Villages

If you are looking for peace & tranquility, The Sunrise Coast has a number of traditional villages, with ancient churches, quintessential village greens and country pubs that have remained almost unchanged over the passage of time.

To the north-west of Lowestoft is the area of Lothingland, covering a number of rural villages on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. One of the best known villages in East Anglia is Somerleyton, situated on the edge of The Broads, six miles north west of Lowestoft.

Somerleyton Hall is home to Hon Hugh Crossley and his wife Lara Crossley and is situated just outside the village. The estate was purchased by Sir Morton Peto during the mid 1850s – upon acquisition of which, he began to rebuild the estate and village in the spirit of the times. Somerleyton Hall is fine example of an early Victorian mansion, complete with Jacobean, Italian and Palladian architectural features. It is also complemented by over a dozen acres of landscaped gardens and the famous 1846 yew hedge maze (one of the finest in Britain).

The village of Blundeston can be found four miles north west of Lowestoft. Famous for its connections with the Victorian author, Charles Dickens, it was the fictional birthplace of David Copperfield from the highly acclaimed 19th Century novel, David Copperfield. Blundeston also has a fine example of an East Anglian village church with part of the tower dating back as far as the 10th Century. The county border village of Lound is two miles further north. This sleepy picturesque village has a traditional country pub and large duck pond.

In the south of The Sunrise Coast and to the west of Southwold is the quaint village of Reydon. The woods around the village are a popular destination with visitors and locals alike and legend tells that Reydon Hall is haunted by a headless horseman. Slightly further inland lies the village of Wrentham, with a range of services. Part of the village is in a conservation area and many of the village buildings are listed.

Between Southwold and Halesworth lies the small village of Holton, where a large proportion of houses date from as far back as the 17th & 18th Centuries; the village also contains an excellent example of a Norman Church.

In the quiet countryside south-west of Bungay is the area known locally as The Saints. It is a collection of hidden English hamlets and small villages, many of which are named after Saints, eg, St Nicholas, St James & St Michael to name but a few. The Saints was an exceptionally affluent area during the Middle Ages. This affluence was enjoyed due to the success of the Suffolk wool trade. The wealth of the area can be seen through the high density of splendid churches, Minsters and priories. Interestingly the medieval field plans of The Saints have remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

Perhaps the most famous village in The Saints is the village of St Peter. This is due to the 13th Century St Peter’s Hall, which in the mid 1990’s saw the creation of St Peter’s Brewery. The brewery produces a range of classic English cask-conditioned ales made from Suffolk malts and Kentish hops with water drawn from their own source within the chalk layer well, situated under the Hall.

Another 13th Century hall in the area is South Elmham Hall. Renovations have opened up a complex of buildings in which a café compliments business & conference facilities.

The Sunrise Coast has a variety of hidden treasures; so why not take the opportunity to explore further…