A few hours drive from London is the gorgeous tranquil seaside Suffolk town of Aldeburgh. It is just so pretty!
One of very few places to have conserved their heritage and there is a distinct lack of high street shops and chains and an array of artisan and cute independent shops everywhere, which was really refreshing to see.
It is a very friendly town with a community feel and feels super safe.
Fish huts dot the sparkly shingle coast and I just adore the small town feel and the quaint and pastel colourful houses everywhere.
We were visiting for the weekend to stay at The White Lion, a 38 room hotel with a fabulous seafront location and fabulous views from 12 of its rooms, one of which we were lucky to stay in. There is just something special about having a sea view.
We arrived and parked behind the hotel as there was lots of parking available on the streets, although the hotel does have its own parking area too.
The staff were very welcoming and check in was a smooth and quick process. Our room was on the first floor and had a superb sea view. Just loved hearing the waves and the aroma of the salty seaside air.
The room was large and spacious, with a large, very comfortable bed with an ensuite airy bathroom which had both a tub and shower.
There was a small TV in the corner of the room and a dressing table. Coffee and Tea making facilities were also available which pleased me as I need a coffee as soon as I wake up in the morning.
The hotel has 2 restaurants, an Indian one called Sea and Spice, which I will be reviewing separately, and Brasserie Bleue, which has fantastic food and an extensive wine list. It is also the venue for breakfast.
We really enjoyed our breakfast and had some fresh grapefruit and apple juice and delicious home made toast. I went for Eggs Benedict while Amit went for the The Lion’s Share which was bacon, sausages, grilled tomato, mushroom and egg cooked in your preferred way. He went for scrambled eggs.
On the two days we were there, we walked around the town and ate lots of ice cream because…seaside…ice cream. Perfect combination!
I would really recommend two ice cream shops, the first (pictured below) is The IceCreamery, run by a family and with an amazing choice of flavours available.
What I loved best about them was Amit wanted mint and they didn’t have it in their main selection, so they created it for him by mixing aero mint chocolate with vanilla on a swanky cold metallic surface with a cold blade. Genius!
I went for a fruity banana flavour as it was a really hot day and it was so refreshing! We took the obligatory instagram photos because I adored all the different coloured walls in the town. This blue wall matched my outfit :p
We then went and sat at the beach for a while and relaxed. It is a shingle/pebble beach and it is so lovely and tranquil. Although kids can’t play with buckets and spades, it is great for swimming and relaxing.
It was time well spent as I totally relaxed and enjoyed basking in the glorious sunshine we were lucky to have that day.
It is worth mentioning that phone reception is really bad in Aldeburgh (GPRS) so I could totally switch off when I was away from the wifi connection available in the hotel and so had a bit of a social media detox for a few hours, which was very welcome.
The beach is perfect for families and picnics and there are nautical remnants everywhere, which I loved seeing, having grown up in a coastal city myself.
The town is so pretty with lots of flowers and plants dotting the coastline. I just couldn’t help snapping away.
It is a working fishing town and there are shacks everywhere along the coast selling smoked and fresh fish, and the seafood is incredible.
On our second day, before we left I had ice cream again, and this time I chose Ives Ice Cream Parlour, which also sells coffees and teas alongside ice cream. The couple running the shop were lovely and put up with me photographing everything.
But how stunning is this ice cream?
I went for the roasted coffee (I know) flavour! I am craving it as I type it was ridiculously delicious! This is my second recommendation for ice cream in Aldeburgh. It is literally a minute’s walk from the beach so perfect to get an ice cream and then go enjoy it watching the waves crashing at the shore. My favourite thing to do!
Aldeburgh is so romantic, cute and peaceful and the perfect setting for a relaxing weekend break. I can’t believe how little of England I had seen until now and there really are lovely gems to escape to away from the hustle and bustle of London. There are lots of cafes, restaurants and really interesting shops close to the hotel.
I purchased lots of nautical themed home accessories for our flat which I was really delighted with.
The White Lion Hotel is in a fantastic and prime location facing the sea and the rooms are really comfortable, reasonably priced (Doubles from £95 in low season; rising to £195 in high). Breakfast is included which is fabulous and more importantly there is free and vert good Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
This is a dog friendly hotel and we saw lots of adorable pooches, staying over for a supplementary £10 a night.
For more information on the hotel go here: The White Lion
Disclaimer: My stay was complimentary and all views are my own.
Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN) says
I love your pretty blue dress and you look so happy a relaxed! I’m sure the ice cream helped 🙂
Binny says
Awww thank you my lovely xxxx
Tanja says
cool ice-cream! I’ve visited this town years ago on a cold December day:) it was also lovely!
Lauren says
I love a staycation, such a treat! And I agree with Angie, love that dress!
Binny says
Thanks lovely!! Am loving all your posts!!!