{"id":3102,"date":"2019-05-23T13:35:52","date_gmt":"2019-05-23T12:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bos.cottage-search.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/23\/the-best-of-dunwich\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T11:59:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T10:59:40","slug":"the-best-of-dunwich","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestofsuffolk.co.uk\/blog\/the-best-of-dunwich\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best of Dunwich"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Nestled in between Southwold and Aldeburgh is the quiet, idyllic village of Dunwich.\u00a0 Surrounded by nature reserves and a pebble beach and steeped in an eerie history of being Britain\u2019s lost city.\u00a0 A haven for birdwatchers, walkers and cyclists, as well as those that love a simple stroll with the dog and a hearty lunch in a country pub.<\/p>\n

Things to Do<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Get lost in the Woods<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dunwich Forest is a nature reserve that is undergoing a transformation from a conifer plantation to a rich mosaic of wood pasture, wet woodland and heathland. \u00a0The 270 hectare site is also home to Dartmoor ponies, which you might see grazing the open areas.\u00a0 There\u2019s a large free car park, so pack a picnic and set off for a day of adventure in the woods.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Explore the Ruins <\/strong><\/p>\n

Take a five minute stroll from the centre of Dunwich south and you\u2019ll stumble upon the romantic ruins of Greyfriars medieval friary. \u00a0Particularly picturesque at dusk, grab your camera and brush up on your photography skills for some Instagram ready photos that will please and delight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Become a History Buff!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Steeped in an eerie history of being Britain\u2019s lost city, Dunwich has quite the checkered past!\u00a0 Learn all about how a thriving medieval port disappeared and became a tiny coastal village in Dunwich Museum, next to The Ship, open March to October.<\/p>\n

It hardly seems possible, when faced with the sleepy coastal village of Dunwich that it is today, that Dunwich was once a thriving rival to London, and the capital of East Anglia! \u00a0A series of great storms and coastal erosion turned it into Britain’s lost city of Atlantis.\u00a0 The unforgiving sea has taken eight churches, five houses of religious orders, two hospitals and three chapels.<\/p>\n

It is said that the bells of the lost 12 churches can still be heard from their watery graves, and that to this day sailors and fishermen refuse to go to sea as it\u2019s believed the chimes foretell the arrival of another devastating storm.<\/p>\n

For the fan of the macabre, be sure to find \u2018The Last Grave\u2019 on your travels to Greyfriars ruins.\u00a0 The plaque marks the spot of the last surviving gravestone from All Saints church, which fell over the eroding cliff between 1904 and 1920, and old bones still occasionally weather out of the cliff face.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Bubbles on the Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pack a picnic, or pop into one of the counties award-winning artisan bakers, delicatessens or grocers for a true taste of Suffolk.\u00a0 Head to the beach with a bottle of something cool and bubbly to wash it all down with.\u00a0 Let the gentle waves lap against your toes and feel your worries disappear.<\/p>\n

\"Family<\/p>\n

Get on your Bike!<\/strong><\/p>\n

If cycling is your thing there could be no better pit-stop than Dunwich.\u00a0 Cycle from Southwold, crossing over Bailey\u2019s footbridge to Walberswick, admiring the fishing boats in the harbour and families crabbing.\u00a0 Continue further down the coast and through Dunwich Heath to arrive at Dunwich for some much-needed refreshment at either The Ship or Flora Tea Rooms on the beach.<\/p>\n

As a route that is mostly-off road it\u2019s suitable for families or those that prefer quieter roads.\u00a0 The picture above is of a group of families who completed the 7.5 mile bike ride from Southwold to Dunwich and stopped for a hearty lunch at The Ship!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Watch the Birdie<\/strong><\/p>\n

With RSPB Minsmere, one of Europe\u2019s top bird sanctuaries, just two miles away from Dunwich, nature lovers and bird watching enthusiasts are truly in for a treat.\u00a0 Walk or cycle to the site watching out for red deer in the woodland.\u00a0 Minsmere is home to a varied range of bird species, being particularly famous for avocets, bitterns and marsh harriers. The late spring months of May and June will see nightingales and nightjars in the reserve.<\/p>\n

With numerous special events over the year including pond dipping and wildlife spotting, families are well catered-for. \u00a0The Wild Zone is the perfect place for little ones to explore and discover nature as they climb through sand martin tunnels or build a den.<\/p>\n

\"Dog<\/p>\n

Walk the Dog<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a rural beach that welcomes dogs all year round, Dunwich is the ideal destination for anyone looking to take their dog on holiday to Suffolk.\u00a0 Dunwich woods and Heaths offer miles upon miles of paths and tracks for eager wet noses to explore.\u00a0 Best of Suffolk have dog friendly holiday cottages in Dunwich<\/a> which mean you and the family four-legged friend can escape off for adventures straight from your doorstep.<\/p>\n

Places to Eat in Dunwich<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

T<\/strong>he Ship Inn<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once a haunt for smugglers, this family and dog friendly pub is ideal for anyone looking to stay in Dunwich, or day visitors in need of refreshment.\u00a0 Relaxed and unfussy with seasonal menus, the spacious beer garden is a real sun trap and the sheltered courtyard is ideal for dining al fresco.\u00a0 Daily specials focus on local produce, including freshly caught oysters, lobster and crab.<\/p>\n

Flora Tea Rooms (open March-October).<\/strong><\/p>\n

Offering much more than their name suggests, the Flora Tea Rooms can be found right by the beach in Dunwich.\u00a0 Specialising in seafood and with a delectable list of daily specials such as pan fried John Dory, charcoal bamboo prawns and salt and pepper squid, as well as staples like a hearty English breakfast.<\/p>\n

The 12 Lost Churches<\/strong><\/p>\n

Located on Cliff House Holiday Park, this bar and restaurant is open to all serving a lighter menu during the daytime and full menu during the evenings, with roasts on a Sunday.\u00a0 Family friendly, with a children\u2019s play area and dogs are welcome too, with water and dog biscuits for your furry friends!<\/p>\n

View Dunwich Holiday Cottages<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nestled in between Southwold and Aldeburgh is the quiet, idyllic village of Dunwich.\u00a0 Surrounded by nature reserves and a pebble beach and steeped in an eerie history of being Britain\u2019s lost city.\u00a0 A haven for birdwatchers, walkers and cyclists, as well as those that love a simple stroll with the dog and a hearty lunch […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":3103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Best of Dunwich - Best of Suffolk Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover coastal charm, rich history and natural beauty in this guide to the best things to do and see in Dunwich \u2013 Take a look...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestofsuffolk.co.uk\/blog\/the-best-of-dunwich\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Best of Dunwich - 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