Suffolk

Understand

One of the largest counties in the country, it shares its borders with Norfolk to the north, Essex to the south, Cambridgeshire to the west and the North Sea to the east. Full of unspoilt countryside and exquisite beaches, Suffolk is home to a variety of small towns and villages. The county town is Ipswich, one of England's oldest towns as testament to Suffolk's antiquity. This rural county has about 757,000 residents (2016). Despite having ample shops and services, it remains the perfect antidote to urban life. Moreover its geographical positioning means it is able to offer visitors a seaside trip at beautiful beaches, a rural retreat to the Norfolk Broads, and a historical haven in the Victorian town of Felixstowe. The coastal area that includes Lowestoft and Southwold is known at the Sunrise Coast. Whilst Suffolk is by no means densely populated, it enjoys a strong community feel due to its small pockets of close-knit villages and hamlets in the county. In such an environment, meeting people and indulging in the company of others is certainly a fixture despite the lack of bars and clubs outside of Ipswich. Moreover, the busy market towns and the fashionable beaches often draw large crowds, particularly on festival/racing days of which there are many.

Visitor information Visit Suffolk website

Getting there

By plane Suffolk is close to two international airports, London Stansted Airport and Norwich Airport. 'London Stansted Airport ('STN IATA) is in next-door Essex. It is a major international airport with flights from destinations throughout the UK, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. By road, use:

then for Haverhill, Newmarket, Thetford Forest and Bury St Edmunds then for Ipswich, Woodbridge, Southwold and Lowestoft Direct Greater Anglia trains link Stansted Airport with Brandon. Services are part of the National Rail network. Direct National Express coaches link Stansted Airport with Ipswich. 'Norwich Airport ('NWI IATA) is in next-door Norfolk. It is a small airport with a limited number of flights from destinations in the UK and Europe. By road, use for destinations throughout Suffolk.

By ferry Harwich International Port in Essex is a short distance from Suffolk. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can use Stena Line ferries from Rotterdam ( Netherlands) to Harwich. By road, use then for destinations throughout Suffolk. By train, use Greater Anglia services from Harwich International railway station to Manningtree, and change for trains to Ipswich. Services are part of the National Rail network. The Harwich Harbour Ferry operates from Harwich Ha'penny Pier in Essex to 1 Felixstowe and 2 Shotley. The service is seasonal only, for foot and bicycle passengers.

By car Suffolk is a large county, which is crossed by several major routes from both London and The Midlands. These include:

past Newmarket, Mildenhall and Thetford Forest. From London, Bishop's Stortford and Stansted Airport (via ), and Norwich and Thetford. The route is a dual-carriageway throughout Suffolk. past Ipswich, Woodbridge, Aldeburgh, Southwold and Lowestoft. From London, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester. past Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Ipswich and Felixstowe. From The Midlands, Birmingham, Northampton, Kettering, Huntingdon and Cambridge. The route is a

Getting around

By foot With some of the most beautiful natural scenes in the country, getting about on foot is a must. Getting muddy on some of the many designated footpaths, or taking a walk along the long coastline, such as at Southwold are popular favourites. Due to the large size of the county, getting to neighbouring towns on foot is virtually impossible. However, towns can be thoroughly explored by foot and most towns are pedestrian friendly. Moreover, larger towns such as Ipswich and ancient market town Newmarket, cater for pedestrians and shoppers.

By bus Buses are operated by First Group Coach Services who run a regular service between towns. Prices vary depending on area and distance travelled, and late services are limited and are only for the large towns. Ipswich also offer a park and ride service to maintain the peacefulness of even its largest town.

By rail There are many train routes running within Suffolk and to neighbouring counties, and most are operated by Greater Anglia, with tickets available from the operator or from National Rail. However, such services do not come cheap, with Suffolk train fares are one of the highest in the country- unusual considering the small population of the county and consequently lower demand.

By car

With the sheer breadth of the county, getting around by car is probably most convenient. Moreover with most towns connected by country lanes, and the rising price of fares, travelling by car is not only more convenient, but potentially cheaper.

See

The Sunrise Coast is the name given to the East Anglian Coast of North Suffolk. It includes within this title, beaches, the Norfolk Broads National Park and some of the market towns. Lowestoft is home to two of the award-winning beaches in the area, whilst trendy beach Southwold offers a more classical beach holiday. For budding historians, there is nothing much more historical than Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge. This national trust site served as a burial ground for Anglo-Saxon kings, and today there are various tours around the site. Orford is home to Orford Castle, the former abode of Henry II. Explore the maze-like building itself, and compare to nearby Framlingham Castle.

Do

Despite Suffolk's relaxed environment, with its royal history and devotion to heart-warming countryside tradition it is a treasure trove of activity begging to be discovered. Attending Newmarket on race day is an essential part of a trip to Suffolk. Take a 'flutter' and place a bet on some of the best horses racing in the country. The town is also a thriving shopping centre, with a wealth of eateries, shops and even overnight accommodation. Suffolk is the festival hotspot of the country. Suffolk offers a number of cultural, traditional and family-oriented festivals. The most famous of these is Latitude festival, a popular music, arts and comedy festival held at Henham Park [1]. Other festivals include Aldeburgh Festival- a festival of classical music set up by Benjamin Britten in the trendy/affluent area of Aldeburgh- and the two Southwold and Laversham Literature festivals. For sports fans, going to see a match can be thrilling. Ipswich Town Football Club play at Portman Road Stadium. Competing in the Football League Championship Ipswich have a very respectable record of wins and are sure to get pulses racing. For cricket lovers, Suffolk County Cricket Club compete in the Minor Counties Championship, and also have a successful track record of three championship. Visitors often take advantage of the beautiful River Ore boat trips- a favourite with the residents is the Orford quay to Richardson's Smokehouse trip, an excursion where patrons can sample freshly smoked