Our pocket guide to Suffolk

Suffolk has long stirred the imaginations of artists and writers. It's also a siren call to weekend explorers looking to escape the city, with its pastoral landscapes, waterways, Wool Towns and flaxen shores. In Constable Country, there may be fields of barley, but there are also Michelin-starred gastropubs, independent art galleries and shops lauded in House & Garden. From the market town of Woodbridge to the seaside haunts of Southwold and Aldeburgh, Suffolk offers the finest of coast and country. Here is our guide to the best places to stay, eat, explore and shop.

Stay

Honeystone, Southwold

Honeystone is a 17th-century manor near cultured Southwold. It is a fully renovated masterpiece that’s been a hideaway for models and ministers alike. It's a thing of Rococoan dreams, with pastoral tapestries and hand-knotted rugs, as well as a home cinema, spa, gym and swimming pool that could have been lifted from Como.

Take me there

Shop

The Merchant’s Table, Woodbridge

This stylishly curated shop showcases British furniture and homeware crafted by skilled independent makers. Emphasising the use of local materials and traditional techniques, The Merchant's Table offers items such as handwoven baskets, milking stools made from Suffolk ash, stoneware ceramics and block-printed linen.

Explore

Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh is an idyllic coastal town steeped in maritime heritage. Its shingle beach, dotted with colourful boats and Maggi Hambling´s iconic ´Scallop´ sculpture, sets the scene for indulging in fresh seafood straight from the shore. Beyond its seaside charm, Aldeburgh is a cultural hub, hosting renowned music and arts festivals.

Eat

The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge

Set in a 16th-century inn, this gastropub holds a Michelin star. The focus is on the quality of ingredients; menus change seasonally and according to what comes in fresh from the market. Local game and coastal catches meet Italian influences – think cod with ink gnocchi and mushroom risotto with Tunworth cheese.