Aldeburgh & the Alde Estuary
A year round programme of music at Snape Maltings, sailing on the river, RSPB reserves, The Maltings at Snape Nr Aldeburgh, National Trust properties, the sea and awe inspiring Suffolk skies; a stay in one of Suffolk Cottage Holiday's self catering cottages will never be long enough.
The shingle beaches of Aldeburgh and Thorpeness are decorated with bright flowers, the marshes awash with lapwing, snipe and godwit. Aldeburgh has a fine heathland golf course from where you can get fine views of the lowland heaths and Alde Estuary beyond. Popular as a healthy seaside resort since the 18th century, Aldeburgh has retained much of its Edwardian elegance and charm, whilst now boasting some excellent restaurants and pubs. A wonderful holiday location for all generations, it is well known for its musical connections, and opportunities for boating, walking, bird watching and much more. Aldeburgh cottages include Dart Cottage, Elmbank, Linnell End, Market Cross Place, Pantiles, Seahorse Cottage, The Studio and The Old Library - each very individual and ideal for holidays at any time of year.
Thorpeness, where there is another fantastic heathland golf course, is a fascinating seaside village, designed at the beginning of the 1900s and heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement. Here there are some lovely larger houses (sleeping 10 plus) The Bays, Alexander House, Sandy Lodge and 10 The Whinlands, as well as seaside cottages - The Anchorage. In the centre of Thorpeness is the Meare, a wildlife rich lake, with rowing boats and punts for hire. Thorpeness also has a Country club with tennis courts, a good pub, village shop and restaurant.
The countryside around is wonderful and there are delightful cottages at Friston - Curlews and The Burrow, Knodishall - and Sternfield - The Thatched Cottage. Just a few miles north is Dunwich, once the third largest port in the country, now a tiny fishing village and neighbour to Minsmere, RSPB's best known bird reserve. For a true step back in time experience visit Peasenhall - Rosecot and Oakley Cottage.
The Alde River meanders south from Aldeburgh with only a shingle bank separating it from the sea.
Shingle Street A remote and lonely shingle beach lies beside the entrance to the Ore and Alde estuary. A brave line of cottages, their front gardens the sea, behind grazing marshes, home to lapwing and redshank and the few remaining Suffolk Punch, the largest English bred horse. From here you can see some of the Martello towers, built during the Napoleonic Wars to ward off a French invasion. Sail-boarding, swimming, walking, and bird watching, are just some of the pleasures to be enjoyed whilst staying in self catering accommodation on this fantastic wild stretch of coast. Stay at No 6 Coastguard Cottages or for the larger party Alde House
At Snape Bridge the river narrows to a stream, travelling westward through gently rolling fields towards the clay lands of mid Suffolk and Marlesford, with it Grade I listed church, a cluster of flint and pink-washed cottages, Whitewalls and Fourways ideal for self catering. From here are some delightful circular walks across the meadows and along the disused railway line to Framlingham, with its delightful shops and galleries and the castle. At Letheringham a watermill once harnessed the stream; here are a pretty row of cottages including Mole End, a fine little retreat.
