Our latest adventure in Peggy took us to the beautiful Suffolk coast, where we discovered medieval castles, colourful beach huts, fresh seafood, quirky art and one very memorable soaking courtesy of the North Sea!
Our first stop was the charming village of Orford, one of Suffolk's hidden treasures. Sitting peacefully beside the River Ore, Orford has a rich maritime history and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. We spent time exploring the picturesque quay, watching boats bob gently on the water and imagining the centuries of trade and fishing that once made the village an important port.
Towering above the village is the magnificent Orford Castle. Built by King Henry II in the twelfth century, the castle remains one of the best-preserved Norman keeps in England. Its unusual polygonal shape makes it stand out from many other castles, and from its walls there are wonderful views across the surrounding marshes and countryside. Walking around the castle, it was easy to imagine medieval soldiers standing guard over this important stretch of coastline.
From Orford, we continued to the elegant seaside town of Aldeburgh. The town immediately won us over with its unique combination of seaside charm, artistic heritage and fascinating history. One of the first things we noticed was the large village green stretching along the seafront, providing beautiful views out across the shingle beach and sea.
Aldeburgh's famous Moot Hall quickly caught our attention. This striking Tudor building has stood at the heart of the town for over 400 years and once served as the centre of local government and justice. Today it remains one of Suffolk's most recognisable historic buildings.
As we explored the seafront, we came across several quirky sculptures that give Aldeburgh its unique character. The most famous is the remarkable Scallop sculpture, created in tribute to composer Benjamin Britten, who lived in the town. Sitting on the beach and gazing out to sea, it perfectly captures Aldeburgh's close relationship with both art and the coast.
Further along the shoreline stands the Martello Tower, one of a chain of defensive towers built during the Napoleonic Wars to protect Britain from possible French invasion. These sturdy circular towers remind visitors that Suffolk's peaceful coastline once played an important role in the nation's defence.
Of course, no visit to Aldeburgh would be complete without sampling some seafood. I bravely tried my very first oyster, harvested from the local waters. While I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, it felt only right to give it a go. Alongside a wonderful fresh fish platter, it became one of the culinary highlights of the trip.
Our next destination was Southwold, perhaps one of the most charming seaside towns anywhere in Britain. With its brightly coloured beach huts lining the promenade, traditional pier and handsome Victorian buildings, Southwold feels like the perfect postcard seaside town.
We spent time exploring the famous pier and enjoying the wonderfully eccentric End of the Pier Show. Unlike anything found in most seaside resorts, it is packed with quirky inventions and delightfully bizarre mechanical amusements that had us laughing throughout.
However, our most memorable Southwold moment came courtesy of the sea itself.
As the waves crashed dramatically against the sea wall, Arnie confidently announced, "Look at it from up here on the railings, it won't touch us here."
The North Sea clearly took this as a challenge.
Within moments, a particularly enthusiastic wave crashed against the wall and sent a huge sheet of water soaring into the air. Before we could react, we were completely drenched from head to toe. The look on Arnie's face was almost as priceless as the soaking itself. Needless to say, the sea had won that particular argument.
Fortunately, plenty of laughter followed, and the colourful beach huts provided a cheerful backdrop while we attempted to dry off.
Our final stop before heading home was the beautiful medieval village of Lavenham. Widely regarded as one of the finest preserved medieval villages in England, Lavenham is famous for its timber-framed buildings that lean and twist at seemingly impossible angles.
Walking through the village feels like stepping back hundreds of years. During the fifteenth century, Lavenham grew rich through the wool trade, and many of the remarkable buildings still standing today were built by wealthy merchants eager to show off their success.
As we wandered through the crooked streets, it was impossible not to think of Lovejoy. The popular television series starring Ian McShane used Lavenham extensively as a filming location, and many scenes were shot amongst the village's historic buildings. Fans of the show can still recognise many familiar corners today.
The village seemed almost unchanged from the days when Lovejoy was filmed, adding to its timeless charm. Every street offered another beautiful view, another wonky timber-framed house and another reminder of England's rich medieval heritage.
As we finally pointed Peggy towards home, we reflected on another wonderful adventure. From Norman castles and historic quays to fresh seafood, quirky sculptures, colourful beach huts and medieval villages, Suffolk had delivered unforgettable experiences at every stop.
And while the history, scenery and food were all fantastic, it may well be Arnie's confident prediction about staying dry that remains the most memorable moment of all.
Until the next adventure,
Peggy and Crew
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