11 of the best things to do in and around Southwold
Southwold may be famous for the colourful beach huts that line the promenade, and as the home of Latitude festival, but there is so much more that the town has to offer.
Look no further for your ultimate guide to things to do in Southwold.
Southwold lies on the Suffolk coast of East Anglia, 11 miles south of Lowestoft. This slice of Suffolk countryside is home to great pubs, holiday cottages and of course a beautiful beach, and is perfect for a day trip from nearby Ipswich or Woodbridge.
You can find out all about this beautiful area of Suffolk in our ultimate guide to visiting Southwold, or read on to find some of the things you can do to keep the whole family entertained on your next trip to Southwold.
Grab an ice cream, set off down North Parade and maybe even treat yourself to some fish and chips on the pier.
1: Stroll along Southwold pier
One of the most obvious reasons to visit Southwold is to spend some time on the beautiful sandy beach, but don’t miss the chance to enjoy Southwold Pier while you’re there. An unmissable attraction in many a British seaside town, the pier has classic arcade amusements, shops and restaurants, and the quirky Under the Pier show, which gives visitors the chance to experience an array of home-built coin-operated arcade machines.
2: Climb to the top of Southwold lighthouse
A distinctive sight in the town, Southwold lighthouse is a fully-functioning lighthouse that also offers tours to the top. Enjoy stunning views over the coastline and learn all about the history of the lighthouse that is still used to guide sailors to safety as you climb the 131 stairs to the top.
Southwold Lighthouse is open daily throughout the summer and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during winter months. Book your tickets and timeslot online here.
3: Relax on the beach
Southwold beach has two distinct areas: the northernmost Pier beach, and Denes beach to the south. At the Pier beach, you’ll find (unsurprisingly) the Pier, ice cream stands, the famous coloured beach huts and seaside cafes. Denes beach is the more serene side of Southwold, with sand and shingle surrounded by dunes and marshland. Dogs are welcome on Denes beach all year round, whereas between April and October, dogs are banned from the Pier beach.
4: Take a tour of the Adnams brewery
Southwold is the home of Suffolk stalwart Adnams, who offer tours of their brewery and distillery, as well as gin-making and cocktail masterclasses.
Don’t forget to stop by the Adnams museum during your visit too.
Brewery and distillery tours run daily, and booking is essential. Check the website for current cocktail discovery and gin masterclass availability.
5: Get lost in Southwold Maize Maze
Southwold Maize Maze is an 8-acre field of twisty, turny, puzzling pathways, as well as pedal go-karts, an outdoor adventure playground and even a mini-maze for little legs. Plus, they offer pumpkin picking during the autumn season.
The maize maze is open seasonally between July and September, plus October half term. Check the website for current opening times.
6: Admire the architecture of St Edmund’s Church
St Edmund’s Church is a 15th century historic site in Southwold, and is known as one of the finest examples of a medieval church in Suffolk.
Open daily to visitors and worshippers alike.
7: Learn some local history in the museums
Both Southwold museum and the Alfred Corry Lifeboat museum offer history fans the chance to unearth some Suffolk secrets as you delve deeper into the heritage of the town. Southwold Museum is a quaint cottage that takes you on a journey through Southwold’s past, going all the way back to the Viking occupation, then onto the development of the town’s architecture and industries, through to the 20th century transformation into a seaside destination.
The Alfred Corry Lifeboat was an RNLI lifeboat that served Southwold from 1893 to 1918. The lifeboat has been restored to the original 1893 specifications and is housed in the 1923 Cromer Lifeboat Shed that now sits on Southwold Harbour.
Southwold Museum is open daily from 2pm-4pm.
Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum is open on weekends.
Both museums are free to visit but donations are welcome.
8: Solve a mystery on a treasure trail
A brilliant budget way to spend the day is with a self-guided treasure trail. Download your adventure guide and follow the clues to solve the mysteries as you walk all around the town.
One of the best things about a self-guided trail is that you can do it in your own time, any day of the year. You can even create your own adventure as you explore the town.
9: Spend some time on the water
As well as the obvious, Southwold Boating Lake & Tearoom offers a miniature golf course, model yacht pond and ice cream hut. Children will love the pedalos whilst the grown ups enjoy afternoon tea in the beautiful tearoom.
For the more adventurous, paddleboards are available for hire during the summer months from Suffolk Paddle, located right on the beach.
If you fancy a visit to Walberswick, why not take the ferry over the River Blyth? This family-run rowing boat service takes up to 12 passengers at a time in their traditional Suffolk-punt style boats.
The Boating Lake & Tearoom is open daily from 9am-5pm and later in the summer.
Walberswick ferry operates 10am-5pm daily between late March and late October and from 11am-3pm on weekends only from the end of October until January. One way tickets are £2 per adult and £1 per child (cash only). Dogs, bikes and pushchairs are welcome too.
10: Pause for a pint in a pub
Southwold is home to numerous pubs, many of which operate under the Adnams brewery. Try their brewery tap, The Sole Bay inn, the upmarket Crown, the Swan, or The Harbour Inn. If you’re hungry, the Sail Loft bar & restaurant is a family-friendly inn serving a range of dishes.
11: Browse the shops
Southwold isn’t short of wonderful independent shops to keep you busy during your holiday. Find clothing, homewares, gifts and more in the many boutiques sprinkled throughout the town and even on the pier.
Southwold’s market is held every Monday and Thursday at the Market Place. Wander between the eclectic array of stalls to find everything from homewares, jewellery and plants to cakes, fudge and shellfish.
If you’ve exhausted everything Southwold has to offer, then there are plenty of places slightly further afield to keep the family busy.
High Lodge Leisure in nearby Hinton is an easy drive from Southwold, Aldeburgh or Darsham. Try your hand at archery, clay or air rifle shooting.
Framlingham Castle, made famous as Ed Sheeran’s Castle on the Hill, is just a 35 minute drive away. See the picturesque lake, the rolling parkland grounds and wander along the spectacular wall walk.
There’s no end of things to do to keep everyone busy during your next summer holiday in Southwold. At Stay in Suffolk, we have a wide range of holiday homes in Southwold ready for you to stay in, no matter your group size.
Browse all of our holiday properties in Southwold to find the perfect place for your next Suffolk stay, or get in touch if we can help.
