Southwold bears all the hallmarks of your classic British seaside holiday town: an elegantly fading pier, colourful beach huts, a long sweep of promenade overseen by a lighthouse, mini golf, tea rooms, sweet shops, and for the Mums and Dads, a world-famous brewery. The North Sea views are spectacular, and Southwold is on the mouth of the Blyth River, near the Heath Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so this town is a starting point for breezy and picturesque coastal walks. As with so many seaside destinations, our pick of the best places to stay in Southwold favours properties with a sea view, and here that includes restaurants-with-rooms, as well as hotels. We've also discovered a small collection of adults-only lodges, just out of town.
If you’re here for some old fashioned family fun, there's a collection of vintage-style shops to rummage through, a twice-weekly local market, and the town has a number of lovely green spaces and parks within its centre — great for families. Your kids may also enjoy going inside the lighthouse, and along the pier, which was rebuilt in 2001, and is lined with coin-operated novelty machines. They may also enjoy the model boat pond, and of course there’s a long and lovely stretch of beach. Southwold also has an impressive repertory theatre, and a number of very highly regarded fish and chip shops. The best places to stay in Southwold are very busy in the summer season, so don’t leave booking your accommodation till the last minute. The good news is that there’s plenty of beach to go around, and numerous places to visit just a short drive, or walk, away.