Suffolk

Suffolk's coastline draws much of the attention, and rightly so. Aldeburgh offers shingle beaches and fresh fish stalls, while Southwold retains a genteel charm with its pier and colourful beach huts. Felixstowe combines a working port with traditional seafront gardens, and Lowestoft, England's most easterly town, mixes maritime history with wide sandy beaches. Inland, Woodbridge sits prettily on the River Deben, known for its tide mill and sailing scene, while Beccles offers similar riverside appeal further south on the Waveney.

For market town life, Bury St Edmunds is the county's cultural hub, with its abbey ruins, Georgian theatre and busy shopping streets. Ipswich, the county town, brings a livelier urban pace and a historic waterfront. Smaller towns such as Halesworth, Sudbury, Stowmarket and Haverhill suit those wanting quieter bases, each offering local markets and easy access to Suffolk's rolling countryside.

Suffolk's hotels and B&Bs range from smart coastal townhouses to quiet countryside guest rooms, with the coast and the old market towns pulling in most visitors. Aldeburgh and Southwold have a good spread of places to stay within walking distance of the shingle and the shops, while Woodbridge offers a gentler base near the Deben estuary.

Inland, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich suit those wanting easy access to shops, restaurants and transport links, with B&Bs such as The Peels B&B and Kingsleigh Guest House typical of the smaller, family-run properties found across the county. Mildenhall and Lowestoft add further options for those exploring the Brecks or the far east coast.

Many Suffolk B&Bs occupy converted farmhouses, annexes or period townhouses, so styles and sizes vary considerably from one to the next. Deciding where to stay often comes down to whether you want to be near the sea, close to a market town, or tucked away somewhere quieter.

Suffolk's days out range from wide-open coast and reserves to workshops and family activity centres tucked into its market towns. RSPB Minsmere, near Westleton, draws visitors for its birdlife and heath walks, while Southwold offers a gentler seaside pace alongside curiosities like its Mystery Treasure Trail. Along the coast, Coastal Voyager runs boat trips for those wanting to see the shoreline from the water.

Inland, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich hold the bulk of the indoor attractions - creative studios such as Hatter Street Studio and Studio Scribbles, and energetic options like Clip 'n Climb Ipswich, useful for wet days or younger visitors needing to burn off energy. Newmarket's racing heritage gives it a different character again.

Elsewhere, smaller and more unusual outings turn up in less obvious places: alpaca encounters at Hilly Ridge Alpacas, mobile gaming parties, or play-focused venues like The Playground and Barnville. Deciding between them often comes down to whether you want a coastal day, a town-based activity, or something a little more offbeat.

Suffolk's dining scene runs from ancient market town pubs to riverside restaurants and easy-going cafes, with Bury St Edmunks offering the widest spread of options, from long-standing favourites to newer arrivals like No. 4 Restaurant and Bar. Woodbridge makes the most of its waterside setting, with places such as The Boathouse Kitchen And Bar putting the Deben to good use, while Stowmarket and Sudbury cover the more everyday side of eating out.

Smaller towns and villages fill in the gaps with tearooms, pizzerias and pubs that double as local meeting points. The Coach House Tearoom suits a slower afternoon, while The Wok Inn and Lucy Pizzeria cater to quicker appetites. Elsewhere, kitchens like IL Salvatore and The Bay Tree show the range of cuisines now settled across the county, alongside classic Suffolk pub food.

Suffolk's flat, quiet countryside and its coastline of shingle beaches and tidal estuaries make it good ground for camping and glamping, from simple touring pitches to well-appointed shepherd's huts and yurts. Sites around Woodbridge and Snape put you near the River Deben and the Aldeburgh music and food scene, while others make use of old farm buildings and even a former airfield, as at Monewden Airfield.

Glamping here leans towards individual, small-scale setups rather than big holiday parks: Boundary Farm Glamping, Firs Glamping and Suffolk Yurt Holidays all offer a handful of well-fitted pitches, and places like Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping and Fire and Feast add a bit of design flair. For straightforward touring and camping, The Beeches Touring Park and Bunkers Hill Farm are typical of the county's more traditional sites, with Suffolk Shepherds Huts and Hill Cottage Holidays sitting somewhere between the two.