Top things to do in Southwold

Come to Southwold on the Suffolk coast. With its lovely beach and beautiful situation on the River Blyth, sitting opposite its pretty neighbour Walberswick, Southwold is a superb choice for a holiday escape. Whilst it can get busy during the summer, it still retains a feeling of being off the beaten track.

Southwold’s attractions include its great beach, a historic pier, a lively arts venue, and miles and miles of walking trails that weave their way around this handsome part of the East of England. We’ve compiled a concise guide to our favourite places to go and things to do in and around Southwold. Why not read our guide to Walberswick to discover even more about Southwold's close neighbour? We hope you enjoy your stay in our fabulous Walberswick cottages if you decide to visit.

Our range of self-catering holiday cottages in Southwold come in all shapes and sizes for everybody from solo travellers to large groups of friends and family. You can also bring along your dog to a high percentage of your holiday accommodation in Southwold. Click on the button below to discover your ideal places to stay in Southwold.

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Best for family fun | Southwold Beach

Southwold Beach is a wonderful spot to unwind or play on a sunny day. It runs north from the mouth of the River Blyth, past the grand pier. A long stretch of the beach is backed by wild dunes, whereas the north end has a promenade lined with colourful beach huts, some with strange names like Jabba The Hut! If you are holidaying in Southwold at the end of December, there is a Christmas Day dip for the more intrepid (also insane). The beach is a popular destination for swimming too, so bring your trunks.

Best for children | Southwold Pier

A day by the seaside in England can often centre around a visit to the pier, and Southwold’s is a beauty. With its cavalcade of arcade machines and modern computer games, there are hours of fun to discover in the aisles of the pavilion. There is also a cafe, restaurant and takeaways galore selling everything from fish and chips to deep-fried doughnuts. Down below the boardwalk is the Under the Pier Show where you can find a bewitching collection of interactive machines and inventions, most of which were created by the eccentric genius Tim Hunkin. Don’t miss the half-hour pee shows at Hunkin’s Water Clock where various automatons relieve themselves to fun effect. It’s one of the area’s quirkiest landmarks!

Best for walking | Southwold’s best walks

Southwold to Walberswick 

A relaxing 3-mile walk to Walberswick is a must if you are spending holiday time in Southwold. Heading south towards the River Blyth, you will encounter tall dunes and a level path. Eventually, you can cross a bridge into neighbouring Walberswick, which is home to some lovely pubs and shops. You can read the full guide to Walberswick and its surrounding area for even more inspiration. The walk to Walberswick is lovely for wildlife lovers and those who like seeing a variety of boats and other rivercraft.

Southwold to Covehithe 

Another walk loved by visitors and locals alike is the Southwold to Covehithe trail, across unspoiled Suffolk countryside. Covehithe is losing a decade-long battle against sea erosion; you will also encounter the eerie ruins of St Andrew’s Church.  

Best for boat lovers | Walberswick Ferry

One of the most easy-going things to do in Southwold is a trip by rowboat ferry across the River Blyth. It’s a gentle pastime and a good way to see Walberswick if you are too hot or tired to complete the 3-mile circular walk. Perhaps you could walk along the river to the Harbour Inn (on the Southwold side) after you’ve returned from Walberswick. The boat service has been managed by five generations of the same family, and the vessel can transport a maximum of 12 wayfarers per crossing.

Best for sports fans | Southwold Golf Course

Southwold Golf Club is located in coastal heathland and is a short drive from the centre of the town. It is a nine-hole course with 18 tees and is open to the public as well as its club members. Regarded as one of the best golf courses in East Anglia, it’s an attractive course fringed by gorse banks with lots of bunkers to challenge players of all abilities. 

Best for performance art fans | Southwold Arts Centre

From films to stand-up comedy, pantomime and nature talks, Southwold Arts Centre is a hub of activity and entertainment at the heart of the town. There is a full and varied programme of live and recorded events all year round. Located inside St Edmunds Hall, close to the seafront, it’s an easy place to find with plenty of parking.

Best for artists | Southwold Gallery

Visit Southwold Gallery to see some fine exhibitions of paintings and abstract art from local and national artists. This is where you can buy some art for yourself or as a gift. There are also lots of ceramics to view at Southwold Gallery. Keep an eye on their programme of exhibitions throughout the year; there is always something interesting on display. 

Best for drinkers | Adnams Brewery and Distillery Tour

A fun thing to do in Southwold is a tour of the Adnams Brewery and/or Distillery. Gin, whisky, and vodka are produced in the copper stills. Visitors get to witness the whole process from ‘grain to bottle’ on the spirits tour and can see how Adnams' various ales are brewed. At the end of the tour, there is a tasting session, and you can visit the Adnams gift shop to stock up. You can also take a course to craft your own gin! 

Best for lighthouse baggers | Southwold Lighthouse tour

Take a tour of Southwold Lighthouse, which stands 31 metres tall by Southwold Harbour. Still in operation, the lighthouse is a well-loved and iconic landmark for this area of Suffolk. The tour is run by Adnams and the experience gives visitors a historical insight into the lighthouse’s past and role. If you are fit enough for the climb, the views are, understandably, very beautiful.

Best for historians | Southwold’s museums

Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum

Southwold is home to two very interesting museums, the Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum and the Southwold Museum. The former centres around the preserved 19^th-century lifeboat, the Alfred Corry. The museum is full of artefacts pertaining to the boat’s fascinating history, including its 41 rescues and the lives its crew saved during its 25-year service.  

Southwold Museum

Southwold Museum is a tiny place packed to the rafters with paintings, photographs, models and wildlife exhibits. Artefacts dating back to prehistoric times, the Viking occupation, and various wars are included, as well as a wealth of material about local industry, the old railway, and the fortunes of the local fishing fleet. It’s a worthwhile place to visit if you want to get to know Southwold a bit better during your holiday cottage break.

Stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages in Southwold

Visit captivating Southwold; we have a large collection of self-catering holiday cottages for you to pick from. Spend the day touring this lovely area of Suffolk and then retire to your home-from-home to relax and rejuvenate for another day of exploration. View our range of Southwold cottages and properties all across the East of England today.