self-catering accommodation. Some have lovely gardens while some are coloured in beautiful pastel shades and most have retained the traditional charm.
Benjamin Britten the famous music composer lived in Aldeburgh and there are many reminders of his life in the town. The most controversial and the most recent is a sculpture called The Scallop. Located on Aldeburgh's beach, this 15 feet tall sculpture is made up of two interlocking scallop shells and is visually enticing. But not everyone feels that way as many local residents are of the opinion that it spoils the pleasant views of the sea. Nonetheless it is a tourist attraction and most people visiting Aldeburgh go and have a look at it. Another place on the Benjamin Britten trail would be the St. Peter and St. Paul's Church in the town where the composer is buried.
As you wander along the coast, you will come across the Martello Tower a beautiful defensive fort that was built sometime in the early 1800s. It is one of the few towers still remaining intact and is currently owned by Landmark Trust. You can see one of Antony Gormley's life-size iron statues displayed on the roof of the tower. It was installed a year back and will be removed at the end of this month.
Located on the pebbled beach The South Lookout is a 3-storey square tower that acts as an artists' residency with a new artist being welcomed each week. Each artists residency ends with an exhibition of their work.
Dating back to the early 1900s this historical cinema has been screening films since it was set up. It was run privately until the mid-1960s and then it was purchased by Benjamin Britten and a group of other local people who ran it on behalf of the local community. Even today it is run as a community enterprise.
A beautiful Grade I listed timber-framed building, the Moot Hall was built in 1520s and has been used for council meetings. Today it houses the town's local museum and is also used as the town's council chamber. Once you have visited the museum you can relax on the seafront adjacent to the Moot Hall.
When we visited Aldeburgh we also happened to witness the Mayor's parade starting from Moot Hall up the hill to the local Church.
Quite close to Moot Hall is the model yacht pool. And here you will find a bronze statue of a dog called Snooks overlooking the pool. Snooks was the much loved dog of a local doctor.
The shop is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. Usually there are long queues in the evening. Once you have collected your package you can head to the beach to enjoy the food at a leisurely pace. Or you could head to The Golden Galleon or The Upper Deck both of which serve fish and chips and many other British favourites.
Other notable landmarks in Aldeburgh include the Fort Green Mill (which is a windmill located at the southern end of the town) and the Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station.
If you are looking for a relaxed, seaside break Aldeburgh will surely not disappoint you. You can make Aldeburgh your base and explore the nearby attractions - Snape Maltings (a cultural centre), The Meare (Thorpeness) well known for its boating lake or The Long Shop Museum in Leiston. Or you can simply stay put in Aldeburgh like we did and enjoy walks on the pebbled beach or wander the alleys and lanes of the lovely town centre and indulge in some shopping.
If you are planning to visit the Suffolk coast this Summer, then Aldeburgh is a truly wonderful place to spend a few days. Good food, music and arts, a beach that runs and runs, historical buildings, independent boutiques, antique shops and a very welcoming local community - Aldeburgh has something for everyone. We spent a weekend recently at Aldeburgh and here are my suggestion on what you can do and see in the coastal town.
Walk the seafront and down the town lanes
The town has a pleasing mix of architecture and you will some really nice sea front cottages - beautifully decorated and inviting. Most of these cottages are let out as self-catering accommodation. Some have lovely gardens while some are coloured in beautiful pastel shades and most have retained the traditional charm.
Benjamin Britten and 'The Scallop'
Benjamin Britten the famous music composer lived in Aldeburgh and there are many reminders of his life in the town. The most controversial and the most recent is a sculpture called The Scallop. Located on Aldeburgh's beach, this 15 feet tall sculpture is made up of two interlocking scallop shells and is visually enticing. But not everyone feels that way as many local residents are of the opinion that it spoils the pleasant views of the sea. Nonetheless it is a tourist attraction and most people visiting Aldeburgh go and have a look at it. Another place on the Benjamin Britten trail would be the St. Peter and St. Paul's Church in the town where the composer is buried.
Martello Tower
As you wander along the coast, you will come across the Martello Tower a beautiful defensive fort that was built sometime in the early 1800s. It is one of the few towers still remaining intact and is currently owned by Landmark Trust. You can see one of Antony Gormley's life-size iron statues displayed on the roof of the tower. It was installed a year back and will be removed at the end of this month.
The South Lookout
Located on the pebbled beach The South Lookout is a 3-storey square tower that acts as an artists' residency with a new artist being welcomed each week. Each artists residency ends with an exhibition of their work.
Aldeburgh Cinema and Gallery
Dating back to the early 1900s this historical cinema has been screening films since it was set up. It was run privately until the mid-1960s and then it was purchased by Benjamin Britten and a group of other local people who ran it on behalf of the local community. Even today it is run as a community enterprise.
Moot Hall
A beautiful Grade I listed timber-framed building, the Moot Hall was built in 1520s and has been used for council meetings. Today it houses the town's local museum and is also used as the town's council chamber. Once you have visited the museum you can relax on the seafront adjacent to the Moot Hall.
When we visited Aldeburgh we also happened to witness the Mayor's parade starting from Moot Hall up the hill to the local Church.
Quite close to Moot Hall is the model yacht pool. And here you will find a bronze statue of a dog called Snooks overlooking the pool. Snooks was the much loved dog of a local doctor.
Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop
The shop is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. Usually there are long queues in the evening. Once you have collected your package you can head to the beach to enjoy the food at a leisurely pace. Or you could head to The Golden Galleon or The Upper Deck both of which serve fish and chips and many other British favourites.
Other notable landmarks in Aldeburgh include the Fort Green Mill (which is a windmill located at the southern end of the town) and the Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station.
If you are looking for a relaxed, seaside break Aldeburgh will surely not disappoint you. You can make Aldeburgh your base and explore the nearby attractions - Snape Maltings (a cultural centre), The Meare (Thorpeness) well known for its boating lake or The Long Shop Museum in Leiston. Or you can simply stay put in Aldeburgh like we did and enjoy walks on the pebbled beach or wander the alleys and lanes of the lovely town centre and indulge in some shopping.
Some great ideas would love to go to see Martello Tower
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