Kersey has a historic feel to it with many 14th to 16th-century timber-framed houses with traditional tiled roofs, thatched cottages and many medieval buildings left untouched. If it was not for the cars on the road, it could easily be mistaken for Suffolk 200 years ago.
The village has a great local pub, many lovely walking routes in and around Kersey and a complex called The Kersey Mill which is home to a number of different independent shops and businesses such as craft shops, barbers, butchers, flower shops and cafes.
Kersey has been used as a filming location for Lovejoy and Magpie Murders due to its pretty, quaint English settings and atmosphere, it is a must-visit place while in Suffolk.
This pretty village Suffolk also has a significant history as it was once the 14th wealthiest town in Tudor England and its wool manufacturers were famous for their striking blue cloth. The location of Lavenham also adds to its appeal, being set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Constable Country surrounded by meadows, ancient woodlands, and tumbling streams.
One of the most iconic places in Lavenham that helped to put the village on the map is its 600-year-old Crooked House which is an antique shop and tearoom. Other notable places to visit in Lavenham are the Guildhall which was also used in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, and Little Hall which is one of the oldest and best-preserved medieval buildings in Suffolk.
The village is situated in the Dedham Vale area which is known for its outstanding natural beauty and the village is also close to the countryside which is famous for being the inspiration for Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable’s artwork.
Long Melford is nearly 3 miles long which makes it one of the largest villages in the country. The village has a beautiful country park that has small lakes, wooded areas, and viewing points looking out to the River Stour which adds to its charm and has previously been used as a main filming location for BBC’s series Lovejoy and was also featured in The Great British Story and A People’s History.
Aldeburgh deserves an honourable mention, although it is not a village, due to its popularity, beautiful scenery, and overall seaside appeal with a charming high street, pastel-coloured houses and an iconic Scallop sculpture recognised throughout East Anglia. The town is also surrounded by an area of natural beauty with many bird-watching opportunities.
Aldeburgh has a large Blue Flag pebble beach with a promenade lined with beautiful 19th-century holiday villas looking out to the Suffolk coast, colourful boats and fresh fish shacks which makes it the perfect seaside escape. It also has a bustling high street with many independent shops and amazing eateries such as The Swan Hotel, The Unruly Pig, Two Magpies Bakery and the renowned Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop .
Good to know
- Highlights: Blue flag pebble beach | Pastel-coloured promenade | Colourful boats
- Where to eat: Regatta Restaurant is a popular seafood restaurant in Aldeburgh which has a menu that reflects its coastal location. The restaurant is perfect for any occasion and has a bright and airy atmosphere perfect for all visitors
- Stay nearby: Heritage Retreat | sleeps 2 guests + 1 dog
Thorpeness
Thorpeness is a quirky and enchanting seaside village in Suffolk that is a popular summer getaway for many. The village is a small settlement on the Suffolk coast, just 25 miles from Ipswich that is renowned for its whimsical architecture and artificial lake called The Meare which was inspired by Peter Pan.
Traditionally a fishing village built by a wealthy Scottish businessman who built mock Tudor buildings with an eccentric feel, Thorpeness is not only one of the prettiest villages in Suffolk, but also one of the most interesting. The village has a charming shingle beach which is backed by pretty pastel-coloured villas and coastal cottages. The beach slopes towards the sea providing breathtaking views of Aldeburgh to the south and Dunwich to the north. The village’s water tower has been disguised as a 5-storey house called ‘House in the Clouds’ which has become a landmark in the village.
At The Meare, visitors can hire rowing boats, kayaks, canoes, punts, dinghies and sailing boats, it has been described as a great place to take children for a fun summer day out for all the family.
Good to know
- Highlights: Quirky and eccentric | Artificial lake inspired by Peter Pan | Mock tudor buildings | Charming beach with coloured villas
- Where to eat: Ogilvie’s Restaurant is a delicious restaurant situated at Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel which offers a menu full of classics using local Suffolk ingredients. The restaurant has a stunning interior sure to wow guests and an inviting and relaxing atmosphere
- Stay nearby: 1 Ogilvie | sleeps 4 guests + 2 dogs
Dunwich
Dunwich is known as England’s 'lost city' as it was once a thriving medieval port town that was lost to the sea. Sonar technology has shown that much of the town remains on the seabed which makes it a fascinating place to visit.
The village is known for its beautiful heathland, forest, and beach, as well as many pretty walking trails. It has also been described as a peaceful place to connect with nature and is part of the Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape with some of the UK’s rarest wildlife present.
At its peak in the 14th century, Dunwich was as big as London and was even at the centre of a notorious smuggling racket in the 1700s. Today, the village consists of just 90 people and has a popular pub, The Ship Inn and the famous Flora Tearooms which are great to visit after a relaxing stroll. There is also a museum for visitors to learn more about Dunwich’s interesting history, with displays about the more recent social history and wildlife.
Good to know
- Highlights: England’s lost city | pretty heathlands | quaint village with popular pub
- Where to eat: The Ship Inn is an old smugglers' inn that is a short stroll from the beach with open log fires and a cosy pub bar in winter, and light and airy in the summer with sheltered sun traps outside. The pub is known for its delicious fish and chips and is steeped in history, making it an exciting place to eat
- Stay nearby: Woodberry Cottage | sleeps 7 guests + 2 dogs
Orford
Orford is a true historical gem, famous for its many wonderful attractions such as a boating river, wartime military buildings, a quayside, a famous smokehouse, an oysterage, an award-winning artisan bakery, and a notable castle.
The village is full of pretty cottages, welcoming pubs and beautiful natural surroundings such as Orford Ness, which is a long, wide shingle pit at the mouth of the River Ore. Orford Ness is now a nature reserve and is home to breeding Avocets and Terns in the spring and summer which makes it a hotspot for nature lovers and bird watchers.
The Orford Ness site also includes many military buildings, a former lighthouse, blast bunkers, and the remains of an experimental rocket testing site, it's a truly unique place where natural beauty intertwines with wartime history. Orford also has a Grade I-listed parish church, a favorite place of the famous British composer Benjamin Britten. There are many beautiful places to walk around in Orford, including some routes that allow passers-by to take in views of the castle, bakery and quay.
Good to know
- Highlights: Beautiful boating river | Old military buildings | Former lighthouse
- Where to eat: The Butley Orford Oysterage is one of the most iconic eateries in Suffolk due to its delicious oysters, smoked delicacies, fresh local fish and shellfish which keeps customers returning time and time again
- Stay nearby: The Pavilion | sleeps 10 guests + 2 dogs
Framlingham
Framlingham is a small market town in Suffolk which is home to a magnificent 12th-century castle belonging to the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk throughout the centuries. Although it is not a village, Framlingham has certainly earned a place on this list due to its unwavering beauty and countryside appeal, but also due to being home to one of the 21st century's most popular musical artists; Ed Sheeran.
Framlingham has a wide range of shops, cafes, and restaurants but also many beautiful green spaces such as a nature reserve with wet meadows and migrating birds, historical features, winding streets, and pretty cottages.
Framlingham Castle is the most popular attraction in Framlingham, attracting hundreds of thousands of guests every year. The castle inspired Ed Sheeran’s hit song ‘Castle on the Hill’ which is a love letter to Suffolk and is about the singer reminiscing about his upbringing in Framlingham. The Castle is surrounded by parkland and estates, it’s a great place for younger and older visitors to explore or have a picnic while taking in the stunning views of the castle.
Good to know
- Highlights: Medieval castle | Beautiful green spaces | Winding streets | Pretty cottages
- Where to eat: The Station is a friendly local pub in Framlingham that offers delicious food, good beer and tasty woodfired pizza. Ed Sheeran visited this pub bringing along fellow musical superstar Taylor Swift and Nicole Scherzinger
- Stay nearby: The Pavilion | sleeps 10 guests + 2 dogs
Walberswick
Walberswick is a village on the Suffolk Heritage Coast known for its pretty beach, dunes, traditional buildings, and famous annual crabbing competition. The village is surrounded by a 1,000-acre nature reserve with mudflats, meadows, and marshes which is home to otters, deer, and many species of birds.
Walberswick has a long history being a port town and centre of maritime trade, and was a wealthy merchant town in the medieval period. Many notable buildings still stand today such as a 600-year-old pub, The Merchers Hall, and St Andrew’s Church which was built in the 15th-century. Many celebrities own holiday homes in the village such as Libby Purves and Richard Curtis, and the village even inspired the novel ‘The Sea House’ by Emma Freud who also owns a holiday home in the village.
The village has a long, sandy shingle beach with grassy dunes behind it which is a popular spot for families, dog walkers, and sea swimmers. It is a wilder beach than neighbouring Southwold Beach which adds to the appeal of the village with beautiful views of Southwold and Sixewell. Visitors can expect to see surfers, kite surfers, and canoeists while visiting the beach, followed by a delicious pub lunch or cream tea in one of Walberswick’s delicious eateries.
Good to know
- Highlights: Pretty beach | Surrounded by area of natural beauty | Traditional buildings
- Where to eat: The Bell is a 600-year-old pub steeped in history that is set in Walberswick. The pub has quirky snugs, a light bar and a large outdoor garden perfect for enjoying the summer sunshine. With a delicious menu filled with local Suffolk produce and hearty home-cooked meals, this pub is the perfect place to go out for a meal while visiting Walberswick
- Stay nearby: 1 Millstones | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Clare
Clare is a quaint market town in Suffolk with the buzz of a small town but the look and atmosphere of a cosy medium-sized town. It is known for its historic architecture, beautiful countryside, charming old houses, and range of independent shops such as a butcher, pet shop, a lady's boutique and some antique shops.
This pretty market town is described as a treasure trove of historical architecture with a 13th-century castle, Saxon earthwork, an Iron Age fort, and a medieval church. The main part of the village consists of houses in pastel colours including timber-framed buildings which are the perfect backdrop for a relaxing stroll around the village.
Clare is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Suffolk including the Upper Stour Valley which is known for its rolling farmland, rivers, meadows, ancient woodland, and a variety of local wildlife, it is often described as one of Britain’s finest landscapes that passes through many villages and towns, such as Clare. The town has a 36-acre country park that surrounds the castle ruins and contains a decommissioned railway, this park has a variety of stunning walks and trails.
Good to know
- Highlights: Historic architecture | Surrounded by beautiful countryside | Pastel-coloured houses and timber-framed buildings
- Where to eat: The Swan Inn is a lovely traditional historic inn that serves high-quality home cooked food, it has a restaurant, inglenook fireplace, a light and airy public bar and a large outdoor garden with plenty of seating
- Stay nearby: 2 Mill Farm | sleeps 5 guests + 2 dogs
Map of the prettiest villages in Suffolk
Use this handy map to find the prettiest villages in Suffolk.
Places to stay in Suffolk
With its picture-perfect villages, historic charm, and stunning landscapes, Suffolk is a destination that promises unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re drawn to the quaint streets of Lavenham, the coastal allure of Aldeburgh, or the peaceful beauty of Kersey, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the heart of Suffolk than by staying in a holiday cottage. At Suffolk Secrets, we offer a handpicked selection of cottages to suit every need – from cosy retreats for two to spacious homes perfect for family gatherings. Each property is thoughtfully chosen to provide the ideal base for exploring Suffolk’s prettiest villages and beyond.
Do you own a property in the beautiful Suffolk region? Let us help you share it with others. At Suffolk Secrets, we’re proud to be a leading holiday letting agency, offering a diverse collection of properties, from quaint village cottages and coastal apartments to elegant countryside homes and luxurious escapes. With our outstanding customer service and a friendly, dedicated team, we ensure a seamless letting experience for both property owners and holiday guests.