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Best of Suffolk

Best of Suffolk is an award-winning, independent, family-run holiday cottage lettings agency, bringing the experience of a boutique hotel to self-catering in Suffolk.

The company was established by Naomi and Alex Tarry with just six properties in 2006.  The agency has now grown to represent over 400 holiday cottages in Suffolk.  In the early days, a wooden seagull named Morris adorned the fireplace of Aldeburgh Cottage, Best of Suffolk’s first holiday cottage.  He soon became recognised as the symbol of our company and now stands for luxury holiday cottages in Suffolk.

From the beginning, Best of Suffolk has stood for consistently high standards and stylish properties.  Before a new property is launched, we ensure that it will delight guests and reach our brand standards. We include items such as an agreed contents list, crisp cotton linen and oversized bath towels.  These small touches underline our commitment to delighting our guests, enabling them to have outstanding holidays in Suffolk.

Why self-catering holiday cottages in Suffolk?

Self-catering cottages offer the perfect base from which to explore Suffolk and the surrounding areas.  If you’d like to be close to the sea, we have a great selection of seaside cottages in some of the most popular locations, including Aldeburgh and Southwold.  Alternatively, if you prefer curling up in front of an open fire in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, we have cosy cottages with stunning views, wildlife and country walks on your doorstep. We also have many pet-friendly holiday cottages which accept dogs. What’s better, we don’t charge for four-legged friends to come too!

Many of our properties have additional facilities such as a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, open fire, ground floor bedroom and bathroom and low occupancy discount.

The Best of Suffolk team are all local to the area, so if you need a little advice on where to go and things to do, we can help!  We know the best places to eat and drink, fun things for children to do, options for older guests and even where your dog is welcome.

If you’re looking for a weekend bolt hole or a longer stay to fully explore the area, then a Best of Suffolk holiday cottage is perfect for you.

Why Suffolk?

So why make Suffolk your next holiday destination?  We know we’re biased, but it truly is a beautiful county with lots of activities to suit the whole family.

Many people come to Suffolk for the coastline and there are many options, depending on the type of holiday you are looking for.  The British seaside has timeless appeal, and families have been visiting the Suffolk coast for generations.  With those who visited as grandchildren now coming back with their own grandchildren!

A paddle in the sea, the sand between your toes and fish and chips on the front – what could be better?  Prepare to be spoilt for choice with seaside cottages in Suffolk, making a stay in Southwold, Aldeburgh or the smaller villages in between all the more tempting!

Southwold

Southwold is a charming and quintessentially English seaside town.  Think sandy beach, brightly coloured beach huts, classic Edwardian pier and you’re half way there.  It is one of the most popular places to visit and hire holiday cottages in Suffolk and it’s easy to see why!

The beach in Southwold is ideal for making sandcastles, being a mixture of sand and pebbles.  The nearby beach huts offer the ideal base for a day by the sea.  A place for changing, putting the kettle on, or having a spot of lunch from the comfort of your deck chair.  The nearby Pier is ideal for wet or dry days, with wobbly mirrors, the whacky amusements in the ‘Under the Pier show’, plus cafes, restaurants, arcades and a gift shop.

Southwold’s charm starts the moment you arrive in the traditional coastal market town of Southwold.  The Market Place still holds a popular weekly market and is surrounded by a mix of independent retailers and larger, more recognised brands.

‘Foodies’ are in heaven in Southwold with several bakeries and delicatessens to choose from that locally sourced and home made goodies from.  Plus it’s not a trip to Southwold unless you’ve tried a Southwold ‘butter bun’ from Mills the butchers on the market place.  A secret recipe and only available on certain days of the week, it’s an absolute must!

Then there’s the award-winning independent restaurants to enjoy!  Sutherland House, Cafe 51, The Swan Hotel, Coasters are all within a moments’ walk of the town centre and will provide tasty, local food.  How could it be a trip to Southwold without fish and chips?  Whether you choose to pick up your chips on the front at the Pier or head down to Southwold Harbour, where the local catch is cooked fresh, the choice is yours.

The seaside town of Southwold is synonymous with local brewer Adnams.  Enjoy a local pint in one of the many Adnams pubs in the town, from the Lord Nelson, to the Red Lion or Sole Bay.  Perhaps enjoy an Adnams brewery tour followed by a beer tasting or even a gin making experience.  Just be sure that your Southwold holiday cottage is within staggering distance!

Not only do we have a selection of stunning Southwold cottages to rent, but also beach huts for fun family days by the sea.

Walberswick

A short walk away is the pretty village of Walberswick, offering a quieter location.  Popular with bird watchers due to the variety of visiting birds on their way to RSPB Minsmere.  The village green houses a wonderful park for young children, plus there’s a classic golden, sandy beach ideal for building sandcastles a few moments away.

If you’re looking for something to eat, there are a couple of cracking local pubs and a delicatessen. Plus you can buy fresh fish from huts along the harbour.

The Walberswick Crabbing Championships are an annual fixture and bring the entire town to life. Crabbing is also a much-enjoyed family past time for visitors to Walberswick, with local shops selling all you need for a successful crabbing trip.

Dunwich

If you’d like to experience a little more history or nature, stay in one of our Dunwich cottages and learn about the town which has mostly been lost to the sea.

Whilst in Dunwich, you can stop at the historic Ship Inn, visit the charming little Dunwich Museum or partake in a Fish and Chip lunch or cup of tea at the charming Flora Tea Rooms on Dunwich beach.

Nodding to its history, en-route to the RSPB heathland sanctuary of Dunwich Heath you will find the Twelve Lost Churches bar and restaurant.

While at Dunwich Heath, a cup of tea or lunch at the RSPB tea rooms is recommended. Here you’ll find some of the best heathland walks in Suffolk, some of which head into protected woodland and reed beds surrounding the world renowned RSPB Minsmere reserve.

Minsmere

RSPB Minsmere, a 2,500 acre reserve is one of the jewels of the birdwatching and marshland preservation worlds.  It has also been home to BBC’s Springwatch for five years and natural habitat of the iconic Avocet. This ultra-rare Bittern and majestic Marsh Harrier, it is not to be missed. The reserve itself has a cafe at the access point to its trails and network of hides and viewing points.  We have selected self-catering cottages especially for bird watching breaks, including ones in nearby Sizewell and Westleton.

Towards the Southwold direction visitors may visit the delightful Dingle Hill Tea Rooms, beyond which a trail leads into the vast Dingle Marshes, through which you can walk to Walberswick and onto to Southwold itself, truly one of Suffolk’s wonders.

Aldeburgh

Looking for a little culture? Aldeburgh not only has a beautiful beach, but so much more to offer!

Aldeburgh vies with it’s close neighbour Southwold for the title Jewel of the Suffolk coast.  Many a pub conversation has discussed this as yet unresolved accolade!

Originally a fishing village, Aldeburgh is an unspoiled gem.  Its famous pebble beach, charming fishermen’s cottages and grander merchants houses are all arranged around a vibrant High Street. Crammed full of largely independent shops, galleries, an independent cinema, a bakery, restaurants and must-visit pubs!

In more modern times Aldeburgh encountered new-found fame courtesy of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. Tthe duo collectively founded the Aldeburgh Festival in the 1960s. It has subsequently grown to worldwide acclaim on the back of Britten’s then growing catalogue of contemporary operas and associated works. The Aldeburgh Festival thrives to this day, it’s home being nearby Snape Maltings. With annual performances in many venues in Aldeburgh itself, including the Moot Hall, Pump House, Church and on the beach.

Aldeburgh Food and Drink

The food scene in Aldeburgh starts with the fresh fish, caught daily by Aldeburgh’s three working fishing boats. They sell their produce directly from the beach on which it was landed that morning. A smokehouse nearby adds another flavour to the bounty of seafood on offer. Famous around the world, an Aldeburgh icon is the fish and chip shop queue. In the summer you’ll find the queue sometimes seemingly half way along the High St! This speaks volumes of the popularity of the food on offer, cooked by generations of the same Aldeburgh family, from their two High St shops, one with a restaurant above.

Other casual eating opportunities include quirky independent cafes, such as Munchies and the Aldeburgh Market, a renowned bakery, The Two Magpies and a deli specialising in cheese, Slate.

For beautiful meals two independent restaurants vie for top billing, Regatta and the Lighthouse. Regatta is owned by top chef Rob Mabey, a former national ‘Chef of the Year’ with the Connaught and Gavroche on his CV. A must-do experience during any visit to Aldeburgh. The Lighthouse, with proprietor and front of house Sam is another excellent choice, especially for those heading to Aldeburgh’s independent, 100 year old cinema or Jubilee Hall all for theatre or music productions.

As well as it’s thriving Church, Golf Club and Sailing Club, Aldeburgh’s social scene revolves around its four pubs, The Railway, Mill Inn, Cross Keys and White Hart, still known locally as the Potty Bar as it once housed a collection of potties!  All sell a selection of fine Ales and a full range of Adnams beers, brewed just along the coast in Southwold.

Aldeburgh Golf Club, proudly at the entrance to the Town, has both an 18 Hole and 9 Hole ‘River’ course which has wonderful views across heaths and the River Alde. Along that same river Aldeburgh Sailing Club has its Clubhouse, with one of the best views in the Town, a must for sailors and spectators alike.

Aldeburgh has a full events schedule throughout the year, a highlight being the Aldeburgh Carnival weekend, held each summer, famous for its floats, lantern parade and sporting events, including sea swimming and running. Hightide, The Documentary Festival, as well as the Aldeburgh Festival itself also fill the calendar…

Best of Suffolk are delighted to offer a range of Aldeburgh holiday cottages. From cosy coastal apartments that sleep two, to Aldeburgh holiday cottages that sleep a family of four or larger! Many of our holiday cottages in Suffolk welcome dogs, so your four-legged friend can come to Aldeburgh too!

Snape

Mostly known for the iconic centre of Snape Maltings.  This well-known landmark also hosts other concerts, festivals, food events and art exhibitions, along with unique shops and eateries, all within an area of outstanding beauty popular with walkers, nature lovers and bird watchers.  A bounty of walks can be found in Snape, including the Sailor’s Path which takes you from Snape to Aldeburgh in the most scenic of surroundings.  The Plough and Sail pub offers a warming welcome for those exploring Snape.

Orford

A lesser-known, but beautiful rural coastal fishing village called Orford nestles on the Suffolk Coast in an area of outstanding natural beauty. If you’re looking for fresh seafood, head to the Butley Oysterage for the catch of the day. Hoping to pack a picnic? Pop along to Pump Street Bakery for their impressive and tempting collection of baked goods and chocolate.

A must of those looking to embrace the outdoors on their visit to Suffolk.  Sailing, walking, cycling, bird watching heaven in one beautiful place!

Bury St Edmunds

Further inland and with good transport links to London and Cambridge is the beautiful historic market town of Bury St Edmunds. The town centre is dominated by the impressive 1000-year-old Abbey of St Edmund, set within captivating gardens and next to St Edmundsbury Cathedral. The Abbey Gardens are a delight on a sunny day to explore the Abbey ruins, enjoy a coffee in the park cafe or enjoy the pay park if you have young children.

As well as having a thriving traditional weekly market, Bury is also a cosmopolitan town. If you’re looking for a slice of Suffolk with a touch of urban chic, look no further. You’ll find outstanding restaurants, independent shops and a host of other activities and attractions.

The state-of-the-art shopping centre and entertainment complex with thrill, tempt and delight visitors of all ages. National and International brands sit comfortably aside local independent retailers, plus the Apex Theatre boasts an impressive calendar of events from music to theatre and comedy.

Bury St Edmunds is also one of the Suffolk Wool Towns, which were once some of the richest places in the country.

The last weekend in November plays host to the Busy St Edmunds Christmas Fayre. An impressive collection of over 400 stalls from local artisan food producers, to toy stalls and everything in between!  Also featuring live music and a funfair, the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre is a must for anyone looking to get in the festive spirit.

Lavenham

One of the best preserved of these towns is medieval Lavenham, with 340 listed buildings, including historic timber-framed grand houses such as De Vere House, featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Other Suffolk Wool Towns include Long Melford, Sudbury, Ipswich, Hadleigh and the small town of Clare, boasting a country park, Augustinian Priory and Clare Castle, which dates back to William, the Conqueror.

Holiday cottages to suit your requirements

Everyone is different, and that’s why we have a range of holiday cottages in Suffolk to suit:

• Dog Friendly Holiday Cottage
  We love sharing Suffolk with our dogs and we’re sure you will too! That’s why we have over 270 dog friendly self-catering Suffolk cottages to choose from. There are many places to walk dogs in Suffolk, including beaches, countryside and woodland. A large number of eateries and attractions are dog friendly too, just ask us for recommendations.
• Large and adjoining Cottages
  If you’re planning a large family gathering, or need a venue for a special occasion or corporate event, look no further!

Our large Suffolk holiday cottages sleep anything up to 24 guests in luxury manor houses and pairs or groups of cottages next to each other. Many of our large holiday cottages in Suffolk also have spacious dining and reception rooms perfect for entertaining, large outside spaces with room for marquees, extra features such as games rooms, cinemas and extra services like chefs and butlers.  We also have some pairs of cottages, ideal for families, sets of couples or friends.

Reserve Your Cottage for 24 Hours for Free!

Did you know you can reserve and hold one of our holiday cottages in Suffolk for 24hrs for free?  This gives you time to confirm with family and friends without committing to the full cost.  Please contact us to find out more.

Date Flexibility

If you can’t find the booking dates you’re looking for, please contact us. We can often offer bespoke breaks that completely fit your needs.