Places to visit

Local villages:

Mendlesham - has a village shop/post office, GP surgery, church, fish & chip shop and pub.

Cotton - has a pub with a cafe and a church.

Bacton - has a pub serving good food and a shop.

Thorndon - has a pub The Black Horse serving fab food

Old Newton - has a shop and a Chinese Takeaway.

Haughley - also has a bakery and a good pub - Kings Arms.

Towns near by :

Stowmarket (8 miles) - small market town. Has an excellent train service direct to London Liverpool Street.  Also has as a newly refurbished cinema which is very good and The Food Museum, 75 acre museum of East Anglian rural life.

Bury St Edmunds (15 miles) - historic market town with a cathedral, the Abbey Gardens, plus a very nice shopping area, restaurants, bars and a market  on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Ipswich (15 miles) - large town.  

Lavenham (20 Miles) - medieval small town with lots of historic buildings plus independent shops and cafes/bars.

Woodbridge (22 miles) - vibrant small town on the river Deben.  

Norwich (30 miles) - city with lots of nice bars, restaurants, theatre, shopping and places of interest.

Other Places to visit:

Ickworth Park (20 miles) - National Trust house and gardens. Lovely walks etc.

Framlingham Castle (17 miles).

Sutton Hoo (25 miles away) - as seen in the film The Dig with Ralph Fiennes based on book by John Preston, based on a true story.

Constable Country is also about 26 miles away.  

Newmarket Racecourse (33 miles).

Snape Maltings: (29 miles). Situated on the River Alde, just 6 miles from Aldeburgh, amidst beautiful countryside, designate as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site itself is converted from Victorian buildings with independent shops and galleries, eateries, and several performance venues – including the world-famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall. Events include the Aldeburgh Festival , a 24-day celebration of music and the arts. 3-26th June 2022

Thetford Forest: (28 miles).

The coast is about 30 miles away :

Felixstowe - seaside town and large port.

Southwold - lovely seaside town with pier, light house, sandy beach, shops, bars & restaurants.  Well known as Adnams comes from here.

Aldeburgh - another lovely seaside town with shingle beach, shops, bars, restaurants and well known for fish and chips and beachside fooderies.

Nice places closer to home :

Hog & Hen Farm Shop (5 miles) - has nice cafe and children's play area.

Thornham Walks (5 miles) - lovely woodland, children's play area, cafe and picnic area.

Helmingham Hall Park & Gardens (13 miles) - lovely walks & garden, deers, goats. Has various events throughout the year.

Bressingham Steam and Gardens (14 miles).