A colourful seaside town where sandy shores, maritime history, and lively streets meet the Suffolk Coast Path.
Southwold is one of Suffolk’s best-loved coastal towns, perfectly suited to walking holidays along the Suffolk Coast Path. Beyond the trail, the area also lends itself to a slower pace of outdoor adventures, shaped by beaches, marshes, and wide coastal skies. Sitting just north of Walberswick and south of Kessingland, it offers classic seaside walking combined with easy access to marshes, heathland, and nature reserves. The town’s pastel beach huts, working lighthouse, and 800-foot pier give it a timeless coastal character, while quieter routes around the harbour and River Blyth provide space for slower, more immersive exploration.
The Suffolk Coast Path runs directly through Southwold, making it easy to walk in either direction. Heading south, the route crosses the Bailey Bridge to Walberswick and continues through reedbeds and heathland toward Dunwich. To the north, the path leads past sandy beaches and coastal tracks toward Covehithe and Kessingland. Inland footpaths connect Southwold with Reydon, Frostenden, and the surrounding countryside, adding variety for those staying longer.
With a wide range of places to stay — from traditional hotels and guesthouses to independent inns and nearby coastal accommodation — Southwold works well for both short walking breaks and longer self-guided trips. The flat terrain, promenade, and network of quiet lanes also make the area well suited to relaxed cycling holidays, linking the coast with inland villages and nature-rich landscapes.
