In England they say you are never more than 70 miles from the sea – which, if we are speaking in driving terms, means that you are technically never more than an hour from it wherever you are in the country (give or take a traffic jam or two, some incredibly thin and winding English country roads, tractors, Sunday drivers, or GPS mistakes slowing you down…)…
Having the beach much closer to hand is still very much a novelty for us having lived in a land locked country for a good few years (despite Bavaria’s crystalline lakes being a good beach substitute!). It’s still so lovely to say “shall we go to the seaside and have fish and chips for tea?” You can work off any guilt for that on Aldeburgh’s very pebbly beach by the way – that’s got to be a HIIT work out if you walk quickly, take my word for it…
By a stroke of luck, we parked very close to Maggy Hambling’s gorgeous Scallop Shell which was one of the reasons I wanted to visit – a tribute to composer Benjamin Britten who was a native son, and local to these parts for many years.
As we approached the shell, the sea mist began to lift a bit leaving the most beautiful beach light, and a tiny person intent on exploring each and every segment of it.
Afterwards we wandered closer to the town, discovering beach treasure along the way. This beach is obviously well-loved as there wasn’t that much litter to pick up at all really (the Small People insist on doing a ten things beach pick up wherever we are after our trip to Asturias last year, no bad thing really!)…
Aldeburgh itself isn’t huge, and whilst I imagine it’s quite packed in the summer months, the winter makes a wonderful quiet time to explore.
Unlike a few other seaside towns that can seem a bit “ghost towny” out of season, this place feels very much like it has a thriving local community, despite having a good few holiday homes amongst its housing stock (you can stay in the Old Custom House below, I LOVE where the door is, and would love to know the history behind it)!
As an added bonus, despite the relative quietness, the fish and chip shops of Aldeburgh remain open throughout the year (they always say they are the best in the country don’t they? But, having plenty of Yorkshire blood, I think that the Golden Galleon serves up a pretty fine example so they are not making too bold a claim!). You can’t really miss the shop for obvious reasons!…
And afterwards, we took them straight back to the beach for how fish and chips absolutely should be eaten – covered in salt and vinegar, and straight out of the paper in the fresh sea air… Very obviously it has to be ice cream for afterwards too, whatever the temperature!
We will be back to explore properly (and Southwold – that’s been on my list for a long time!) before we leave Cambridge, but this particular afternoon in Aldeburgh really was a lovely taster…
The car park has to win some kind of award for beautiful views both in front of it, and behind it too…
I’m so pleased you eventually got to Aldeburgh. I should have warned you about the pebble work out! Thank god they have a prom!
That final photo of yours is particularly lovely x
Thanks so much. Yes, spectacular recommendation, thank you! :) x
I’ve visited it in winter a long time ago, it was lovely but empty:)
Thanks Tanja. There’s something lovely about a beach in the winter isn’t there? :)
I love all your photos! Looks like a wonderful place to visit and I love how the beach is clean. That makes for an enjoyable experience.
Thank you! It was a clean beach. I think the locals really look after it! :)
We have not been to Aldeburg but your photos look amazing and I know my kids would love to head there for a day or two and spend sometime soaking in the scenery. Loving the architecture and the fish and chips as well.
Thanks so much! Yes, great for kids! (:
Ohh I LOVE a seaside town and this one looks so lovely! Fish and chips always taste better on the coast don’t they?!
They really do! Thanks Laura! x
oh that looks beautiful and i love the treasure you found!
Thanks Deborah! (:
This looks like such a lovely place to visit. We are lucky enough to be about 20 minutes from a beach but we don’t visit enough x
You don’t when you live close do you? Always the way! (: x
I love those windows on the the place you stayed. After going to Whitby out of season I am addicted to UK coastlines out of season this can make the list now
Thanks Nicolette, I know what you mean, there’s something so lovely about them! (:
What an absolutely beautiful looking place. It’s picture perfect. I adore that Scallop Shell sculpture too. You’ve made me want to visit….soon!!
Thanks Nichola, I would really recommend it! (:
I absolutely love your photos in this post. They’re so sharp and the colours are so vivid,
Thanks so much Rachel, the light was perfect! (:
Looks like a fab relaxing place. And who doesn’t like an ice cream at the beach x
Thanks Melanie, it’s a great place to relax! (: x
That giant shell is so cool, I haven’t been to the seaside for absolute ages but this has made me want to go again x
Thanks Rhian! x
I love going to the seaside it is something I don’t do that often though, but it always a good day being by the sea. No matter the time of year.
Exactly! I think more people should go out of season, there’s something so nice about it! Thank you. x
I have never been to Aldeburgh but I sure would love to someday. Everything looks amazing and I bet if we get the chance, my family would enjoy its relaxing ambiance.
Thanks Angela! (:
I love the look of this place, I mean, who doesn’t like a seaside. It’s just so wonderful. The air is fresh and you just altogether enjoy yourself so much more, which is what it looks like from your amazing photos.
Thanks so much Bethany! (: