A guide to visiting Southwold, Suffolk
The seaside town of Southwold has been a popular place to visit for generations, and with good reason.
Well-known for its distinctive beach huts and golden Suffolk sands, Southwold is also home to a lighthouse, amusement pier, countless independent shops, and pubs and restaurants offering delectable local fare.
Here’s our ultimate guide to Southwold, to help you make the most of your next visit.
There is just one road in and out of Southwold, flanked as it is by the North Sea, River Blyth and Buss Creek. Approach this almost island via the nearby village of Reydon, crossing the bridge over the River Blyth.
One of the town’s most famous residents is model Twiggy, who rose to fame as a teenager in the 1960s. The town has also played host to a number of film and TV crews over the years, including the 2001 Judi Dench film Iris, 90s ITV series Kavanagh QC and 2000s comedy sketch show Little Britain. The children’s show Grandpa in my Pocket also uses filming locations in Southwold, Aldeburgh and Walberswick, including Southwold’s distinctive lighthouse. Plus, famous Suffolk singer Ed Sheeran chose Southwold Beach as the setting for his music video for 2023 single Boat.
Whilst Southwold may have been ranked as the fifth most expensive coastal town in England to buy a home in 2020, that doesn’t mean that a short stay here will blow your budget. There are plenty of free and low-cost things to do in this beautiful slice of the East Suffolk coastline.
The history of Southwold
Southwold lies at the mouth of the River Blyth, 11 miles south of Lowestoft, and is part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The original Anglo-Saxon name for the town was Sudwolda, meaning south wood. The first recorded mention of Southwold was in 1020, when Alfric, Bishop of East Anglia, took ownership of the town. It was granted a royal charter in 1489, which gave it the right to hold two weekly markets and two annual fairs, but also meant that it was now free from royal governance. Then, in 1509, a prominent merchant and landowner named William Goddell bequeathed his entire estate to the town, which meant that it could now be financially independent too. In fact, it remained semi-independent until 1974, when it was absorbed by Waveney District Council.
Modern-day Southwold’s many open green spaces owe their existence to a fire which devastated the town in 1659, destroying almost everything in just 4 hours. During the rebuild, the large open areas were included to help prevent such a fast spreading of fire in the future.
Southwold’s status as a holiday destination was initiated in 1889, when the East Coast Development Company bought a large amount of land and started building roads, sewers, and hotels, as well as the town’s beloved pier. Whilst the top of the pier was sited as a home for amusements, it also acted as a dock for the Belle steamer ships which would bring tourists to the town by sea.
Things to see and do in Southwold
You won’t be short of things to do on your next visit to beautiful Southwold.
As well as the beach huts, one of the other distinctive sights in Southwold is the lighthouse that towers over the town. Still functioning as a guide for ships passing or arriving into Southwold Harbour, the present lighthouse was built in 1887 as a replacement for 3 lighthouses in nearby Orford Ness that were at risk from coastal erosion. Visitors can climb the 113 steps to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy views of the stunning Suffolk scenery whilst learning about the history of this local landmark.
No visit to Southwold would be complete without a trip to the pier. This dog-friendly space is home to cafes, restaurants, shops and plenty of attractions to keep the whole family entertained. Try your luck in the classic seaside arcade, brave the wacky walk of mirrors and sneak a peek at the cheeky water clock. Don’t miss the Under the Pier show, with its quirky display of homemade coin-operated seaside amusements.
For those chillier days, Southwold Museum is a quaint cottage that offers history fans the chance to learn more about the area’s heritage. Southwold Arts Centre offers a programme of music, comedy, film and more, and the Electric Picture Palace is a 70-seat cinema designed to recapture the experience of going to the pictures in the mid-twentieth century, when patrons would be greeted by a commissionaire and shown to their seats by an usherette.
A well-known name around Southwold, the Adnams Brewery and distillery offers several different experiences for over 18s. Enjoy a cocktail discovery masterclass, a brewery or distillery tour, or learn how to make your own gin to rival the brand’s own Copper House.
Southwold beach
Southwold’s beach features a combination of sand and shingle. The famous brightly-coloured beach huts sit at the top of the award-winning beach, which welcomes dogs between October and March. Between April and the end of September, the beach is dog-free apart from assistance dogs.
It is possible to swim in the sea at Southwold Beach, but it’s important to pay attention to the red and yellow flags. These tell you which areas of the beach are patrolled by lifeguards, and a solid red flag flying indicates that it is not safe to swim.
Shopping in Southwold
Southwold has a wonderful array of independent shops as well as familiar chains.
Pay a visit to the Collen & Clare boutique on the Market Place to find men’s and women’s clothing brands; find all of the stationery and homeware you need in the light and bright Lift Store; and fulfil your healthy local wholefoods needs at Little Gems greengrocers. Find gifts at High Tide and make sure you head down to the end of the pier to pay a visit to Seaweed & Salt for a curated selection of gifts. Secondhand lovers won’t want to miss L’Authentique for antiques and collectibles, and the St Elizabeth Hospice Shop for high-quality secondhand clothing and homewares.
Southwold’s market runs every Monday and Thursday at the Market Place. Browse the eclectic array of stalls to find everything from homewares, jewellery and plants to cakes, fudge and shellfish.
Eating and drinking in Southwold
Of course, one of the best things about a day at the seaside is treating yourself to an ice cream on the promenade, but there are many other choices for where to eat and drink in Southwold.
The famous Adnams brewery runs several pubs in the town, including their brewery tap, The Sole Bay Inn, the upmarket Crown, the Swan, and The Harbour Inn, an old-fashioned fisherman’s pub serving the best fish & chips.
When it comes to restaurants, Sutherland House is highly rated on Tripadvisor and is a favourite amongst Southwold visitors. The restaurant offers a range of delicious seafood and beautifully presented European cuisine, all with a seaside town theme.
The Sail Loft enjoys a glorious location, right next to the beach, and is comfortably set back from the bustling town. Offering a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, they welcome friends and family of all ages.
For more recommendations, we highly recommend taking a look through our guide to food and drink in Southwold.
Getting there
Southwold is easily accessible from the A12. If you’re travelling north from London, Ipswich or Woodbridge, follow the A1095 to Southwold just after Blythburgh. From Norwich or Lowestoft, take the B1127 from Wrentham.
There are numerous pay and display car parks throughout the town, including a large 24-hour car park beside the pier, with free parking available after 6pm. There are also some free parking spaces on York Road, Godyll Road, Ferry Road, and Harbour Quay West. Several electric car charging points can also be found in the town.
Dedicated blue-badge disabled parking is available in the car park in front of Southwold Pier.
There is also unrestricted on-street parking on many of Southwold’s roads including near the seafront, but these can get very busy, especially during the summer.
The closest train stations are Halesworth, which has bus links to Southwold, and Darsham. Both of these are located on the Lowestoft to London line. Change at Ipswich from London Liverpool Street.
Buses stop at the north end of the high street and run regularly from Norwich, Lowestoft, Halesworth and Beccles.
Getting around
Southwold is easily walkable on foot, or you can hire a bicycle to explore the town and surrounding coast on two wheels.
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired from Queen Street Pharmacy or Southwold Boating Lake. During the summer months, beach wheelchairs are also available to hire.
Tourist information in Southwold
You can find tourist information at one of the three Visitor Information Points in Southwold. These are located at Southwold Library on North Green, the Post Office on the High Street, and the Boating Lake and Tearoom on North Parade.
We’re also very happy to meet visitors at the Stay in Suffolk office at 31B High Street, to point you in the right direction and share our local Southwold knowledge.
Where to stay in Southwold
Southwold certainly isn’t short of choices when it comes to places to stay. Many of the Adnams pubs also offer accommodation, and there are plenty of holiday cottages and hotels to suit every group size and budget.
Children will love staying in one of the many Southwold cottages located near the seafront, with easy access to sandcastle building and games on the beach. Large groups and older couples may prefer to stay closer to the high street, with easy access to the town’s many shops, pubs and restaurants.
At Stay in Suffolk, we have plenty of coastal cottages located in the Southwold area. No matter your budget, we have somewhere for you to stay in this beautiful seaside town.
Papillion is a trendy and modern one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Southwold. It has been carefully designed to offer couples and individuals a luxurious and indulgent coastal escape.
Only 5 minutes walk from Southwold, Seagrass Cottage is a fabulous holiday home which benefits from off road parking, a sunny courtyard garden and panoramic views of the sea from the top floor.
The Links is the ideal place for large group getaways. This beautiful holiday home has 7 bedrooms, airy and open decor, patio garden doors, large cinema screen and projector and bedroom balconies.
Browse our range of holiday homes in Southwold and find a cosy retreat that caters to your needs. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway for two or a fun-filled family holiday, Stay in Suffolk has the ideal accommodation for you.
