For a small county, Suffolk sure packs a hell of a holiday punch. This gorgeous slice of England is a perennial family favourite and offers something for every season. From lazy drenched summer days on a beachside bucket-and-spade holiday to leisurely bike rides through the autumnal countryside or bracing walks on a mist-shrouded winter morning, Suffolk is the go-to getaway for stylish folk. Those in the know are aware that behind the laid-back charm are designer boutiques, Michelin starred restaurants and luxury cottages to rent in Suffolk. Do you dream of a whitewashed timber beachfront property with ocean views, a spacious barn conversion with acres of garden, or a chic period townhouse? Suffolk has all of these with luxury, 5-star cottages elevated to the next level thanks to luxurious touches like outdoor hot tubs, high thread count cotton sheets and welcoming hampers full of tasty Suffolk treats to help you start relaxing from the moment you arrive. Read more
Suffolk is one of the best places to go if you love to indulge in a little (or a lot) of retail therapy while on holiday. Even designer shopping is understated and chic in Suffolk. Try Beccles for boutiques, Ipswich for high-end labels, and Bury St Edmunds for a bit of both.
Aldeburgh boasts some of the most expensive real estate in East Anglia so you can trust that its shops are a cut above. Shop at O&C Butcher and Fleur for soft cashmere jumpers and floaty floral dresses, Joules and Fat Face for quality casuals, and Joli for all those beautiful things you never knew you needed but once you see them you can't imagine being without. An alternative to Aldeburgh is Southwold, which has an excellent array of independent boutiques and is also fantastic for homewares. Those who adore browsing antiques should put the Yaxford Antiques Centre on their Suffolk bucket list. With more than 70 dealers you are sure to find exactly the right piece for your house or garden by which to remember your holiday.
Michelin Quality Dining
Suffolk can feel proud of its wealth of superb restaurants and gastro pubs. With its French fine-dining flair, Maison Bleue is the place to go if you want to create a favourable impression, especially for those who love fresh fish cooked to perfection. In Ipswich, Mariners 1900 provides unforgettable dining. The restaurant is on an old Dutch customs boat with an elegant interior that reflects its age and unbeatable views of the harbour. Scutchers is in Long Melford and has been serving hungry diners since 1991 and specialising in local ingredients cooked to perfection.
Eating in is a brilliant alternative to dining out and Suffolk has a wealth of talented private chefs who can tailor the menu to suit your tastes and the occasion you are celebrating. Try Arabella Reeve, Simon Johnson or Honor Townsend.
Sail Away aboard a Luxury Yacht
Sailing is a favourite pastime in Suffolk. Take your time to discover another side to Suffolk aboard a luxury yacht. Viking Mariners at Ipswich and Suffolk Coast Sailing both arrange for private hire for deep-sea sailing, or book a narrowboat from HE Hipperson in Beccles and navigate the most southerly part of The Broads. Sailing Barge Victor can also be booked privately for a wonderfully unique and memorable experience.
Festival Fun
Suffolk hosts a vast number of shows and festivals of all sizes, many of which allow visitors to upgrade their experience. Some of our favourites are the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, the Suffolk Show, the Retro Dub festival, the annual Vintage Car Show at Castle Hedingham, and the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre. The Aldeburgh Festival at Snape Maltings is one of the nation’s leading arts and music festival, or why not book a cottage close to Latitude so that you can enjoy world-famous headliners then retire to comfortable beds and hot showers.
VIP Experience
There are so many ways to feel like a VIP in Suffolk. Groups on the town can book a VIP Booth at ARK Newmarket, and you can impress your friends by booking a private box for race day at The Jockey Club at Newmarket Racecourse. Golfers can enjoy the facilities at the Royal Worlington and Newmarket Golf Club, Aldeburgh Golf Club, and Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, all of whom welcome vetted visitors.
Pamper yourself with a spa day at one of Suffolk’s leading spas including the House Spa at The Swan Hotel in Lavenham, Riverhills Boutique Day Spa at a Clarice House, and SK Clinic + Spa in Bury St Edmunds.
Parts of Suffolk are commutable from London’s Liverpool Street Station in under an hour making it no surprise that this charming county is loved by people who want to escape the city without forgoing any of the urban conveniences like excellent delis and restaurants. We are sure that, once you've been to Suffolk, you'll love it as much as we do.
