Hugging the North Sea on England’s east coast, Suffolk is a historic county that centres around the lively town of Ipswich. It’s dotted with charming villages that flourished on the back of the wool industry and ecompasses a magnificent coastal tract that’s been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Things to do

From breathtaking natural scenery that inspired the 19th-century painter John Constable to half-timbered towns that appeared in “Harry Potter”, Suffolk is one of England’s most underrated tourist destinations.

Discover historic Bury St Edmunds. One of the most charismatic towns in Suffolk is Bury St Edmunds, a historic market town that is home to the county’s only cathedral. Wander between the remains of the Bury St Edmunds Abbey and learn about the Greene King Brewery’s historic brewing techniques before catching a show at the beautifully restored Theatre Royal.

Visit the wool town of Lavenham. Once one of England’s wealthiest towns, Lavenham is clustered with heritage-listed buildings that were used as the backdrop for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (Parts I and II). Marvel at the Gothic-inspired architecture of the Church of St Peter and St Paul and delve into the past at the 16th-century Guildhall, a timber workhouse that now functions as a history museum.

Explore the Suffolk Coast & Heaths. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this spectacular coastal region boasts shingle beaches, bird-filled estuaries and rural farmland in Suffolk’s far east. Stretch your legs on the long-distance Suffolk Coast Path and visit the charming seaside town of Southwold, which features a long leisure pier and a late-19th-century lighthouse that offers sweeping views across the North Sea.

Getting around

Suffolk is around two hours’ drive from London and is easily accessed from London’s Stansted Airport. Trains connect towns and villages throughout the county, although having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of exploring its natural wonders. Most of the towns are compact enough to explore on foot.