5 Best Beaches in Suffolk to Visit on Your Next Holiday

The country is home to many beautiful beaches, all of which have their draws, depending on your needs. With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of the best beaches in Suffolk, and what makes each one worth a visit.

1. Southwold Beach

Best for Swimming

The Pier Beach in Southwold is a Blue Flag beach, meaning it has the highest quality of water, making it the perfect place for a swim.

The Pier Beach is a traditional beach, and a great location for a family day on the beach. This place also has an 800-foot-long pier that has been refurbished and now home to a pavilion, amusements, a restaurant, and the famous water clock.

The sand and shingle beach with beach groynes has repeatedly been recognised as a clean beach with an array of easily accessible amenities, and the beach is backed by a promenade that leads to the town and harbour area.

2. Lowestoft Beach

Best for Sandcastles

Close to the coastal town of Lowestoft (and close to Tingdene Broadlands Park & Marina and North Denes Caravan Park), there are facilities on or near the beach that include tennis courts, lawn bowls and a variety of places to eat along the sea front. 

During the warmer months, you will find a host of activities taking place along the beach, including volleyball and a range of watersports. You will also find a range of beachside cafes to enjoy, and even a pier complete with amusements.

Lowestoft beach is full of soft, golden sand, which makes it the perfect spot to build your sandcastle!

This golden sandy beach is just north of Claremont Pier, which has zones specifically for water sports like jet-skiing, diving, surfing and windsurfing. The beach is dog-friendly too. When visiting beaches in Suffolk with your dog, be careful to check which ones allow dogs.

There is easy access to East Point Pavilion from the beach, where the Tourist Information Centre is based. There is a variety of amenities there too, including cafés and restaurants, and you are close to Lowestoft, the most easterly town in the UK. 

The south side of Claremont Pier, known locally as ‘Victoria Beach,’ has great water quality, and the popular area has been dubbed the ‘Sunrise Coast’. It also provides the same water sport activities visitors can do on the north side and also some sailing.

3. Felixstowe Beach

Best for Families

Felixstowe Beach is one of Suffolk’s most-loved coastal spots, offering four miles of sandy shoreline, colourful beach huts, and a classic promenade that captures the charm of an Edwardian seaside town. The seafront is ideal for relaxed walks, family days with buckets and spades, and taking in views across the rivers Orwell and Deben.

Along the promenade, visitors can explore the beautifully landscaped Seafront Gardens, enjoy traditional seaside fun at Felixstowe Pier, and dip into amusements, children’s rides, or adventure golf. The area is packed with family-friendly attractions, from the calm play spaces in Martello Park to the refreshing Leisure Centre.

Felixstowe is also known for its delicious fish and chips and locally made ice cream. At the northern end, the quaint hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry offers riverside walks, fresh fish, and views of historic Martello Towers, while the southern Landguard Peninsula adds historic interest with its 18th-century fort, museum, and nature reserve.

Whether you’re seeking traditional seaside fun, peaceful coastal walks, or Suffolk heritage, Felixstowe Beach offers a little bit of everything.

4. Dunwich Beach

Best for Wildlife

Dunwich Beach is one of Suffolk’s most peaceful and atmospheric stretches of coastline — a favourite for dog walkers, nature lovers and anyone seeking a quieter, more natural seaside experience. Once a thriving medieval port with eight churches, much of old Dunwich was claimed by the sea, giving the area a captivating sense of lost history. You can uncover more of its remarkable past at the Dunwich Museum.

Today, the wide shingle beach is perfect for long walks, fishing, or a gentle paddle, and is surrounded by marshes and countryside that invite deeper exploration.

Just inland is Dunwich Heath, a rare and precious habitat cared for by the National Trust. This serene landscape is home to species such as the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, ant-lion and even adders. From July to September, the heath bursts into colour, creating a dramatic patchwork of pink and purple heather and golden, coconut-scented gorse that transforms the area into one of Suffolk’s most breathtaking natural sights.

Wild, quiet and wonderfully rich in wildlife, the Dunwich coastline offers a truly unspoilt Suffolk escape.

5. Aldeburgh Beach

Best for Fish & Chips

Aldeburgh Beach is one of Suffolk’s most iconic coastal spots, known for its traditional charm, artistic heritage and some of the best fish and chips in the UK. The long, scenic shingle beach is backed by a pretty promenade lined with pastel-coloured villas and is just steps from Aldeburgh’s bustling High Street.

Walk past the colourful fishing boats pulled up onto the shore, where local fishermen still sell the day’s catch from traditional huts along the promenade. A kiosk near Moot Hall offers drinks and snacks, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed morning paddling, skimming stones, or simply taking in the sea air.

Aldeburgh is famously home to the Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop, a family-run institution since 1967 and regularly named among the best in the country. Ranked fifth in The Times list of top seaside fish and chip spots, it’s a must-visit.

Beyond its coastal treats, Aldeburgh is packed with history and culture. The seafront features landmarks including the 400-year-old Moot Hall, a Martello tower, a converted windmill and a Norman church. The beach was also a favourite walking route of composer Benjamin Britten, whose legacy is celebrated through Maggi Hambling’s striking Scallop sculpture on the shore.

With its quirky buildings, art galleries (including the South Lookout), sweeping views from Thorpeness to Orford Ness, and even sandy patches at low tide, Aldeburgh Beach offers everything from culture to coastline — all complemented by truly exceptional fish and chips.