WHERE TO STAY IN SUFFOLK

Aldeburgh has a very rich and varied history dating back to Roman-Saxon times and was once the centre of a thriving fishing industry. During the reign of Henry VII Aldeburgh became an important centre of ship-building and this continued into the reign of Elizabeth I. The Pelican and the Greyhound, both ships of Frances Drake, were constructed in Aldeburgh. Whilst ship-building in Aldeburgh is no longer its major source of income the fishing industry is still going strong and visitors to the town can visit the huts on the beachfront to purchase the freshest fish and shellfish Suffolk can offer.

Aldeburgh has played host to many famous people over the years. Composer Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears lived and worked here from 1942. One of Britten’s most famous works, Peter Grimes, is based on the work of another Aldeburgh resident, the poet George Crabbe. In 1948 Britten founded the Aldeburgh Festival in Aldeburgh and several local Churches, it moved to Snape later when the malting houses were converted to the now world-renowned concert hall.

Probably the most famous female resident of Aldeburgh was Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. She was the first women to openly gain a medical qualification in Britain and a prominent leader of the Suffragist movement. In 1908 she became Mayor of Aldeburgh, the first woman in Britain to hold such a position. The critical care centre at Ipswich Hospital is named after her to recognise her achievements.

Take a stroll around Aldeburgh to see if you can spot the blue plaques commemorating Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Benjamin Britten and four others who contributed to the world of writing, film and women’s rights.

Thorpeness

Thorpeness was originally known as Thorpe but following a flood in November 1910, it was reduced to a muddy field and so the landowner Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie decided to “keep it and build a holiday village” He renamed the village Thorpeness and building work started. The Country Club opened in 1912 and was originally called The Kursaal, the first properties in the village were leased shortly afterwards. Today the Country Club is owned by Thorpeness & Aldeburgh Hotels Ltd. and regularly hosts weddings and social events. The tennis courts are regularly busy during the Summer.

The Meare at the centre of the village was hand dug during the Winter of 1912 – 1932 and has a maximum depth of 2ft 6inches. It contains 64 acres of safe shallow water. The Meare became known as the home of Peter Pan with its islands containing Wendy’s House and the crocodile. The author of Peter Pan J.M Barrie was a friend of Mr Ogilvie and a regular visitor to the village and the Meare. The first Thorpeness Regatta took place on the waters of the Meare in August 1912 and continues today. The Meare is the only part of the village still owned by the Ogilvie family.

The House in the Clouds which dominates the village is 70ft high. Built as a water tower it was coverted to a fairytale house. It had a capacity of 50,000 gallons and was capable of pumping 1800 gallons of water a hour from a well in the re-erected Aldringham mill. Today the house is privately owned and is a magical place in which to stay.

Other beautiful Suffolk locations

Located just under a twenty minute drive from Aldeburgh, Middleton is a small village with just one pub owned by Southwold’s Adnams brewery. It offers easy access to the famous Minsmere reserve.