Holiday Cottages & Accommodation in Southwold

You can get to Southwold conveniently by train or road. If you choose to go by train, Darsham and Halesworth are the nearest train stations. These are served by trains which operate from London Liverpool Street station, with an interchange at Ipswich. There's also further rail connections to regions such as Norfolk and Essex. A bus service connects Halesworth to Southwold.

If you’re travelling from London by car, then Southwold is easily accessible by road. From the M25, connect to the A12 and maintain this course until the exit for the A14 near Washbrook. Cross the Orwell Bridge and drive through Woodbridge along the A14 and A12 route until you reach Blythburgh, then turn right at the Southwold signpost for the A1095. From this junction, Southwold is about 4mi east.

Southwold, with its coastal setting, enjoys a wide range of produce from land and sea. A local eatery is the perfect spot for a plate of fresh seafood from local waters. Sole Bay Fish Company and the Little Fish and Chip Shop are some of the establishments offering the ocean's finest. Enzo's Pizzeria and Singtong Neeyom Thai Restaurant are some great alternatives.

Don’t leave Southwold without visiting the local branch of Adnams, a traditional brewing company that's the region's largest employer. Sample different varieties of beer and spirits, purchase wine and housewares, and enjoy sandwiches and cakes here. You can also savour a pint and some classic pub dishes at The Harbour Inn, a historic establishment that's also owned by Adnams.

Like the rest of the East Anglia region, Southwold benefits from some of the most agreeable weather conditions in the UK. Mild temperatures during winter and warm weather in spring and summer make it a great place to visit year-round. The region also sees some of the lowest rainfall in the UK.

Southwold is a great place for a holiday and just being here to soak up the ambience is a delight in itself. It’s a destination that will delight fans of the outdoors, wildlife, history and much more.

The town's most iconic attraction is the lighthouse, which is located in the town centre. Constructed in 1889, visitors are able to take part in a short tour to learn about the history and continued operation of this structure.

Also located nearby is the town’s other famous attraction, the Southwold Pier, which stretches some 200 metres out into the sea. One of the best-preserved piers in the country, it is thriving with activity. A selection of bars and shops lend a great atmosphere to the area.

There are also plenty of fun family attractions on the pier. There’s the House of Games, a Wacky Walk of Mirrors, a telescope and a slightly cheeky Water Clock. A highlight is the Under the Pier Show, a collection of zany arcade machines that are great fun to play with.

Enjoy a quirky day out by visiting the Amber Museum, which, as you may have guessed, is dedicated entirely to amber. You’ll learn what it is, its development over millions of years and its vital relation to insects. Another unique attraction is the Electric Picture Palace, a cinema that has been designed to look like it’s come straight from the early 20th century. This intimate theatre hosts a variety of films, including old-time movies in black and white.

Finally, if staying in a Southwold holiday cottage between May and September then make sure to stop by the Southwold Summer Theatre, which shows plays by famous and not-so-famous names.

Your children will love staying at your Southwold holiday letting just as much as you will – after all, there’s plenty of activities to keep them occupied during their stay.

Get them out into the great outdoors along the Treasure Trails network, a series of twelve trails that track the Suffolk landscape and document its history. One of the trails is in Southwold and takes you past many areas of natural interest, with signs to guide the way and inform you about the various sights.

On warm afternoons, leave your Southwold holiday home and head over to the Southwold putting green, which is located close to the beach and offers a great day out for the whole family. Elsewhere is Southwold Maize Maze, a maze that is just as entertaining as it is challenging. Once you’ve found your way out of the maize labyrinth, you’ll be able to enjoy a picnic while enjoying views of the River Blyth, home to many bird species.

Southwold Pier

Southwold's historic pier juts 190m out into the North Sea. As well as offering a breath of fresh sea breeze, it's also lined with quaint shops, quirky attractions, and great places to eat.

Southwold Lighthouse

Southwold is home to a working lighthouse that towers 31m above the town, situated minutes from the seafront. You can take a tour around the Grade-II listed building and its 113 steps.

Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum

Housed in an early 20th-century lifeboat shed, the Alfred Corry Museum offers a fascinating insight into the lives of Suffolk's former lifeboat crews.

Southwold Maize Maze

A five-minute drive from Southwold, the Maize Maze is an eight-acre puzzle of pathways ploughed into the crops. There are also go-karts, a bouncy castle, and a haunted marquee.

Adnams Distillery

Copper House Distillery is owned by renowned local brewer Adnams. The tour explains its unique distilling process and offers incredible views over the North Sea.