Southwold’s Highlights, from the Pier and Gun Hill to Adnams Brewery
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Hear the story of how this sleepy port town was transformed into a premier tourist destination thanks, in part, to early visitors who flocked to the island for fresh sea air, saltwater, and the health benefits that they bring. On this walking tour, I’ll tell you about the town’s lucrative shipwreck-salvaging industry, seen as a gold mine for the brave, and how the promenade was once part of World War II’s front line.
While we walk, I’ll show you well-known attractions like the colourful line of beach huts below the Southwold Lighthouse, Gun Hill which is home to a row of historical cannons and the Southwold Sailors Reading Room, and the 100-year-old town institution, the Adnams Brewery. I’ll guide you to the quaint cottage-lined streets just beyond the town’s popular Market Square and High Street, and share a story or two that you might not otherwise hear.
Other highlights on this tour include:
- Hearing about the town’s ‘Beach Boys’ who made a living rowing local navigators to ships in need
- Standing at the entrance to Primrose Alley, once one of the roughest places to live in Southwold
- Reliving the Battle of Sole Bay, fought by the British and the Dutch in 1672
- Finding out why Park Lane is sometimes called ‘the Historian’s Street’
- Learning about the mysterious Southwold Jack, a statue of a medieval foot soldier holding a sword that was used to strike the church bell at the start of every church service
By the end of this tour, you’ll understand how fear of invasion, savvy businessmen, and the allure of the sea have all shaped this town. Come and seek out the clues left behind over the centuries to better appreciate this Sleeping Beauty of a town.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Suffolk Guide
No matter if you are in Suffolk for the day or you are in Suffolk everyday, you will see more with a Suffolk Guide. The name Suffolk Guide reflects my wide interest and knowledge of Suffolk, not just a town here or a town there but the county of Suffolk.
I have lived and worked in Suffolk all my life. I love local history but I also love any stories and facts about Suffolk villages in any period of time. The perfect venue for all these stories is a guided tour in front of where the story takes place.
I first began by sharing my enthusiasm for Suffolk with school children. I worked in a number of locations in the county, so I built up a mental filing cabinet of stories for all of these locations.
On my tours, you get a lifetime of stories handed down about the sites that we pass and also stories found in research.. Some of these stories were from centuries ago and some of these stories were from decades ago. I won’t bother you with a story about something that’s not there. My ITG training stressed the need to talk about something that you could focus on.
I always leave you with ideas for other landmarks to explore and activities that you could do after the tour.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 1
Southwold Pier Car Park
Let's start by heading to the toilet block near the entrance to the car park. Turn so that the sea is behind you and you need to stand so that you are looking through the entrance to the Boating Lake. Ahead of yo... Read More
View locations and route
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Amber Shop and Museum
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Gun Hill
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Southwold Beach Promenade
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Southwold Lighthouse
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Southwold Museum
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Southwold Pier
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Southwold Sailors' Reading Room
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St Edmund's Church
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Adnams Brewery
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start location27 N Parade, Southwold IP18 6LT, UK
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Total distance3km
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Final locationN Parade, Southwold IP18 6BN, UK
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Distance back to start location33.77m
Directions to Starting Point
By road you will come along the A1095 signed from the A12 (London to Lowestoft Road) as the road to Southwold. This road comes to a mini roundabout at the edge of town and there you take the left hand turn, signed "to the seafront" and a parking sign.
Most visitors park in the main car park behind the pier. Use the postcode IP18 6BN , on your Sat Nav.
The main bus route goes from Norwich to Southwold, it is the 146 and it stops at the pier.
Once in the car park stand in a safe spot to the left of the toilet block and look for the entrance to the Boating Lake Cafe, then I will be able to meet you there.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
I introduce you to the main places of interest along the route but there are so many more stops to explore. So just feel free anytime to stop the tour to make a detour for a local ale, or a homemade ice cream and/or afternoon tea, as you want. I will always be ready to carry on the tour.
Best time of day
This really is an any time and any weather walk, just so long as you are dressed for the weather. Just remember that the sun rises over the sea and the sun sets behind the town. I always like to come when all the tourists have gone home, then you get it all to your self. Avoid Bank Holidays in summer when the Town can be seriously crowded.
Precautions
Sunny days walking along any beach go so much better if you are prepared with sun block and a bottle of water. Listen to the weather report before you arrive and dress sensibly. Stout footwear would be a good idea for those steps and paths up the cliff. The route sticks to paths and should be accessible for walking. If mobilty, or access to the beach is a problem (High tides can cover the beach promenade) then the first 10 stops are along the promenade by the beach so you might find it easier to follow the road up the cliff and manually click on the stops on the map as you pass them. But I must point out that the days where the waves roll and crash on to the promenade really bring to life those stories about going to sea in rowing boat.
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