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Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside. Oh, we do like to be beside the sea – in Southwold. This seaside sanctuary on the Suffolk Heritage Coast has just one road in and out but, be warned, you might not want to leave! From bracing sea air and bonny beach huts to an award-winning pier and old fashioned cinema, Southwold has something for everyone – whatever the weather.

A coastal creative hub, Southwold is home to The Electric Picture Palace – a compact 70-seater art house cinema with a varied programme of films and complete with an organ that rises to entertain the audience during the interval. Here, you’ll immerse into the full cinematic experience of 1912 film fans and walk away feeling fulfilled and refreshed. The Cut Arts Centre in nearby Halesworth also provides musical and dramatic entertainment year-round while the Southwold Model Yacht Club holds Regattas and cup winning opportunities for model-makers.  

For vigorous visitors there’s a boating lake where you can paddle or cruise, a 9-hole golf course as well as a miniature golf course, motorboat trips along the River Blythe and opportunities for strolls and scenic cycle rides aplenty. A stop at nearby RSPB Minsmere, which offers serene walks and wildlife sightings amid coastal lagoons and reedbeds, is another must.  

If a taste of coastal life is your bag, grab an ice cream and wander around the bustling harbour to absorb the atmosphere. A visit to the The Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum – housed in The Old Cromer Lifeboat Shed and boasting an 125-year-old lifeboat – should also be on your bucket list, as should a tour of the Southwold Lighthouse. Finish with fish and chips on the pier as you watch the cheeky water clock perform on the half hour or try your hand at crabbing.

For a quintessential British seaside holiday experience, book a Southwold holiday cottage or cosy coastal chalet that’ll warm the cockles of your heart.