Which is better Aldeburgh or Southwold? A simple guide [2025]

When planning to visit Suffolk, Southwold and Aldeburgh are two jewels in the crown of the coastal region. Both have beautiful vistas, gorgeous scenic walks and wonderful places to eat, drink and shop. According to a study by consumer groups, Aldeburgh had a score of 81% for its destination. Southwold, another gem on the Suffolk coast, finished with a score of 79% boosted with a five-star rating for its seafront.

Walking

Aldeburgh is a wonderful place to walk. You can walk to Thorpeness or take in the sights folling the coast south towards Walberswick.

Sailors path is a favourite walk for many. Explore this 5.3-mile trail near the town of Saxmundham. This is a more moderate route, walkers have said it takes roughly an average of 1 h 57 min to complete.

Food and Drink

They both pack a punch when it comes to food and drink. If you want fish and Chips, Aldeburgh wins hands down. Their two fish and chip shops adorn the high street and have long lines of hungry visitors, so get in quick!

Restaurants in Southwold has a wonderful selection of restaurants. For a quick bit to eat and takeaway whilst walking the hihg street, the Two Magpies Bakery is a must. For bigger groups, the Crown fits the bill with its wonderful cuisine and plenty of space for groups. Another very popular pub in the main high street are is the Lord Nelson. This nautical themed pub is very popular. A very popular outlet and ranked very highly is loaded, which has something for everyone.

For these eateries we would recommend parking at the York Road Car Park. It has ample parking and is reasonably priced.

Lazing on the beach

This is personal choice, but if you have a young family or a big group, Aldeburgh beach is much closer to the amenities such as ice creams, toilets and the pub if need be! Aldeburgh is also a little easier to navigate, there is a small but well stocked high street very close to the beach. If the beach is the biggest draw, then the shingle is one of the Aldeburgh beach charms. The vast length of the beach is also a nice feature, enabling you to stretch out. If you prefer sandy beaches however, Southwold is the better choice.

Southwold also has ample public toilets but can be a fair walk to the town centre should you need to pop in and get something. The pier has fish and chips, a restaurant, cafe and shops. But for a good old fashioned day out, the beach is certainly the biggest draw. The sandy beach is divided by rock walls enabling cosy little areas to spend the day. The walk along the beach is also wonderful to do. Leading you all the way up to the town centre.

Where to stay

Both towns are not a huge distance from each other, a 35 minute car journey. So staying in either with their beautiful hotels is not much consideration.

These are some of our best choices. The Cross Keys in Aldeburgh is a splendid little pub just a stones throw from the beach. This cosy pub is very popular with locals and visitors alike. The charming decor and old structure makes it a must visit place.

Aldeburgh also has the (in our opinion) the most modern and spacious hotel on the beach front. The Brudenell is right on the beach and boasts freshly caught fish. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the menu is worth the visit alone. Rooms wise, they have a range that look out at the beautiful sea views.

If you want a more cottage style for your stay in Southwold, then the quality is very high. This beautiful stay is on the high street. Beautifully decorated and situated in the heart of the town.

The Crown Hotel is another favourite stay. The beamed rooms, quaint decorations and wonderful location make it an ideal stay. 

The Swan hotel is probably the most high-end of the hotels. The incredible interior, rooms restaurant make it a very sought after location to stay. The charming rooms make for an ideal holiday stay location and worth the visit if only for lunch.

Visiting with kids

This is where Southwold will tip the scales slightly. It has the pier, this is a wonderful place to visit, eat and explore. the wacky games and funky mirrors will distract the kids for a while. The sandy beaches are easier to manage compared to Aldeburgh and more preferred. The walk into town from the pier is not too long but further down the beach is easier should you need to pop in.

Getting from Aldeburgh to Southwold is a pretty straightforward mission, as the two beautiful seaside towns are not so far out of Suffolk, England. Both enable people to enjoy picturesque routes, which make traveling fun. Find below an in-depth guide on how you can travel from Aldeburgh to Southwold, distance, and the different travel options.

Distance and Time of Travel
Indeed, Aldeburgh and Southwold are each about 20 miles separated and immediate neighbors along the Suffolk coast. One is able to travel from one to the other by car or public transport in 30 minutes to an hour. Whichever way you choose to travel, the most common way is by driving, taking public transport, or cycling.

By Road
The easiest and most flexible links between Aldeburgh and Southwold are travelling with your own drive. This travel journey will take you roughly around 40 minutes by considering the traffic and roadway conditions. Mainly, the route follows A1094 and A12 roads, which are both in good condition and spacious enough to ensure a direct link between the two towns. Beginning in Aldeburgh, you generally move west to the A1094. Then, you journey north on the A12 by following signs for Southwold. The journey is through a scenic route that goes through attractive countryside with small villages.

Through Public Transport
If you are without a car, there are a couple of alternatives using public transportation, but this takes a little bit of organizing. Buses form the principal public transport between Aldeburgh and Southwold. That normally requires a connection—typically in the market town of Saxmundham. From Aldeburgh, you can take a bus to Saxmundham. Upon arriving in Saxmundham you can transfer to a bus heading in the direction of Southwold. In general, the total traveling time by bus takes around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on connection times. It would be prudent to check bus timetables in advance.