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Gentle holidays in quiet countryside
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SUFFOLK GAZETEER

There are many beautiful and interesting places to cycle round in Suffolk. Below are a few of our favourites, which are included on our tours. For more information on the different cycling tours we offer, please click here.

Aldeburgh
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See the fishermen hauling out their boats onto the beach at this fine old fashioned seaside town which has given its name to the famous festival. If you wish to attend a concert we can send you details of the festival programme in advance.

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Bury St Edmunds

An ancient market town, full of history and old Suffolk charm. Walk through the massive stone gateway to the ruined abbey, now forming the back cloth to beautiful gardens. Visit the twice weekly open air market or take some refreshment at The Nutshell, the smallest pub in Britain.

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Covehithe
 

The road ends abruptly at the crumbling cliffs of Covehithe, which sweep down the coast to Southwold. A short distance inland are the melacholic ruins of the enormous medieval church, within which now stands a smaller thatched church.

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Debenham
 

A pretty village of overhanging houses and antique shops.

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Dedham
 

A charming village with an impressive church, located a short walk down the River Stour from Flatford. Take a boat out on the river, stop for a cream tea or browse in the antique shops and craft market on the pretty high street.

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Dunwich
Castles, Cliffs & Constable - Tour 8F

The one time capital of East Anglia; it was a gated, ramparted town with at least eight parish churches in the days of King John. Almost all has now vanished beneath the waves and fishermen tell of ghostly knells from the sunken church towers.

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East Bergholt
 

The birthplace of John Constable. Visit the church with its sixteenth century bell house on the ground next to the unfinished tower - the Devil is said to have cast down the tower at night as quickly as quickly as the builders could build it by day!

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Flatford Mill
Heart of Constable Country - Tour 3F

Just down the hill from East Bergholt, Flatford Mill was once run by Constable's father. You may wish to take a guided walking tour to visit some of the local scenes depicted in Constable's paintings such as "The Haywain" or "Boatbuilding". Alternatively, you could exchange pedals for oars and take a rowing boat out on to the sedate River Stour or simply take refreshment in the riverside tearoom.

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Framlingham
Framlingham Castle

A quiet market town with many interesting buildings. The church contains historic tombs and effigies and a number of treasures removed from Thetford Priory during the Reformation. The superb 12th century castle was built by the Earls of Norfolk. The very well preserved curtain wall has thirteen integral towers - the design was considered revolutionary in its day. Home to Mary Tudor in 1553.

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Hadleigh
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This busy market town in the Brett Valley was once a Viking royal town. Due to the wool trade, it rose to become one of the most prosperous towns in the country in the 14th and 15th centuries. The medieval heart of Hadleigh is much in evidence, with many fine old buildings to be seen on the High Street and gathered around the Guildhall, Deanery and church.

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Kersey
Castles & Constable Country - Tour 6A

Probably one of the prettiest villages in England. Freewheel down from the church perched high above the village and dual with the ducks in the water splash on the High Street.

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Lavenham
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The most spectacular of the wool towns, this wonderfully atmospheric towns has a unique collection of medieval buildings.

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Long Melford
 

As the name suggests, it is set along a broad attractive street (full of antique shops) over a mile in length. At the northern end of the street are sited a magnificent chuch and two splendid Tudor mansions, both of which are open to the public.

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Minsmere
 

RSPB with 2000 acres of marsh, lagoon, reedbed, heath and woodland. Immense variety of birds including Bitterns, Marsh Harriers and Avocets.

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Orford
 

Now a small village, this was a prosperous port in Elizabethan times. It is now inaccessable to all but pleasure craft due to the growth of Orford Ness, a shingle spit some ten miles long. The commercial lifeline thus cut off, the old world character of this charming coastal retreat has been preserved. The impressive 12th century castle offers good views over the river to Orford Ness.

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Orford Castle and The Ness (Courtesy of English Heritage and Skyscan Balloon Photography).

Orford Castle is open 10am to 6pm daily
(April to Sept; opening times restricted Oct to March)
www.english-heritage.org.uk

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Shingle Street
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A quiet and beautiful spot at the tip of Orford Ness.

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Snape Maltings
Castles, Rivers & Woodbridge - Tour 4B

The Snape Maltings Arts Centre has a lovely riverside setting and features a concert hall, art galleries, craft shops, a pub and a tea room. Tide permitting, you can also take a boat excursion around the upper reaches of the River Alde - a good way to see the animal and bird life of the salt marshes.

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Stoke By Nayland

A pretty hill top village of jettied houses and oak beamed pubs. The church tower, standing on the highest ground and being some 120 feet high, can be seen for miles around, and was often featured in paintings by John Constable.

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Sudbury
 

Ancient market town built on a defensible loop of the River Stour, bordering Essex. The artist Thomas Gainsborough was born in the town in 1727; his house is now preserved as a museum and art gallery.

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Southwold
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A distinguished seaside town with a definite old world charm. Elegant rows of pantiled Georgian cottages stand between broad greens on a cliff top above the North Sea. The pretty lighthouse overlooks the town centre brewery, source of Adnams traditional ales.

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Sutton Hoo
 

Located across the Deben from Woodbridge, this is the site of the richest burial ever discovered in Britain - an Anglo-Saxon ship containing a magnificent treasure. It is thought to be the grave of Raedwald, one of the earliest known English Kings, who died c 624 AD. Guided tours are available at weekends.

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Wingfield Old College
 

Delightful historic house with magnificent medieval great hall. Walled gardens, topiary, arts and homemade teas (plus an excellent pub across the lane).

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Woodbridge
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Built on the banks of the River Deben, this attractive market town has a history of ship building and sail making. The famous Tide Mill has been restored to full working order and is open to the public. The historic narrow streets provide a pleasant shopping experience.

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Bressingham Gardens & Steam Museum
Steam Trains & Gardens - Tour 3C

Eleven acres of beautiful trees, shrubs & flowers and over fifty steam engines, some of which run on the three narrow gauge lines along five miles of track through the woodlands and gardens and beside the lake. All this and the Victorian Gallopers (steam merry go round) too.

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For more information on the cycling holidays we provide click here.

 

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