Attractions Outside Woodbridge
Sixteen kilometers (10 miles) to the north of Woodbridge stands Framlingham Castle, in the village of Framlingham along the B1119 (tel. 01728/724-189; www.english-heritage.org.uk). This is one of the best examples of a 12th-century castle still standing in East Anglia. Admission is £4.70 ($9.40) for adults, £3.50 ($7) seniors, £2.40 ($4.80) for children 11 and younger, and £12 ($24) family ticket. Hours are daily April to September 10am to 6pm, and October to March Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Sutton Hoo (tel. 01394-389714; www.nationaltrust.org.uk), lying 3.2km (2 miles) east of Woodbridge along B1083, is one of the great Anglo-Saxon royal burial sites of England. On a spur of land rising above the Deben River, several large burial mounds were excavated in 1939, revealing famous treasures, including gold ornaments. Admission is £5.90 ($12) for adults, £3 ($6) for children 11 and younger, and £15 ($30) family ticket. In 2009 it's open March 25 to April 2 Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm; April 3 to April 17 daily 11am to 5pm; April 19 to July 2 Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm; July 3 to September 4 daily 11am to 5pm; September 6 to October 29 Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm; and November 4 to December 17 Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm.
Attractions In & Around Aldeburgh
Constructed on a shelf of land at sea level, the High Street runs parallel to the often-turbulent waterfront. A cliff face rises some 89m (55 ft.) above the main street. A major attraction is the 16th-century Moot Hall Museum, Market Cross Place, Aldeburgh (tel. 01728/454666). The hall dates from the time of Henry VIII, but its tall twin chimneys are later additions. The timber-frame structure displays old maps, prints, and Anglo-Saxon burial urns, as well as other items of historical interest. It is open June to August daily from noon to 5pm. It is also open Easter to April Saturday and Sunday (and bank holidays) 2:30 to 5pm; May, September, and October, daily from 2:30 to 5pm. Admission is £1 ($2) for adults and free for children.
The seashore and the surrounding areas of Aldeburgh have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The wetlands around Aldeburgh are home to the marsh harrier and booming bittern, both endangered species. If you'd like to see some of these waterfowl, you can visit the nearby bird sanctuary of Minsmere [ST], outside Westleton (tel. 01728/648281). Westleton lies 15km (9 miles) northwest of Aldeburgh; take B1122 northwest from Aldeburgh to the junction of B1125 north, following the signs into Westleton and the bird sanctuary.
For a game of golf in the bracing North Sea air, head for our favorite course, the Aldeburgh Golf Club at Saxmundham Road (A1094; tel. 01728/452890), a challenging 18-hole heathland course of dense gorge, stretching for 6,366 yards. Greens fees are £60 ($120), rising to £65 ($130) on Saturday and Sunday.
