If there’s one thing to admire about Suffolk, it’s the glorious 49 miles of coast-line. Adorned with low marshes, reed beds and sandy and shingle beaches, there’s plenty to see here.
Named an official “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”, Suffolk can offer you the perfect beach holiday or a peaceful stroll along the ocean.
Here’s our round-up of the best beaches in Suffolk – the popular spots to see and the hidden treasures to explore.
Dunwich Beach
Maintained and owned by the National Trust, Dunwich Beach was once part of a bustling seaport. But with the waves coming in, now all that remains is an endless stretch of beautiful shingle filled seafront.
With its unique past of once being a large city, (larger than even London), that got washed over, the Dunwich beach is significant both historically and environmentally. The beach nestled between two cliffs and its surrounding heath, offer a scenic setting for people to enjoy, and a distinctive ecosystem for wildlife to thrive.
This rare seaside gem is home to many types of plants and wildlife species that flourish in these conditions.
The beach that is continuous in both directions, is a perfect escape for many nature enthusiasts and peace-seekers. There is also a lovely tearoom located on the beach for when you need to take a break from the conditions.
Walberswick Beach
The village of Walberswick is best-known for “The British Open Crabbing Championship”. A championship that rewards the person who catches the largest crab in 90 minutes. But in our opinion, it’s the Walberswick beach and Nature Reserve that shouldn’t be skipped.
A quick walk from Southwold, the Walberswick beach is backed by sand-dunes. It is also closely located to the Walberswick Nature Reserve, giving you plenty of picturesque scenery to explore.
If that doesn’t tire you out, then across lays the River Blyth where you can enjoy beautiful boat trips and some history lessons from the staff aboard.
It’s also convenient that the beach is located close to the centre of the village, allowing you to access local amenities. In the village you can also experience the charming community. So, whether it’s the crabbing you enjoy or the beach and boating, Walberswick beach is a favourite for an eventful day out.
Aldeburgh Beach
If you are a fan of Suffolk or have ever met a local enthusiast, they may have mentioned the charming town of Aldeburgh to you. The town is best known for its arts, culture, independent shops and exciting food. The beach here is also particularly special as it has not been affected by the large number of people passing by.
In fact, whilst walking the beach, you will notice the quaint and colourful seafront houses that only add to the character of the setting. In particular, don’t miss out “The Scallop”, a 15 feet steel sculpture designed in honour of Suffolk-born composer Benjamin Britten.
Arguably one of Suffolk’s most popular beaches, this is where you can walk through sand and shingle in awe. You can also breathe in some fresh sea breeze and enjoy some of the best fish and chips on the East Coast.
Lowestoft South Beach
Looking for a beach that’s around tons of amenities and has the perfect holiday vibe? Then look no further than Suffolk’s “Sunrise Coast” and its Lowestoft South Beach.
Popular for its sandy shores, clear waters and resort surroundings, this beach was awarded a Blue Flag in 2011. This is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education for meeting its standards for quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services and general environmental management criteria.
In addition to the above, you can’t go wrong with the picturesque scenery this beach has to offer, which can put any popular European holiday destination to shame. With its beautiful blue waters, golden sand and tons of fun-filled activities like snorkelling, jet-skiing, surfing and fishing, we couldn’t recommend this seaside extravaganza more.
Denes Beach
The perfect beach to walk your dog or take a romantic stroll has to be the Denes beach in Suffolk.
With Southwold to one side and the River Blyth to the other, this spot is well-known for its marshland and rural scenery.
A quiet beach with a mix of sand and shingle, the south-end of this seaside attraction has a lifeboat museum worth exploring, and the north-end features several beach huts to see.
In the summer, many windsurfers, canoeists and bathers arrive here with the lifeguard keeping watch. You may also find many pooches enjoying a play in the waters. This is because there are no restrictions on the fun your furry animals can have here.
If you are in the mood for a peaceful and beautiful setting that is not too remote from cafes, restaurants and other facilities, then go and enjoy a day at the Denes beach in Suffolk.
Felixstowe Beach
Another popular beach attraction in Suffolk has to be the well-known Felixstowe beach.
Popular with families for a day out, this beach has four miles of sand to explore. It also has a two-mile-long promenade, an amusement park and plenty of restaurants to keep you fed and refreshed.
Perhaps use this as an opportunity to build a sandcastle masterpiece with the kids? Or comb the beach for some seashells for mum and dad? You can also savour some cooling artisan ice-cream for the grandparents!
Whether you are hanging out with friends or families, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained!
Covehithe Beach
If you want to get away from the mainstream, then move on to a beach that the locals like to keep a secret. Covehithe Beach is somewhat of a forgotten stretch of the Suffolk coast. It is located south of Kessingland and sprawls from Covehithe Broad to Benacre Broad.
There are no gimmicks here and the most you will see are some salt-worn tree trunks on the shore. But what makes this beach special are the views of the Southwold pier, the clean sea-breeze and the unspoilt appeal. As they say, sometimes less is more.
You can reach this quiet beach on foot or with a bike. You can then marvel at the remains of the St Andrews Church and stroll along the eerily beautiful shoreline.
Kessingland Beach
Another hidden gem of the Suffolk beaches is Kessingland Beach. Not prone to too many crowds, this beach is situated between Lowestoft and Southwold.
You may not find too many people or lifeguards here. But you will be pleased to admire the mix of shingle, sand and marshland. There is also plenty of birdlife to view if you are an avid birdwatcher.
This beach is perfect for the peace seeker who is looking for pretty spots to calm their mind.
You can’t fault the abundant unspoilt beauty of Kessingland Beach. The only thing to do here is enjoy the vast openness of the beach that makes this a wonderful spot for a walk with yourself, a loved one or a beloved pet.
Southwold Pier Beach
From the less known to the most, we can’t help but love the nostalgia of Southwold’s Pier Beach.
This beach has many chippies, colourful huts, cafes and entertainment. Hence, it had to make our list of the best beaches in Suffolk. There is no other perfect example of the Great British seaside in Suffolk!
Great for families, the most notable feature of the beach is its 800-foot long pier. This opened in the 1900s and is home to a pavilion, restaurant, amusements and the famous water clock.
The quality of the beach has also been recognised by regular Blue Flag awards. This showcase the cleanliness, maintenance and amenities that are available here.
So, if you are looking for a quintessential seaside experience, then this sandy beach is the one for you.
Want more things to do in Suffolk? Here’s another list for you!
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