Suffolk beaches in summer: the best coast days out from The Firs

The best Suffolk beaches are all within half an hour of The Firs, which makes our countryside retreat an ideal base for a summer of seaside days. You get the sand and the sea air by day, then escape the coastal crowds for a peaceful evening back in the gardens. We're 2 hours from London and 45 minutes from Norwich. Here's where to head when the sun's out.

Southwold is the classic Suffolk summer beach — a row of famously colourful beach huts, a Blue Flag sweep of sand, the pier with its quirky amusements and the lighthouse standing over the town. Bring an Adnams back from the brewery shop and you've got a perfect day.

Aldeburgh is all shingle, fishing boats and seafood. Buy fish and chips, eat them on the beach watching the boats, and walk up to Maggi Hambling's Scallop sculpture. The pastel high street is full of independent shops and galleries.

Walberswick, just across the river from Southwold, is quieter and arty — the spiritual home of crabbing, with a bucket-and-line championship each summer. Dunwich has a big, wild, uncrowded beach backed by the heath, plus the haunting story of the medieval town lost to the sea.

The joy of basing yourself at The Firs is the contrast: busy, brilliant beach days, then home to four acres of calm. Rinse off the sand, fire the pizza oven, and sink into a wood-fired hot tub as the long summer light fades.

For summer UK stays with this much coastline on the doorstep, this countryside stay is one of Suffolk's loveliest bases.

Planning a summer by the Suffolk coast? Check availability and book direct.