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A visitors guide to the Suffolk town of Southwold, probably the best
known resort on the coast of Suffolk, with its often photographed white
light house and famous colourful beach huts. Its a place that
still manages to retains its oldie worldy charm with the main part of
the towns nestling around the large medieval church of St. Edmunds. Georgian
buildings with both Dutch and Flemish influence line the high street and
there is a petite market place, with a market held every Monday and
Thursday.
Southwold has a bevy of interesting shops and lots of place to eat drink
and stay. A lovely solid promenade butts up against the award winning
beach complete with a traditional pier. From the attractive harbour,
which is about half a mile away from the town centre, a small ferry
service operates (weather conditions allowing) with regular trips over
to the picturesque small village of Walberswick.
Southwold has a museum and there is a curious sailors reading room on
the cliffs which is decked out in a nautical theme with model ships,
prints of old seafarers and figureheads.
Southwold has a mix of period houses and cottages many painted in the
old Suffolk colours of pink and pale blue. Since the 16th century the
town has had its own brewery, the present one Adams located in East
Green.
Learn more about one of Southwold's earlier Brewsters
'Ale Wife Johanna de
Corby' who used to brew at The Swan Inn (now known as The Swan
Hotel) back in 1345.
In 1659 a fire destroyed much of the town, when rebuilding was
undertaken it was decided to interspersed the town with 'greens' using
them as fire breaks. This has resulted in attractive feature of the
town. It is said that some of the ruins of the old properties destroyed
in the fire can still be found in these greens.
The distinctive white lighthouse dates from 1890 and with its 100 foot
tall tower can be seen from most parts of the town. It was originally
powered by paraffin, then converted to electricity in 1938.
Perched on cliffs, the town is almost an island as its surrounded by the
River Blythe, the North Sea and Buss Creek. Row upon row of candy
coloured beach huts, line the seashore many of which, have belonged to
the same family for years. It has been reported in the national news
that the cost of some of these beach huts have exceeded the price of a
local family home.
For Holiday Accommodation in Southwold Suffolk - Self Catering - Holiday
Cottages - Hotels and Bed and Breakfast check out our Southwold Holiday
Accommodation Pages..
'Southwold Jack' lives inside the church of St. Edmunds. He dates
from the 15th century and is a mechanical figure of an armoured foot
soldier made of oak. In his hand he holds an axe which he uses to strike
the bell.
The battle of 'Solebay' was fought in May 1672 just offshore between the
combined British and French fleet and the Dutch fleet. The Duke of York,
brother of Charles II was the admiral of the English fleet and took up
residence in an early Elizabethan House in the High Street 'Sutherland
House'.
 On
Gun Hill are impressive eighteen pound cannons said to
have been presented to the town during the reign of George II.
 Southwold
can trace its history back to Saxon times and is
mentioned in the Doomsday book as a prosperous fishing port catching
mainly herring.
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