‘I visited Suffolk and fell in love with the region’s timeless charm’

Nested away in the rolling hills of Suffolk, The Wilderness Reserve offers a slice of timeless English summer. Having recently been lucky enough to spend a weekend there, I absolutely fell in love with this quiet corner of the county, set ablaze of the June heatwave sun. 

The walled garden was full of colour as I watched a couple exchange their vows and, while sipping on elderflower cocktails, I suddenly felt like a character from a Merchant Ivory film. But it wasn’t just the beautiful venue that had me so enthralled, the whole region truly captured my heart. The 8,000-acre private estate near Saxmundham is just one of one the many highlights in the area, with places like Framlingham Castle, Sutton Hoo, RSPB Minsmere and Yoxford Antiques Centre and Gardens all nearby.

Known for its gently rolling hills, wide open skies and pretty patchwork of fields, meadows and ancient woodlands, Suffolk is a quintessential slice of rural England. Dotted with picturesque villages, timber-framed cottages, medieval churches and quiet lanes, much of Suffolk is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Then there is the stunning Suffolk coastline with its mix of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and pretty seaside towns. Southwold is known for its beautiful beaches, iconic lighthouse and Victorian pier, while Aldeburgh Aldeburgh offers a more artistic atmosphere with its historic high street and rich cultural heritage, including the famous Aldeburgh Festival.

Nearby there lies the 12th-century Framlingham Castle, while the town of Woodbridge is home to the impressive Tide Mill and a charming blend of Georgian buildings and independent shops.

While a visit to the Wilderness Reserve was a delicious treat, there are so many other ways to explore the region, along with a mulitude of places to stay.

Winkle Cottage, for example, is a traditional fisherman’s cottage in the seaside town of Aldeburgh. A good base from which to explore the town it has cosy interiors and enough room to sleep five guests. Visitors have called it “a great place to stay.”

In the nearby village of Campsea Ash, a barn conversion on a private estate would be perfect for larger family gatherings. Quill Farm Barn is a “delightful” property in “the perfect setting.”

Then there’s the Sea Tower, a upscale apartment with sea views that has been described as “a special place” or the imposing Holly Lodge – a five bedroom country home with enough space for groups of up to 10. 

For something completely different, the Pound Farm Mirror Houses in Framlingham offer contemporary dwellings in the heart of the countryside. An upscale alternative to traditional ‘tiny homes’ each house comes with its own hot tub. 

Booking.com also has a varied selection of places to stay in Suffolk. The Swan Hotel in Southwold is a four-star hotel housed in an historic building 200 metres from the seafront. Elsewhere, The Ship at Dunwich is a traditional inn offering home-cooked food and real ales.

Ideal for adventurers keen on exploring RSPB Minsmere, Moonlight Lodge can be booked through Holidaycottages.co.uk. Overlooking the beach at Dunwich, the park location is encircled by woodland.

Alternatively, The Great House is a majestic Grade II-listed holiday home in the heart of Orford. A traditional country idyll that sleeps 12, visitors have called it “a stunning house” and “absolutely perfect for larger parties.”

Other visitors who have fallen in love with this quiet corner of Suffolk have left thousands of positive reviews on Tripadvisor. One holidaymaker said: “Loved our afternoon in Southwold especially the pier! Such a pleasant surprise to have a clean characterful pier with a brilliant quirky water fuelled clock at the end! The beaches looked amazing, beautiful clean sand and so pretty with the huts behind!”

Another who paid a visit to Aldeburgh said: “It was a dream in July to swim in the early hours of the morning and have fish and chips looking out to sea.”

Of course, the accomodation makes every stay even more special, and Sykes Cottages have been wowing their guests, garnering a 4.6 out of five-star rating. One said: “We wanted a quiet weekend getaway and we found exactly that in Suffolk. Perfect for young and old…the cottage we booked we know it’s a fabulous place and beautifully presented.”

A second added: “Suffolk in the sunshine. This was an important family holiday following my dad being very unwell last year, our holiday with Sykes gave us the quality time we needed and the chance to make some wonderful memories.”

Not everyone was quite so delighted with their stay. One disappointed traveller left a three-star review: “Sykes offer a vast range of holiday accommodation. From experience so far, the description and photos of accommodation are fairly accurate, however, the cleanliness of the accommodation is another matter. It is difficult to get hold of anyone from Sykes by telephone.”

Another five-star review however, said: “We were looking for pet friendly cottages in Suffolk, Sykes cottages came up with the goods. A nice cottage plenty of details about the cottage giving us all the details we neede. So many thanks looking forward to our holiday.”