Tried and Tested: Aldeburgh Cottage

Welcome to the latest edition of the Best of Suffolk Tried and Tested blog series, featuring Aldeburgh Cottage – a family and pet friendly, pretty period coastal holiday cottage just moments from the beach.

In this edition, our Bookings Manager Becky, her friend Toni and her little dog Winston enjoyed a weekend at Aldeburgh Cottage, a classic coastal holiday home which would comfortably sit on any chocolate box!  These friends enjoyed beach walks with the dog, tasty meals out at an Adnams pub and delicious Thai food!  They did this all from the comfort of Aldeburgh Cottage, their stylish base for the weekend.

The sleeps four charming cottage could not be better located, just a stone’s throw from Aldeburgh’s pebble beach, and within a tempting distance to the Aldeburgh Fish and Chip shop! Ideally suited to families with one double and one twin bedroom, plus an open-plan kitchen/diner which makes for a sociable space at meal times.  With numerous walks from the cottage door, Aldeburgh Cottage is also ideal for those looking for a pet friendly holiday cottage.

You know the drill by now!  Our ‘highly commended’ #TriedandTested blog series features real people on real holidays.  We share our experience with you by taking photos without filters or fancy equipment.  So find out what Becky, Toni and Winston got up to during their autumn weekend in Aldeburgh in this edition of #TriedandTested

Aldeburgh Cottage, Aldeburgh

This family-friendly seaside self catering Aldeburgh holiday cottage is ideally located just moments from the beach. Successfully combining contemporary luxury with period features, Aldeburgh Cottage is conveniently located for your family holiday exploring Aldeburgh and Suffolk, with many walks starting from outside your front door!

On the ground floor, you’ll find the living room with a cosy open fire, the kitchen / dining rooms with original Suffolk brick floor and the family bathroom, which comes complete with a double-ended bath (great to relax in after a day exploring).

Upstairs homes a double bedroom with an en-suite shower room and a twin bedroom, making Aldeburgh Cottage great for friends or families to enjoy a holiday on the Suffolk coast.

Outside is an enclosed patio garden with table and chairs, ideal to relax in with a glass of wine or cup of tea and listen to the sounds of Aldeburgh.

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Location, Location, Location!

Aldeburgh is a traditional seaside town situated on the Suffolk coast and renowned for its fish and chips, beautiful pebbled beach and bustling high street with a range of boutique shops.

Art galleries, antique stores and a range of delis, cafes and pubs Aldeburgh has something for everyone.  Enjoy walks across to Thorpeness, cycle along the coastline, take a dip in the sea or simply sit back, relax and watch the world go by.  Local, fresh fish can be purchased from the fish huts on the promenade and there is an independent cinema, great for an evening out. You can also venture nearby attractions like Rendlesham Forest and Framlingham Castle. Read our blog: Your Guide to Framlingham Castle to find out more.

First Impressions

Our first impressions on entering Aldeburgh Cottage were toasty warm and very welcoming.  The comprehensive arrival details, excellent signage and its instantly recognisable yellow exterior meant we had no issues finding our weekend coastal retreat.  There is a handy parking space at the rear of the cottage (although it is quite narrow, so we’d recommend parking as close to the wall as possible), which meant we could easily unload the car and start enjoying the first few hours of our getaway.

Welcome Pack

The welcome pack was gratefully received and we soon popped the kettle on and enjoyed a hot cup of tea and the biscuits provided while we browsed through the welcome file to find out all we needed to know about Aldeburgh Cottage.

Our First Afternoon

After settling in, we decided to make the most of the sea being on our doorstep and ventured out to the incredible stretch of shingle beach Aldeburgh offers, and we were greeted with the most amazing sky.

We took a stroll around Aldeburgh and decided to pop into Salter and King to pick up some Aldeburgh breakfast sausages and bacon for the morning.  There was so much choice, and the service was incredibly friendly and welcoming.  There is also a deli section within the shop, so you can pick up some tasty accompaniments to your purchases.

Dinner

We then decided to head out for dinner at The Cross Keys, a popular pub on Crabbe Street and away from the hustle and bustle of Aldeburgh’s high street.  The relaxed and lively atmosphere is a magnet for locals and visitors alike.  They serve tasty, home-cooked food, and there is plenty of choice too.  I opted for a delicious chicken schnitzel burger and a raspberry gin.  A great service, friendly and prompt, but without feeling rushed.

A Comfy Nights Sleep

Aldeburgh Cottage boasts the most wonderful comfy beds and we woke up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day.  The double bedroom comes complete with an en-suite shower room, white washed floor boards and everything you need to store your belongings during your stay, including a pine chest of draws and fabric fronted wardrobe.

The twin bedroom overlooks the patio garden and is ideal for family or friends to share.  In the room, you’ll find bedside tables, wardrobe and a chest of draws.

Breakfast Time

The kitchen is well-equipped and came with everything we needed to whip up a delicious breakfast, using the sausages and bacon we had purchased the day before.  We even treated ourselves to some Stokes ketchup, which is another Suffolk company with a fabulous range of sauces.  Even better, the dishwasher meant we could just load everything into it after we had finished, so we could get out and enjoy the day sooner.

Exploring

A wander around Aldeburgh’s high street was on the cards for today.  There is a wonderful choice of shops to visit, and we had great fun exploring.  Winston (the miniature Daschund) was very keen to get into Wag & Bone, a boutique shop for dogs!

Holiday Memento

If you’re looking for a memento for your holiday, the Alde River Gift Shop on Aldeburgh’s high street is a must.  One of my holiday traditions is to buy a fridge magnet wherever I go, so I picked up this great one of Aldeburgh, along with this very cute Rudolph, which I just couldn’t leave behind.

A Much Needed Pitstop

After a hard day exploring all the high street has to offer, we then stopped at Harris & James for a much needed pitstop.  This shop is incredible, and like stepping into Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with all the delicious chocolates, cakes and gelato on offer.  We opted for some churros and hot chocolate and took them to the beach to enjoy.

We couldn’t leave Winston out, so he had some cheese bones from Wag and Bone, and as you can see below, he certainly enjoyed them!

After our snacks, we set about enjoying a lovely beach walk, and we couldn’t have been happier.  Slightly chilly being an autumn break, but the sun was shining and it was the perfect weather for walking.

A Relaxing Evening

A relaxing evening was called for after a busy day exploring.  With so many choices for amazing food in Aldeburgh we were hard pressed on what to have, but we finally opted for a Thai takeaway from Thai Street Cafe, located in DP’s along the high street.  The food was incredible and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Afterwards, we retreated to the cosy living room to enjoy a film.

Check Out Day

After another wonderful nights sleep on the comfy beds with luxury linens, it was time for us to reluctantly check out.  Before we did that though, we couldn’t resist a visit to Two Magpies Bakery for their pastries, a perfect Sunday morning breakfast!  You need to be prompt in the mornings though, as they are super popular.  The croissants, pain au chocolat and especially the cinnamon swirl are a must!

If I Had More Time, I Would…

…Take a Fishers Distillery Tour and Tasting

A distillery located overlooking Aldeburgh’s iconic shingle beach, it’s such a beautiful place to visit and a must for a gin lover.

…A Leisurely Walk to Thorpeness

Thorpeness is another wonderful location on the Suffolk coast, and it’s right next door to Aldeburgh too.  The walk along the seafront is simply beautiful and something that is on our to do list for next time.  We may even throw in a little rowing on the Meare and a drink in one of the many eateries in Thorpeness.

What Other Guests Say

The most recent entry in the guest book sums Aldeburgh Cottage up perfectly!

The Verdict: Aldeburgh Cottage

Aldeburgh Cottage really is a picture perfect cottage by the sea, and an ideal setting for a stay in this quintessential British seaside town.  Comfy beds, two bathrooms, open fire and full equipped kitchen, this cottage ticks all the boxes.

It is ideally located along the end of Aldeburgh’s high street, meaning everything is on your doorstep and you can enjoy a break without the car.  Ideal for friends, families and your four-legged friend, why not take a look at Aldeburgh Cottage and secure your break to this delightful cottage by the sea.

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