6 Best Suffolk Seaside Towns to Live or Visit

Are you thinking about living or visiting one of the best Suffolk seaside towns?

If you are thinking of moving to one of Suffolk’s many excellent seaside towns, this is the article for you.

The county has around 1,450 square miles of space and is home to over 750,000 people.

Suffolk provides locals with some outstanding rural locations.

As with all of the best coastal counties, Suffolk is home to some truly outstanding locations.

Suffolk also boasts a riveting history, stunning countryside and some gorgeous villages.

If you have decided to move to one of the best Suffolk coastal towns, you will surely be mindful of the numerous lures they offer.

Now that you have made the ruling to move to one of the best Suffolk seaside towns it is time to ask which one?

In this article, we discuss some of the best Suffolk coastal towns in detail!

We hope to provide a complete guide to some of the best seaside towns that are available.

This is the ideal blog for you if you are thinking of moving to any of the best Suffolk seaside towns!

Here are our 6 best Suffolk seaside towns to live or visit!

Walberswick

The village of Walberswick is hidden away across the River Blyth from the much higher profile Southwold which can be reached via a small ferry boat.

Walberswick started life as a trading port but has now become a popular place to visit when exploring the county of Suffolk.

Getting here is via the main A12 motorway, which also offers access to many towns around the region. The nearest railway stations are in Halesworth (8 miles) and Darsham (7 miles)

Whether visiting or living here, you can take advantage of the area’s long sand and shingle beach backed by grassy dunes and surrounded by marsh and heathland.

Close by the beach is the local Nature Reserve.

Home to otter’s wild birds and if you are particularly quiet you can catch a glimpse of the small deer who live here too.

Amenities are limited with a Co-op food store and several small local pubs and the Parish Lantern Tea Room serving homemade cakes and small lunches.

You won’t find any amusement arcades or candy floss stalls in Walberswick, but families seeking pleasure in the peace of the beach, river, marshes and heathland will find it here in abundance.

According to RightMove, the average price for property in Walberswick is sitting at £1,492,500 in January of 2024.

These high property prices certainly indicate the exclusivity and desirability of the area!

Whilst you will undoubtedly pay more to live in the area, it is clear to see why!

Aldeburgh

Located in a very striking position, Aldeburgh may be a small town, but it is large in character.

The area enjoys breathtaking views both seawards and following the river Alde inland towards Orford.

Evidence of Aldeburgh’s medieval past is clearly visible in many of the local buildings but its most iconic building its old Moot Hall (meeting place).

Second homes make up about a third of the town’s housing.

Aldeburgh was once a major Tudor port.

It enjoyed a flourishing shipbuilding industry which included the construction of Francis Drake’s ‘Golden Hind’.

Nowadays, visitors are drawn here due to its Blue Flag shingle beach and colourful fisherman huts, where fresh fish are sold daily.

Two family-run fish and chip shops are among the best in the country.

The pretty high street has craft, food and antique shops, independent boutiques as well as some national chains.

Plus there is a myriad of pubs and an independent cinema.

Aldeburgh was once home to the composer Benjamin Britten.

As of January 2024, you can expect to pay an average of £582,976 for a property in Aldeburgh.

Whilst this is above average for Suffolk, buyers can purchase a terraced property for around £512,500 and flats for an average of £350,000.

The town has also been the centre of the international Aldeburgh Festival of Arts at nearby Snape Maltings, founded by Britten in 1948.

Aldeburgh provides almost everything you need!

It is little wonder that it is such a sought-after location to visit or reside.

Bungay

The Suffolk market town of Bungay is the picture of tranquillity.

Of early medieval foundation, it is surrounded by natural beauty and a landscape that has seen little change for many many years.

The peaceful lifestyle combined with its accessibility make it attractive to prospective house hunters and to visitors alike.

The name Bungay means ‘Lovely Island’, and the town boasts some of the county’s oldest properties.

It is a town that has so much to recommend; scenic walking, good shopping, historic buildings, and of course the River Waveney which has been the lifeblood of the town over the centuries.

The busy market which has run for hundreds of years is a hub for the town.

Standing proudly in the centre of Market Place is the Buttercross, built in the 17th century.

Most of the buildings are now listed and make for a very interesting stroll.

After shopping in the town centre, you can pop into the local pub The Bungay Fleece Inn.

Originally called the Cross Keys and known to have been built before 1500, the pub got its present name sometime before 1711.

Although Bungay is known for its many independent shops, pubs, restaurants, and cafes just a short hop away from the centre and you will find yourself, by the river where you can explore Falcon Meadow or Outney Common.

The town is very conveniently placed for gaining access to larger towns and cities in the region.

The city of Norwich sits just 15 miles away, Great Yarmouth 20 miles and the coastal town of Lowestoft is also just 15 miles by road.

Somerleyton

The next entry to our best Suffolk coastal towns is Somerleyton.

This delightful village is located on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, sitting a few miles from both Lowestoft and Beccles.

Many of the properties and thatched cottages are located alongside country lanes.

The village primary school has received a good report from Ofsted, making Somerleyton ideal for families!

There is also a local post office and an extremely handy village shop.

The Dukes Head is the local watering hole and is a popular spot for many locals.

Housed in a restored barn on the Somerleyton Estate, The Dukes Head is famed for its choice of real ales as well as an excellent menu.

The village is renowned for the Somerleyton Estate’s pleasure gardens.

The public area is an excellent local attraction where you can explore the various iron and glass greenhouses as well as the 70ft pergola.

Furthermore, you can also find some of the best hedge mazes in Britain, dating back to 1846.

The average price for property in Somerleyton is £510,833 in January 2024.

This makes it one of the more affordable locations on our list!

If you are searching for a fantastic coastal location in Suffolk, Somerleyton may be ideal for you.

Dunwich

It takes something very special to stand out when comparing the best of Suffolk’s towns and villages.

Steeped in history, Dunwich is definitely among some of the most exceptional.

Nestled in between Southwold and Aldeburgh, Dunwich is the epitome of a quiet, idyllic coastal village.

Surrounded by nature reserves and a pebble beach and steeped in an eerie history of being Britain’s lost city, is today a wonderful place to spend time.

Stretching back to the Anglo-Saxon times, Dunwich was then the capital of the Kingdom of the East Angles, (now East Anglia.)

For a time during the 14th Century, it was as large as London.

Sadly, since its heady days, Dunwich harbour and much of the town’s buildings have disappeared.

It has washed into the ocean due to coastal erosion and eventually reduced to the size it is today.

The area will very much appeal to those who enjoy the outdoors. Dunwich benefits from having both sea and country locations to explore.

Forming part of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, walking routes are plentiful and just perfect if you enjoy photography too!

Not far from Dunwich, you will find RSPB Minsmere where you can spend time watching some of the UKs rarest birds and wildlife including the Avocet, Bittern, Otter and Red Deer.

For all your day-to-day necessities, there are several larger places to shop nearby without having to travel too far.

Southwold is 8 miles from the village, Beccles is 14 miles away, Ipswich sits 24 miles away.

Kessingland

Right on the Suffolk coast, Kessingland is a little village just south of Lowestoft 5 miles.

A 20-minute drive from Beccles, and half an hour’s drive from Halesworth.

More of a holiday location Kessingland has an abundance of holiday camps and caravan sites.

As you would expect does get busy during the summer months.

Although there are several popular attractions nearby such as the Africa Live Wildlife Park, the village’s star attraction is its huge unspoilt beach but that is not all.

Like so many of Suffolk’s coastal locations, it is also part of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

At the time of the Norman Conquest, Kessingland was one of the richest coastal towns in Suffolk.

As with other once-thriving ancient towns dotted along the shoreline in the area, coastal erosion and silting blocked the mouth of the Hundred River with tons of shingle and trade became impossible and people moved away from the village.

Nowadays, Kessingland (a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest) due to its geology is a place where people come to spend time relaxing on the beach and to enjoy the beauty of its surroundings.

Seaward footpaths hug the shoreline offering a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours exploring. Some of these walkways turn inland onto expanses of green open land and wooded areas.

For those interested in moving to the village, it has one primary school which is “good” says Ofsted.

Shopping for groceries is via the local Co-op or Costcutter store.

For anything else, residents travel a little further away to Lowestoft or Southwold.

The average cost of a home is very reasonable and during the last year, terraced properties sold for an average price of £230,125.

Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £238,167, with detached properties fetching £307,500.

These figures are from RightMove and are accurate as of January 2022.

Ready to Move to One of These Suffolk Coastal Towns?

Are you thinking of living in one of these Suffolk coastal towns in 2022?

Hopefully, we have been able to highlight some of the best locations to consider moving to Suffolk.

Each of these Suffolk coastal towns has a variety of excellent attractions.

Including a choice of great properties, meaning there is surely a perfect home for you!

Did one of the 6 locations appeal to you?

If so, it is time to start planning your move.

GoodMove will make your move to the best Suffolk coastal towns an easy and stress-free process.

We take great pleasure in confirming everything runs smoothly and flawlessly.

Hopefully, we can help you to settle into your new home right away.

As well as our competitively priced removals package, we can also offer extra services such as temporary or long-term storage facilities should you need them.

GoodMove cover all areas of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex and our friendly estimators can call round at a convenient time for you and strategically plan your move to perfection.

During these unique times, GoodMove are also offering a new video survey service.

Using our new technology, we can gather all the information required to assist with your move, from the comfort of your home!

Video surveys will help you save valuable time and preserve the best safety levels.

To find out more about how we could get your dream move to one of Suffolk coastal towns or any other location underway do not hesitate to call us on the number listed above.

Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form or click on our live bot in the bottom right and a member of our customer services team will be in touch shortly.

We look forward to helping you move to one of these Suffolk coastal towns.

FAQs about Living in Suffolk’s Seaside Towns

What are the general living costs in Suffolk’s seaside towns? The living costs in Suffolk’s seaside towns vary depending on the specific town and lifestyle choices. Generally, they offer a range of options from affordable to more upscale living. If you are thinking of moving to the area you should certainly research the cost of living, Numbeo is an excellent website to help.

Are there good educational facilities in these towns? Yes, most of these seaside towns have access to good educational facilities, including primary and secondary schools. Some also have close proximity to further education institutions found throughout Suffolk.

How is the transportation connectivity in these towns? Transportation connectivity varies across these seaside towns. While some have good rail and road links, others are more remote and may require personal transportation.

What kind of recreational activities are available? These towns offer a variety of recreational activities, including beach sports, boating, historical tours, arts and cultural events, nature walks, and culinary experiences.

Is there a strong community spirit in these towns? Yes, one of the charms of Suffolk’s seaside towns is their strong sense of community, with numerous local events, clubs, and societies that residents can enjoy.