Southwold and Walberswick, two great seaside towns facing each other across the Blyth Estuary, are some 10 miles east of Ivy Grange Farm. If you aren't already familiar with their delights, a visit to both is a must. Walberswick is delightfully old fashioned, very popular with crabbers during the summer season and has great tea shops and gift/craft shops by The Green. Good pubs too! Southwold is bigger and has Britain's newest pier with some interesting mechanical toys and exhibits including a big water feature clock, inspired by Tim Hunkin. Adnams Brewery is in Southwold and has a terrific shop and restaurant/cafe. There are masses of independent shops, good second-hand bookshops, plenty of places to eat and drink and a fantastic lighthouse to visit (where you can climb the seemingly endless spiral staircase).
The Saints - we’re right on the southern edge of “The Saints”, where you can famously get lost! Worth exploring by bike or car – remember to take a map! Have a look here for some background.
Covehithe is our closest beach, about 7 miles due east. You can see up close how the sea is eroding the coastline, park by the “Church within a Church” and walk to the end of the road, which now disappears into the sea. There’s some great walking (and swimming) from here – we’ve got guidebooks and maps in the barn for you to borrow.
For a fun way to see the River Waveney (and maybe a kingfisher or marsh harrier if you are lucky) try the newly reinstated Big Dog Ferry which runs between Geldeston and Beccles. The boat can take 10 people and can accommodate bikes (though it's wise to book ahead to be sure) and it's a great trip from Beccles up to the Locks Inn at Geldeston for lunch and then a leisurely ride back. Paul is a great captain and will fill you in on what to look out for on the ride, including the old tree trunk when the kingfisher likes to sit. Paul is also branching out with evening trips, so it's worth keeping an eye on his website.
For a trip back in time, take a horse-drawn carriage trip round the local lanes. Our neighbours at Valley Farm offer half-hour and hour-long rides and will collect you from Ivy Grange Farm. It's a lovely way to see the local area and you can enjoy meandering at a slow walking pace and also cracking along at a fast trot.
Dunwich Heath is always worth a visit. It’s a large expanse of heathland overlooking the sea, very close to Minsmere. It has a good tea-room too.
Don’t miss a trip to Orford Ness. It’s a strange, wild place; fantastic for photography and home to a wide range of wildlife, a lighthouse and miles of pebbles and beach. On your way to the pier, check out Pinney’s of Orford for fresh seafood too. You can have a good day out in Orford, visiting the pubs, antique shops and castle.
Thorpeness is fun for the House in the Clouds as well as boating on the Meare or exploring this wonderfully old-fashioned seaside town.
Just down the coast from Thorpeness, look at Maggi Hambling’s Scallop on Aldeburgh Beach, and take in the Britten tour. If you have time, Aldeburgh cinema is well worth looking in on.
