Places to visit in Suffolk

Many of the top places to visit in Suffolk are within an easy drive of both Corton and Gunton Hall, including some of the best beaches in England and along the East Coast. Whether you prefer soft or stony beaches, the traditional seaside experience or contemporary modern art sculptures in the sand, our local guide to Suffolk has something for everyone.

Southwold Beach

30-min drive, IP18 6LT

Southwold is almost an island, bordered by the North Sea, River Blyth and Southwold harbour – in fact, there’s only one road in or out. As well as its famous pier, the town also boasts a working lighthouse, pristine beach, and some of the region’s finest tea rooms.

The Scallop at Aldeburgh Beach

50-min drive, IP15 5BH

The seaside town of Aldeburgh is a postcard-perfect seaside town with plenty to see and a rich artistic history, but it’s the four-metre high ‘Scallop’, designed by Suffolk’s own Maggi Hambling, that makes it unique. Sound is focused at its centre, creating a unique sensory experience.

Gorleston-on-Sea Beach

13-min drive, NR31 6BU

With pristine yellow sands, a small lido, grassy cliffs, pitch-and-putt, bowling greens, floral gardens and a promenade with ice-cream vans and fish and chip shops, Gorleston-on-Sea offers the quintessential British seaside experience.

Lowestoft Beach

8-min drive, NR33 0BS

Lowestoft’s sandy beaches have won awards for their maintenance, cleanliness and safety, and it really shows. Stretching either side of Claremont Pier, their golden sands have been welcoming holidaymakers for decades. We recommend arriving early to reserve the softest sand for yourself.