Saxmundham is a Suffolk market town set in the valley of the River Fromus, a tributary of the River Alde. Just a 30 minute drive to Debenham, it is a fairly quiet town, perfect for visitors wanting to get away from the bustle of everyday life and spend some quality time relaxing in the beautiful Suffolk countryside.
There are many different things to see and do in and around Saxmundham. The town is well known for the successful market that is held every Wednesday. It is held in the Market Place just off the High Street. There is also a good range of shops in the town with a mixture of larger, national chain stores and smaller, more specialist shops.
Nature lovers are able to visit the nearby Minsmere reserve, run by the RSPB. You will find beautiful nature trails here. You are able to hire binoculars to view the wildlife and there is a lovely tea room for a well earned drink after your walk. The reserve holds events throughout the year.
Nearby Snape Maltings is also worthy of a visit. This collection of buildings date from the mid 19th Century and is a mix of malthouses and granaries. They sit beside the River Alde and were used for malting local barley for the brewing industry until 1960. Since then, the site has been taken over by the Gooderham family who have restored it. You will now find a number of exhibitions within the Maltings. There are shops, galleries and the world famous concert hall where the annual Aldeburgh Music Festival is held.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of places to visit. The local villages of Leiston and Thorpeness hold more touristic treasures including Leiston Abbey, Thorpeness Meare and Thorpeness Windmill. A stay in Saxmundham is certain to help you relax and feel more like yourself again.
There are various options in the area for your accommodation; from family run Bed and Breakfasts to larger hotels. The Bell at Sax, in the heart of the High Street, is one such option and offers 10 relaxing spacious but cosy bedrooms plus a lovely laid-back and family friendly restaurant. Good food is the focus of The Bell, using great local ingredients in hearty elegant dishes and Jonathan’s culinary flair.
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