Suffolk by the Sea

Suffolk by the Sea


5 day holiday – Sunday 6th April 2025


Highlights...

Sutton Hoo

Lavenham Village

Gainsborough House   




The delightful county of Suffolk offers plenty to see: rolling landscapes, sandy beaches, seaside towns, charmingly coloured cottages framing village greens, red-bricked market places and charming medieval streets! Many of these stunning places retain an unspoilt, historic beauty that has become rare across the rest of the UK.


One of the untouched villages we will visit is Lavenham. England’s best-preserved medieval village is home to the magnificent Guildhall, which is set amongst the winding streets lined with thatched cottages and medieval timber framed buildings. Many of the medieval houses have now become shops, fine art galleries and restaurants. We will enjoy a slow-paced walking tour led by our knowledgeable Blue Badge Guide, Claire, who will share stories of the history of the village. There will be time to visit the Guildhall, a reminder of the town’s wealth during the height of the wood trade. We will enjoy a scenic drive through the quintessential English village of Long Melford, a former medieval wool town, on our way to Gainsborough House. 

Birthplace and childhood home of leading English painter Thomas Gainsborough, Gainsborough House is a Grade I listed, 18th century Merchant house and garden which has recently undergone a transformational refurbishment due to the home being regarded as a national asset for the benefit of present and future generations. Saved from destruction in 1958, it was opened to the public in 1961 to promote knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of the art of Gainsborough. The building is now home to the largest gallery in Suffolk and houses a permanent collection of Gainsborough’s work, as well as rooms dedicated to Constable and Cedric Morris. 


Suffolk is also home to Sutton Hoo, which is home to one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time! In June 1939, an incredible discovery was made by archaeologists – a ship. This ship held, what turned out to be an Anglo-Saxon royal burial chamber, and was full of some of the most extraordinary treasures that would transform the understanding of early England. 




  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button


Salthouse Harbour Hotel  4*


We have decided to use the ever popular 4-Star Salthouse Harbour Hotel for this visit. The Hotel is situated on Ipswich’s vibrant harbour quayside with views across Neptune Marina. The modern bedrooms offer en-suite bathrooms (the Marina rooms have a separate walk-in shower), complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. All rooms have a large flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and 24 hour room service. There are lifts to all floors. The comfortable and spacious bar is open all day for coffee, tea, wines and spirits. From the Salthouse Harbour’s famous waterside restaurant ‘The Eaterie’, enjoy the view whilst savouring its deliciously different and inspired menu. The three course dinner every night includes two glasses of wine or soft drinks. 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Sunday 6th April


Arriving by door-to-door car at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Gerrards Cross, you will be greeted by your tour manager who will be with you throughout the holiday. Coffee or tea with pastries will be served before we board the coach. We will stop at Marygreen Manor Hotel in Brentwood, Essex for a light lunch before continuing our journey to Ipswich. On arrival in Ipswich, your Tour Manager will assist with check-in at the Salthouse Harbour Hotel. After check-in, we have some free time to relax, settle in and enjoy our surroundings before dinner. 

Day 2 – Monday 7th April 


After breakfast, we will meet our Blue Badge Guide who will be with us for the day. Claire will give a commentary during our scenic coastal drive to Southwold, a charming seaside town on the Suffolk Heritage coast. As well as being steeped in maritime history, Southwold is also known for its famous beach huts, pier with gift shops and a high street for some retail therapy. We will enjoy some free time in Southwold, before enjoying a fish and chip lunch at a seafront teashop in Dunwich. Our afternoon will be spent visiting Sutton Hoo where Anglo Saxon hoards were discovered. Exhibits include replicas of priceless treasures and the famous Sutton Hoo Helmet. 

Day 3 – Tuesday 8th April

Today we leave the hotel after breakfast and depart for the drive to Woodbridge. Here we will park and have a short walk to visit the Tide Mill Museum, one of Woodbridge’s iconic attractions. The Mill sits on the bank of the River Deben and is one of the first mills inthecountryandhasbeenonthesamesiteforover850years. Itisoneofonlyafew mills worldwide that is still producing flour regularly. We will have a guided tour and for those who are unable to access the stairs easily there is a video of the upper floors. Before returning to the hotel we will stop for a light lunch. On return to the hotel, there is the option of a relaxed afternoon or for those who wish, transport into Ipswich centre for some free time. 



Day 4 – Wednesday 9th April


Today, we are again joined by Claire our Blue Badge Guide. We will drive to the unspoilt village of Lavenham where Claire will lead a guided walking tour. The tour will be at a slow pace and will last around 45minutes. There will be the option for you to enjoy the village on your own if you do not wish to join the tour, and a designated meet point and time will be given. While in Lavenham there will be time to take in the magnificent Guildhall, before our lunch stop. There will be a scenic drive to Long Melford, where we will visit the birthplace of painter Thomas Gainsborough. We will get to explore and enjoy Gainsborough House and what is now the largest gallery in Suffolk. 

Day 5 – Thursday 10th April

After a leisurely breakfast, your Tour Manager will assist with check-out. We will depart Suffolk for our homeward trip. Our journey home will include two stops, the first being at Layer Marney Tower, England’s tallest gatehouse standing proud in the Essex landscape. The Grade I, Tudor Palace has almost 500 years of history and we will hear about this during our introductory talk and guided tour of the house. Following the tour, the coach will take us to the Marygreen Manor Hotel for our 2-course lunch with tea or coffee. After a relaxing lunch, and time to reflect on the holiday, we will make our way to the Crowne Plaza where light refreshments will be served before your door-to-door cars arrive. 


Total Price of the Holiday:        £1,950 per person


Deposit:         £200                National Trust Discount:           £28


Balance due:        9th February 2025


Whats Included:

  • Door to door cars from your home to the meeting point and back
  • Coach travel throughout the holiday
  • 4 nights at the 4-Star Salthouse Harbour Hotel
  • 3-course dinner with two glasses of wine every night
  • Full English or continental breakfast every morning
  • Light lunch with coffee or tea on four days
  • 2-course lunch with coffee or tea on the last day
  • Morning refreshments on the first and last days
  • Admission/talks/tours at all properties visited on excursions stated in the programme:
  • Sutton Hoo
  • The Tide Mill
  • Guildhall, Lavenham
  • Gainsborough House
  • Layer Marney
  • Gratuities
  • The services of your Tour manager throughout
  • V.A.T.       

ROOM UPGRADE:      Upgrade to a Harbour View Room for an extra £280


For more information or to book call 020 4568 3377



If you have any questions about our holidays, please contact us by filling out the form below and we will get in touch with you shortly. Alternatively, you can give us a call – we hope to hear from you soon!

Interested in this holiday ? Send Us a Message

Send Us a Message

Share by: