large self catering holiday cottage ~ sleeps 12 ~ nr southwold, suffolk

Southwold, a pretty coastal town with lovely beach, charming beach huts and a wonderfully old-fashioned feel is a delightful place. It is also home to Adnams brewery and boasts lots of fine pubs and restaurants, including The Crown. Links: exploresouthwold.co.uk,  www.adnams.co.uk

Nearby is the coastal town of Aldeburgh (15m south), made famous by Benjamin Britten. You can enjoy seasons of fine music at Snape Maltings. Links: brittenpearsarts.org

The attractive small seaside villages of Walberswick and Dunwich (almost swept away by stormy seas) lie just to the south, and the magnificent sandy beaches at Lowestoft are 12miles north. Links : www.blythweb.co.uk

Wonderful Suffolk Churches abound: the spectacular Cathedral of the Marshes at Blythburgh, the unique medieval Doom painting at Wenhaston, and the enchanting and mysterious ruins of old churches at Covehithe and Walberswick. Links : www.suffolkchurches.co.uk

For animal lovers there are some special joys: Africa Alive (rhinos, zebras, lions, giraffes), Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary. And of course the RSPB Centre at Minsmere. Links :
africalive, redwings.org.uk, rspb.org.uk, eastonfarmpark.co.uk, owl-help.org.uk

The National Trust owns part of the Coastline at Dunwich Heath, a popular spot for people to enjoy coast, cliffs (yes, there are cliffs in Suffolk) and heathland. Links : nationaltrust.org.uk

There are golf courses in Southwold and Halesworth, sailing trips up the Blyth and the Alde and cycle hire in Southwold.