The Plough Inn

You may want to see the sea, or you may want to see where your beer was birthed – either way, you’ll want to make a trip to Southwold, 10 minutes away by car. Tour the Adnams brewery to see the ales being made, or wander down the pier to play on the madcap machines of the Under the Pier show. The walk from Southwold to Walberswick (via little seafood huts and a teeny foot ferry) is rightly popular, as are the exciting high-speed boat trips from the harbour. Also along this stretch of coast are the big beasts of the Africa Alive! animal park (10 minutes’ drive), coastal birdwatching at RSPB Minsmere (20 minutes) and arty Aldeburgh (half an hour’s drive). Set your sights inland instead for more animal antics at the Oasis Camel Park (25 minutes) or an aristocratic amble around the castles in Framlingham and Bungay (both about half an hour away). Beccles is a 20-minute drive away if you fancy a canoe trip, a splash in the heated outdoor pool or poking around in independent shops, followed by some nosh in one of its locally-owned restaurants.