Seaside town named one of best in the UK is loved by families who visit
Southwold's pristine beach makes it a hit for both families and those looking to dip their toes in the sea. Pier beach is flanked by a promenade that stretches all the way to the harbour
Like many coastal regions of the UK, the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk offer a plethora of seaside delights perfect for day trips and longer holidays. Southwold presents the picture-perfect British seaside outing for people of all ages and the Camping and Caravanning Club has even rated it as one of Britain's top seaside towns.
Southwold's safe, pristine beach makes it a hit for both families and those looking to dip their toes in the sea, earning it Blue Flag status and a Seaside Award in 2024. The town boasts two lovely beaches; Pier beach brims with striking beach huts while Denes beach – more secluded and favoured by windsurfers and canoeists – backs onto dunes and marshland.
For added fun, Southwold Pier hosts quintessential seaside amusements, including an arcade bursting with vintage games and Tim Hunkin's "eccentric" Under the Pier Show.
Hungry visitors can savour fare at various spots on the pier, be it the fish and chip shop, indulging in lunch or dinner at the Boardwalk restaurant with ocean views, or the Clockhouse for breakfast and homemade cakes, reports Cambridgeshire Live.
Pier beach is flanked by a promenade that stretches all the way to the harbour area, with the town centre just a short stroll away for those keen on a spot of shopping.
Southwold's high street is brimming with independent shops and boutiques waiting to be discovered, including Pearls by the Sea, a family-run clothing shop that also offers gifts and accessories, and Squires of Southwold, a sweet shop and tea room boasting over 150 different types of sweets.
Little Gems, a popular greengrocers, is worth popping into if you're after some fresh fruit for your trip or local products to take back home.
The shop was nominated in the regional Muddy Stilettos Awards for best farm shop in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
If you fancy a break from the beach, why not visit Southwold Museum? Housed in a quaint cottage, the museum offers interactive exhibitions and displays featuring fossil remains and information about Southwold's transformation from a fishing community to a seaside resort.
Southwold is less than two hours' drive from Cambridge via the A14. There's a car park near the pier that charges £4 for a 10-hour stay, but there are other free parking spaces dotted around the town.
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