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Sunrise at Southwold Pier in UK

Luxury Cottages in Suffolk

Holidays in Suffolk

Nestled in the far eastern corner of East Anglia – Britain’s ‘bump’ – Suffolk has been a popular holiday destination for many years. With a short but beautiful coastline and historical towns and villages, the ancient county is packed with culture and heritage, offering a peek into quintessential beachside living.

In the summer months, the county comes alive with various festivals, including events celebrating world-class music, food, and the arts. Yet Suffolk is also equally excellent to visit during the colder months too – enjoy a secluded wintery escape in one of our cosy cottages in Suffolk.

A hit with families and large groups alike, there’s even the chance to bring your dog to your holiday cottage in Suffolk. Expect a relaxing and memorable time, when you choose to rent a cottage in Suffolk with Oliver’s Travels.

Why visit?

  • Boasting easy access from London and the southeast of England, Suffolk makes a great holiday destination for a quick and hassle-free holiday – particularly handy if you’re travelling with kids!
  • With stately homes, grand churches, and even an Anglo-Saxon burial site, this small county packs a punch when it comes to historical significance.
  • Newmarket Racecourse – one of the birthplaces of modern horseracing – is located in Suffolk. Enjoy a day at the races or catch one of the live music concerts there.
Southwold Travel Guide
Read the Suffolk Travel Guide

Why stay with us?

Discover the Oliver’s Travels way, where style and character define every handpicked home in Suffolk. Our destination experts curate unique homes in beautiful locations that are perfect for families and guaranteed to ‘wow’.

Once you book a holiday, the service doesn’t stop there. Our Concierge Service means you’ll be in good hands to arrange in-house chefs, fridge stocking, housekeeping, and so much more, to make your stay truly extraordinary.

Why visit Suffolk?

A small county, Suffolk is an area full of delightful surprises. With the Broads to the north and the Suffolk Coast along the eastern edge, the county is bursting at the seams with beauty and culture.

History and heritage go hand in hand in Suffolk – head to the market town of Bury St. Edmunds to see the famed Cathedral, or discover an ancient past in the Anglo-Saxon burial site of Sutton Hoo. Peppered across the county are interesting museums, ideal for discovering more about the area on a family-friendly day out.

Feel the sand between your toes and sea breeze in your hair in the charming coastal towns of Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Southwold. The Suffolk Coast and Heaths is also a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – guaranteed to impress even the least outdoorsy types. Many of our cottages to are also within walking distance to the beach too.

Things to do in Suffolk

Don’t be fooled by the small size of Suffolk – the county is packed full of things to do with the kids, as a couple, or with a large group of friends. From traversing the beaches to immersing yourself in the ancient history of the area, a cottage holiday in Suffolk will have you spoiled for choice in terms of activities.

A good place to start when getting to know Suffolk are the bustling historic towns in the area. Bury St Edmunds is home to St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, built as a shrine to the Saxon King, Saint Edmund. The charming Abbey Gardens surrounds the site – we recommend bringing a picnic and spending some time exploring the 13th-century ruins.

History buffs will also love the site of Sutton Hoo, a famed Anglo Saxon burial site, and Framlingham Castle. The castle dates back to the 12th-century and has been lovingly restored and rebuilt over the years so that visitors can enjoy the impressive sweeping views of Suffolk.

Thrill-seekers, don’t worry – you’ll also be able to get your adrenaline fix in Suffolk. Pleasurewood Hills is the county’s most popular theme park. As well as family-friendly rides and live animal displays, the park is also home to Wipeout, the biggest rollercoaster in East Anglia!

Why it's perfect for families

Great for babies

With beautiful beaches and serene seas, a Suffolk seaside holiday is a wonderful place to introduce your little ones to the coast for the very first time. With many of our holiday cottages in Suffolk close to the beach, having a relaxing family day out on the seaside has never been easier.

Great for kids

There are loads of things to do with the kids in Suffolk. Unleash their inner adventurer with a visit to Go Ape in Thetford. Discover more about the county in the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket. Speed around the track at Anglia Indoor Kart Racing in Ipswich. There’s something for every type of family!

Great for teens

Suffolk is a great place to introduce your teens to some exciting local attractions. Known as one of the top foodie counties in the country, they will enjoy sampling new flavours and local delicacies, as well as discovering more about one of England’s most important historical areas through the many museums.

Top tips

  • Follow in the footsteps of Constable – one of the most famous artists to come from Suffolk – and take on the Flatford and Constable walking trail. This 4-7 mile walk was featured in ITV’s Britain’s Favourite Walks!

  • Align your visit with the festival season. Latitude Festival takes place during July in Suffolk, while Newmarket Racecourse comes alive with its Newmarket Nights series, hosting a range of top artists alongside world-class racing.

  • Jump aboard the ‘Middy’, otherwise known as Mid-Suffolk Light Railway and get a sense of a past gone by. The heritage track runs through recreated stations via spectacular steam engine trains, hosting many themed specials throughout the year too.

Best Beaches in Suffolk

The Suffolk coast boasts of several award-winning beaches, from blue flag coastal resorts to secret hideaways, a trip to the seaside during your cottage holiday in Suffolk is a must – even if the British weather isn’t on your side!

Lowestoft is a beach town that attracts many tourists throughout the year, thanks to its two entertaining piers. Claremont Pier and South Lowestoft Pier both with easy reach of the centre, and walking between the two is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Southwold is another holiday hot spot, and one of the sandy beaches in the area. Head a little further south for Denes Beach too, which is beautifully backed by dunes and marshland. A slightly quieter and more idyllic location.

The shingles at Aldeburgh may not appeal to everyone, but the pretty pastel huts and classic promenade make it a must-do during your Suffolk seaside holiday. Tourists and locals alike love this stretch of coastline, so arrive early for a good spot on the shore.

The smaller beaches of Thorpeness, Kessingland, Covehithe and Dunwich are also equally worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for a more peaceful location. Suffolk is lucky enough to have a stellar range of beaches to choose from, and many of our cottages are within walking distance to the beach. The hardest part is deciding where to spend your days!

Food and drink in Suffolk

Foodies will be spoilt for choice when holidaying in Suffolk – the county is home to many fine-dining restaurants, renowned by food critics.

The Maison Bleue in Bury St Edmunds is consistently named one of the Top 10 Fine Dining Restaurants in the UK in the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, an accolade that speaks for itself. The Great House in Lavenham is also no stranger to an award or two, the French-style cuisine luring visitors far and wide.

For a taste of the county, head to the Suffolk Food Hall near Ipswich. This multi-faceted venue is home to a restaurant, cafe, and a large market, where visitors can purchase locally made delights as well as fresh local produce. It was also voted the best Local Food Venue in the UK & Ireland!

Time your stay with the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival, one of the most popular festivals in the county, where a celebration of local flavours takes place over two weeks. Have a taste of traditional smoked salmon and other fish from Pinney’s of Orford, who practice sustainable and low impact fishing along the Suffolk heritage coast.

Of course, you’ll want something to wash that all down with too! Suffolk is known for its beers, wines, and spirits, the most popular being Adnams (originating in Southwold) and Aspalls Cyder. Refreshing and delicious, they also make great gifts to take home…for yourself and others!

What Oliver Loves

This small but mighty county is popular year-round with visitors, thanks to its fabulous beaches and indoor attractions. Whether you’re a history fanatic, foodie, or lover of the outdoors, Suffolk has something for everyone… and is within easy reach of London, too!

Oliver's Hidden Gem

Learn more about a local legend when you see the Bures Dragon, carved into the chalk hills on the border between Suffolk and Essex for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Back in 1405, villagers in the area spotted a ‘huge scaly beast’, thus beginning the story. Keep your eyes peeled!

Towns and villages in Suffolk

The picturesque towns and villages in Suffolk are well worth a visit during your UK cottage holiday. Bursting with history and important cultural significance, a simple wander around the quaint streets and charming lanes will easily have you occupied for hours.

There’s Bury St. Edmunds – regarded as the ‘jewel of the county’ – which is the place to go for all your restaurant, bar, and shopping wants, as well as to visit the Cathedral of course. Ipswich is great for visitors looking to add a bit of art and culture to their holiday, and it’s also one of the oldest towns in the country. For all your sporting needs (and a great day out!) head to Newmarket Racecourse, where live music and horse racing dominate the summer months.

Many of the best Suffolk gems will be found on the coast, including the shingle beach of Aldeburgh, the busy seaside resort town of Felixstowe, and lively Lowestoft, on the border with neighbouring county Norfolk.

But don’t overlook the quieter, inland villages too; Clare contains a beautiful country park, while Beccles is great for a spot of kayaking or canoeing, thanks to its proximity to the River Waveney. Framlingham is the home of singing superstar Ed Sheeran, the village castle being the famed ‘Castle on the Hill’.

Aldeburgh

With pretty seafront cottages and tons of child-friendly attractions, Aldeburgh is a beautiful little coastal town that makes for a fantastic family day out. Time your visit with the famed Aldeburgh Festival of Arts, a celebration that dates back over 70 years.

Southwold Beach
Southwold

One of the few sandy beaches in Suffolk, Southwold is a picturesque town that features a wonderful working lighthouse and a fabulous pier. Fun fact – author George Orwell spent 20 years living in Southwold, writing many books during this time!

Sail boats in the harbour, Ipswich
Ipswich

One of the largest (and oldest!) towns in Suffolk, home to loads of pretty historical buildings dating from all different periods. Stop by for a spot of shopping in the independent boutiques, browse the art galleries, and grab a bite to eat in one of the top-rated restaurants in the area.

Colourful homes and cottages in Lavenham
Lavenham

Small and quaint, Lavenham is a step back in time. Visit on a sunny day and take on one of the circular walks in the village, exploring the medieval houses and 15th-century church.

Boat on the beach, Kessignland
Kessingland

Around 4 miles south of Lowestoft lies Kessingland, a peaceful beach retreat away from the bustle. Enjoy unspoiled views from the low cliffs, which have been largely protected from erosion.

Friary ruins, Dunwich
Dunwich

Dubbed ‘the lost city of Suffolk’, Dunwich is a treasure trove for history buffs and heritage explorers. Once the capital of East Anglia back in the 11th-century, this tiny village has a fascinating story to tell. Visit the local museum for tales of folklore and legend.

Top tips

  • With many rivers running through the county, chartering a boat is a fantastic way to explore Suffolk. The little ones will love this exciting experience too!

  • Planning on making your cottage holiday in Suffolk more of a walking holiday? Invest in some good quality footwear so you’re well prepared and comfortable.

  • Hiring a bike is also a great option, especially during the warmer months. The small size of Suffolk means it is easily traversable via bike, especially along the coast.

Suffolk travel: Getting there and around

With easy access from London and the south east, Suffolk is hassle-free to get to. During your stay, you’ll find lots of bus and train options, making your cottage holiday in Suffolk easy to navigate and explore.

By car

You’ll most likely arrive in Suffolk via car. The county is well-connected to London and the south – the A12 runs along the east coast from the M25, and the A14 links Newmarket, Bury St. Edmunds, Stowmarket and Ipswich.

By train

Many of the towns and villages in Suffolk have train stations, linking them to each other and places like London and Cambridge.

By bus

There’s a decent bus service across the county, connecting smaller towns and villages and making for a cheap way to see the area.

By taxi

Taxi services are available across nearly all the towns and villages in Suffolk. Just be sure to book ahead if you’re staying in a quieter area!

By foot

The Suffolk Coastal Path is a must-do when visiting Suffolk. The 60-mile long route stretches from Lowestoft to Felixstowe, meandering through delightful seaside towns and villages and impressive scenery along the way.

From the blog…

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