Advice please on Suffolk/Essex "Must See" Places

Posted by: Mike-B on 10 April 2013

I am planning a week in East Anglia visiting some of Mrs-Mike’s family history around Lavenham & as we have a few forumites from these parts, I am looking for some local advice. Its a part of the world that shamefully am not so familiar with & other than my old job rushing in & out of mostly Cambridge & Norwich & some long & odd hours around the container docks of Ipswich, Harwich & the estuary all meant I did not take enough time out to get to know the area. The plan is Duxford IWM then on to Lavenham for a night & next 2 days. So with 3 or 4 days to spend & hopefully based at one central place; what & where are the must see places around May thru June time?? Preferably country & not too many crowds, coast walks & wildlife is good, picturesque places & not necessarily buildings & somewhere if the weather is inclement etc ….
Posted on: 10 April 2013 by rodwsmith
Well, it obviously can be very touristy if you get the timing wrong, but for all the right reasons, so your trip should include Southwold. If you can afford to, stay at one of the Adnams Hotels (the Crown and the Swan I think), for luxury, excellent food and wine, and then you can sort out a brewery tour for one of the days and/or if it rains. Aldeburgh is also pretty. Nice part of the world.
Posted on: 10 April 2013 by Bruce Woodhouse

I was born and raised in Essex (near Brentwood) but actually struggle to think of any 'must do's' in the county of my birth.

 

My parents life near Dedham, (Constable country) and it is a pleasant place, as is Maldon on the coast. The roman museum in Colchester is OK too if you want to shelter.

 

Away from Essex I have only visited Norwich once and thought it a really appealing city. The Sainsbury Gallery on the University campus has very nice eclectic collection of paintings and objects if that sort of thing appeals.

 

I can provide a long list of places to avoid. My favourite bit is the road north....

Posted on: 10 April 2013 by Tony Lockhart

If you fancy a pleasant day in a bustling town, Bury St Edmunds is worth a visit. 

I hope you're allowing for a whole day at Duxford. If you're keen on military history, especially aircraft, then you'll be a tired tourist at the end of the day.

Cambridge might be worth a visit if you didn't do the usual visits to King's Chapel etc. Use the Park and Ride if you're not into traffic jams.

Keep clear of Ipswich. Very clear.

Saffron Walden is a nice diversion for a couple of hours, maybe combined with a visit to Audley End House and Gardens.

 

That's all this Essex boy can think of for now, as I've moved to Commercial End, a sleep hamlet at the end of a fen/lode near Noomarkit.

 

Enjoy!

 

Tony

Posted on: 11 April 2013 by tonym

I'd agree Southwold, Aldeburgh and of course Lavenham are all very nice places to visit and amble around. Orford and Orford Ness are also well worth visiting - the former has some good restaurants and foodie places including the Orford Smokery and Butley Oysterage. You can take a ferry trip out to Orford Ness which, as well as being a National Trust nature reserve, has interesting military relics and buildings where lots of secret weapons stuff was researched.

 

Of course, should you find yourselves drifting over towards Stowmarket, you and your family would be vey welcome to pop in for tea and scones! (my e-mail's in my profile)

Posted on: 11 April 2013 by Tony Lockhart

There are a few forum members who can heartily recommend the scones at Tonym's pad

Posted on: 11 April 2013 by Steve J

Yes Tony. Scones to die for..... The DBL system in the house isn't bad either. 

Posted on: 12 April 2013 by Mike-B

Gentlemen,  many thanks for your help, very useful. 

As with all my UK short (5 day) trips we tend to leave it until the weather is settled & not to pre-book weeks/months ahead

-  t'was a very good plan in 2012  

 

The plan is a full/full day at Duxford,  my last visit was 2003 so will look forward to the new exhibits.  I also have some research to complete on The Parachute Regiment that is available at Duxford.  

After an overnight & full day in Lavenham we will stay in the Southwold/Aldeburgh area & apart from the town stuff will visit some of the RSPB reserves & Orford Ness & the final day to Wallasea Island in Essex.


Thanks for the scones offer Tony, a tempting offer (thinking DBL's rather than scones) but we will be heading in the wrong direction - one day I hope.     

Posted on: 12 April 2013 by tonym

Seeing as how you've mentioned beheading(!) Mike, although you've now got your schedule arranged, if you get the opportunity Framlingham Castle's well worth a visit.

 

Sorry you can't pop in, perhaps next time you're in the area.

 

Tony. 

Posted on: 12 April 2013 by rjstaines

Here's the page you want Mike...

http://www.naimaudio.com/retai...Kingdom/South%20East

Posted on: 12 April 2013 by Mike-B

oooh yummy !!!  

But ...........   err ??? thinks  .........  pr'aps not

I have a significant other supervising East Anglia activities & am running short of boys toys vouchers since the arrival of new camera stuff & an unmentionable new box for the CDX2 to play with.