when discovering Suffolk, I find that you usually explore all the coastal towns first – there is something about the sea that beckons you. one you have visited them all, you start choosing the many inland villages and towns. Framlingham is a market town inland from Aldeburgh, there is a central square, where a Saturday market is held. there are also a couple of quality antique shops, ‘dix sept ‘and ‘in da cottage‘, there is also a castle, which I have yet to visit and a great pub, the station hotel which serves very good food.
Orford is actually not far from the sea, but is on the edge of an estuary and for a surprisingly small town has many good food options, including the butley Orford oystery, Pinneys shop selling all kinds of seafood delicacies, pump street bakery, crown and castle. look out for the next slow living fair – which hosts an array of local artisans selling beautiful high quality wares – they usually happen in the autumn just before xmas.
Yoxford has a lovely art gallery, Rowe and Williams, that showcases a mix of local artists works from early 20C to contemporary artists now – the focus being about Suffolk, but also includes some hand made lamps, graphics and ceramics. there’s a restaurant Mains which opens on fri and sat but apparently is very good and an antique centre, Yoxford Antiques that shows about 25 dealers – anything from mid century furniture to ceramics and trinkets – I actually picked up a lot of the furnishings and accessories for the cottage from here, including lamps, chairs and tableware – all very affordable. I recently found this monogrammed linen runner that I couldn’t resist with my initial C embroidered on it – there was actually a big collection, but I just resisted and bought one piece. I am such a glutton for collecting linen pieces, but hate to use them in case they stain.
christina wilson sweet nothings 