Aldeburgh is a charming, traditional seaside town. Its unspoilt nature calls to mind an earlier age. There is a traditional boating lake
for model yachts and a local museum housed in the historic
16th C. Moot Hall.
The town is attractive, and has many independent shops. The fishermen still draw their boats up onto the shore and sell fish from the beach.
Aldeburgh was one of the leading ports on the East Coast and its shipbuilding was renowned. Sir Francis Drake's ships "Pelican" (later renamed "Golden Hind") and "Greyhound" were built locally and Aldeburgh men sailed with Drake on these vessels. The industry declined as the river Alde silted up.
Aldeburgh is internationally famous for its association with the Festival begun by Benjamin Britten. The Festival takes place in June each year and there are many associated events in and around Aldeburgh.
The newest addition to the Aldeburgh skyline is the "Scallop", a Maggi Hambling sculpture dedicated to Benjamin Britten, which rests on the beach between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.
The village of Thorpeness nearby is unusual in that it was created in the early 1900s as a model seaside village. The old fishing hamlet of Thorpe was bought by the Scottish landowner and playwright G. Stuart Ogilvie, who then proceeded to turn it into the village we see today.
Thorpeness Meare is an artificial lake used for fishing and boating.
It is also a haven for wildfowl. At the far end of the Meare is a mock Norman castle. Most of the houses in Thorpeness were built in a mock Tudor style.
The `House in the Clouds´ was originally the village water tower. Deemed to be unsightly, it was disguised as a house, the tank being on the top with an actual living area underneath.
Contact
Tourist Information Centre 152 High Street Aldeburgh Suffolk IP15 5AQ Great Britain
Open all year. Easter to September: Monday to Sunday, 0900-1730; Bank Holidays, 0900-1730. October to Easter: Monday to Friday,
0900-1730; Saturday, 0900-1700; closed Sunday.
