One of the joys of staying at a Kip Hideaway is discovering new corners of the UK; hunting out independent gems, lesser known beauty spots and the coolest foodie hangouts.
In our series of monthly Insider Guides we’ll be picking the brains of hideaway owners in different regions to bring you all the best things to do, see, eat and drink — hopefully providing inspiration to holiday a little closer to home this year.
This month we’re headed to East Suffolk, bordered by 50 miles of glorious coastline, topped with breathtakingly beautiful open skies and packed full of foodie hotspots — a summer holiday destination that should be firmly on your list for 2023.
EAT
The Suffolk, Aldeburgh A light & airy seafront restaurant celebrating the produce and surrounding beauty of the unspoilt East Coast. Sample local Butley Creek oysters and native lobster, or settle into the bar for some delicious sounding bar snacks — smoked mussel tempura, black ham and Baron Bigod croquettes — alongside a ‘Suffolk Sassy’ cocktail.
The Unruly Pig A multi-award winning gastropub, this 16th century Suffolk Inn with cosy log burners and original oak beams serves ‘seriously good, unfussy food’ — as testified by the Telegraph. Menus change at least seasonally and according to what comes in fresh from the market each day — you may find wild boar raviolo, wild bass with braised borlotti and mersea crab or a chateaubriand of hereford beef.
Framlingham Market A twice-weekly Suffolk country market filled with local, organic and free-range produce, fabulous wares, and friendly faces. You’ll find delicious coffee & crepes from Under The Moon stall, local produce, Darren the fishmonger, fruit & veg along with with bread, cakes and much more.
Black Dog Delis With locations in Halesworth, Walberswick and Wrentham these delis are a must-visit, with a fabulous array of artisan foods. While you’re buying your delicious treats you can also check out original artwork by local artist Charlie Macksey, famed for his wonderfully illustrated book ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse’. Rumour has it the Walberswick deli is a regular haunt for the odd A-list celeb, too.
Pump Street Bakery An award-winning bakery in the village of Orford on Suffolk’s Heritage Coast, with an adjoining chocolate shop. Pop by for daily-baked sourdough, viennoiserie, pastries, and your morning coffee for the perfect start to a day of exploring.
Pinch at Maple Farm Never tried a cruller? You are missing out. Deep fried rings of choux pastry, the delicious crullers served from Pinch cafe at Maple Farm are made from Maple Farm flour & eggs and iced in flavours inspired by Suffolk. Make sure to check out the farm shop too, well stocked with local artisan goodies.
The Box & the The Penny Bun Bakehouse, Southwold Somewhat of a local secret, The Box is open from Sunday to Friday between 5pm and 9pm, serving a truly delicious array of street food (although do check its open, order in advance and be patient – there will be a queue and The Box works on Southwold time, but the food is delicious! Check out the Instagram page to pre-order as she usually sells out!). On a Saturday between 8am and 2pm The Box is taken over by The Pennybun Bakehouse (their chocolate loaf quotes as “genuinely one of the best things our family has ever tasted!”) Again, pre-ordering is essential – the menu is released on a Tuesday to allow you to pre-order your bakes by 4pm on the Thursday).
DO
Southwold Beach Visiting Southwold is almost like stepping back in time for a moment. A place to forget about the bustle of everyday life and take a breath. Famed for its award winning traditional pier, grade II listed Southwold Lighthouse and the stunning promenade, adorned with brightly coloured beach huts, you’d be forgiven for just grabbing yourself a pint of Adnams beer, finding a spot on the beach, and kicking back for the rest of your stay.
Thorrington Open Air Theatre A theatre constructed on the site of a bomb crater from WWII, which left a natural amphitheater in the woods. They have a fabulous line up for the summer season, with comedy, opera, Shakespeare and family favourites (book in advance to secure your seat!).
The Suffolk Cycle Route With woods and forests, 50 miles of coastline, and thousands of quiet country roads, Suffolk is a cyclist’s paradise. The terrain is relatively flat, and all comes with a beautiful view — perfect for a leisurely day out.
Electric Picture Palace For a cultural fix try the Electric Picture Palace, which recreates the heyday of cinema-going with usherettes and a rising cinema organ.
SHOP
Aldeburgh Bookshop & Halesworth Bookshop – both lovely independents who each run an annual literary festival.
Pump Street Chocolate Just across the square from Pump Street Bakery you’ll find its sister Chocolate shop. A dedicated space that celebrates all things chocolate – from award-winning chocolate bars to a cornucopia of cookery books, equipment for perfecting your at-home chocolate making, and beautiful hand-thrown ceramics from local artisans.
Vanil Homewares A unique assortment of Scandinavian-inspired accessories, furniture and home décor carefully selected from designers & creatives who share a belief in slow design — taking time to create designs you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
STAY
The Lake Lodges Ten acres, 2,000 trees and one lake: it’s hard to imagine a more enchanting setting for this peaceful retreat. A handful of lodges sit amongst wild grasses, each with 2 kingsized bedrooms and their own ensuite — perfect for couples or friends sharing. There are yoga classes and sauna huts amongst the trees, too.
Woodland Igluhuts On the same magical site as Lake Lodges you’ll find these Igluhuts — hand-crafted wooden pods for 2, nestled in the countryside. Inside, each is a beautiful blend of calm and cosy, with bright white walls, boho cushions atop vintage-style armchairs and a double bed tucked into a nook. Outside, you have your own terrace, complete with firepit and barbecue.
The Curious Oyster, Orford A boutique-chic sanctuary for 2, this is an easy stroll from Orford’s foodie restaurants and photogenic harbour. Eat just-caught seafood every day, and explore E Suffolk’s beautiful coastline: Southwold, Aldeburgh, Walberswick, they’re all easy day trips.
Skyroom Light streams into this beautiful, airy space for 4 in the Suffolk countryside. It comes as no surprise that the owner is a photographer; the decoration is perfectly pared back and calming with plenty of natural textures and a Scandi feel – poured concrete floors, whitewashed beams, sheepskin rugs and sisal matting.
