So, simply Southwold

So, Southwold. Suffolk’s signature seaside spot. Sand, sun and sky. Stylish, sophisticated and serene. Slightly sleepy, some say somewhat staid, some say sufficiently seductive. Super setting and significant sights. Splendid.

So, Southwold’s scintillating summer sun. Tourists travel to the town. They taste tempting teacakes, they take tea, they try tops, trousers and t-shirts; stroll in summer stripes, soft sandals and shades; gasp at Gun Hill, gaze and gorge in gift shops and galleries, Serena Hall sensational and supreme. Fun filled faces and frolicking. Fantastic.

So, some swim in the sea, some settle on the sand, some set sandcastles, some sit in the sand dunes and some sail and surf; kids crab and kite, children cycle, blokes bike; bountiful bask in the beautifully bright brilliant beach huts. Lots of laughter and lollipops, and indulging in idyllic ice cream.  Plenty promenade, plenty peruse and play on the picturesque proud protruding pier, plenty partake in putting. Perfect.

So, Southwold stages and shows. Try the theatre for fabulously funny farces; pile into the pretty and petite picture house; call in at the circus; frequent the family fun fair; book the best brewery for beer, have hearty hostelry hops, Adnams always adored. Awesome.

So, supper is sumptuous in Southwold. Pokey, pretty, pleasant pubs produce prized plates, revered restaurants relish rustling up rich refreshing recipes. Idiosyncratic Italian Enzo enlightens and entertains, follows Fulham and produces perfect pizza; fill up on fine fare from the foodies at Fifty One; Sole Bay Southwold Smokehouse serves succulent seafood; Sutherland House goes gastro; Coasters is creatively cool and Sail Loft salutes seafood and style. Stupendous.

So, Southwold salivates and snacks. Cafe culture captivates,  customers chatting and chilling. Costa was contentious, independents integrated and ingratiated, locals loved and lauded, cellars certainly celebrated and parlours packed out. Outstanding.

So, staying in Southwold is still something of a secret.  Settle at The Swan or Sutherland, cosy up at The Castle. B&B’s abound. ‘So Southwold’ and ‘Suffolk Secrets’ for self catering. Sorted.

So, sporadically summer sun subsides. When weather is wretched it is wild, windswept and wrecking. Wow! Relentless rain rarely ruins, rather rapidly relents, as restful relaxation returns. Relief.

So, sometimes saunter to Southwold’s surrounds, give golf a go, mosey and maraude through many marshes, hike to the higgledy-piggledy harbour, walk to Walberswick and fork out fares for the family ferry back, descend on Dunwich or arrange an ‘all dayer’ at Aldeburgh. Adventure.

So, as the Southwold sun sets, landmarks lift the landscape. The water tower watches over, the lofty lighthouse illuminates. Tranquility transcends. Southwold sleeps. So, Southwold is. Special.