Saxmundham

Red brick Georgian houses line the sleepy high street where the railway still stops twice an hour - a proper rarity in rural Suffolk these days. Saxmundham sits quietly between the coast and countryside, its market town credentials intact despite the chainstore invasion that's hollowed out many similar places. The weekly market still draws locals from surrounding villages, though it's decidedly more modest than its medieval heyday.

Castle Yard reveals the town's deeper history - archaeological digs here have uncovered Saxon settlements that gave the place its name. But honestly, most visitors use Saxmundham as a launching pad for Suffolk's coastal gems rather than lingering in town. That's missing a trick. The surrounding countryside rewards proper exploration.

Willowmarsh Wood offers decent walking just outside town, while a short drive brings you to some of Suffolk's most atmospheric villages. Blythburgh's Holy Trinity Church dominates the landscape - its massive flint walls visible for miles across the marshes. The village signs at Bramfield, Wenhaston and Sibton Green might sound twee, but they're actually fine examples of local craftsmanship worth seeking out. Theatre lovers should note Thorington Theatre, a converted barn that punches well above its weight with surprisingly ambitious productions.

Getting here is straightforward - the A12 bypasses the town centre, and trains from London Liverpool Street reach Saxmundham in about two hours. Ipswich lies 20 miles southwest if you need proper shopping or dining options.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around gives you the best of both worlds. You're close enough for quick coastal trips to Aldeburgh or Southwold, yet positioned perfectly for exploring the quieter inland Suffolk that most tourists miss entirely.