Southwold and Walberswick Area Guide

Southwold is practically an island, bordered by the River Blyth, a creek and the harbour and sea. There’s only one road in – but once you’re here, you won’t want to leave! You can also enter the town by way of the footbridge or ferry, both between Southwold and Walberswick, the latter currently run by the fifth generation of the same family.

This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and it’s paradise for any nature lover, but there’s so much more to the area too.

Southwold is mentioned in the Domesday book as a fishing port and was granted town status by Henry VII in 1489. A fire tore through Southwold back in 1659 and some of the land was never built on again, so today there are a number of greens dotted around the town, giving it a lovely character.

The Grade I listed parish church was built in the 15^th century to showcase the town’s success and prosperity and is said to be one of the finest in the region.

Across the river, Walberswick is Southwold’s quieter sister and the crabbing capital of the coast. It’s also something of a haven for artists.

Amenities

Southwold is known for many things – its colourful beach huts, busy harbour, working Grade II listed lighthouse and more. The beach is perennially popular, with the pier boasting a unique collection of games and machines by Tim Hunkin.

There’s a museum in the town, as well as a cinema, golf club, twice-weekly market and lots of interesting shops and cafes – perfect for pottering.

You can work your way down the coast, sampling all the delights of the many cafés, tea rooms, kiosks and more, from the boating lake in the north end of town to fish and chips by the harbour to the south. There are excellent restaurants in several of the hotels and a number of award-winning pubs serving local produce and mouth-watering seafood. Southwold is the home of Adnams Brewery, so expect a top-quality pint to go with your food.

Neighbouring Walberswick also has tea rooms, restaurants, pubs, an art gallery and a variety of shops, so while not as well served as Southwold, there’s still plenty to meet your needs.

This is a brilliant place for anyone who loves the countryside, with nature reserves dotted around the area that is home to a huge variety of plants and birds, plus a surprisingly diverse landscape, from dunes to shingled beaches to golden sands.

Education

Southwold has a primary school and students feed into Pakefield High School, just a short hop up the A12. Independent St Felix School is also close by, offering day and boarding.

Did you know?

Gun Hill in Southwold is home to six 18-pound cannons used in the battle of Sole Bay in 1672. During the First World War, these were thought to be the reason why this part of the coast took such bombardment by the Germans, so the cannons were removed and apparently buried at the start of the Second World War, before being reinstated afterward.