Top 10 Beaches in Suffolk Ranked

The 10 best beaches in Suffolk, ranked

Suffolk has 50 miles of coastline and almost no overdeveloped resort towns, which means the beach situation here is unusually good. As people who live and work on this coast, here's our honest, locally informed ranking of the ten best beaches in Suffolk, what makes each one worth the trip, and which to choose for what.

1. Southwold Beach

The all-rounder. Wide, clean sand, the iconic candy-coloured beach huts, the pier at one end and Gun Hill at the other, with the lighthouse poking up behind. Family-friendly, blue-flag, with everything you need within a five-minute walk. The benchmark Suffolk beach.

2. Walberswick Beach

Quieter and wilder than its more famous neighbour across the river. Vast, dune-backed, brilliant for crabbing on the creek behind, and the village itself is a contender for prettiest in Suffolk. Get the rowed ferry from Southwold for the full experience.

3. Covehithe

The secret one. A tiny lane through ruined St Andrew's Church leads down to a wild beach beneath crumbling cliffs that the sea is actively reclaiming, a few feet a year. Empty even in August, photogenic in any light, and a complete contrast to the more polished beaches further down the coast.

4. Aldeburgh Beach

A long shingle sweep with fishing boats hauled up onto the stones, fresh fish sold straight off the boats, the famous fish-and-chip queue around the corner, and Maggi Hambling's Scallop sculpture half a mile north. Less for paddling, more for atmosphere.

5. Dunwich Beach

The romantic one. Steep shingle, dramatic skies, and the fading remnants of a medieval city beneath the waves offshore. The National Trust Dunwich Heath behind it makes a brilliant walk. The Ship Inn for lunch is worth the trip on its own.

6. Thorpeness Beach

A storybook-village setting just north of Aldeburgh, with the Meare boating lake behind, the House in the Clouds in eyeline, and a quiet shingle beach that families return to year after year. Brilliant for a peaceful day with kids.

7. Sizewell Beach

Yes, the power station is right there. No, it doesn't ruin it. Sizewell is one of the cleanest, quietest swimming beaches in Suffolk, with proper waves on a windy day and the Sizewell T café right on the beach for tea and cake. Underrated.

8. Shingle Street

Properly remote. A row of cottages, a long shingle beach, and almost nothing else. Famous for its long curving line of white shells laid out in memory of two girls who used to walk the beach. Photographers love it; so do anyone wanting a beach where they won't see another soul.

9. Felixstowe Beach

The proper bucket-and-spade family beach: promenade, gardens, arcades, ice cream, and a proper old-fashioned seaside town atmosphere. Brilliant if you've got young children and want a "real" beach day with all the trimmings.

10. Kessingland Beach

Long, wide, often overlooked. Sits just south of Lowestoft, attracts dog walkers and surfers, and you can walk for an hour without seeing more than a handful of people. A good shout for an off-season blow-away-the-cobwebs walk.

Which beach is right for you?

• Best with young kids: Southwold or Felixstowe
• Best for a wild walk: Covehithe or Shingle Street
• Best for atmosphere and culture: Aldeburgh
• Best dog walk: Dunwich Heath onto Dunwich Beach
• Best off-the-beaten-track: Covehithe or Shingle Street
• Best for a swim: Southwold or Sizewell

Stay within walking distance

Most of our holiday cottages in Suffolk sit within a short walk of one of these beaches, particularly Southwold, Walberswick and the wider Heritage Coast. Waking up, opening the front door, and being on the beach in five minutes is a different kind of holiday from driving to one each day.

See our coastal Suffolk properties and pick your beach.