The Town Steps

Recorded in the Doomsday book, granted it's first Royal Charter in 1540, Aldeburgh is now seen as an unspoilt “Edwardian” town on the East Suffolk Heritage coast. It has breathtaking scenery looking both seaward and inland following the river Alde. It's name possibly derives from a Roman strong point beside the river meaning "Old defended place". Its history is inextricably linked to the changes of passing time. Once a Tudor port it's shipbuilders allegedly built the Golden Hind. 

When the port silted up the town's fortunes dried up too until the Edwardian era brought the idea of healthy seaside living and the wealthy moved in. 

Erosion swept away much of the old Tudor town but the Moot Hall, Norman Church and Martello Tower remain as testament to it's history. And now it has fame as home to the internationally renowned Aldeburgh Music Festival.

Further history can be found at http://www.aldeburghmuseumonline.co.uk/

It has several nearby golf courses with the main Aldeburgh course in the Country’s top 65, and its 9 hole course for the less skilled!

There are excellent local restaurants, a cinema, superb local shops and art Galleries and the River Alde, with its yacht clubs and marshes and boat trips.

There are interesting walks from and around Aldeburgh, and of course the famous Britten Pears School of music and the Aldeburgh Festival at the Snape Maltings.

Popular public tennis courts are a few hundred yards away. In Thorpeness the Edwardian Meare boating lake based on Peter Pan has rowing boats, canoes, punts etc for hire.

Aldeburgh is an ideal spot while the rest of the family is at the Latitude Festival. The Aldeburgh Carnival weekend and carnival day on the 3rd Monday in August attracts huge crowds.