Aldeburgh retains the genteel feel and pace of an Edwardian seaside resort. The bathing huts have disappeared but the pretty pastel coloured cottages remain. Aldeburgh High Street, which runs parallel to the shore has both quaint and contemporary shops and galleries among some really attractive historic buildings – at one time the half-timbered Elizabethan Moot Hall (now a fascinating museum) was located in the centre of the town, today it overlooks the beach and the fishermen’s huts just south of the iconic scallop shell sculpture by local artist Maggi Hamblin.

The annual influx of creative people and their audiences has brought a wealth of excellent restaurants, cafés and fine local producers to Aldeburgh. Unsurprisingly menus include a fine selection of fresh local fish from sole to lobster but locally grown fruit and veg are also to be savoured; try the locally grown asparagus and samphire. Children are welcome everywhere and there is much for youngsters to enjoy. If it is too cold for the beach then younger children will enjoy sailing their boats on the boating lake or crabbing at the quay. There are sailing courses throughout the summer, dinghy, canoe hire at near by Thorpeness, tennis and golf and with some car free areas close to the beach many families bring or hire bikes.