Suffolk

Suffolk is a ceremonial county in the east of England, positioned between Norfolk to the north and Essex to the south. The landscape shifts between gentle inland hills and around 80 kilometers of North Sea coastline marked by sandy beaches, shingle banks and shallow river estuaries.

The area was settled by Anglo-Saxons during the 5th and 6th centuries, who established a kingdom here and left behind burial sites that reveal their wealth and craftsmanship. During medieval times, the wool trade brought prosperity to the region, funding the construction of grand churches that still stand in many villages today.

Villages across the county celebrate harvest traditions and local fairs throughout the year, keeping agricultural customs alive in a way that shapes how communities gather. Farmers markets and food festivals attract locals and visitors alike, reflecting the area's ongoing connection to the land and seasonal rhythms.

The county can be reached easily by train from London, with services running regularly to the main town of Ipswich in just over an hour. Smaller towns and villages are linked by bus routes, though a car offers more flexibility for exploring the countryside and coastal areas at your own pace.

The area is home to some of Britain's oldest forests, including Thetford Forest, which was planted after the First World War as one of the country's largest reforestation projects. On the coast lies Orford Ness, a long spit of gravel that was once a military testing site and now hosts migrating birds and rare plant species.