Southwold Vacation Rentals

Getting to Southwold

Southwold and the wider Suffolk area do not contain an airport, but proximity to numerous London airports means the region is very well serviced with flight routes from the world. You can reach your Southwold vacation home via train or car rental. While trains are relatively regular from London, booking a hire car is perhaps the best way to get to Suffolk. You'll appreciate having a car during your stay as it will really make getting around easier and more self-reliant.

Weather in Southwold

Like the rest of the East Anglia region, Southwold benefits from some of the most agreeable weather conditions in the UK. Mild temperatures during winter and warm weather in spring and summer make it a great place to visit year-round.

The region also sees some of the least rainfall in the UK. That’s not to say you should expect clear blue skies every day; Southwold’s rainfall is impressive by UK standards, but it still receives plenty of showers. It’s important to make sure you have some waterproof clothing ready at your Southwold vacation rental, regardless of when you visit.

Things to do in Southwold

Southwold is a great place for a vacation and just being here to soak up the ambience is a delight in itself. It’s a destination that will delight fans of the outdoors, wildlife, history and much more.

The most iconic attraction in Southwold is the lighthouse, which is located in the town center. Constructed in 1889, visitors are able to partake in a short tour to learn about the history and continued operation of this structure.

Also located nearby is the town’s other famous attraction, the Southwold Pier, which stretches some 200 metres out into the sea. One of the best-preserved piers in the country, it is thriving with activity. A selection of bars and shops lend a great atmosphere to the area.

There are also plenty of fun family attractions on the pier. There’s the House of Games, a Wacky Walk of Mirrors, a telescope and a slightly cheeky Water Clock. A highlight of the pier is the Under the Pier Show, a collection of zany arcade machines that are great fun to play with.

Enjoy a quirky day out by visiting the Amber Museum, which, as you may have guessed, is dedicated entirely to amber. You’ll learn what it is, its development over millions of years and its vital relation to insects. Another unique attraction is the Electric Picture Palace, a cinema that has been designed to look like it’s come straight from the early 20th century. This intimate theater hosts a variety of films, including old-time movies in black and white.

Finally, if staying in a Southwold vacation rental between May and September then make sure to stop by the Southwold Summer Theater, which hosts performances of plays by famous and not-so-famous names.

Southwold with children

Your children will love staying at your Southwold vacation rental just as much as you will – after all, there’s plenty of activities to keep them occupied during their stay.

Get them out into the great outdoors along the Treasure Trails network, a series of twelve trails that track the Suffolk landscape and document its history. One of the trails is in Southwold and takes you past many areas of natural interest, with signs to guide the way and inform you about the various sights.

On warm afternoons, leave your Southwold vacation home and head over to the Southwold putting green, which is located close to the beach and offers a great day out for the whole family. Elsewhere is Southwold Maize Maze, a maze that is just as entertaining as it is challenging. Once you’ve found your way out of the maize labyrinth, you’ll be able to enjoy a picnic while enjoying views of the River Blyth, home to many bird species.

Must-visit sights in Southwold: Distilleries, lighthouses, and museums

Southwold Pier

Southwold's historic pier juts 190m out into the North Sea. As well as offering a breath of fresh sea breeze, it's also lined with quaint shops, quirky attractions, and great places to eat.

Southwold Lighthouse

Southwold is home to a working lighthouse that towers 31m above the town. Situated minutes from the seafront, you can take a tour around the Grade-II listed building and its 113 steps.

Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum

Housed in an early 20th-century lifeboat shed, the Alfred Corry Museum offers a fascinating insight into the lives of Suffolk's former lifeboat crews.

Southwold Maize Maze

A five-minute drive from Southwold, the Maize Maze is an eight-acre puzzle of pathways ploughed into the crops. There are also go-karts, a bouncy castle, and a haunted marquee.

Adnams Distillery

Copper House Distillery is owned by renowned local brewer Adnams. The tour explains its unique distilling process and offers incredible views over the North Sea.