The Tow Cottage Local Guide Book

Samantha
The Tow Cottage Local Guide Book

Best Local Towns & Villages

Worth a mooch around, especially for Foodies, Fashion and Antiques lovers
Brandeston is known for Framlingham Prep School (formerly Brandeston Hall) All Saint Church and its restored 18th century organ And finally browse the vintage treasures in your hosts barn, @no1eastlane
Brandeston
Brandeston is known for Framlingham Prep School (formerly Brandeston Hall) All Saint Church and its restored 18th century organ And finally browse the vintage treasures in your hosts barn, @no1eastlane
Our nearest town most famous for Framlingham Castle -residence of the Bigods, Howards and Queen Mary before her march on London. Referenced most recently by local singer, Ed Sheeran Also has a small food and flower market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings Has a Co-Op for most of your food/drink essentials Lots of coffee shops try The Dancing Goat and The Common Room. SImpson's Sweets for a milk shake And great fish and chips at Framlingham Fish Bar 01728 723643 https://framlingham.com/
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Framlingham
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Our nearest town most famous for Framlingham Castle -residence of the Bigods, Howards and Queen Mary before her march on London. Referenced most recently by local singer, Ed Sheeran Also has a small food and flower market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings Has a Co-Op for most of your food/drink essentials Lots of coffee shops try The Dancing Goat and The Common Room. SImpson's Sweets for a milk shake And great fish and chips at Framlingham Fish Bar 01728 723643 https://framlingham.com/
For foodies and shopping, go to Market Hill, especially New Street Market https://newstreetmarket.com & Vanil https://www.vanil.co.uk/ Next walk down on The Thoroughfare for great charity shops and antiques. Continue down to the Riverside, stop in at either The Table (restaurant) or The Anchor pub. Watch a film at the 1930's Riverside Cinema Take in the historic Tide Mill and stroll along the riverside up to Kyson Point or along to Melton and have a coffee at http://www.debencafe.co.uk/
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Woodbridge
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For foodies and shopping, go to Market Hill, especially New Street Market https://newstreetmarket.com & Vanil https://www.vanil.co.uk/ Next walk down on The Thoroughfare for great charity shops and antiques. Continue down to the Riverside, stop in at either The Table (restaurant) or The Anchor pub. Watch a film at the 1930's Riverside Cinema Take in the historic Tide Mill and stroll along the riverside up to Kyson Point or along to Melton and have a coffee at http://www.debencafe.co.uk/
Try Pinneys, The Pump Street Bakery, see the Castle and head down the Ore on a river cruise https://www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk/
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Orford
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Try Pinneys, The Pump Street Bakery, see the Castle and head down the Ore on a river cruise https://www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk/
A favourite seaside town ...
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Aldeburgh
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A favourite seaside town ...
Thorpeness was created by the Scottish playwright Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie during the Edwardian period. Ogilvie decided to create Thorpeness as a private place to stay for his friends and family to holiday during the summer. Works on creating Thorpeness began in 1910 and the beautiful Tudor and Jacobean style homes we see today began to take form alongside the golf course and country club. Thorpeness remained largely in the ownership of the Ogilvie family until 1972 when most of it was sold. Definitely worth a visit with the beach, the mere, the house in the clouds, two cafes (they are both good) and a bric-a-brac store. You can walk from Sizewell on the cliff top in about 40mins.
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Thorpeness
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Thorpeness was created by the Scottish playwright Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie during the Edwardian period. Ogilvie decided to create Thorpeness as a private place to stay for his friends and family to holiday during the summer. Works on creating Thorpeness began in 1910 and the beautiful Tudor and Jacobean style homes we see today began to take form alongside the golf course and country club. Thorpeness remained largely in the ownership of the Ogilvie family until 1972 when most of it was sold. Definitely worth a visit with the beach, the mere, the house in the clouds, two cafes (they are both good) and a bric-a-brac store. You can walk from Sizewell on the cliff top in about 40mins.
Notting Hill on Sea, visit the Pier and stroll along the high street but make sure you go to the esturary to the Fishing Huts for wet fish fresh off the boats (Sammy's), fish & chips and visit the Harbour Inn. Then walk over the foot and explore Warbleswick on the otherside, come backon the short £2 trip by ferry
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Southwold
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Notting Hill on Sea, visit the Pier and stroll along the high street but make sure you go to the esturary to the Fishing Huts for wet fish fresh off the boats (Sammy's), fish & chips and visit the Harbour Inn. Then walk over the foot and explore Warbleswick on the otherside, come backon the short £2 trip by ferry
Enjoy a lovely riverside walk and than a relax and enjoy the view at The Ramsholt Arms is a popular riverside pub and dining room, situated on the banks of the river Deben. The pub was reopened in June 2013 by Max & Polly and her brother Will, the same family behind the Michelin starred Ufford Crown just fifteen minutes down the road. Being the only south facing pub on the river, the Ramsholt Arms enjoys beautiful sunsets and is popular in the summer with holidaymakers, families and sailors who make the most of the sun soaked terrace, neighbouring beach and crab fishing jetty. During the summer months visitors can enjoy a variety of fresh locally caught seafood, sharing platters and a real American barbeque at weekends. As the nights draw in, the menu features hearty winter warming dishes, taking advantage of game from the local area. www.theramsholtarms.com
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Ramsholt Arms
Dock Road
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Enjoy a lovely riverside walk and than a relax and enjoy the view at The Ramsholt Arms is a popular riverside pub and dining room, situated on the banks of the river Deben. The pub was reopened in June 2013 by Max & Polly and her brother Will, the same family behind the Michelin starred Ufford Crown just fifteen minutes down the road. Being the only south facing pub on the river, the Ramsholt Arms enjoys beautiful sunsets and is popular in the summer with holidaymakers, families and sailors who make the most of the sun soaked terrace, neighbouring beach and crab fishing jetty. During the summer months visitors can enjoy a variety of fresh locally caught seafood, sharing platters and a real American barbeque at weekends. As the nights draw in, the menu features hearty winter warming dishes, taking advantage of game from the local area. www.theramsholtarms.com
We love Felixstowe - very underrated and something for everyone. 1. Felixstowe Ferry ... oppo site Bawdsey, has the Ferry Boat Inn, James Hunt Wet fish stand, Felixstowe Sailing Club, the fishermans huts and boat yard and a good walk towards Felixstowe centre. 2. Central Felixstowe, perfect if you want a cheesy day out, candyfloss, doughnuts, ice creams, fish & chips and an arcade on the Pier. Lots of beach huts. Take a short walk into town for Orwell Fisheries Fish Bar 3. Languard Fort. Historic fort, great walks and a cafe opposite Felixstowe Port, watch the giant containerships being loaded and departing on far away adventures
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Felixstowe
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We love Felixstowe - very underrated and something for everyone. 1. Felixstowe Ferry ... oppo site Bawdsey, has the Ferry Boat Inn, James Hunt Wet fish stand, Felixstowe Sailing Club, the fishermans huts and boat yard and a good walk towards Felixstowe centre. 2. Central Felixstowe, perfect if you want a cheesy day out, candyfloss, doughnuts, ice creams, fish & chips and an arcade on the Pier. Lots of beach huts. Take a short walk into town for Orwell Fisheries Fish Bar 3. Languard Fort. Historic fort, great walks and a cafe opposite Felixstowe Port, watch the giant containerships being loaded and departing on far away adventures

Shopping

Aside from the obvious ones, like Woodbridge, Fram and Southwold, we'd recommend these too
We love this town, has some interesting food and vintage shops Go to : Black Dog Antiques Portobello East Coast Dees Den (charity shop) behind the square by the church And the community charity shop in the car park
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Halesworth
42 Thoroughfare
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We love this town, has some interesting food and vintage shops Go to : Black Dog Antiques Portobello East Coast Dees Den (charity shop) behind the square by the church And the community charity shop in the car park
A really pretty town, colonised by artists. well worth a trip
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Bungay
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A really pretty town, colonised by artists. well worth a trip
Shopping, culture & music - This beautiful heritage site is home to independent shops, galleries, places to eat, and the world-famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall. https://snapemaltings.co.uk/
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Snape Maltings
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Shopping, culture & music - This beautiful heritage site is home to independent shops, galleries, places to eat, and the world-famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall. https://snapemaltings.co.uk/
For your Brandeston Gold (4.5%) ale supplies, call John on 01728 861213
The Earl Soham Brewery
For your Brandeston Gold (4.5%) ale supplies, call John on 01728 861213
Want to try some local wine .... this vineyard is less than 5 miles up the road https://www.shawsgate.co.uk/
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Shawsgate Vineyard
Badingham Road
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Want to try some local wine .... this vineyard is less than 5 miles up the road https://www.shawsgate.co.uk/
By God, their Bigod is good Fen Farm Dairy makes delicious Baron Bigod Brie, butter, and skyr in the UK using raw milk and sustainable, greener farming practices. https://fenfarmdairy.co.uk/
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Fen Farm Dairy
Flixton Road
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By God, their Bigod is good Fen Farm Dairy makes delicious Baron Bigod Brie, butter, and skyr in the UK using raw milk and sustainable, greener farming practices. https://fenfarmdairy.co.uk/
A local auctioneers -has general sale every monday (except bank holidays) and specialist art, modern and farm machinery sales about four times a year https://www.clarkeandsimpson.co.uk/auction-centre
Clarke & Simpson Auctions Ltd
A local auctioneers -has general sale every monday (except bank holidays) and specialist art, modern and farm machinery sales about four times a year https://www.clarkeandsimpson.co.uk/auction-centre
Worth a trip to mooch around Swans antiques run by the incredibly graceful, Danielle https://swanhouseandgarden.co.uk or for those with very deep pockets, go and see Ian at https://www.antiquefurniture.tv/ He really is a passionate restorer of very, very high end pieces. The Fish & Chip shop there is FANTASTIC. 01728 860883
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Debenham
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Worth a trip to mooch around Swans antiques run by the incredibly graceful, Danielle https://swanhouseandgarden.co.uk or for those with very deep pockets, go and see Ian at https://www.antiquefurniture.tv/ He really is a passionate restorer of very, very high end pieces. The Fish & Chip shop there is FANTASTIC. 01728 860883

Walks

Some of our favourite places to walk the dogs
lovely beach walks
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Bawdsey
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lovely beach walks
Great walks, a lagoon, a favourite spot for kite surfers (if you have your own kit), seal spotting and location for film and tv Also a John Penn House for those interested in architecture
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Shingle Street
Unnamed Road
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Great walks, a lagoon, a favourite spot for kite surfers (if you have your own kit), seal spotting and location for film and tv Also a John Penn House for those interested in architecture
Famous for 1980 UFO military sighting. Miles and miles of walks. Also visit Sutton Heath for another dog walk
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Rendleshamskogen
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Famous for 1980 UFO military sighting. Miles and miles of walks. Also visit Sutton Heath for another dog walk
A really lovely sand and shingle beach walk plus Sizewell T Cafe Or get Fish & Chips from Seahawks Fish & Chips in Leiston and bring them to the beach.
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Sizewell
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A really lovely sand and shingle beach walk plus Sizewell T Cafe Or get Fish & Chips from Seahawks Fish & Chips in Leiston and bring them to the beach.
Secret enclave of art & media luvvies, the Freuds and their friends have been residents here since the turn of last century. Two good pubs, The Anchor (where the locals go) and The Bell. Also famous for crabbing
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Walberswick
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Secret enclave of art & media luvvies, the Freuds and their friends have been residents here since the turn of last century. Two good pubs, The Anchor (where the locals go) and The Bell. Also famous for crabbing
Both the beach and the heath are great to walk
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Dunwich
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Both the beach and the heath are great to walk
Secret beach but a long walk to get to and there's nothing there when you make it. So take lots of water, suntan lotion, food and shade. Ask me for directions and do NOT follow the footpath
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Covehithe
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Secret beach but a long walk to get to and there's nothing there when you make it. So take lots of water, suntan lotion, food and shade. Ask me for directions and do NOT follow the footpath

More Places of Interest

Mrs Pretty's house, Raewalds Burial site and lovely Riverside walks
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National Trust - Sutton Hoo
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Mrs Pretty's house, Raewalds Burial site and lovely Riverside walks
The Stunning location for BBC's Spring Watch, close to Dunwich beach
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RSPB Minsmere
Sheepwash Lane
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The Stunning location for BBC's Spring Watch, close to Dunwich beach
The museum is based in the former USAF hardened command post on the former Bentwaters airfield, we believe that currently this is the only such building open regularly to the public in the UK and Europe. The main “war operations room” and “Battle cabin” have been restored to original condition, the BT telephone exchange room, and decontamination showers and airlock are also as original. Other rooms within the building have been turned into exhibition rooms, covering the history of RAF Bentwaters from W.W.II until the base closed in 1993. Included in this are histories of the units that operated form the airfield, particularly the 81st FW. Another room is dedicated to the history of the other airfield which was part of the “twin base” complex RAF Woodbridge, again covering the period from WWII until the present day. We have other exhibition rooms featuring information on the “Special Operations/Rescue Squadrons” that were based at RAF Woodbridge, as well as the “Aggressor” Squadron based at Bentwaters. A miscellaneous exhibition room has Cold War exhibitions and a Cold War timeline, as well as displays about the 81st Fighter Wing at Shepherds Grove, the USAF Cobra Mist installation on Orfordness, and the 2164th Communications Squadron. https://www.bcwm.org.uk/
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Bentwaters Cold War Museum
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The museum is based in the former USAF hardened command post on the former Bentwaters airfield, we believe that currently this is the only such building open regularly to the public in the UK and Europe. The main “war operations room” and “Battle cabin” have been restored to original condition, the BT telephone exchange room, and decontamination showers and airlock are also as original. Other rooms within the building have been turned into exhibition rooms, covering the history of RAF Bentwaters from W.W.II until the base closed in 1993. Included in this are histories of the units that operated form the airfield, particularly the 81st FW. Another room is dedicated to the history of the other airfield which was part of the “twin base” complex RAF Woodbridge, again covering the period from WWII until the present day. We have other exhibition rooms featuring information on the “Special Operations/Rescue Squadrons” that were based at RAF Woodbridge, as well as the “Aggressor” Squadron based at Bentwaters. A miscellaneous exhibition room has Cold War exhibitions and a Cold War timeline, as well as displays about the 81st Fighter Wing at Shepherds Grove, the USAF Cobra Mist installation on Orfordness, and the 2164th Communications Squadron. https://www.bcwm.org.uk/

Pubs Near Us

Just up the road, try the Victoria pub, very popular with locals www.earlsohamvictoria.com/ Also try the Huttons the butchers and deli for delicious treats as well as delicious breakfasts https://www.johnhuttonbutcher.co.uk/
Earl Soham
Just up the road, try the Victoria pub, very popular with locals www.earlsohamvictoria.com/ Also try the Huttons the butchers and deli for delicious treats as well as delicious breakfasts https://www.johnhuttonbutcher.co.uk/
Try the The Bell for good value, basic pub fare ... www.cretinghambell.com
Cretingham
Try the The Bell for good value, basic pub fare ... www.cretinghambell.com
Try the White Horse pub http://badinghamwhitehorse.co.uk
Badingham
Try the White Horse pub http://badinghamwhitehorse.co.uk
Try The Low House (Kings Head) https://lowhouselaxfield.com/
Laxfield
Try The Low House (Kings Head) https://lowhouselaxfield.com/
Scottish couple Stewart and Louise really know their food. It's very pretty in an idyllic location ... another local secret www.greyhoundinnpettistree.co.uk
Pettistree
Scottish couple Stewart and Louise really know their food. It's very pretty in an idyllic location ... another local secret www.greyhoundinnpettistree.co.uk